switched to Metzeler ME880's
rear oem Dunlop showing some wear at about 9000 miles,probably had a couple thousand still, but decided to replace
did front at same time
Major difference
Like you, I always felt like the bike was sliding sideways , especially at lower speeds, and felt like it would fall over cornering
Metzelers are awesome,better in wet, feel like I'm sticking to the road
Have had them on for over 2000 miles
Some say they don't last as long mileage wise, but they feel safer

 

Some say they don't last as long mileage wise, but they feel safer

I had a set of the ME880s put on my 03 Ultra Classic a couple months ago and my Indy told me to keep 40# in the front and 50# in the rear and they would last just as long or not longer than the Dunlops.

 

I felt mine "washed out" at slower speeds so I upped the front to 40 and rear to 43 and almost OK. A long time police motor mechanic told me that Metzelers took longer to warm up so be careful

 

I 2nd all the positives on Metzelers. Just changed front & rear -- it's SO much better. We must be riding some of the same stretch of road on Hwy 101, because those rain grooves were quite evident with the dunlops. Anyone on the bike with me would freak a bit. NOW, don't even know they're there. Cornering is SO much better, and not just because of new shoes. New Dunlops didn't come close to the secure feeling with these tires. Come to think of it, I've never had a positive experience with Dunlops (bike or car). I was nervous about the switch, with Harley only endorsing the Dunlops, but no more (thanks to this forum). Metzeler ME880's from here on out. Thanks guys. (thanks for the warning on warming 'em up too)

 

Metzelers will outlast and have more grip then Dunlops, you have to follow the MFG recommended tire PSI which is little higher then most.
Glad you guys like them.?prty:

 

I have to agree BUT, I had metzlers on my rk, the first rear developed a baseball size bubble on the side wall, pretty scary looking, there was plenty of meat on the tire, I just happened to be cleaning the bike on the lift when I noticed it, (note: always keep bike clean, thats how you find loose nuts and brocken parts) replaced it then got 2 nails in the new one within a month, I figured this was just bad luck, I got a good deal on stock dunlops and I really don't like 'em at all, I think I am going to try avons next time, I was told they are pretty good also, I am not knocking the metz. its not there fault about the nails, just figure they don't like me as much as I liked them LOL!

 

This forum really comes in handy. I did a search on Metzelers and read everyones past posts that related to these tires. With that information along with mentions of others brands I replaced my OEM dunlops last week. They had about 12K on them.

I read how some thought the bike to be hyper active or would give the feeling of being sucked downward on slow turns with the Metzelers.

All I can say is a big thumbs up to these tires. I got the ME880 Marathon's. I have an 05 Dyna Wide Glide. The only way I can describe the bike now is prior the bike felt flat footed (though I didn't know it at the time) but now the bike feels like it's up on the balls of it's feet. It corners like a dream, just point it and it shoots the turns. Before I had to pull it through with a noticable counter steer. Now the bike darts around the turns. The rain grooves on HWY101 are a thing of the past. With the Dunlops the bike would weave through the rain grooves now it tracks dead straight.

I alway loved riding, now I really am diggin it more and am finding any reason I can to hop on and go for a cruise. In fact I think I need to go the bank right now and check my balance.

You have a bank balance?? I shipped a set of ME880's to OZ, then did not even use the freegin rear tyre I got and bought a 150 rear ME880. My Deluxe feels like a whole new bike, now.

The first few K's were really weird, though, until I got through the very outer layer on the tires. For a couple days I thought I had made a mistake with the tyres, but then once the tyres were wore in a bit its all GO.

 

On my 3rd set,best rain tires I've ever had.

 

I felt mine "washed out" at slower speeds so I upped the front to 40 and rear to 43 and almost OK.

This is my experience with them also. I checked the pressure this weekend 'cause they were feeling squirly on the corners. Both were at 30PSI. Inflated them back to Metzeler's recommendations which made a world of difference.

 

I got the ME880 Marathon's. I have an 05 Dyna Wide Glide.

What sizes did you get for your Wide Glide?

 

If you guys are running 2 up on a touring frame loaded, you could be overloading the Metz ME880 Marathon (please compare load rating specs. Metzler admits this.

I decided to switch over to the Avons and found they handle the same as the Metz if not better and they have the load rating.

Bear in mind, I am speaking to the 150mm tire width which I decided I love on my RK... '04 and after can use this tire with no modifications.

I put some info up if you are interested...

 

They do make ME880's for baggers and then there is a type for Dyna, Softtails.

I put the exact HD OEM sizes on based on the Dunlops that came on the bike. These are the Metzeler Marathon specs:

Front: 90/90-21 M/C 54H
Rear: 150/8 B16 M/C 71H

I did this at Hog Pro, my local guys right down the street who do all my work.

I asked if I could get a wider tire on the rear considering the width of the '05 swing arm and rear fender width. When you stick you finger up between the fender and the tire with the Dunlop it would fit but it would touch on both sides of your finger. More evident on the right side of the bike since the tire is offset a bit. After the Metzeler was put on (spec above) I could fit my finger in without touch either the fender or the tire. That coupled with the fact that Metzelers don't expand outward at speed I bet I could have gotten a 160 or maybe even a 170 on there. Not that it matters, I still really am blown away at the difference in handling.

