Dunlop vs. Metzler - perhaps something new?

[Kianpepper]

I am a new owner of a 1998 Magna.  It was garaged and had only 800 miles on it when I purchased it last year (it now has 2200 miles).  Believe it or not, it has the original tires on it!  There are no cracks or signs of deterioration, but I am nervous about the hardness of the compound.  I read that the stock Dunlops are stickier than the optional Metzlers, but also was told about using Avon.  I know tire threads (no pun intended) are common and long in these forums, but I could really use some advice from Magna owners about their experiences with replacement tires for this moto.  Your input here would be greatly appreciated.  After a year of just casual use of this machine, I can see why so many people are enthusiastic about it!

[dgc67]

NOW you've done it!!

[L J VFR]

Kianpepper, first of all Welcome to MOOT!!    Great people and we are pretty partial to the Honda magna.      You pose a great question.  I have heard that a lot of members prefer the Metzelers over the Dunlop tire.  Pretty much your choice. I actually have the stock dunlop tires on my magna and next year I will have to replace the set before I get into riding it more.  What I am going to do is just price the Dunlops, metzs and Avon's and who I can get the cheaper of the 3 from.  Then just buy the cheaper of the three.  I like my stock Dunlops, have had good luck from them.  You could go to the "dark side" like some do and buy a car tire and put it on the rear.

[hootmon]

Welcome from Safety Harbor, Fl..

I would say it depends on your riding..
What I mean is, you have put 1400 miles on your bike in a year.. For most of us, that is not a lot.. I'm not diss'ing you, just that I find tires get "hard" in less than two years.
I agree with replacing the tires, I'm sure they are very "hard" by now.
So, IF that is about the average miles you are going to ride per year, I'd say follow lance's suggestion, Go with what is cheapest. There is not THAT much difference between them, and if your going to put less than 2500 a year on the tires, you should probably replace them long before they wear out.
I put about 10+k per year on mine and have had a couple of Avon's in the rear and Metz on the front (Avon does not make a stock size tire for the Magna, at least in the Venom). I get 15K+ out of the Avon's so that is about a year an a half's worth which is about when I'm looking to change the tire anyways..
I am seriously contemplating going Dark on my next tire in the next couple of months, but again, if you ride lower number of miles, just go cheap and change at the 2 year mark..
That's my Opinion.. for what it's worth..

[lragan]

As I remember the scuttlebutt, the Metzlers are the "stickier" tire, but don't yield as much mileage.

I run the Dunlops.  I was happy with the mileage (on the front only, as I will explain) and they hold well enough for my "gentle" style of riding.

Since I bought my Magna two years ago, I have put on 10000+ miles, virtually all pleasure riding.  I am on the second replacement tire on the back because of punctures.  The last time I replaced it the dealer I use misinformed me that Dunlop no longer made the rear tire , and sold me a different tire.  After sanding off the mold release, it seems to me it runs just like the Dunlop, and was a few dollars cheaper.  It is a Bridgestone G702.

Another MOOT member suggested Cycle Gear when it came time to buy a new tire.  They do not remove and replace wheels, so I took the front wheel off and took it in to their store in North Austin.  Tire was 112.99.  Mount/balance was 20.00.  I let them sell me their road hazard guarantee for 19.99, mostly due to the experiences with the rear tires.  Anyway, when they add it all up with new stem, tire disposal fee (required in Texas), sales tax, etc., it all came to $173.99.   This, of course, does not count my expenses in gasoline to take it to their store, and it did not involve a ride to anywhere , but it is the best price I could find, short of mounting the tire myself.   Their service was good.  Left the wheel, went to lunch, came back and picked it up.

[Sledge Hammer]

NOW you've done it!!

Hey, maybe it will take the, uh, heat off the Apparent Regulator Failures thread.  


Kianpepper,

Welcome to MOOT and congratulations on what sounds like a real find. My '95 had almost 2200 miles on it when I bought it in early 2006.

I replaced the tires on my bike iimediately after I bought it because I was concerned about dry rot on 10 year old tires and the tread was hard as a rock. Several people told it I was wasting my money to do so, and maybe they were right, but since the tires are the weak link in the chain that keeps my tail from being ground along the pavement, I figured it was cheap health insurance.

