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Grumpy
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« on: October 10, 2010, 09:23:19 AM » |
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I am sick of the Avons, wear good but every one I have had seems to have a lope at different speeds, also the rear has taken a lot of weight to balance. I just installed new chrome wheels, and the tires act the same. What are you guys running, what can you recommend. I need to get these off and go with some thing different.
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 Life is like a hot bath. It feels good while you’re in it, but the longer you stay in, the more wrinkled you get. |
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R J
Member
Posts: 13380
DS-0009 ...... # 173
Des Moines, IA
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« Reply #1 on: October 10, 2010, 09:50:13 AM » |
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I have run a Metz front tire for several years, and I run a Good Year Triple Tread rear Car tire....
Metz front has a little wider foot print than the other tires. It lasts just as long as my rear so I swap them out together, except this last time. Couldn't find one and it still has several thousand miles left on it.
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Tundra
Member
Posts: 3882
2014 Valkyrie 1800
Seminole, Florida
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« Reply #2 on: October 10, 2010, 09:58:57 AM » |
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Avon Cobra front tire, Good Year Triple Tread CT rear tire.
RJ, The Metz is wider than the Dunlop and the Avon? I may give that a try next time around, they have a decent rating, never heard complaints like with the Dunlop or the Avon, although any tire manufacturer can have problems. Nature of the business.
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« Last Edit: October 10, 2010, 10:20:31 AM by Tundra »
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GreenLantern57
Member
Posts: 1543
Hail to the king baby!
Rock Hill, SC
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« Reply #3 on: October 10, 2010, 01:23:03 PM » |
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Don't ask about Dunlops over at the HondaV4bbs. They are very strongly against them. When it came down to replacing tires on my V65, my mechanic put Dunlops on it. All I asked him was to put on some tires he trusted. They were not the OEM replacement, but another series. Don't remember which though. Since he is a 10-12k rider, I trust his experience. Also, that he wants me to be around for more business. I will be doing the same this week for the front replacement.
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BillyBob
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« Reply #4 on: October 10, 2010, 06:15:04 PM » |
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I run the metz 880's, I like them. Bike had Dunlops on it when I bought it, they didn't last long. We mostly ride two-up all the time and the Metz do real well for wear.
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BillyBob
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BF
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« Reply #5 on: October 10, 2010, 07:08:05 PM » |
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Had Metzlers on my bike when I first bought it. I thought something was wrong with the bike they handled so bad.
Put Dunlop Elite 3's on it. So far, I really like them. Wear is good, handling is good.
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I can't help about the shape I'm in I can't sing, I ain't pretty and my legs are thin But don't ask me what I think of you I might not give the answer that you want me to  |
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Trynt
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« Reply #6 on: October 10, 2010, 07:57:32 PM » |
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Dunlop E3s work well for me! (I swear by them, Smoking Joe swears at them)  |
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Valkahuna
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« Reply #7 on: October 10, 2010, 08:18:18 PM » |
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Purely a personal choice. I think that for every recommendation of "anything" not just tires, on this board, there are two people waiting in line to say how much they dislike the same product. ??? I've NEVER had a problem with Metzlers, or Dunlops, or Continentals in many years. But I check my pressures regularly, and inspect my tires for defects. A friend of mine runs nothing but Avons and has never had a problem with them either. And if you want to run a dark side tire, it's fine by me, even though I won't. Like I said, it's a personal choice.  |
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The key thing is to wake up breathing! All the rest can be fixed. (Except Stupid - You can't fix that)
2014 Indian Chieftain
2001 Valkyrie I/S
Proud to be a Vietnam Vet (US Air Force - SAC, 1967-1972)
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Gator John
Member
Posts: 74
1998 Tourer w/ GM laser blue custom paint
Troy, Mi
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« Reply #8 on: October 10, 2010, 10:00:06 PM » |
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Having good success with Dunlop Elite 3's; about 11,000 mile on them and don't look bad yet. Rear looks especially good. Have a friend who has had balance problems ever since he had his wheels chromed. For balancing, I would try the dyna beads. The guys I ride with swear by them. I plan to put them in the next time I do the tires.
