I do a lot of highway straight away mileage. Guilty of the scenic route from time to time. I am going to have to train myself not to do that rapid takeoffs for the onramps of the interstate. I know that is probably eating up some of the tires. Take off, driving habits,and down shifting I think plays a big part in a lot of the wear no matter which set of tire you run.

I do know that those chip sealed roads that the state of Colorado just loves so much, is really a sandpaper on tires also.

I spent a lot of time on the phone getting quotes today, and boy!!! that two hour labor to remove the tire, M&B the tire, is exasperating. Going to end up removing the tires myself, and then taking them over to the shop. These shops are getting 75.00 an hour. That isn't really considered skilled labor, or even labor that I have seen that impresses me. Of course I am a gun engraver, so I guess my $35.00 an hour labor is meanial.

I know there are some good mechanics out there, but these kids today don't impress me the slightest. The last time I went in to get a oil filter from the dealer, I had to bring up to the kid that he gave me the wrong filter. He gave me a filter for a big bear 4 wheeler, and it is printed on the side of the filter the model OEM engine sized numbers for what the filter goes on.

I am in the market as well for a set. The last set I ran was the Dunlop Cruisemax and that is what I am going with again. 13,500 on the front but I really should have changed out about 500 ago. I actually wore out the front first. I think that's from riding dirtbikes. I'm pretty heavy on the front brake.

Anyway, Highmileguy, you mentioned that you're in Flagstaff. I'm in Phoenix and after looking around for a bit one of the better deals that I found was from www.motorcycle-superstore.com free shipping and a 20 gift card or something like that. We have a chain here in Phoenix called "Ride Now" they are in several other states as well. They don't bring it up much but they will price match off of the internet. They will also install for $25 a tire if you buy from them, or if you bring the wheel in. After taxes it will cost me $29 more than going with the Superstore but then I get the warranty out of the shop and I don't have to pull the tires myself.

Luv my Cruisemax tires.

I just installed a 160-80-16 avon venom on the back got 12000 out of the slipstones replaced the front at 13000 also changed the fork oil out the old oil was 5wt and was black and thin went with 20wt and the bike handles great now and the tires have 2000 miles on them with no problems did the front end myself using cruserbob step by step took 4hrs but that included taking the wheel to have the tire installed and balanced my bike is an 07 midnight star and I thought the fork oil would last longer, put a avon venom on the front also

I just bought the dunlop elite 3's. Will have them mounted shortly and give you a comparison to the OEM Bridgestone Exedra which I got about 10,000 miles on the rear

Well, here's what I ended up doing.

Poor bike is going to think that I am trying to make a "cross dresser" out of it. Poor thing.

I took the tires and wheels off,took them over and put the "harley endorsed" Dunlop D402F MT90B16 black walls on the front,

and D401 150/80B16 Blacks on the rear.

Going to reinstall them today.

Cost was $393.68 M&B out the door. Bike just turned 35,000 miles so I am going to see if "Harley" Endorsed tires can do any better than the ME880's that I just wore out.

After two sets of stock Bridgestones, I went with Conti-Milestones. The ride is smoother and I feel they grip better in the curves. I have over 5000 mi. on the set and they are wearing great.

I hunted around on the internet and ebay for tire pricing. Got a pair of Metzeler tires from two different vendors and saved a bundle.

Rear 160/80 was made in Germany and the front in Brazil. The rear tube with 90 degree stem was made in China. Go figure.

I installed the rear tire with tube myself today after buying a set of wimpy tire irons from the Dealer. I had a few things to get done on her at the same time.

If I ever even think to change a tire by hand again I will kill myself first! What a beast of a job! ARRGGHHH!

The 160 rear looks much fatter and is about 2" taller than my old Metzeler 150 rear. It was worn wide flat in the center.

Oh well, I guess I'll do the front on Monday night....

It's time for a set of tires before the fall riding season kicks in.
I got a little over 6M miles from the Pirellis that I have on it now.
I've heard great things about Metzler tires. I can get a set installed for $396.00 out the door, is that a bargain or just an ok deal? I want to stay with blackwalls on my Midnight Star...any suggestions would be appreciated.

highmileageguy everyone has there choice of tires but suggest the you get a set on 85 degree valve stems,if your a fanatic like me about a air pressure they make it so much easyer to check and air up