I have a 2013 FLHTCU that I took delivery of the 7th of July. By November, I had worn out the rear tire with just shy of 13,000 miles. I read all I could looking to see if there was a better tire than the OEM Dunlop’s. I ordered both front and rear from Rocky Mountain ATV/MC. I paid $193.99 for the 180/65B-16 rear and $148.99 for the 130/80B-17 front. Shipping was fast and I received them in three days. I had a local Indy mount them for me and once I got them back, I filled them to the upper limits with Ride-On. I have put 300 local miles and 1400 highway miles on the tires since November 13th.

Price – Good. The tires were expensive but cheaper than some alternatives. I feel like I got a good deal.

Front End Looseness –Better. With this I mean, before, I could slightly move the bar back and forth at higher speeds and the front felt real loose.

Tar Snakes – Great. No more following them.

Cracks – Good. The front end seems to ride through them and not with them.

Noise – Worse. These tires are noisier but once over parking lot speeds, and tunes on, you can’t hear them.

Smoothness – Worse. This was the first thing I noticed. They are much harder ride than OEM. I thought they might calm down when warmed up. Only just a little bit.

Traction – Good. I have had traction slips during downshifting once or twice and never did with the stock.

Water – Same. Didn’t really have any issue with them. Puddles were displaced just fine and I never did feel the bike get loose.

So far, I am pleased with the tires. Now, I just have to see how they wear in the longer run.

 

I'll agree with you on all points except the following two:

Smoothness, Traction are loads better than the 402's on my '07.

I came from Dunlop 402's on an '07 though so have no idea what a 2013 has on it. The 402's are sheer crap compared to the Metzlers. I too am interested to see how they wear as well. I'll be happy to get 12k or so out of them.

I am happy so far!

 

After being an avid 880 user for years, I decided to try the 888's. Agree with you on all points except wet traction. I don't feel nearly the same comfort level as I had previously, especially with a FM107. So far I have 10k miles on them and they STILL have a good amount of tread left, not even close to replacing yet. Definitely a harder compound I used to get about 7k out of a rear and close to double for a front. These seem to almost wear the same and I ride HARD. On the fence whether I stick with the 888's or try the Commanders next.

 

Thanks guys for the input. What pressures are you running them at. Right now, I'm at 40f/42r and have thought about bringing them down a little. Maybe 38/40 or something.

 

I don't know personally about the 402s but have been told that they are worse than the stock 408 front and 407 rear on the later bikes.

 

i have the 888 on my other bike and agree about wet traction. i do not like them in rain. i wont be buying them again, i loved my commander II i had on my SG. will have them on my RG soon as i need to replace

 

I have these and agree they suck in the rain. I had Shinko before and even they held the road better in the rain. These don't feel good at all on wet roads. Maybe some Commanders next time?

 

I had my Dunlops replaced with the ME880 F and ME888 R on my 13 StreetGlide. Historically I raved over how sticky the 880s were, and loved them. This experience is quite the opposite and I'm very disappointed in the 888. Wet traction is terrible, albeit I did have pressure at the high end of mfg recommendation (44-50), so I dropped my pressure to 44. Wet traction was better. Bike skipped out twice on me under dry conditions yesterday. So, I called Metzeler, now dropping pressure closer to Harley's recommendation of 40. Metzeler said they won't warrantee them but I need to have confidence in my tires. Kinda looking forward to stripping them off.May try commanders next or go back to stock. Very disappointed in these Metz. Dean

 

Do they not have a warranty? If they do, why won't they?

 

Have you tried the AVON Cobra AV72 and the AV71 I have used these before and they handle really well in the wet or dry when my stock tires go this spring I will be going back to the AVONS.