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People who don't ride are missing the exhilarating feeling of closeness to God that comes from riding through His magnificent creation.
'98 Tourer '08 Wing
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Dag
Member
Posts: 1779
I have a love affair with a bumblebee
Country Rep. Norway
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« Reply #9 on: October 10, 2010, 11:44:10 PM » |
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My choice is Bridgestone 200/60-16RR rear and BRIDGESTONE G701 150/80R17 front
It depends on riding style, road surface and ambien temperature.
With the temperatures and road surface we have here the Dunlop are too hard and give bad traction.
I had problems with cupping on the Metz front tires, never had that problem with Bridgestone.
You'll find some very, very strong opinions on this issue.
The fact is that the choice is yours.
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The question is not what you look at...but what you see...
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GreenLantern57
Member
Posts: 1543
Hail to the king baby!
Rock Hill, SC
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« Reply #10 on: October 11, 2010, 10:16:55 AM » |
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Elite 3's were the model put on the Magna! Thanks for jogging my memory.
I called the mechanic and he is trying out Bridgestone on his wing, but not enough miles to give a yay or nay. Will be going with Elite 3 on front this time.
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sugerbear
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« Reply #11 on: October 11, 2010, 11:55:02 AM » |
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metz were on the bike when i bought it. did not like them, felt "squishey" and yes they had 40 lbs in them. put on an e3, wore it out. liked it a lot, but.........................wanted to try the avon cobra can't wait to get rid of it. howls like crazy, bike feels "unstable" that's not really the feeling just don't have a word to describe it. back to the e3 as soon as possible. my 2 cents worth but a couple people on here can't seem to wait tell me how stupid i am |
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Valkahuna
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« Reply #13 on: October 11, 2010, 12:38:09 PM » |
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metz were on the bike when i bought it. did not like them, felt "squishey" and yes they had 40 lbs in them. put on an e3, wore it out. liked it a lot, but.........................wanted to try the avon cobra can't wait to get rid of it. howls like crazy, bike feels "unstable" that's not really the feeling just don't have a word to describe it. back to the e3 as soon as possible. my 2 cents worth but a couple people on here can't seem to wait tell me how stupid i am That won't be me! I love the E-3's on my Valk IS. Good feel, quiet, wear well. Very good in rain and ride smoothly as well. I can get them through my dealer, (Nations Power Sports, Plainfield, CT) for $187 for the rear, which I think is fair. They ship anywhere. So, there you see, now they can call two of us stupid!  |
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The key thing is to wake up breathing! All the rest can be fixed. (Except Stupid - You can't fix that)
2014 Indian Chieftain
2001 Valkyrie I/S
Proud to be a Vietnam Vet (US Air Force - SAC, 1967-1972)
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Dragonryder2
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« Reply #14 on: October 11, 2010, 12:41:52 PM » |
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We have run Avon's since I got my bike. Hubby tried the Metz's on his and was ready for a change. Next time around,soon, I think I want to try the little white fat man's tires. We run them on everything else and they feel good and wear good. Soooooooooooooooo........
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Valkahuna
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« Reply #15 on: October 11, 2010, 02:36:19 PM » |
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Hey, wait! I'm a fat white man, but I don't have any tires!  |
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The key thing is to wake up breathing! All the rest can be fixed. (Except Stupid - You can't fix that)
2014 Indian Chieftain
2001 Valkyrie I/S
Proud to be a Vietnam Vet (US Air Force - SAC, 1967-1972)
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big turkey
Guest
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« Reply #16 on: October 11, 2010, 02:59:56 PM » |
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Metzler ME 880 on the back, it's what was on it when I bought the bike and it was well worn.
Still had tread though.
It was not cupped or worn in funny ways I have seen on other tires in the past.
So ME880, a new one on the back and Avon Perfume Cobra on the front.
