I've read back & fourth on this forum about the pro-cons of several makes of tires. My Ultra has factory 402's and for the most part handles well (dry/wet) except for tar snakes, doesn't like those !!

The 402 is the only tire with siping, which... from what I understand is the best way to have more traction in wet weather.

Every other type of tire that people swear by doesn't seem to have this siping ?? How can these tires handle so well in the rain ??

Part of my problem is wanting to go wider on the rear so that rules out the 402's, but I won't go wider if I can't have the wet traction.

Any thoughts or advise is appreciated, Thanks.
HDavidB

 

I'd like to know that info too.

 

I understand your concern and also place a high value on traction, both wet and dry. I've run D402's for years and now have 16k of experience on a Dunlop Elite 3 rear (7k on the front), and enough running in the wet to form a judgment on them. IMO the E3's perform better than the D402's in the wet and they have almost no tread at all in the center of the tire. On a trip to the Smokies in May we ran into some of the worse weather I've encountered in many years of touring, including torrential rains, and the E3's were very confidence-inspiring in the wet, even on the twisty mountain roads. I don't think you can use tread design or siping as the sole criteria for how well a tire will perform in the wet, as from my experience it certainly doesn't apply for the E3's.

I don't have a clue how they work so well. It seems to be common knowledge that a more durable tire will suffer in traction compared to a tire that wears out faster, but that wisdom doesn't apply here. I'm getting same mileage out of the current E3 rear tire as I got from the first two D402's combined. Of course, YMMV, but I won't be going back.

 

This is one of those subjects that if you ask 10 guys you might get 10 different answers. I have always felt that Avon & Metzler tires are better for wet conditions, they do seem to have a softer rubber compound and certainly don't get the mileage. I hve a friend with the new Michlens and he swears by them on wet roads.

 

+1 on the avons, I run them on my king no problem on wet roads. My bud runs 402's and he took a spill last week in the rain. But, that could be riders error.

 

My experiences with D-402s in rain have been all positive. I currently have an Elite3 rear but only about twenty minutes in the rain. It seemed fine but too limited experience to recommend.

 

+1 on the E3s. Much better than stock Harley tires.

 

here's my list from the worst to the best
worst.....Avon & Metzeler....both suck equally to me
ok.....stock Dunlop
best so far....Pirelli Nite Dragons

havent run the E3's yet but will be puttin them on the BryceBike

 

Elite 3's are the way to go. They eat up and spit out tar snakes, rain, you name it. I love them.

 

It is true that sipes (thin cuts in the tread) were once the way to deal with water, but they are no longer common on either car or bike tyres, so we must assume some other black magic has been invented by the tyre makers!

I have extensive experience of riding my Harley in the wet and heavy rain and Avon Venoms are my choice. They use higher pressures than Dunlop and if you fit them refer to Avon's website for their recommended pressures for your bike. If you use Dunlop pressures in Avon tyres don't be surprised if you are disappointed in the Avons!

HDavidB, You mention wanting to fit wider tyres. What year is your bike?