Best Cruiser Motorcycle Tires

We’re not reinventing the wheel, but plenty of folks keep improving on them. Patrick is back with our top picks for rubber this year. We’ve split up our picks into different categories for all types of riders out there. Let us know what you think and whether you agree with our picks. Have experience with any of these, tell us about it!

Want to grab one of our top picks?

Intro 0:00
Budget Tire 0:32
Mileage Tire 1:10
Performance Tire 1:59
Vintage Tire 3:16
Vintage Whitewall Tire 4:34
Conclusion 5:13

[saddlebag]

I love it. When most people in motorcycling say "the best, " they mean whatever would be best suited to a race track. That there are a few people left in the world that recognize that "best" is what's in the interest of the customer warms my heart.

[jlb]

I see I’m not alone with my primary concern being which ones are best for wet/rain. It would be great if you could add that category. The only time I really get concerned about modern tire performance is when I’m riding in heavy rain with standing water. Hydroplaning is not fun on a bike.

[billcarson]

I bought the Metzler CruiseTecs last year for my Road Glide and I've really been impressed. Definitely an improvement over stock and comfortable on long rides.

[Lee-ish]

Had some Metzler Marathon boots fitted on my 2010 Vulcan VN900 Custom Special .
Not very soft so will last for ages but have to say neither are they very good grip wise if you want to cook the corners or like on my bike you dont have ABS
They certainly need careful handling in adverse conditions.

[stevenjacobson]

I love my Metzler’sME880 on my Fatboy. Fantastic wet and dry. My friends like the Michelin commander I I also

[Hog-gz]

Hi 👋, I am from the future 😂, I have been riding, HD from 1995/6, 1200-1340-1450/1550, Deuce, Metzeler, is the best, I have just recently put just another deuce, and before it goes on the road, it will have a new set of tires and yes, you’ve guessed it, METZELER,

[robertemmons]

Although I do know that I can go online and get more information on these and other tires, but it would have been nice to see the performance and traction values of these tires on wet roads. Wet traction is my first thought when it comes to shopping for tires, then cost and mileage.

[seanmarchiny]

I used to run the shinko journey 890, also tried the 777 same think. Rear tire on a victory cross country, full size bagger. I only got a season per rear. I switched to metzler cruztec after a few seasons. Stock metzler 888 I changed after 15k.

[rebel_ltz]

Why all these lists miss the Avon Cobra Chrome? An affordable, stylish, soft rubber.

[dougfresh]

Got that Avon tire on my Springer for looks. Hell yeah it wobbles on those grooves. Not for the weak of heart.
On the '12 Elec Glide I went darkside and never looked back.

[ichbinmartin]

I had ME888 on my Intruder 800. First set was perfect and lasts almost 50 000 km. Then i bought the same, lasts maybe 25 000 km. Then I bought Shinko 777, but I don't ride Intruder anymore, only rode maybe 2000km and I had good feeling.

[bmwdan]

Just ordered a set of the cruisetecs for my 2019 low rider, heard nothing but great things about them

[jaredkish]

I have the Metzeler 888s and all
I do is rip mountain back roads and canyons and love ‘em. I wonder if I should switch to cruise techs tho? The marathon tires seem to last as long as stick Michelins

[soncaasi]

So are all these tired good in the rain? Kinda just want grippy rain tires 🛞

[BetaBuxDelux]

What is the best tire for traction and staying up while riding in wet weather?

[uberDoward]

How do those Cruisetecs compare to my usual go-to, Avon Cobras?

[yarekk]

The metzler cruisetec sounds like the tire for me, but the issue is: I need 150/90-15 or 140/90-15 for the rear and these aren’t available. Any other tire that comes in one of these sizes, that would give me good grip and last ok? I’m using Dunlop 404s now. Decent on dry but not so great on wet, and I only get 3k miles out of them. I pin that throttle down a lot, and my pegs and saddle bags scrape the pavement regularly. And I often ride with wife in the back. Looking for good recommendations

[SuperdogRW]

I ride a 2008 Road King but live in the mountains of western North Carolina so I'm in the twisties as much as (if not more) the interestates. A lot of tire companies don't make my size. Dunlop and Michelin to name a couple. I don't want to put a cruiser on the front and a touring on the rear. Or the same brand but different models front and rear. 130X70/18 front and 170x60/17 on the rear. Any recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks.

[rimaspazereckas]

I Run metzler ultra on my 89 fxsts...have yet to do a tyre change on it (approx 5k miles) the tyres are only now just to get the "square" shape on the rear...still tons of tread left...not sure if i will change to another tyre for a longer range tyre or not...

I just put commander 2 on front and commader 3 on the rear of my 14 xl1200c...yet to see what wear is like but they feel fine so far...

[ReadYesterdaysPapers]

How is ride comfort like bump absorption with the Metzeler Cruisetec?