LET"S TALK MOTORCYCLE TIRES FOR OUR HARLEY DAVIDSON FATBOYS DUNLOP, METZLER, MICHELIN, SHINKO

[@carlcook6138]

Tire companies make cheap and good tires, example some dunlop are made overseas and are budget friendly, the dunlop elite 4 are American made much more expensive and I think are great. So I think you get what you pay for

[@JohnSmith-tn1te]

Dunlop grips great for first 10 miles then you stop for and realize all the tread is gone. Good tire if you have a sponsor and pot crew. I'd rather buy gas and ride, instead of changing tires..

[@IMAXXHEW]

Last week I rode (on an FLSTSCI) roundtrip from FarNorCal to SoCal (~1200 miles) on a new set of Continental ContiTour. Through 110°F down to about 50°F on and off highway from 0-90ish mph. Great tire.

[@richardgrove3073]

I don't have ABS on mine I used to have it on my heritage something to get used to That's how I wrecked Don't grab front brakes with no ABS learning listening to you that helped have a great day

[@waynedewey5521]

Perfect timing on this subject as I need to replace both tires on my 2010 FLSTFB. See you at "Stubborn". -Dizzy

[@waygone6657]

How's that FLSTSB working for you? I'm riding a 2011. It's coming up on 67,000 miles but I've done some work to keep it alive.

[@MR_P03]

Tires are like oils, everyone has a favorite

[@Resistculturaldecline]

Unless it's an oily tire, which is nobody's favorite

[@TobyNorthEN]

Great video, Sonny!!! I have had Metzler, Michelin, and Dunlop on my bike. But truthfully, I have yet to compare or pay attention to the tire's longevity unless it just failed me (it hasn't happened).

[@brettcreech3490]

I run the Shinko 777’s on both my bikes. And the beads great set up for me.😎

[@lancem4473]

I just bought a set of Shinko 777s for my ‘06 Kawasaki Vulcan and haven’t been able to ride with them yet. I’ve heard good things about them so we’ll see how they run.

[@JohnSmith-tn1te]

Bought one set of shinko and never again

[@robertsebastian787]

I love the Metzler ME888 too! Great life and great handling. About to buy my second set

[@GlidingThroughLife]

I put Michelin Comander III’s on my 09 Fatty earlier this year and they’ve been holding up great!

[@JS-ux2yn]

I had the choice last week of the Metzler 888 or the Dunlop American Elite. He told me they were both great but he sells way more Dunlop and has never had one person come back and complain. 12 hours after I got the dunlop put on my front we got stuck in a tornado and was the scariest time. We didn't tip over so they must be pretty good. He did say the dunlop that harley puts out isn't very good which is what I have on the back.

[@aspipes138]

Shinko has a new touring tire out and supposed to have a longer life. I have them on my ultra right now for the first time. Can’t do Michelin’s anymore after my rear blew out, came off the beed and caused me to go down.

[@RobertoBren]

Interesting insight, good video. The Perelli Night Dragons that came on my 2022 Indian Super Chief Limited only lasted me about 7000 miles. They were sticky, great on the mountain twisties were I currently live (rode most of my life in Miami). They lost traction only twice. Once on small loose gravel on the road from a washed out driveway, the other time was also gravel someone had spilled on the road. I currently have the Dunlop American Elite. They're not quite as good while going fast on twisting roads, but they are definitely showing less wear. And they do handle curves very well if you ride a cruiser like a cruiser and not like a cafe racer.

[@TheBadgers]

Thanks for watching

[@waygone6657]

Love your desk and fridge in the background, I feel right at home. This is a guy I can trust 😋

[@malcolmemsley5909]

Agree about Dunlop. I had one fitted to my Speedmaster , it cost £200 fitted and lasted 3600 miles. My previous Avon gave me 6700, I am now on Bridgestone, see how that goes I have 100 mls on at the moment and looking good. Grip well too.

[@Salty_Badger]

Curious to see how the new suspension adds to tire life

[@glenspargo3376]

I am keeping good tires on my bike. I need to wear them out though! Thanks for another great video Sonny - tires are something everyone who rides has to deal with. Since you put down lots of miles every year, your experience/knowledge is certainly valuable. Y'all stay safe & Later man!

