LAB-431-The Best Performance Motorcycle Tires, In Our Opinion

Amber driving lights are auxiliary lamps that emit amber/yellow light, often used for visibility or styling. In many places they’re regulated differently than white headlights, especially regarding whether they can be used as the main headlight beam.

A daytime running light (DRL) is a vehicle light designed to improve visibility during daylight hours. It typically stays on when the vehicle is running and is often implemented with a distinct LED signature separate from the main headlight beam.

Projector LED lights use an optical projector lens to shape and aim the light beam more precisely than a simple LED bulb. That beam control can help reduce glare and improve how effectively the light illuminates the road.

A skid plate is a protective metal or composite panel mounted under a motorcycle to shield the engine and other vulnerable parts from impacts with rocks, curbs, and debris. It’s especially useful for street riders who occasionally encounter rough pavement or for anyone who rides in areas where you might hit something underneath the bike.

A fairing is the motorcycle’s bodywork that shapes airflow around the rider and bike. When the host says “redesigned fairing,” they mean the outer panels were updated to change aerodynamics, cooling, and/or how the bike’s lines fit together.

A chassis protector is an aftermarket or OEM accessory designed to protect the motorcycle’s frame and underside from damage. In this context, it’s functioning like a skid-plate system that covers more of the bottom and can be removed for maintenance.

A wheelie is a stunt where the rider lifts the front wheel off the ground while accelerating or using technique. It’s commonly practiced on dirt bikes and e-bikes because the rider can control traction and balance.

Using the rear brake can shift weight rearward and help control a bike’s pitch during low-speed maneuvers. In stunt situations, riders may use it to bring the front end down or stabilize the bike’s balance.

Hogworks is an aftermarket parts brand/vendor for motorcycles, positioned here as offering high-quality parts and customer service. The host mentions it being used for Harley-Davidson and Indian aftermarket upgrades.

“Hardy Davidson” is almost certainly a transcription error for Harley-Davidson, a major American motorcycle brand. The context is aftermarket upgrades, meaning non-stock parts intended to improve fit, function, or style.

Indian refers to Indian Motorcycle, a brand known for cruiser-style bikes and a strong aftermarket scene. In this segment, it’s mentioned alongside Harley-Davidson as a target for aftermarket upgrades.

“Metzger cruise texts” appears to be the name of a specific tire model the hosts recommend. They describe it as “sticky,” meaning it provides strong grip, especially important for braking and cornering confidence on a motorcycle.

A “sticky tire” is slang for a tire compound and tread design that generates high friction with the road surface. On motorcycles, that typically translates to better traction during braking, acceleration, and cornering.

“Street Glide” refers to Harley-Davidson’s touring motorcycle line, known for its comfortable ride and fairing-mounted infotainment. In this segment, the hosts specifically mention fitting tires to a 2024 Street Glide, tying the tire choice to a real-world touring setup.

The speaker’s background as a police motorcycle officer is relevant because police riders often demand consistent traction and predictable handling in varied conditions. That context is used to justify their tire recommendations and comparisons to OEM tires.

“OEM” means Original Equipment Manufacturer—so “OEM Dunlops” are the tires that came on the motorcycle from the factory. Comparing OEM tires to an aftermarket option is a common way riders evaluate changes in grip, wear, and ride feel.

The Jeep Commander is a mid-size SUV designed for family hauling and everyday driving with an emphasis on utility. It may come up in conversation because it’s a recognizable Jeep model name and can be discussed in terms of how it fits into a broader lineup of SUVs. People often mention it when talking about practical size, seating, and capability.

An OEM tire is a tire supplied by the vehicle manufacturer (or specified as the original fitment) for that model. In practice, it means it’s designed to match the bike’s intended size, load rating, and overall ride/handling characteristics when the bike is new.

Plug-and-play compatibility means the accessory is designed to install without custom wiring or major modifications. For lighting parts, it typically implies the connector and electrical behavior are matched to the bike so the lights work correctly right away.

