Tires

[jp58]

Have 7600 on my 2011 nomad and need a new rear tire. Anyone use a different tire other than stock. How many miles did you get. Not much out there in a 170/70/16

[AlabamaNomadRider]

If you are going to use motorcycle tire I recommend Dunlop Elite 3. I have almost 7,000 on my rear tire and no visible tire wear yet.

[jp58]

Dunlop does not make a tire for the 1700 according to my tire guy.

[usranger74]

Not many folks here like the OE tires on the Nomad. I have a brand new rear Dunlop 160/80/16 bias on now. It took the place of a Avon Cobra.

[cactusjack]

Dunlop does not make a tire for the 1700 according to my tire guy.

Go with a Dunlop Elite 3 180/70/16. Or any 180/70/16, for that matter. More selection than the 170 width.

[cnc]

A lot of folks use a 180/70/16

[jp58]

Will the 180/70/16 fit the 1700. Is it not to wide. I see you guys have a 1600. The elite 3 is a radial. My front would be bias. Are you not supposed to mix them.

[cactusjack]

Will the 180/70/16 fit the 1700. Is it not to wide. I see you guys have a 1600. The elite 3 is a radial. My front would be bias. Are you not supposed to mix them.

the 180 will fit just fine. You can run a radial on the rear and a bias on the front, just not the other way around.

[usranger74]

Will the 180/70/16 fit the 1700. Is it not to wide. I see you guys have a 1600. The elite 3 is a radial. My front would be bias. Are you not supposed to mix them.

Radial in the back - bias in front OK but not the other way http://s2.images.proboards.com/cool.gif

Not sure about size on your 1700.

Some folks also use the E 3 160/80/16 bias on the rear.

[replay13]

I got just over 6k out of the stock Bridgestone Exedra. I put on the new Bridgestone Exedra Max and I have almost 7k on it now, hard to say but I think I'll get at least another 2k out of it. The other tires here might wear longer, but that gives you another option if your looking for the same size and design tire. I'll post back when I wear it out.
James

[AlabamaNomadRider]

I would go with Dunlop, Avon, Continental or Michelin. All are good tires and should give a lot better mileage. My Dunlop Elite 3 on the rear has almost 7,000 on it and the front has over 5,000 on it. I will be surprised if I don't get 20,000 out of each tire. I run the radial on the rear and bias on the front. No problems whatsoever.

[usranger74]

Michelin - what happen to the new MC tire they were to introduce in Sept member???

[doctorgski]

I just put on a Dunlop American Elite 180/65-16. It's a brand new tire from Dunlop, dual compound (harder rubber in the center of the tire, softer rubber on the outside) for longer mileage. It was designed for Harley Ultra. I have 3,000 miles on it and it still looks new. As for the front, the American Elite doesn't come in the correct size, so I will use a E-3. Oh, both the American Elite and the E-3 are bias tires.

[usranger74]

I just put on a Dunlop American Elite 180/65-16. It's a brand new tire from Dunlop, dual compound (harder rubber in the center of the tire, softer rubber on the outside) for longer mileage. It was designed for Harley Ultra. I have 3,000 miles on it and it still looks new. As for the front, the American Elite doesn't come in the correct size, so I will use a E-3. Oh, both the American Elite and the E-3 are bias tires.

That is what I like about this site. The question is as old as dirt and has been asked many times. But, the answers are never the same and often offer new info. http://s2.images.proboards.com/cool.gif

[rank]

I usually get 6000-7000 on the rear Bridgestone Exedra riding 2up. I just ordered the new Exedra Max from Dennis Kirk. It's supossed to be a higher mileage tire. We'll see!

[jp58]

So all these tire sizes should have no trouble fitting. Would the tall tire size 80 make your speedo more correct. Mine seems to be 4 miles fast at 70 indicated. according to GPS.

[cnc]

So all these tire sizes should have no trouble fitting. Would the tall tire size 80 make your speedo more correct. Mine seems to be 4 miles fast at 70 indicated. according to GPS.

Not sure how much an 80 vs a 70 would correct, but consider this.
The height of the side wall (70,80,etc) is a percentage of the tires width. Therefore a180/70 is slightly taller than a 170/ 70

[bigsid1]

If you want to stay with the stock size Dunlop makes a K555 in 170/70/16. I had one on my 1600 and will put one on my 2011 voyager when its time.

[grizzdog]

A little late but, i have an 09 1700 and got 6k on the first tire the dealer said it was likley a second rate tire and i tried the same tire again and got 10500k on the second one and have been told that they dont make dunlop in my size so i am on my 3rd bridgstone, will see how this goes. One outher dealer i spoke with about tires asked me how i liked the tourque the 1700 made , as he owns one ,i said fantastic and he said i might be a bit to hard on the throttle , well i ride with a few outher folks and we all ride the same and they dont change tires as fast as i am i will go to a different tire next time,frustrated as this is not cheap to do at the shop, Dave

[cactusjack]

Stop using Brickstones. Like others have said, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, or Continental are better tires and usually last longer. "Your size" is any tire that fits. The last tire I had on my Nomad was a 160/80/16.

[waterman]

Stop using Brickstones. Like others have said, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, or Continental are better tires and usually last longer. "Your size" is any tire that fits. The last tire I had on my Nomad was a 160/80/16.

