Tire question

[K9Anniv]

Greetings fellow dog riders,
I have an '05 Chopper with stock 250 Avon rear. I'm replacing both front & rear tires later this Spring and would like to go with Metzeler instead of Avon, as I've "heard" they perform, ride and wear better than the Avons.

Metzeler's application chart shows two ME880 Marathon XXL:
260/35VR21M/CTL (83V) ME880
260/40VR18M/CTL (84V) ME880

Is anybody out there a Metzler expert who could explain the difference, and will their 260 rear tire fit without problems or modifications required on my '05 Chopper?

Thanks guys!

 

[woodbutcher]

not someone with experience, but it seems like every time someone tries metzler , they end up being so close that they rub the frame. also, metzler is a really sticky tire so the life of the tire is about 1/4 that of an avon.

 

[BubbleHead]

how many miles have you gotten out of your Avon's? How worn down are they? How many 32ths are left on your Avon's?
According to Big Dog they will soon start using the new Avon Cobras. Different sidwall pattern and compound for even longer tread life than the VenomX

 

[Cobrafast1]

Metzler's are great. Just be aware that it might be a bit wider than your stock tire. I had a problem changing tires on my '03. The swing arm was not wide enough. The tire rubbed. I had to shim the axle just a thousandth more. Now it fits fine.

 

[Gas Man]

be carefull on more life milage. More milage = less grip

 

[bdmridgeback]

Greetings fellow dog riders,
I have an '05 Chopper with stock 250 Avon rear. I'm replacing both front & rear tires later this Spring and would like to go with Metzeler instead of Avon, as I've "heard" they perform, ride and wear better than the Avons.

Metzeler's application chart shows two ME880 Marathon XXL:
260/35VR21M/CTL (83V) ME880 **FOR 21" WHEEL**
260/40VR18M/CTL (84V) ME880 **FOR 18" WHEEL**

Is anybody out there a Metzler expert who could explain the difference, and will their 260 rear tire fit without problems or modifications required on my '05 Chopper?

Thanks guys!

** That answer your ???

 

[Mickeetwo]

Buy the AVON's

Of course I work for the company that owns Avon

 

[K9Anniv]

Thanks guys - still looking for more info...lots of different directions here.

I do want a better ride & traction, but I'm not too thrilled with Metzeler having "1/4 the mileage life of an Avon" (can that be correct??:loony: ).

And I also want as wide a rear tire as I can get on my 2005 Chopper without having to make any modifications.

Has anyone in the forum actually switched out their '05 Chopper's stock 250 Avon rear with the Metzeler 260 who could give me additional feedback?

Thanks!

 

[gooddoggie]

I have been running the Metzeler 260/40VR18 on the rear of my 05 BDM Chopper since last year with NO PROBLEMS and NO MODIFICATIONS. Plenty of clearence as both tire are very close in size despite the apparent difference in specifications. As for the ride I noticed no difference at all but with our wonderful potholed IL roads that's not surprising. I will use whichever one is less expensive in the future. Good luck

 

[ChuckRB05]

re

Avons last forever if you run them at factory recommended PSIs

 

[Salty Dawg]

I just replaced tires on my 02 Pitbull with the Metz. Rear 260 and front 90/90. they ride great and there is plenty of room between the belt and frame. Can't say anything for the swing arm types out there. They are softer and seem to be sticking much better.

As Gas stated your tire life is equal to you driving style. More tire life will be a harder tire with less grip and if you get into the throttle a lot the tire will spin easer using even more tire life up.

Just my 2 cents