Metzler Cruze Tech is a specific motorcycle tire model from Metzeler, positioned here as a performance upgrade over the previously used Dunlop OEM tire. The hosts discuss it in terms of compound feel and expected wear/grip tradeoffs, and they’re recommending it based on their testing and impressions.

The Chevrolet Cruze is a compact, everyday passenger car built for efficient commuting and practical ownership. It comes up in discussions because different trims and packages (like “Tech” versions) can change the features and driving experience, which is why someone might compare one Cruze setup to another. It’s often mentioned as a mainstream option rather than a niche vehicle.

In tire talk, “wet” refers to performance on rain-slick surfaces, where traction depends heavily on tread design and rubber compound. Tires that are described as “good in wet” typically maintain more usable grip when there’s less friction from standing water or slick pavement.

A “quicker wearing” tire is one that tends to lose tread faster. In performance tire discussions, this usually correlates with softer rubber compounds that provide more grip but wear out sooner under aggressive riding, heat, and braking/turning loads.

Low-speed technical training is a practice format where riders test control skills at walking pace or slower—useful for evaluating how a tire behaves under gentle but precise inputs. The host connects it to tire testing by describing lean and contact behavior at low speed.

“Bar locked” refers to steering the motorcycle to its maximum lock angle (handlebars turned fully) while at very low speed. It’s a demanding condition because it tests tire grip and stability when the bike is turning sharply and weight is shifting.

This describes riding at extreme lean angles where the bike approaches or risks scraping bodywork or frame components. It’s a practical way to evaluate whether the tire’s grip and stability are sufficient when the motorcycle is leaned far over.

“Stickier” is rider slang for a tire that provides more traction—especially at lean angles—so the contact patch grips the road more confidently. In this segment, the host uses it to describe how the Cruze Tech feels compared with the OEM Dunlop tires.

“Harley tax” is slang for the tendency of Harley-Davidson-branded or Harley-specific parts to cost more than equivalent non-Harley options. The host argues the Cruze Tech tires are cheaper because you’re not paying that premium associated with OEM/Harley-specific pricing.

Standing water is a wet-road condition where water pools on the surface, increasing the risk of reduced tire contact and hydroplaning-like behavior. Tires with good water-shedding tread patterns and compounds help maintain grip when water is present.

A rain mode is a motorcycle riding mode that typically changes throttle mapping and traction-control behavior to reduce wheel spin on wet roads. The goal is smoother, less aggressive power delivery so the tires can maintain grip.

Sport mode is a riding mode that usually sharpens throttle response and may allow more aggressive traction-control intervention compared with calmer modes. It’s designed for quicker acceleration and more immediate power delivery.

Traction control is an electronic system that reduces wheel slip by cutting engine torque and/or adjusting power when the tires lose grip. On motorcycles, it helps prevent uncontrolled acceleration-related skids, especially on wet or low-traction surfaces.

High speed cornering refers to maintaining grip and stability while turning at relatively fast speeds, where small changes in traction and steering can have big effects. Tires matter a lot here because they determine how much lateral force they can generate before sliding. The host is comparing tire behavior at speed—especially how well they keep the bike on a consistent line.

In this context, “input” means the rider’s steering and throttle/weight-transfer actions used to guide the bike into and through a corner. Different tire constructions can change how quickly the tire responds to that input and how smoothly it transitions from turn-in to holding a line. The host is saying one tire needs slightly more input to get set, but then tracks more steadily.

In cornering, the apex is the point in the turn where you aim to be closest to the inside of the curve. Hitting the apex helps you set up the car or bike’s path so you can exit the corner efficiently. The host is describing how different tires change how much steering input it takes to reach that ideal point.

“Hold that line” describes how consistently the bike tracks the intended path through a corner without drifting or requiring constant corrections. Tire grip and carcass stiffness strongly influence this feel, especially at higher speeds. The host contrasts a tire that holds the line steadily once set versus another that feels like it needs more frequent adjustments.

