I am also a fair weather rider, but occasionally encounter wet or damp coastal roads near SF.

The Dunlops AEs have been great, and I have zero hesitation in recommending them for your use case, which is very similar to mine although I do hustle my stripped down King through the backroads a bit.

 

Someone mentioned Avons. My GF and I both ride our Deluxes on them and they are very comfortable and quiet riding tires. Very nice grip on any type road, wet or dry.

We're close to you, as we sometimes do a breakfast in Solvang and then ride up the coast on our way to the wine country on a four day weekend.

 

My 2011 FLHX came to me with 888s...I thought enough of them to replace with the same tire.

 

Thanks to everyone for their input, I appreciate it! At least I know I can't go wrong with whatever it is I choose. The tires on the bike are the Metzeler 880s but those appear to have been replaced by the 888s.

 

I used to completely overthink my tire selections so for what it is worth, I highly recommend the Dunlop Elite 3's. These are bias ply tires. Check out Jakewilson.com Also the Elite 4's are out. When I change my tires next time I might go with those.

 

I went from Metzlers to Avon and very happy I did. Best tires in the curves I have ever used.

 

Either the Dunlop A/E, or the Mich CII's are good for that riding style. I had them both, but just went to Avon Cobras, since 90% of my riding is in the twisties.

Agreed 100%

 

Dunlop American Elites get my vote. Metzler had some really major issues with their tires on the heavy touring bikes in the past. I am not sure if all those issues have been flushed out.

Here is a link to a comparison between the AE's and the Commander two.
https://www.bikebandit.com/blog/post...american-elite

 

MIx radial and Bias ply if you want.. Find one you like, try different kinds... Call your local Indy shop or metric dealer, they might have a good deal for you... So many brands Avon, Pirelli, Dunlop, Michelin, Bridgestone just came out with the Battlecruise, Mettzeller 888 ...Higher mileage tires will be a harder compound, lower mileage will usually be softer compound... Give up something to get something else...
I have been it seems through all the choices except for Metzellers ... Elite III for me , I want to try the Elite IV and the new Bridgestone eventually but my tires are smaller than yours on my 07.
Good luck.

 

recently installed Metzlers on my 16 RGS, after a few 100 miles I will be replacing them. I'm a aggressive well experienced rider and this tire has skidded many times on dry road and slid out on me once. Soft tire handles better but wears faster don't give up handling for longevity. I will be going back to Dunlops in the spring.