Run them hard and no complaints in the handling dept.
38 PSI in the Front and 40in the back.
Just like my ElectraGlide.
I ride agressivley and on curvy roads and at very high Intersate Speeds.
You will not run them as hard as I do,so this combo works is all.
AL
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« Last Edit: October 11, 2010, 03:30:51 PM by BIG AL »
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Hoghead
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« Reply #17 on: October 11, 2010, 03:28:02 PM » |
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I'm not happy with the Avon Scorpions on my I/S. They have a wobble in slow sharp turns. I have always run Bridgestones on my V65 and have always been happy with them. I think that will be my next set on my Valk.
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2000 I/S. Coronado Blue & Silver
1984 V65 Magna. Really Fast Black
E. Texas Patriot Guard Rider
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Hoghead
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« Reply #18 on: October 11, 2010, 03:29:15 PM » |
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By the way Grumpy, I bought my Valkyrie in Tampa.
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2000 I/S. Coronado Blue & Silver
1984 V65 Magna. Really Fast Black
E. Texas Patriot Guard Rider
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Grumpy
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« Reply #19 on: October 11, 2010, 09:34:36 PM » |
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Same thing I am getting with the Avons, slight wobble in turns, plus the front feels out of round, but only 20 to 35 mph, smooths out after that. I have bought Avons 3 times now, had to ship 2 sets back for the same problem, replacements were OK, just tired of the aggravation . Ran dark side for a while, but after it high sided me, reluctant to go that route again.
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Life is like a hot bath. It feels good while you’re in it, but the longer you stay in, the more wrinkled you get. |
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Gator John
Member
Posts: 74
1998 Tourer w/ GM laser blue custom paint
Troy, Mi
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« Reply #20 on: October 12, 2010, 05:51:21 AM » |
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... the front feels out of round ... When I first put the Elite 3s on, I thought they didn't get the balance right on the front tire, so I took it back. They told me it was balanced, but that the tire was slightly out of round, but not enough to be outside acceptable limits where Dunlop would replace it. They said run it with an extra 5 lb pressure and it will gradually go away. They were right. The extra pressure made it less noticable and after about 1K miles, it was gone. |
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People who don't ride are missing the exhilarating feeling of closeness to God that comes from riding through His magnificent creation.
'98 Tourer '08 Wing
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SANDMAN5
Member
Posts: 2176
Mileage 65875
East TN
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« Reply #21 on: October 12, 2010, 06:15:11 AM » |
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I run a GYTT rear. Tried the Dunflop E3 up front, wouldn't have another one if it was free. Currently running an Avon front....it's ok but nothing special. Going back to a Metz 880, probably in the spring. I've had them on wet, dry and snow covered roads. Stick good no matter what...but I seriously can't recommend riding in the snow!! I did it by accident.  Like others have said, it's a personal thing. YOU have to find out what works best for YOU!! |
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"Evolution" is a dying religion being kept alive with tax dollars.  |
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #22 on: October 12, 2010, 08:19:42 AM » |
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Bill no (motorcycle) tire will handle and stick better in the curves, all weather, rain, and on painted surfaces than the Metzler 880 radials. They are quiet and do not get adverse wear if kept at 43-4 psi front, 45 rear. However, they wear out faster than any other tires for Valk (around 8-11K on rear).
What I really like is the Goodyear ATT 205 60 rear, and ME880 150 front.
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TearlessTom
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« Reply #23 on: October 12, 2010, 08:54:10 AM » |
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Have about 10,000 on my Elite 3's and am very happy with them. Hardly any wear noticable. but of coarse it matters where you ride. Here it is hot in the summer, winters are mild. Roads are flat and mostly straight and in pretty good condition.
Had a few sets of Metz 880's and had problems with cupping and premature wear in the middle.
I also ran Pilot Roads on my ST which I was very happy with but for my situation the Elite 3s will be going back on the Valk when they do wear out.
They are a stiff sidewall tire which make the ride a bit firmer but can save your butt too in a flat tire situation.
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