my only deal is if you want the stock tire you MUST get it at HD. I don't like being told where to spend my money. I am hoping the metzlers turn at least 12k before replacing rear again

 

I've been running 880s on all my bikes, Sporty, Heritage Springer and the Road King. I run them too long it would appear because this morning when i went to get the King inspected (which I never had to do in NV) they wouldn't sign off because of my rear tire.

I don't have my info with me at work, but I'm thinking it must have at least 5K on it now...

 

I've got Metzler 880s on my hardtail. A German 200 in the rear and a Brazilian 90/90 up front. The Metzler tread separation recall, as far as I know, was a batch issue effecting only the Metzler "Tourance" model tires with the following DOT markings:

DOT EB 0Y B279 0910
or
DOT EB 0Y B279 1010.

Both of these were manufactured in the weeks nine and ten of the year 2010.

I'm running at a lower air pressure (25 PSI) in the rear as there's no way you can run the recommended PSI on a hardtail. But not as low as some other guys I know. But the bike is a solo rider and overall lighter in weight than a stock bike so I'm not worried about the bead breaking. Besides I mounted that tire myself and it's hard to imagine (even when hot) it ever coming off by itself! I run the front at the recommended PSI. If the rear starts cupping, well, that's the price you pay for riding a custom. And I'll just replace it sooner.

One benefit of today's larger tires (no, not ridiculously bigger) is better hardtail comfort. Back in the day, and with the smaller tires, not matter what PSI you ran it pretty much rocked your world.

As for softness\hardness issue I think the Metzlers are made of a "softer" compound than Duncelops, LOL!

 

Just be careful for the first 50 miles or so. They use some type of a compound on the tires to keep them from sticking to the mold, and this can be slippery for the first 50 miles or so.
The last set of Metz I had seemed to have a lot of this on them. After that, they were fine.

 

i dont like mine.they will last but are to hard.deadly in the rain.the stock tires wore like sht but i thought that they handled much better at speed.hopfully some one will come out with a radial with the load rating that is needed.