Need help with Metzlers on an '04 Wide Glide. : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

rpbrock · 01-15-2006, 03:34 PM

So I want a set of Metzlers. Just don't know which ones are best for the Wide Glide. I keep reading about 880s. Is this the most popular Metzler for this bike. I want to still ride hard but need a good tire for trips. Would like some more milage than I get from the Dunlops if this is possible. I'm about to switch from spokes to wheels and I need a solution before I put in an order.

Any suggestions from Metzler owners is much appreciated.

nidan · 01-15-2006, 04:10 PM

I 've had stock dunlops, Metzeler 880's, Avon Venoms, and the Dunolp GT502 screamin eagle rear. Overall I'd rank the Metzeler 1, the Avon a close second , the GT502 third . When my current tires wear out , I'm going back to the 880's , best combintation of wet and dry traction and mileage.

amidaeus · 01-15-2006, 06:48 PM

I can't tell you if they are any good yet because I just ordered them. I can tell you that after searching the web for days, the cheapest price I found was at www.americanmototire.com . From what I've read here and other sites they are "the" best overall. I'm puttin the 880s WWW on the Road King.

rpbrock · 01-15-2006, 07:07 PM

Thanks guys... I'm looking at the http://www.americanmototire.com/ web site right now. Look like some good prices if the shipping is in-line.

rpbrock · 01-15-2006, 07:31 PM

Metzler's web site shows a fitment of a fatter tire 120/70-21M/CTL 62V ME880F instead of the stock 90/90-21M/CTL 54H ME880F for a Wide Glide front end on any 03-05 FXDWG. they claim this is a Stage one upgrade that requires no mods. Anybody tried this out? Or am I to be the Guinna pig?

Sorry to put it here but didn't find any info in the Tire threads.

8-UP · 01-15-2006, 08:51 PM

Go with the 880's you can proubly put A 150 on the rear, maybe A 160.
Check with A dealer he can tell you witch will fit.
Run A little more air in the 880's.

ratt · 01-15-2006, 09:02 PM

One thing you want to consider before you switch from the OEM tires ,, is that if you do a good deal of touring ,,,and pick up a nail on the road , you will need a new tire ....more often than not the HD dealer will be your best and most convenient option to get a tire ,,,, If you stick with OEM dunlops ,,, you have a dealer with the right tire in stock .......I get 10k out of a rear tire touring two up on the glide ......on oem tires .... you may find that you get less if most of your riding is around town stuff .. i have replaced them at 8500 on that type of riding ..... food for thought .......HD has a pretty good dealer network ,, while their may be better tires than oems ,,, not many are as convenient to replace on the road ..... rat

murphdog · 01-15-2006, 09:06 PM

I replied in your other thread, but the 120 front is a stage 2 upgrade. It requires a 3-3.75" rim where the stock rim is 2.15"

Homesick · 01-15-2006, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpbrock

So I want a set of Metzlers. Just don't know which ones are best for the Wide Glide. I keep reading about 880s. Is this the most popular Metzler for this bike. I want to still ride hard but need a good tire for trips. Would like some more milage than I get from the Dunlops if this is possible. I'm about to switch from spokes to wheels and I need a solution before I put in an order.

Any suggestions from Metzler owners is much appreciated.

I'm assuming that by "ride hard" you mean cornering, and not hours spent at 85 MPH. So-

I'm much more a cruiser than a peg dragger, but even I can tell that the 880s on my FXRT corner better than the Dunlops that came off. The 880 is also MUCH less sensitive to rain grooves, etc.

I haven't had the 880s long enough to know about life expectancy; but, in general, rubber compounds for grip and compounds for long life are the two opposite ends of the ruler.

Joe

rpbrock · 01-15-2006, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arjonaut

I'm assuming that by "ride hard" you mean cornering, and not hours spent at 85 MPH. So-

I'm much more a cruiser than a peg dragger, but even I can tell that the 880s on my FXRT corner better than the Dunlops that came off. The 880 is also MUCH less sensitive to rain grooves, etc.

I haven't had the 880s long enough to know about life expectancy; but, in general, rubber compounds for grip and compounds for long life are the two opposite ends of the ruler.

Joe

So are the 880 a softer compound than the OEM Dunlops? Ride hard for me equates to cornering somedays and 85 mph plus on others.... what ever it takes to get me out of the house. I had been reading that a lot of you guys run several pounds psi over whats called for. Is this the ticket to more tire life with the Metzlers?

As for tire life... If I can get 8K out of them I'll be happy, 9-10K would be ideal. My main thing right now is getting away from the inner tubes, spokes and being able to plug a leak on the road.

So far, I'm seeing most people are happiest with the Metzlers or the Avons. If anybody wants to suggest a better tire for the application, I'm open for suggestions. And yes the Dunlops are easy to get at the dealer but if I have a problem on the road, that's cool with me to put a Dunlop on if it will get me home. Hell, I'll tie a dead cat around the tire if it will get me home....

Thanks for the help.

rpbrock · 01-15-2006, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by murphdog

I replied in your other thread, but the 120 front is a stage 2 upgrade. It requires a 3-3.75" rim where the stock rim is 2.15"

Well that sucks ass.... it's always something. That answers that one. Thanks Murphdog. While I have you here, what tires are you running on your glide?

murphdog · 01-16-2006, 07:15 AM

rp,
Metzeler 90/90-21 and 150/80-16. Don't know if I'll go with Metzelers next time. I got 12,500 miles on the stock Dunlop rear, the Metzeler has less than 8000 and is about done.

rpbrock · 01-16-2006, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by murphdog

rp,
Metzeler 90/90-21 and 150/80-16. Don't know if I'll go with Metzelers next time. I got 12,500 miles on the stock Dunlop rear, the Metzeler has less than 8000 and is about done.

It's because of all those wheelies you do.

Snaps · 01-16-2006, 09:23 AM

Not sure if this would concern you or not, or if your dealership even has the same policies, but the local HD dealership around me will no longer mount or install ANY aftermarket wheels or tires. They claim liability issues and repeated fitment issues for aftermarket wheels.

For them, it's "all HD, all the time" when it comes to wheels and tires. Might be worth checking with your local dealer if this would be an issue for you.

kink04fxd · 01-16-2006, 10:38 AM

FWIW, I just turned 10,000 miles on my stock Dunlaps and they are only about half worn. I seldom ride 2up but travel alot and like to ride the twisties.