I have just rounded the 10,000 mile mark on my '04 Roadie and am looking for suggestions on which tires to buy to suit my riding "HABIT". I usually do intermediate rides (150 to 200 miles a day), two up, loaded down. I am not looking for going bigger but would like Wide Whitewalls if possible. Handling is more of a concern than the life of the tire. I have noticed that the front tends to follow the irregularities even though the tire still looks pretty good. The back is shot with a wide flat spot. I won't be going with the stock Bridgestones. Thanks much in advance!!

Double A

I have been running Metzler's ME880 series for quite a while now. I think they come WWW too, but I run the solid blacks.

They improve the handling in a real nice way. I noticed a very nice difference on both bikes, one of which still had good tread on it.

The bike just seemed lighter somehow. It was like riding a smaller and more manuverable bike.

GRAM

Ditto what Gram said.

If you're willing to give up the WWW, be sure to go with the 160 rear tire.
Much better handling IMO and great milage. Helps correct the speedo, too!

Gram,
Thanks on the input. I was leaning toward the ME880 but had not talked to anyone that had been running them. My '04 came with the tubeless Bridgestones and the front has started to cup very bad although there is plenty of tread left. What kind of mileage have you gotten out of the Metzlers?

Double A

Mike,

Thanks for your input. I am trying to reason how the 160 would help correct the speedo. Is the actual diameter of the tire different than that of the 150. I was under the impression that only the width was different with the 160 being slightly wider. What kind of mileage have you gotten out of your Metzlers. Thanks again and ignorance on the differences between the 150 and 160.

Double A

doubleA,
Since the tire is slightly wider, and it is going on the same rim width, it tends to "round" a bit more making the tire a wee bit taller. Basically more rubber trying to fit in the same space so it buldges a little more.

Crash,

Makes sense to me now that you have explained. Might just go around corners a little better since it is more "rounded" ..LOL. Needed that at Deals Gap last weekend!

Double A

Hi Double A

I am not sure if I told you at our bike night that I bought the Metzlers for my Road* about 3 months ago. Since then, handling appears better and the road noise I had from the stock Dunlops has gone. I got mine mail order and had Midway Cycles fit and balance them at around $35 per wheel - just drive in with the new tyres and drive out once complete. I think it is a bit cheaper if you take the wheels off the bike and take them in to have the work done. If you want I can send you the address of the place I got my tyres from.

By the way, got absolutely soaked last night riding to Sonic and froze on the way home through having to ride in soaking gear.

See ya,

Dave V

Dave,

If you could send me the address where you bought your tires I would much appreciate it. What did you pay for each, if you remember? Hope to see you at the monthly meeting IF I get my Roadie going. I've had the rear cylinder head off doing some valve work and am having problems getting the intake manifold O-rings from NAPA. They told me the parts would be here Thursday and its now Monday with no O-rings. I'll check back with them this afternoon.

Ride Safe!!!!

Double A

Hi Alan,

Did you make it to the monthly meeting last night. We didn't as my uncle dies last night just before the meeting and I was trying to reschedule my Saturday flight to the UK to today with no luck.

Regarding the ME880 Marathon tires, I bought them from DONELSON CYCLES Inc, 9851 St Charles Rock Road, St Ann, Missouri 63074. Their phone number is 1 800 325 4144, regular number 314 427 5523, fax 314 427 7642. They list whitewalls for your bike as follows; front 130/90H16 WWW $104.95 rear 150/80HB16 WWW $124.95 Shipping was around $10 per tire I think and they arrived within 3 days of ordering. I had looked at various places and this was the best I could find, however I fitted regular blackwalls to mine which were as supplied on the bike new and they are a little cheaper.

Hope to see you at Sonic thursday night otherwise in two weeks, as I am off to the UK for 5 days on Saturday.

Regards,

Dave