I must say, and this is my opinion only, that i am a massive fan of OEM tyres on modern bikes. This my experience based on over 30 years of riding all types of bikes on the road.
I have only fallen off three times in this time. Twice was my fault. First time I was a learner trying to out run the "D's" on my PE175. oops. (dumb 17 yo). And the second one was on my CBR 900 fireblade in the national park on a cold tyre in "95". The last one was on the road going around a corner on my dr650 with fertiliser spilt on a wet road.(4 years ago) Not my fault as i proved it was spilt and insurance agreed.
With tyres, well it all depends on how you ride your bike and under what conditions. Ride with your blouse open and feel the wind on your spadger any tyre will do.
Showing off with the laté sippers on a lowered straight liner, again ride on anything as you don't need corner grip.
Ride in the wet often but slowly, again anything will do.
Ride on slippy roads fast in the wet or dry and nothing will help you.
Ride like Mick Doohan, often, and you may need a softer or stickier tyre.
My point is that most blokes on here would not get anywhere near to the point of the tyre letting go, but think the tyre is shit. Why?
If you are getting say 20k out of a tyre that most on average are getting 12k, then you ride slowly and carefully and don't brake into corners and don't accelerate out of corners, originals are fine. 
Under normal riding conditions the standards are made for the bike. They don't make a $35k bike with 2 buck tyres.
Pushing the limits on nearly every ride you go on then yes you need a better tyre that wont let go. Are you that type of rider? I know some on this forum are and then they know whats good and what isn't. No dramas.
But its like going along with the latest trend, my mate has an XYZ phone, so i have to get one. My mate has gucci boots, so i have to have them. I have a chrome knob and you need one too! Do you know what i mean?
First you have to really ask what type of rider are you?, do you really need the super sticky last half as long expensive boots?. Some do. 

Do you fall into the catagory of a trend follower and can-afford-the-best-even-if-you-don't-need-them-type?

Or are you the sensible logical type that knows their limits and knows to trust their bike (as most bikes out perform the riders ability anyway) and ride to the conditions type?

Horses for courses isn't it? And yes ABS helps for those who have it.

Experience is a massive part of riding, and maybe just try with the right pressures, on the right roads, in the right weather and with the right technique, you will be surprised just how well your "shit originals" will go and you will be rewarded with a fantastic ride.  Push the boundaries with any tyre and it wont save you.

On another note, I am just ammused by all of the newbies with high performace motors, best of the best engine parts, clenest of the clean bike non rain riders out there with a tyre that will grip to glass underwater, And use it to ride to the shop and back. Ok, milk bar and back in the next town! Whats the point in that? Not there is anything wrong with that.....................Get a real bike and ride the fucker!.

Cheers Hutch

this should attract some attention lol . I am one of the ones who is looking for something better from my tyres. I am pretty much a daily rider and in the dry the Dunlops are okay but in the wet that's another story, this is why I am looking at other brands.

+ 1 for the stock Dunlops .

I also liked the stock Michelin Scorchers on my Superglide .

and check that you have plenty of tread before going too far from home.

I have tried a few brands and they all feel the same to me, light up with to much right hand LOL

I ride everyday and was happy with the Scorchers - Wet and dry they performed well. Recently fitted the NightDragons and I'm very impressed.
The NightDragons are definitely a stickier tyre and I'm sure I'll get less mileage from them...

Hutch, you got it all wrong, neglecting the most important aspect of a tyre. Does it withstand milk? You know, when you're puttering about town, fail to spot the speedbump because you're adjusting your jacket so the patch faces just the right way, and the latte in your cup holder spills a little on your front tyre and twinky bell to boot. That tyre has gotta withstand that kind of punishment, so it's Dunlop HD all the way obviously.

I for one would be happy to stick with the stock tyres.
But the price for two is nearly double what I can get aftermarket ones for.

Don't have to get a tyre with Harley-Davidson on it to get the same tyre

I'm finding my stock Dunlops (2008 Sportster Custom) in Tropical rains here in FNQ to be a little sphincter spasm enducing... Any of the FNQ'ers got recommendations on good grippy tyres for our riding conditions?

Metzeler 880's here, I find they have more grip wet and dry and still give quite good mileage.
About 8k from the rear and 15300 from the front I just changed.
I get them through Walka here on the forum, great price and service

Good post Hutch

I am one of the ones that will not run a dunlop, need the stickier night dragon as mostly ride hard.
The dunlops have given me some scary moments over the years and i find are the worst tyre in the wet.
As you said horses for courses mate.

I trade milage for confidence.

However you are right most blokes the dunlops would be fine for as 80% of harley riders don't ride em hard enough to know the difference.

The Dunlops on mine are pretty shocking in the wet, but I ain't exactly cornering hard so it's more fun than anything most of the time

That being said I had some real nice Michelins on a supersport and you could pretty much knee down in the wet which was also a lot of fun

Riding bikes just seems to be fun, go figure

yeah ran an Avon cobra as my first 200 and liked it too but switched to the Metz as it measured the full 200 once on the rim and the avon was under a bit. good tyre though, good grip and decent milage

I'm currently running Dunlop Elite 2 on the fatty. They have been really good so far with plenty of grip in the wet as well. They are a dual compound and have been wearing quite evenly after about 6k and look like lasting a good while longer.

I don't think they come in many sizes tho.

Cheers.

Bucky

 

Thanks for the input and reply's guys.
I'm just speculating here but i Think the heavier bikes like mine would also have more grip due to the weight. Maybe thats why I feel so comfortable with these stock tyres. No slips or slides on normal/good roads, single or two up in the wet or dry. But as money makes the wheels go around, if I can get a better set for less money I would be a mug not to go for them and give them a go too..

I might check out the size range on those Dunlop Elite 2 hoops.. Dual compound would be good, have checked another dualy once but it didnt come in my size

Dags, I used rockymountainatv. Ordered Sunday night, arrived Thursday at the post office. Good drills coming from the states in 4 days. The low $ might make a difference now tho.
Cheers.
Bucky

Dags, I used rockymountainatv. Ordered Sunday night, arrived Thursday at the PO. Good drills coming from the states in 4 days. Low $ might make a difference now tho.

Bucky 

 

 

FKD that up.