J&P Community

I recently bought a 2001 FLHRCI with Avon "Gangster wide whitewalls. As you know these are directional tread tires. Aside from the fact that these tires like to follow every little crack and rain groove on the road, is this considered a safe tire for the conditions it will see on this bike?  

I don't think many would consider that a touring style tire, but I can't comment it's load rating.  There are better tires if you're looking to burn up the miles.  I'm a fan of Metzler ME880's on my Road King.  Big improvement over the stock Dunlops.  Gangsters sure look cool ...

kleelittle:

I recently bought a 2001 FLHRCI with Avon "Gangster wide whitewalls. As you know these are directional tread tires. Aside from the fact that these tires like to follow every little crack and rain groove on the road, is this considered a safe tire for the conditions it will see on this bike?  

Yeah, Avons are great tires when it comes to construction. I would challenge someone's midset though on why they would buy a tire just for looks if the performance wasn't what they were looking for. Granted they came with the bike but, I have heard before that the Gangsters have a mind of their own. Dollar for dollar though, I believe that Avons are the best tire on the road... cheap insurance vs crashing due to inclement weather or dusty turns.

Do a few burnouts and voila.... no more gangsters.

pbabadoo, I switched from ths stock dunlops 402 to Metzler ME880, but I'm thinking of changing back to the new  dunlops. I have a 06 heritage, I have been having a problem with my Metzers washing out on turns which have Crack sealer on the road . the Dunlops didn't have the problem as bad as Metzler's, pus the Metzers are skinnyer than Dunlops.I hear the new dunlops are improved from the ones a few years ago.

  After intalling avon Venom's I have to take back what I siad about  Metzer's . I just installed Avon venoms on my 06  FLSTC/I Heritage, And I  have a wondering problem on road patch grooves and anyother grooves on the road. I had the Metzeler Me880's on before with no wondering problems, and the Stock dunlups 402's befor the Metzeler's. When these Avon's wear out I'm switching back to Metzelers, But Just remember one thing about Met's, as I learned metzeler's tires ARE Smaller  one size in width, ( 1/2") and The Tire OD size is taller (1/4) than the Stock dulup and Avons. this means that a met's tire 150/80/16 is not as wide and taller than a 150/80/16 Dunlup and a avon. the difference in the tire OD size makes a big difference in Torque,power band, and milege on a computer run harley.