[@Judge247]

Thx for the wealth of experience distilled down to USEFUL commentary. I had a set of Cruisetec’s selected in the online shopping cart for my M109R and then saw this video, which pushed me over the edge. Cheers!

[@raybrensike42]

10,000 miles on a Metzeler ME 888 rear, Sportster. This was the absolute max possible. I'm assuming this will be the highest mileage tire I will find. I like the grip of the Metzeler.

[@TheBadgers]

we usually get 17-20k out of a metzler rear tire, you can get higher mileage if you are willing to give up grip

[@markhanson3981]

When I boought my 06 flstci it had avon cobras and I continue to use them cause the performance is impeccable, but your right they don't last long

[@icebrakernh]

I found the Michelin Commander 2 tires work great on a full bagger touring bike. I have the Indian Roadmaster in the rain I have no problems it sipes away the water better than the Commander 3 on the rear and have just put on another set of them on after 20k miles and they could have gone further but by my preferred choice of tire depth I wasn’t waiting to see the belt. The stock Dunlop elite 3 only lasted 9k miles.

[@RoadGlideAndy]

Have been running the American Elites on the Road Glide. 16-18k. Just mounted up a set of commander 3's. Have ran beads and do like them. Bought my own balancer and trying weights again just to see what feels better to me.

[@larrylong4407]

Metzer yes great mileage handles great 2006 HD sporter costum

[@bowesmobile4649]

Seems very fair. I agree, we all have preferences. I may try a set of Metzlers (or however you spell it) next time on my FLHTK.

[@Wheel-1]

Hey #TheBadgers - Thanks for the video, I have Shinko SR 999 Long haul on the rear with 11k and still that much left good all around tire also w/ balance beads wearing really well.

[@bradleyyounger8499]

I always go shinko 777HD or oem Dunlop. The regular shinko wore out too quickly but the hd lasted close to the dunlops.

[@JohnSmith-tn1te]

Comparing two junk tires to each other doesn't make either one any better 😂

[@tomholmes6178]

Changed from crappie Michelin to metzler,best thing I ever done

[@tornadoalleyriders]

You should ride over and see the Kansas route 66 stops you missed. Gearhead Curios in Galena, and the visitor center and bridge in Baxter Springs and especially lunch at the Riverton general store. Less than 200 miles and worth the day.

[@truthbetold-jq8iw]

Thanks for the info. I would trust someone like you that rides a lot in all kinds of conditions. I'll take a few less miles over a tire that doesn't grip well and also comfortable ride.

[@Bostonharborwater]

I have an Avon cobra on the back of my street glide. A Dunlop elite on the front. The 21” front wheel I ordered came with the new Dunlop. Eventually I’ll put a match on the back but for now I’m just gonna ride it. The bike certainly don’t know the difference.

[@humes4545]

You can run a tire sealant I your tires and it balances too like beads.

[@TheBadgers]

@@humes4545 not sure who told you that, but pretty sure it wasn’t a guy that actually changes tires, tire sealant is a horrible mess yuck

[@edwardcampbell3420]

I saw some where a shop uses a product called "ride on" tire sealant. Is that what you used?

[@TheBadgers]

⁠no I use balancing beads as someone that changes lots of tires that stuff is messy

[@BUBS_HD]

All it takes is 1 bad experience, especially with customer service, and it ruins it for me. I'm running the Pirelli Night Dragons on my fatboy and have no complaints.

[@emmanuelpart3690]

I have Metzler tires on my 2005 fat boy and they are great in cold climate as Sweden.

[@windburn6647]

I use American Elites, Dunlops were having an issue with tire separation for a while. I like to think they got the issue fixed, they shut the main plant down for the quality issue (I know for sure the 404 and other ones had the issue. I wrecked a bike once because of the Michelin losing grip on an emergency braking situation (car pulled out in front of me). I am always curious about what everyone runs. Thanks for the experience and info! I need to check out the Metzler tires.

[@waygone6657]

Sorry to hear you bad business with Dunlop. I didn't like the Dunlop tires that came on my bike 402 and 401, 2011 Softail Springer, so I tried Micheline Commander II 2 sets, got 10K and the first and only 8K on the second, then Commander III and again only 10K. They were great in the rain but they just don't last. Tried the Dunlop American Elite were better than Micheline I got a good 12K out of them. I live in South Korea, do about 7K a year all mountain roads and rush-hour traffic.

