If you want to know how the Metzeler Cruisetec tires really perform under real-world touring conditions—rain, heat, gravel, and technical training—then you’re in the right place. I personally put these tires to the test with nearly 4,000 miles in 11 days, riding through British Columbia, Alberta, and the Yukon Territory.

👉 Scroll to the bottom for the full video review and details.
You can also get your Metzeler Cruisetec tires directly in the Law Abiding Biker™ Store—where we test what we sell and take care of our community of bikers.

Why I Chose the Metzeler Cruisetec

As a longtime police motor officer and instructor, I’ve ridden thousands of miles on Harley-Davidson touring bikes equipped with OEM Dunlop tires. They’re good, reliable, and predictable. But like many riders, I don’t love being tied to the dealership just to buy and replace them.

So I decided to put Metzeler’s Cruisetec tires to the test. They’re designed as a direct replacement for the OEM Dunlops, but Metzeler claims they deliver higher performance, better grip, and comparable mileage. I wanted to see if that was true.

SUPPORT US AND SHOP IN THE OFFICIAL LAW ABIDING BIKER STORE

What Metzeler Says About the Cruisetec

Metzeler describes the Cruisetec as:

“The ultimate V-twin tire to perfect the performance of motorcycles of yesterday, today, and tomorrow.”

Key features according to Metzeler:

• Dual-compound rear for dynamic handling and strong grip with excellent mileage

• Softer shoulder compounds for confidence when cornering

• High silica tread for improved wet-weather traction

• Extended tread grooves for better water evacuation while leaned over

• Designed to match or slightly exceed OEM tire mileage

So, I hit the road to find out if these claims held up.

The Ride: 4,000 Miles of Real Testing

During my 11-day trip through Canada and Alaska, I experienced just about everything:

• Temperatures: 40°F to over 100°F

• Weather: 4 straight days of heavy rain and standing water

• Terrain: 30 miles of gravel road to the Salmon Glacier near Hyder, Alaska

• Conditions: Long highway miles, mountain twisties, and slow-speed police-style drills

I also ran these tires during low-speed technical training, pushing them in tight cone patterns and challenging traction conditions.

CHECK OUT OUR HUNDREDS OF FREE HELPFUL VIDEOS ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL AND SUBSCRIBE!

Cornering and High-Speed Performance

At speed, the Cruisetec tires surprised me. They feel slightly different from the OEM Dunlops—requiring a bit more initial input to lean over—but once set in the corner, they hold their line beautifully.

Where Dunlops tend to wander slightly or require mid-corner correction, the Metzeler Cruisetec feels planted and consistent. You can “set it and forget it.” For aggressive riders like me who enjoy spirited cornering, this is a big win.

Wet Weather Confidence

Four days of sustained rain provided the perfect test for wet performance—and the Cruisetec handled it like a champ.

Even in Sport Mode (no rain assist), I couldn’t get the rear tire to break loose under normal acceleration while leaned over. The sticky compound and deep tread channels shed water impressively, maintaining grip and confidence through standing water and slick conditions.

I can confidently say this is the best wet-weather tire I’ve tested on a Harley-Davidson touring bike to date.

Off-Road & Gravel Testing

While not designed as an off-road tire, I rode 30 miles of gravel and old mining roads up to Salmon Glacier. I was impressed with how well the Cruisetec managed loose terrain, holding traction better than expected even with traction control turned off.

For a street touring tire, the off-pavement performance was excellent—predictable, stable, and controllable.

Low-Speed Handling and Tar Snakes

During my police-style cone drills, the Cruisetec felt as stable as the OEM Dunlops, if not better.
Notably, when riding over warm tar snakes, the bike drifted less than with the Dunlops—a sign of better compound flexibility and tread design.

This tire clearly inspires confidence in technical scenarios.

LISTEN TO THE LAW ABIDING BIKER PODCAST!

Tire Longevity and Mileage

Many riders report similar mileage to OEM Dunlops, with some seeing only a small reduction. Personally, I’m fine with sacrificing a bit of tread life for better grip, safety, and handling.

If you want maximum longevity, the Michelin Commander III will last longer—but it’s a harder compound tire and doesn’t provide the same performance feel.

For me, the Cruisetec strikes the perfect balance between grip, comfort, and mileage.

Pricing and How to Save

The Metzeler Cruisetec is priced comparably to the OEM Dunlop. However, you can save significant money by:

1. Ordering your tires from the Law Abiding Biker™ Store—where we carry Metzeler, Michelin, and Dunlop options.

2. Removing your own wheels (we have step-by-step YouTube videos on this).

   1. Front Wheel Removal Video
   2. Rear Wheel Removal Video

3. Taking the wheels to a local shop for mounting and balancing.

Remember:
✅ Free shipping on orders over $100
✅ No sales tax if you live outside Washington State
✅ We’re real bikers helping bikers—not a corporate giant

BECOME A PATRON MEMBER AND GET BENEFITS!

Final Thoughts

After extensive testing, I can confidently say the Metzeler Cruisetec is a top-tier performance touring tire for Harley-Davidson riders who demand the best grip, control, and wet-weather confidence.

It’s stickier than OEM Dunlops, performs better in corners and rain, and still offers great mileage. Whether you’re cruising highways, carving twisties, or training at low speed, this tire won’t let you down.

🏁 Watch the Full Video Review

For in-depth visuals and real-world riding footage, scroll to the bottom of this article to watch my complete Metzeler Cruisetec Review video.

And when you’re ready to upgrade your ride, grab your set of Metzeler Cruisetec tires—available now in the Law Abiding Biker™ Store.