There was one post about a bad sidewall on a Metzler. Hard to tell, but it looked like road hazard damage. Next thing all the chicken littles (the sky is falling!) were exclaiming that Metzlers were bad tires based on one comment. Metzelers are by far the best rain tire I've ever had. Advise you get here sometimes must be taken with a grain of salt. Your Avons are decent tires and much better than Dumlops, but give the Metzlers a try next time.

 

I saw first hand a bad sidewall Metzler. It was quite ugly. Real big ugly bulge on the tire.

 

Somewhere I remember reading that Metz had problems with some tires produced other than Germany ut they pulled those tires from sales. I'm on my 3rd set with no problems. COntinentals were ok but didn't handle as well to me.

Bubba

 

I run the Michelin Commanders in all types of weather. Very happy with them. AND they are load rated for the touring bikes. Don't think the metz's are load rated for the Tourers.

Heard good things about the Elite 3's. Have a few friends running the Avons and Tourers and they really like them.

 

See what I mean about bad info here. Metzler 880's are definately "load rated" for touring bikes.

 

When you go to the Metzler website and use their interactive fitment chart for a 2007 RKC they kick back two different answers.

Here is the FIRST -They say they do not have one that will fit

Here is the Second - They recommend a tire with a Load index of 71.

[align=left]LOAD INDEX[/align][align=left]47 = 386 LBS 48 = 397 LBS 49 = 408 LBS 50 = 414 LBS[/align][align=left]51 = 430 LBS 52 = 441 LBS 53 = 454 LBS 54 = 467 LBS[/align][align=left]55 = 481 LBS 56 = 494 LBS 57 = 507 LBS 58 = 520 LBS[/align][align=left]59 = 536 LBS 60 = 551 LBS 61 = 567 LBS 62 = 584 LBS[/align][align=left]63 = 600 LBS 64 = 617 LBS 65 = 639 LBS 66 = 661 LBS[/align][align=left]67 = 677 LBS 68 = 694 LBS 69 = 716 LBS 70 = 739 LBS[/align][align=left]71 = 761 LBS 72 = 783 LBS 73 = 805 LBS 74 = 827 LBS[/align][align=left]75 = 853 LBS 76 = 882 LBS 77 = 908 LBS 78 = 937 LBS[/align][align=left]79 = 963 LBS 80 = 992 LBS 81 = 1019 LBS 82 = 1047 LBS[/align][align=left]83 = 1074 LBS 84 = 1102 LBS 85 = 1135 LBS 86 = 1168 LBS[/align][align=left]87 = 1202 LBS

The stock Dunlop 402's have a load index of 77

The Michelin Commanders also have a load index of 77

Since the only two rear tires that Harley sells for the RKC both have a load index of 77, and the one that Metzler recommends has a load rating of only 71 (the difference being 77=908 lbs and 71=761 lbs). I said "I don't think the metz's are load rated for the Tourer's."

I did NOT state it as fact, I shared that I was NOT SURE. Calling my statement "I don't think they are load rated..." bad info, just does not make sense. An intelligent person would understand I was equivocating, and they should do further research.

I have now done further research, which is listed above for you.

Perhaps (I am not stating a fact here, so no need to call this bad info) a 71 load index is sufficient for a tourer.

However, (I am stating a fact here, so you are welcome to criticize my thinking process) I am much more comfortable with a rear tire on MY touring bike that has a load index of 77.

[/align]

 

Bumpiity bump

 

avon is the way to go

 

Ordered tires Sunday night, they arrived yesterday, great price fast service from these guys, Ohio to Miami in three days.
http://www.tireexpress.com/index.cfm

 

Nothin like bringing an old thread back to life. I've been doing a little research on the Dunlop Elite 2's. Here's a good link. It shows a 71 load rating and states that it is a...
High-mileage touring tire
High load-carrying capacity

http://www.fullthrottlemotorsports.c...NG%20TIRES.htm

I might be more comfortable with a 77 too but I already have the Elite 2's on the way to me so we'll see what happens. Granted, I'm putting these on my softail so maybe not as much to worry about but hey, a blow out is blow out, and I ride the highways a lot so I hope no one minds me sharing these cruiser thoughts. I'm down to the wear marks on my current rear tire and I'm prayin they last just a little longer!