My 05 RoadKing has about 3k mi. on Metzler 880s. There may be better tires but the 880s beat the heck out of the OE Dunlops. MUCH better on grooved roads. Very good in wet and dry conditions. Seem to stop better too.

 

Bought last 402 from www.donelsoncycles.com after a thorough search for the cheapest price. Got the tire in five days, a 130 NWW rear for 113.95 shipped.

 

I stayed with the Dunlops. I got 13k out of the rear and I just changed the front at a little over 20k. As mentioned above, some of the other maker's white walls do turn a brownish yellow. I was told by a tire guy that it has to do with the vulcanizing process between the white and black. Don't know, but, the Dunlops stay white. Well, ya gotta clean 'em.

 

Everyone rides different so everyones oppinions are not the same. If you want the following, buy the ME880's:

1) Even having to run higher air pressures in the 880's, they ride better. Tar strips on the road are not felt.
2) They go straight down the road and grooved roads do not effect them.
3) When changing lanes and going over raised lines, they are not effected.
4) When changing lanes and going over different road surfaces, they are not effected.
4) The sidewall is much easier to clean.
5) The rear 140/90-16 fills up the rear fender better.
6) They are better in the wet.

Metzeler recommends 38F and 44R tire pressure. I am running 40F and 46R. For 2up run 42F and 50R.

On another forum, a member stated "Metzelers were a gift from God". A pretty profound statement and I agree. I believe Dunlop to be a fine tire company, but the MOCO spent all of their tire money on the grooved sidewalls and having their name printed on the side. The Elite 3's would be a better Dunlop choice than the 402's.. All of this being said, if I bought a new 07 Bagger, either it would have 880's before it left the dealer or they would be put on after I got home.

 

Sure Fatbagger. Purchase the $ 35.00 Pingel disc for '00-'03 FLH series rear wheels that allows running a 142 mm tire (Stock on '04 and newer) with no other modifications required. Then buy a E-3 or 402 Dunlop and hit the road!

 

I just put a metzeler ME880 150/16 on the back of my SG and it handles and drives way better than it did with the stock dunlop. My front dunlop is only half wore but I think I am going to put a metzeler on the front right away too.