 

Just be careful, those of you on the touring frame...

The Metz 150 is under recommended spec. in terms of load rating...

The Avons are rated:

Front Tire: Avon Venom AM41 MT90B16 74H

Rear Tire: Avon Venom AM42 150/80B-16 77H

 

dougsthang wrote: "All I can say is a big thumbs up to these tires. I got the ME880 Marathon's. I have an 05 Dyna Wide Glide."

Question: Are the ME 880 Marathon's and the ME880 High Mileage Cruiser's the same tire? One on-liner retailer lists the Marathon's under the ME880 and another list the High Mileage Cruiser's under the ME880. Metzler's web site lists the Marathon's on their fitment chart for my scoot (05' Dyna LowRider).

 

Any experiences with bridge grates on either for comparison. Can anyone comment on how the Dunlops compare to the Metzelers when riding over steel bridge (i.e. draw bridges...) grates.

 

I never rode over a grated bridge with the Dunlops so if I did with the Metzelers I couldn't compare.

All my tires say on the side is Metzeler ME880 Marathon, and then the tire size description.

Again, I really didn't think tires could make such a difference but they did. my bike feels like a young pup.

 

Any experiences with bridge grates on either for comparison. Can anyone comment on how the Dunlops compare to the Metzelers when riding over steel bridge (i.e. draw bridges...) grates.

I can't comment on grated bridges, but I can comment on grooved pavement. The Metzler tread pattern does not lend itself to tracking the grooves nearly as much as the Dunlops do. After I rode my stock 16" Dunlops into the ground, I bought some custom 18" wheels with Metzler Marathon 880s. Big improvements in the handling. Its much quicker to respond.

I would guess that grated bridge would be similar; it would all depend on how wide the grates are, though. It seems that way with grooved pavement anyway.

thrasher

 

Any experiences with bridge grates on either for comparison. Can anyone comment on how the Dunlops compare to the Metzelers when riding over steel bridge (i.e. draw bridges...) grates.

I still have the stock Dunlops on my 05 FXDWG, only about 4,500 miles on them, but I can tell you on a bridge grate you better be dead-on straight or you get feeling very uncomfortable. Got a few bridge grates near my home.

When I go over a bridge grate that is maybe wet with morning dew I am super careful.

Maybe the narrow WG tire does this, but I would not do the stock Dunlops when I need new tires, I will take a close look at Metezler or Avon for sure.

 

wg not so wide

I still have the stock Dunlops on my 05 FXDWG, only about 4,500 miles on them, but I can tell you on a bridge grate you better be dead-on straight or you get feeling very uncomfortable. Got a few bridge grates near my home.

When I go over a bridge grate that is maybe wet with morning dew I am super careful.

Maybe the narrow WG tire does this, but I would not do the stock Dunlops when I need new tires, I will take a close look at Metezler or Avon for sure.

went ridin' yesterday with a buddy .he always complains about the skinny wg tire.i guess that is one reason he is wiping out his bank account-for an se ultra.

 

grate feedback

I love my 880's, huge difference on bridge grates as in no feedback through the handlebars, the dunslops by comparison were all over the place.

Don't know about all the doom and gloom on weight ratings either, mine are holding up just fine under loaded single and two up touring.

YMMV

 

I put ME880's on my Fatboy after I wore the second rear and first front tire out. The imporvement with the ME880's is unbelievable. They handle so much better. They also do better in the rain.

As another pointed out they do take a bit longer to warm up. The other thing is they need to have some miles put on them when new as they are a little slippery. Once they scuffed a bit they are great.

I'm on my third new rear ME880. I get about 2000 miles more out of the Metzeler.

 

Any experiences with bridge grates on either for comparison. Can anyone comment on how the Dunlops compare to the Metzelers when riding over steel bridge (i.e. draw bridges...) grates.

Draw Bridge Grates , Swing Bridge Grates, Lift Bridge Grates, Metal plates and manhole covers on the road etc are all navigable more safely with the ME880's.

I am finding myself to be laughing outloud when I hoon through twisties at about 20KPH faster in total control, in comfort. Its a real hoot.

Oh, one thing though. I tried to do a wee bit of a burnout leaving the local 1%'ers club party and the old girl was not gonna spin the arse tyre for nuthin' and my front wheel ain't likely to come off the ground.

So....unlike the other blokes tearing ass outta the place in big smokey burns and fishy launches, I just bogged and boogied.

Ride on

 

I rode over a banana peel yesterday with my Avons... no adverse effects... I'm looking for other fruit now.

 

I rode over a banana peel yesterday with my Avons... no adverse effects... I'm looking for other fruit now.

Cum-quats might be in order? Just sayin.............

 

I had a set of the ME880s put on my 03 Ultra Classic a couple months ago and my Indy told me to keep 40# in the front and 50# in the rear and they would last just as long or not longer than the Dunlops.

What is the size you put on?
Do you notice the rear rubbing on the rubber shield of the belt guard? Mine is also wearing hi & low spots on the outsides of the tire foot print. Any ideas?