Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech More Tires - Opinion Please

Spent the day bonding with the SM. Changed oil, cleaned chain, did some looking touching and visual inspection stuff. While spraying on new chain wax, I notices a small, bright, metalic object stuck on the rear tire. I gave it a touch or two and it didn't fall off. I should have known better, but my childish curiosty made me do it - I gave it a tug. PSSSSSSSSSSSS! and out comes the air. I guess I should feel fortunate. I've owned and rode since 1974. That was my first flat and it happened in the driveway.

I'm very near the wear bars, so I'll probably opt for a new tire vs. a repair

Anyway - I've always spoken highly of the Metzlers, but a guy at work suggested I give the Dunlop D 404 a try. Says he gets similar mileage out of his as I get on the Metzler - The dif is the price is significantly less. I can't recall anyone here mentioning the D 404s. Has anyone tried them? If so, whats your opinion?

I'm sticking with Metzlers for good because of something someone told me recently. I don't know if it has a bit of fact to it or all BS. He said Metzler sidewalls are so strong that if you get a flat at speed they don't collapse and are controllable to safely come to a stop. If that is ture, theres no reson to go elsewhere as far as i'm concerned. So till i find that to be false i'm staying with metzlers. I can say one thibng for sure........whether they'd collapse or not, the first thing i noticed when mine arrived was how stiff the sidewalls were.

Metzlers or Avons.. both are great handling tires. The Dunlops are good tires and will probably last a bit longer but I think the trade off will be handling. So if ripping through the twisties is not really your thing then you may consider the Dunlops as an alternative.

After the stock Bridgstones I installed Avon Venoms and loved them. After 8K Avon miles I went to Dunlop 404's. To be honest, they have been very good. The Avons maybe "felt" stickier, but the Dunlops are doing well for me. The first rear Dunlop wore out after ~8K miles which surprised me somewhat. This newer one seems to holding up pretty well. Comparison? Who knows, for me it's all seat of the pants. If I remember correctly from the dealer, the Dunlop 404's come in two basic models, one is slightly better. I got the slightly better one the 2nd time.

jh

Thanks, guys. I think I may give a Dunlop a try. I'm certainly not a canyon carver. All I need is reasonable handling and comparable wear.

I also heard there were two model Dunlaps. When I got my last Metzler, the tire guy was explaining that to another customer, however, I can't see one on their web site. I'll give my tire guy a call tomorrow in hope that I can give it a good shakedown this week end.

I have the Dunlop tires on my bike. They are very good tires, and are a vast improvement over the stock tires.

Tom

Just put on Metzeler 880's & WOW !!!!!! I didn't realize what JUNK those Bridgestones were !!!

I bought my 05 Speedmaster used offen ebay, and it came with what I believe to be Triumph factory issued Metzlers. I didn't really notice anything remarkable about them until I rode in my first downpour for 90 miles last May. They stuck to the road like glue in the rain, and never quivered like many cycle tires I've run on in the past.

Does the ME880s go on the front too? Or is the front ME330's or Lasertec's? I'm talking about replacements not OEM's.

I got Pirelli MT66 very happy with them.

Lasertecs on the front.. great tire.

Hey Chy, why not the ME 880s on the front?

The 880's are for the back. It's my understanding they don't make the 330's anymore and have been replced by Lasertec's which are stock front tires on Speedies.
Good info here.

Thanks Chy. I'm going to get me some new tires this winter. I think 4 years on the OEM tread is enough.

Quote:

---

I think 4 years on the OEM tread is enough.

---

Dang man.. I wore my rear out the first year (tire that is)( and my rear come to think of it).

Well, I was prepared to try something different (i.e., CHEAPER), but once I arrived at the shop I opted to go again with the Metzes. What the hey, they've been good to me so far.

I'm glad you stuck with the Metzlers, Barry.

As stated earlier in the thread here, they stick like glue in the rain. I replaced my first rear at 12k last December, and I already have more than that on the new one again. Looks like it can go a bit longer this time. I won't push it all the way to the wear bars, either.

The rubber compound has a lot to do with the wet road handling, but so does the water channeling ability of the tread design.

Rain grip matters a lot to me.

This is my third. I've had no complaints - except that they're a bit pricey. My style of riding wastes a lot of that side tread though... Someone suggested I take a couple PSI off of my inflation pressure in order to 'spread' the wear out wider. I don't know if thats such a good idea. Ever heard of such a suggestion?

You can get a 880 for the front but not in the "stock size" eaither a 100 or a 120. The Metz Laser or now Lasertec on the front of the Speedy's handles much better than the 880 in the front, from my experience anyway.

Buy 1 saddlebag. Fill it full of bricks and hang it on the left side. Every 100 miles switch it to the other side.
It won't do squat for your tire wear, but it will keep your mind occupied....

My 2 cents or pennies Bridgestone BT-20 !!!!!! (need different rim)

ME880's on front & rear. Love 'em. I don't think anyone has beat these folks on tire prices:
AmericanMotoTire.com