Low-speed maneuvers are tight, slow handling tests (like parking-lot turns or cone patterns) where the tire’s grip and how it transitions at small steering inputs become very noticeable. Tires can feel “hold or not” at low speed because traction limits are reached differently than at highway cornering.

“Tar snakes” are the dark, stringy cracks and patches you sometimes see on asphalt parking lots or roads where tar is used to fill them. On motorcycles they can get slick or grabby depending on temperature and tire compound, which can upset traction mid-corner.

A tire “compound” is the rubber formulation used in the tread. Different compounds change grip, heat tolerance, and how quickly the tire reaches its working temperature—so they can feel better or worse on hazards like tar snakes.

In this context, “mileage” means how many miles the tires last before they wear out. Riders use it to compare expected tire life between different brands/models.

The Pontiac Chieftain is a classic American full-size car associated with Pontiac’s older lineup. It’s the kind of vehicle that may be discussed in a podcast when talking about historical models or recognizable names from past decades. The “Chieftain” name often comes up as part of vintage automotive history rather than modern performance.

High-silica tread refers to adding silica to the rubber compound to improve wet traction. Silica helps the tire maintain grip as the tread interacts with water, which is why it’s commonly marketed for rain performance.

Tread grooves are channels in the tire that help move water away from the contact patch. Extended grooves are intended to improve water evacuation—especially when leaned over—reducing the risk of hydroplaning and maintaining traction in rain.

“Real world testing” here means the tire was evaluated under actual riding conditions rather than only on a lab test rig. The host lists temperatures, rain time, gravel, and riding styles to show how the tire performed across varied real conditions.

This appears to describe extended exposure to standing water during heavy rain. The point is to stress the tire’s wet-weather traction and water evacuation performance under conditions where water depth is significant.

A “performance tire” is built to prioritize grip and handling response over maximum tread life. In this segment, the hosts argue that their preferred tire choice is the best option for riding feel and traction, especially when conditions change.

Michelin Commander Threes are a motorcycle tire model line aimed at long mileage and everyday touring use. In this segment, the hosts discuss how the Commander line behaves differently in corners and in wet rain compared with their preferred “best performance tire.”

Michelin Commander twos are an earlier version of the Michelin Commander tire line. The hosts compare their grip and wet-weather handling to the newer Commander Threes, implying the newer version is an incremental improvement.

In this context, “spinning” means the tire loses grip and rotates faster than the bike is actually moving, usually because traction is low (like in rain). It’s a sign the tire is slipping, which can reduce control and make the bike feel unpredictable.

“Throttle” is the rider’s control of engine power (how much torque the bike is asking for). In low-grip conditions, too much throttle can overwhelm tire traction and trigger wheel slip.

“Metzeler CruiseTech” is a motorcycle tire model the host describes as “sticky,” meaning it provides stronger grip—especially noticeable when cornering. They contrast its feel and stability against the Michelin Commander III in the same riding scenarios.

“Dunlop AE2” (the host also references the name “American Leads” as a prior branding) is another street tire option they position as a middle ground. The host plans to test it directly and compares its expected grip level to the Michelin Commander III and Metzeler, while also noting its popularity and use in Canada.

In tire shopping, a “variant” usually means a specific tire model option or construction within the same listing—often tied to tread pattern, speed/load rating, or intended fitment. It’s how the store distinguishes different versions that may share the same general tire name but aren’t interchangeable.

Motorcycle tires are often sold and fitted as separate front and rear sizes because the bike’s front and rear wheels typically have different rim widths and diameters. That means you can’t assume one size works for both ends.

Metzler Cruztak is a specific motorcycle tire model from Metzeler (often spelled “Metzler” in casual speech). The hosts are discussing fitment availability in certain sizes and how they verify inventory through their distributor portal.