Sportster tires

[Uesque]

Dunlop K591's are the tire of choice for HD "Sport" models, ie. FXRS-SP and FXDX. I don't think they make a 21, though. I get about 7K on the rear and 11K on the front. They're very sticky but don't last as long. The FXR is only 50-100 lbs heavier. I'm having an Elite III put on the front today, we'll see if I gain any miles or lose any cornering ability. Dunlop GT501's are the replacement for non-HD K591's, but I had some cupping issues on my XJ600.

[TerryMiller]

Originally Posted by fxr4mikey

Terry .... Do you recommend those tires .... I'm just asking .... because you have experience with other tires on a bike like the Sportster ? And you like them ?

Reason I ask ... is because it's been my experience that those dunlops are not really very good tires in regards to handling. They wear well, but do not provide good handling performance for the bike ... well, not on mine anyways .... and mine isn't too far removed from the likes of a Sporty .

Thanks

He needs new tires before ES. At this time availability should be his highest priority.

[FXDRYDR]

Here's another vote for the K-591s if they make your size. Pretty much what Uesque said. Love them.

[fxr4mikey]

Originally Posted by TerryMiller

He needs new tires before ES. At this time availability should be his highest priority.

now that makes a difference !!!!!!!!!!!

[KingThrasher]

ED, If its round, made of rubber and fits your rim, its the tire for you.
So some research, but get what ya can afford and what makes the most sense.
Harley Stealers are usually only gonna carry the Dunflops. I run em and they are fine.
Most Local Shops will have options available.
I would ASSume that bike tire compounds are like racing tires, in that a softer compound will handle better, but will wear faster. Likewise, a harder compound won't handle as well as a softer tire, but will give you a longer tire life.
You may ask yourself what type of riding it is you wish to do.
Are you constantly doin twistys?
More Highway riding?
Stop Light to Stop Light?
Tires are as personal a choice as Exhaust pipes.
I think every individuals choice is based on their own personal desire and that makes them comfy.
It DOES NOT mean that their choice WILL be the right one for you.
I have heard great things about Avons and Metzelers.
I have also used Continentals when I had my shovelhead and had No Issues.
Good Luck You Noxious Gas Blowin Wizard.
Ride Safe.

[squish]

ok here's my take on this....i've had the stock dunflops....those lasted less that 10k when i was living in texas....the roads there for some reason seem to have a rougher surface (read: 40 grit sand paper). even with the rough surface i had issues with the front end wanting to push to the outside of turns, following tar snakes, and for some reason no matter what i did the rear seemed like i could never get enough traction for a decent launch.....with all that said i was none too happy with them. then i bought a set of avon venoms the improvement was noticeable almost immediately. all of the previously mentioned issues were all but gone, those lasted for about 12k....ish. next i bought my first set of metz when i moved to kentucky....this was as i believe just before the switch from germany to brazil....the performance was as far as i could tell identical to the avons.....fast forward about 12k....bought another new set of metz....this time i ended up with a Brazilian set...the only real difference that i could tell was, what was supposed to be a 150 was probably slightly between a 140 and a 150....this set found its peril with a misplaced roofing nail on the way home from work....'bout 9-10k on that set. i'm still running a set of metz, because that's what my indy had in stock, and the rear was the one that caught the infamous pinch flat on the way to ES last year....they're still going strong, and will most likely last the rest of the season......incase you're wondering YES i replace my tires in sets......

[Berserker]

Originally Posted by apache36

i've learned the hard way not to trust anything from brazil.....

If it smells like fish, its the day of the dish. If it smells like cologene, leave it alone.

[why_me]

Went with Metz ME 880's on front and back. Local Indy had them in stock, everything else other than Dunlop's at the dealer were order and wait. Got the Metz for less than stock replacements through the dealer, deal was good enough I let the mech go ahead and do the 10K maintenance for me. Both holes to be filled with Amsoil. I'll have to see what the road has in store for me, I hope I like the tires. Only really be the second set that I will get any kind of real milage on. If I don't like them, at least the mistake won't be way too bad...financially.

Thank you everyone for your input I really do appreciate it. I realize talking tires is as Mega said...as bad as talking dino or syn in oils. Still, thanks for helping this newb make an educated(ish) decision this time around. You guys have far and away more miles on the road than I do, that's why I come here to ask.

[why_me]

And just so you know, my luck with the rain is holding...

Sprinkled on me the whole way to the Indy today...at least the torrential downpour stayed off until I actually got there and under an awning...beat it by at least 20 seconds.

[fxr4mikey]

You'll have to come back and let us know your thoughts on the tires Ed after ES ........

[TerryMiller]

Originally Posted by why_me

Went with Metz ME 880's on front and back. Local Indy had them in stock,

Good deal. New tires beat old tires on the road.

Originally Posted by why_me

And just so you know, my luck with the rain is holding...

Sprinkled on me the whole way to the Indy today...at least the torrential downpour stayed off until I actually got there and under an awning...beat it by at least 20 seconds.

You're gonna need a name change.

[why_me]

We'll have none of that. Bout the time I put my chin up is about the time I get my jaw broke.

I'll let everyone know my thoughts on the tires after the Mugs run. Some pretty tasty roads should be on my horizon this weekend. Watch out for the cyclists.

[mongoose]

Take it easy on cornering, braking and wet pavement for 100 miles or so, til the mold-release compound wears off your (good choice of) new tires. They can be kind of slippery, at least that's what my Indy tells me, and yours probably told you.

[why_me]

I'd have to go 100 miles to get to somewhere I can corner hard, that shouldn't be a problem.

The break in miles will come on my way down to the Manure Tour, I don't think decent weather will be here until Friday...and if it is, I may just wash it and put it away again.

[why_me]

Well, service is done, tires are on, brought the bike home and decided to water it to see if it would grow into a Road King or something...maybe even a Dyna...no such luck. Since it was wet, I figured I'd knock the big chunks of road debris from it. Got to cleaning and got to looking...

THOSE DIRTY ROTTEN MOTHER FLUCKERS SCRATCHED THE FLUCK OUT OF MY RIM!!!!!!

Gouged the shit out of it when they removed the old wheel weight. This makes me so happy I could car bomb a monestary.



I hate my life.