Front Tire for Freewheeler

Sunman · Sep 19, 2018

Anyone else try the Metzler ME 888 front tire on their FLRT? They are supposed to be a "high mileage" tire. I have one on now and it seems to be wearing pretty well so I just may order another one when the time comes. I used to run a rear tire in reverse on the front of my Goldwing trike but since the FLRT has a 19" front tire that is not an option.

What tire(s) have you run and what mileage did you get?

Thanks,

Sunman

MDO · Sep 19, 2018

Check this thread out.

https://www.triketalk.com/forum/threads/46262-Freewheeler-front-tire-replacement-recommendations

I have it down to the Avon AV71 Cobra & the Michelin Commander.

In my research, the Michelin has the most positive reviews. I like Avons 2 year road hazard warranty & am leaning toward it. My price research shows them between $130-$140

I change my opinion weekly, but I don't think you can go wrong with either choice.

I had your Metzler on the list, but a lot of reviews gave it mileage similar to the OEM Dunlop. A lot of riders are reporting 16-18,000 miles out of it, which is not to bad. I think Jack is about there.

Tricycleman · Sep 19, 2018

MDO said:
Check this thread out.

https://www.triketalk.com/forum/threads/46262-Freewheeler-front-tire-replacement-recommendations

I have it down to the Avon AV71 Cobra & the Michelin Commander.

In my research, the Michelin has the most positive reviews. I like Avons 2 year road hazard warranty & am leaning toward it. My price research shows them between $130-$140

I change my opinion weekly, but I don't think you can go wrong with either choice.

I had your Metzler on the list, but a lot of reviews gave it mileage similar to the OEM Dunlop. A lot of riders are reporting 16-18,000 miles out of it, which is not to bad. I think Jack is about there.

I've had two Cobra Trike tires one failed @ 1500 miles and the last one @ 7000 miles. Mounted on 08 Goldwing w/ a RS conversion. Switching to BT 45 Batllax.

MDO · Sep 19, 2018

Tricycleman said:
I've had two Cobra Trike tires one failed @ 1500 miles and the last one @ 7000 miles. Mounted on 08 Goldwing w/ a RS conversion. Switching to BT 45 Batllax.

Sounds like you had bad luck. Their trike only tire only comes in 2 sizes & doesn't fit the FW.

I hope you had them refund your money. The Avon has a 2 year warranty .

52edub · Sep 20, 2018

I put a Pirelli Night Dragon on the front. Good wear so far.

Sunman · Sep 20, 2018

Thanks for the replies guys. I think this time I will try the Michelin Commander II and see how it does. It has great reviews.

Sunman

MDO · Sep 20, 2018

52edub said:
I put a Pirelli Night Dragon on the front. Good wear so far.

I have used Pirelli tires on my 2005 Honda 1100 with great results. They are owned by Metzeler.

I had a Pirelli Route 66 rear tire . They did not make a front tire in my size and I went with a Dunlop 402 & it was much better than stock.

Please keep us up to date on your FW's Pirelli & how it holds up. Thanks

Free Bird · Sep 20, 2018

ME888 120/70 B21 68H

So far so good. I got it for the advertised longevity with touring and sidecar rigs. Only a little north of 1K miles on it so far though

MDO · Sep 20, 2018

Very nice looking. I'm personally just not a fan of tubes. I had heard berore you could get a spoke wheel sealed so you could run a tubeless tires?.

Jack Klarich · Sep 20, 2018

MDO said:
Very nice looking. I'm personally just not a fan of tubes. I had heard berore you could get a spoke wheel sealed so you could run a tubeless tires?.

Yup its true. They look cool but IMO ( and Ive had spoked wheels on 2 bikes) they are not as strong as cast wheels and require a lot of maintenance JMO

Free Bird · Sep 21, 2018

MDO said:
Very nice looking. I'm personally just not a fan of tubes. I had heard before you could get a spoke wheel sealed so you could run a tubeless tires?.

Yes. It is tubless and has seals on the inside. It is like a rubberband that fits in the flat inner bead of the rim

MDO · Sep 21, 2018

Free Bird said:
Yes. It is tubless and has seals on the inside. It is like a rubberband that fits in the flat inner bead of the rim

Very cool. Tubeless is good. Those tubes pop like a balloon & it's not pretty.

Jack Klarich · Sep 21, 2018

I may get 19K out of the OEM Dunlop

Thinking on a Michelin when it is time, I read good things about how good it is in rain

MDO · Sep 21, 2018

Jack Klarich said:
I may get 19K out of the OEM Dunlop

Thinking on a Michelin when it is time, I read good things about how good it is in rain

I have heard the same. I have also heard good reviews on Dunlops new American Elite, but it's too new for mileage reports.

MDO · Oct 17, 2018

I just found Bridgestone's new Battlecruise 50 tire (for the Freewheeler) on Bikebandit for $108 with free shipping & if you look on Bridgestone's website, they have a $30 rebate. Under $80 for a quality tire is impressive.

They updated from the 45 tire & these are supposed to be higher milage without sacrifising handling.

Here is a link:

https://www.bikebandit.com/tires-tu...lecruise-h50-motorcycle-tire/p/56824?m=159717

MDO · Jan 10, 2019

Avon has a new Cobra Chrome tire that is supposed to be improved in every regard. More & more offerings are becoming available in our 19" rim size. Here is a link:

https://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/avon-unveils-new-cobra-chrome-tire-range