Based on what I read here and elsewhere, I was initially inclined to go with Metzler's but the service manager at the stealership advised me to stay with the Dunlops: He would have to order either one, as I recall, but the Dunlops were more than $100 less installed and he was of the opinion that the Dunlops were a better all-round compromise for handling and wear vs the Metzler's. I'm coming up on 4000 miles on the Dunlops, and so far so good. They haven't let me slide in the rain and they have kept me on the road when skill alone (or lack thereof) wasn't going to cut it, and they look to be good for at least another 7000 miles. If somebody comes up with a convincing case (including pricepoint) for the Metzlers, I might consider them the next time, but not because I can find fault with the Dunlops.

I can tell you one thing if you did not already know it: NEW tires are SLICK for the first 300-400 miles. Fortunately, the service manager warned me about that instead of letting me find out for myself.

[lragan]

New tires are slick because the mold release has not been ground off.  You can fix this in a few minutes with some fine sandpaper.  Just sand until the "shiny" is gone.

No matter how steeply you regularly turn, there will come a time when you will need to lean it further over.  At that point, it is best not to be running on mold release.

[hootmon]

I have had good luck with purchasing tires from: American Moto Tire out of Az.
http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/

[lragan]

I have had good luck with purchasing tires from: American Moto Tire out of Az.
http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/

Hoot, do you mount 'em yourself, or pay someone to do it?  Most of the places I know that mount MC tires also sell 'em, and are going to get their pound of flesh either way...

[hootmon]

I have had good luck with purchasing tires from: American Moto Tire out of Az.
http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/

Hoot, do you mount 'em yourself, or pay someone to do it?  Most of the places I know that mount MC tires also sell 'em, and are going to get their pound of flesh either way...

I take the wheel off myself and take it down with the tire to have it mounted.
There has been a thread discussing this before, but most bike shops have raised their prices for this, since they are NOT making the profit on the tire.. I used to pay about $20, but last time it was $35.

I do not have the equipment to do a tire change easily and no way to balance it.. I could build or buy something, but since it only comes around about every year and a half and my garage is already full of crap, this is also my planned approach for the future.. I don't think I'll find any right sized car tires at the motorcycle shop and don't think I'll get a car tire place to mount a motorcycle rim.. So, I've got the K-Y already and will be ready for my next visit..

[Greg Cothern]

Why I have an Avon Venom in a 170/80-15 on the rear of my 96 project Magna......  Fits great..

I have run Dunlops, Metz, and now Venoms.  First the Dunlops are great when new, mileage count is not as good as the Metz I ran.
Metz gave good traction in sizes larger than the stock 150/80-15, and mileage life was greater in my case by a good bit over the dunlops.
I have since switched to the Avon and like it quite a bit but dont have enough miles yet for a full review.  So far I think it will equal if not surpass the Metz.

Tire longevity is greatly impacted by tire pressures.  FOLLOW the tire manufactuer recommendations!!!

[Kianpepper]

Wow!  I know tire threads generate responses from my SV listserv, but this one was a pleasant surprise.  Thank you for all the welcoming notations.  I have put so little miles on it because I have two motos and have been taking it easy on the Magna as I learn more about it.  The tires have me worried due to its age, so I will probably put more miles on it when they are replaced.

I will price the Dunlops, Metzlers, and Avons to see how it will impact my wallet.  I use Cycle Gear to mount my tires and they charge $35 per in Houston.  They suggested Avon for the rear tire and Metzler for the front.  Based on one of the responses, now I understand why. 

BTW, my moto club has mostly Hogs and have given me a hard time with my SV.  But when I showed up with my Magna, they were quite envious.  I get many a 'thumbs up' by those who know the history of these beauties.  I am definitely a V twin fan, so a V4 falls in the category of 'way cool'.

This is a great group!  Thanks so much for the input.  Feel free to keep 'em coming and I will report back what I finally purchase.

Vvvvrrrroooooommmm!

[Herman]

Bah!  I just replaced my front tire.  It was the factory front.  Now for the part that no one believes.  The bike is a 97 and I replaced the tire at 32k+ miles on it.  It still looked good too when I replaced it.  Could have easily gotten a few more thousand out of it.

[hootmon]

Bah!  I just replaced my front tire.  It was the factory front.  Now for the part that no one believes.  The bike is a 97 and I replaced the tire at 32k+ miles on it.  It still looked good too when I replaced it.  Could have easily gotten a few more thousand out of it.

yeah, well the bike probably sat for a long while, and the tire got really hard. It was so hard, it wouldn't wear, but probably lacked good traction too..
I bet there was quite a difference in the new tire!!!

[Herman]

You better believe there was a difference!  It begs to lean into the corners now! (currently Metzler ME880 front and rear)