[@jdreyno1958]

Thanks for the information.

[@MKandKCCampbell]

Very helpful. I need new tires soon! 😎

[@YamashitaPhilippines]

can big wide wheels for harleys, is it possible no air inside, so no more flats.. pure rubber, is there a tire like that sir?

[@m3talc0re]

Man, if you’re getting 20k+ miles out of any of these tires, you’re one of the mildest riders ever XD

[@TheBadgers]

@@m3talc0re lol we run 3!bikes and get the same mileage, we also ride 25k per year 20k on rear tire 30k on the front oh and that is fully loaded down as we are usually on the road for months at a time

[@jamesstacy7340]

Doing allot of highway will make a huge difference. Starting and stopping allot will wear them quicker.

[@j.d.thompson3505]

I've never got more than 7000 miles on a rear tire. Metzler Marathons gave me about 5500 miles until cords were showing.

[@trevorkipling5384]

Have u ever tried the perilli rooso IV tires. Curious what tgey r like. Im running avon cobra chromes on my 2013 fatboylo

[@TheBadgers]

I have never tried any Perelli tires

[@royatorrice9109]

Hey buddy, met you at motorcity Harley in Detroit 🎉. I have a 2021 fat boy, and I get only seven thousand miles per set of tires. I was told that it is common on the fat boys?? Luckily I have tires for life contract. 😅.

[@davescrazy-trailer6542]

I try to use Metzler‘s some are made in Taiwan. I try to use 888 which is made in Germany I figured they’re made for the autobahn. Just put a new front tire yesterday

[@raybrensike42]

My 888 said on the tire Made in Indonesia.

[@davescrazy-trailer6542]

@@raybrensike42 some companies just won’t learn

[@newenglandbiker2220]

Appreciate the information and your knowledge and experience with tires

[@kennethschauer1801]

I get best results with shinko

[@markfrank2454]

Am I doing something wrong I don’t get that kind of miles on my rear tire I think 7 K is all I ever get and at that mileage I don’t feel it was safe to ride? I check the pressure all the time I have tried and like the American elite s the Metzlers I thought made a humming noise at highway speeds. I have Michelins on now and like them but I think the old girl is going to be traded in before I wear them out. Can you please do a short clip on the beads? Thanks for all you do!

[@stevewolff4399]

Great videos. What year are your fat boys and what engine sizes do they have. Thanks.

[@TheBadgers]

I have 3 2005 Fatboys 1 with the 88 motor 2 with the cvo 103, then have a 99 with the evo

[@bluesriderDF]

Badgers, have you had any issue with the Fat Boy front tire wearing on the right side prematurely? I've been seeing this talked about in a variety of places as i'm looking into buying one of these bikes.

[@TheBadgers]

That is the 2017 and newer fatboys I believe they are not aligned right

[@kylespangler2676]

I must be doin some shit entirely wrong. I don’t get more than about 6k on my rear, and like 8k on my front. 🤯

[@TheBadgers]

What brand you use

[@kylespangler2676]

@@TheBadgers those numbers were on my stock Dunlop’s. Though I did upgrade my front to a Metzeler me888 and went up to a 110 from a 90. I ride a ‘23 street bob

[@jrbasscatcher198]

27k on a set!!! Really? Historically thought all my bikes 8-9 on the rear all brands I’ve tried and 17 on the front id my average. Currently my first set of Bridgestone battle cruise I have 12,470 on the rear and it’s about to get changed to a new Bridgestone they’ve done the best for my riding style I guess.

[@TheBadgers]

@@jrbasscatcher198 27k on a front 17-20 on a rear

[@FlipandTheBlueMule]

👍🏻👍🏻👋👋👋🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸😎

[@curtis1951]

What model of shinko?

[@TheBadgers]

Shinko 777

[@curtis1951]

@@TheBadgers Thanks. I was thinking about putting them on a sportster. Do you think they would be a good tire since the Sportster is lighter?

[@TheBadgers]

@@curtis1951 Ipersonally like the Shinko tires, they don't last long enought for me as I ride long distance, but I am sure they would be great on your sporty

[@curtis1951]

@@TheBadgers Thanks again 👍🏻

[@TheBadgers]

@@curtis1951 very welcome

[@robertfox4524]

Dunlops are crap. I have had good experience with Continental.