Second what CJ stated. :tup: The bridgestones are some of the worst for wear. >:(You can look at a 160/80 or a 180/70 and they will fit fine.

[replay13]

Michelin - what happen to the new MC tire they were to introduce in Sept member???
I'm still looking for that one too... I guess when I wear out my next BS they will be tried and tested. I hope they come in our size.
James

[beau5323]

Has anyone tried a 200X60-16 on the rear? With what results?

[markclark57]

I run a 205/60-16 on my '06. That doesn't mean it will fit on a 1700. Viva la DARKSIDE ! ! !

[sburpee]

Same problem on my Vaquero, 7000 miles max, but front tire still good.

[blowndodge]

Stop using Brickstones. Like others have said, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, or Continental are better tires and usually last longer. "Your size" is any tire that fits. The last tire I had on my Nomad was a 160/80/16 before I put a bullet in her temple .

Shame on you Scott!!

[buttar]

I Called them last month at their 800 # and they say the commander 1 is gone and the commander II is due out soon, he wouldn't commit to a date or to any specific sizes...... Mis the commander greatly was getting 20-21k on my 1500 Nad. was hoping to put 1 on the Voyager, guess no choice but to keep replacing the disposables @ 6k till its released.....

[Blueraven]

I don't know how you can only get 7k out of a tire. I have put 13k on my ride this year alone and putting new tires on it this winter. The tires look original. I have yet to talk to the original owner and ask him if he ever changed the tires but by the number on the side of the tire, it was made in 2002. The bike is a 2003 so it makes sense that it is original or close to it. Do you ride your bikes hard. I don't and maybe that makes a real difference. I could not afford to put new set on every year. Just my thoughts.

[jwg383]

I may be off base on this, but my thinking on this is that a faster wearing tire doesn't mean its a bad tire. Softer compounds of rubber wear quicker. Same as a high performance car tire. Great grip, but its not gonna last long.
IMHO, I'm willing to sacrifice a little mileage for a gripping tire. I don't ride like a maniac, but when I go into a corner a little hot or have a quick stop situation, I want all the grip I can get.
Just my thoughts.

[RISTON]

Have 7600 on my 2011 nomad and need a new rear tire. Anyone use a different tire other than stock. How many miles did you get. Not much out there in a 170/70/16
What tire pressures are you running on Bridgestones? Just picked mine up today: 32 front 40 back

[twowheeladdict]

I currently have 15,000 miles on my rear Dunlop Elite 3 Bias Ply tire. I chose to go with the 160/80/16 tire for several reasons.

The taller tire makes my speedometer dead on accurate with my GPS.

The slightly narrower tire on the rear rim means that the tire has a slightly flatter profile. This means a larger contact patch all the way to the edge of the tire. I use the entire tire if I ride with floorboard skimming the pavement.

The larger contact patch means slower wear on the tire since the load is being spread over a larger area.

If you go with the larger tire on the rear rim you will end up with a rounder profile which means reduced contact patch area and not utilizing the entire tread.

I tried the dunlop on the front, but was not impressed and wore it out in the twisties so now I have another Exedra on the front and will probably run that combination from now on.

[aldridgekennedy]

man i have been round and round talking to dealers and manufactuers on tires. For example the Dunlop rep told me point blank to not put radials (e-3) on my nomad b/c its designed for bias tires.

Finally went with BS exedra max tires. Jury is still out on them. They ran like crap with OEM air pressure. Went with max pressure ( 41 PSI front and rear) and handling MUCH MUCH better.

What pressures do ya'll run?

[Sin City Stan]

I run a 205/60-16 on my '06. That doesn't mean it will fit on a 1700. Viva la DARKSIDE ! ! !

I had a 205/65-16 on my old 1700 Nomad.

[aldridgekennedy]

Curious. For those that tried the exedra max, whats the going opinion on it in so far as wear and handling?

So far i've heard of several folks trying them.

thanks

[jp58]

I have the exedra max on my nomad. Only have 900 miles on it but can't see any noticable wear yet. I think it handles and grips better than the stock one.

[heath3n]

At just a little over 8K...my rear brickstone is looking pretty rough. I'll be doing a replacement of both front and rear quite soon. What's the general consensus on Metzler ME880s?

[cactusjack]

I changed to the ME880s when my Brickstones wore out. I thought they were junk. In my book, the Dunlop Elite 3 are better tires.

[Sin City Stan]

At just a little over 8K...my rear brickstone is looking pretty rough. I'll be doing a replacement of both front and rear quite soon. What's the general consensus on Metzler ME880s?

See my post today on the 880s

http://i717.photobucket.com/albums/ww179/Stan7442000/Tire2.jpg

[smokey]

I don't like the 880s, never could get bike feeling good with them, especially on the front. Now have the Michelin Commander II on the rear and the elite III on the front, love it, had the darkside on the rear, but didn't like the "wallowing" fell I got when pulling the trailer, so I switched back to the Michelin, mostly due to the 40,000 km claim. So far I like it.

[heath3n]

Thanks all..good info!!

[heath3n]

For the inquiring minds...I went with the Michelin Commander IIs. Will let you know how they work out after I get some time on them.

[bibendum]

I'm sure you'll love the michelins. They make only top notch products.

[heath3n]

Anyone know the Torque specs for the front and rear tires? Shocks also? :)

[AtlAggie]

Trying to decide between the Dunlop and the Michelin now. For everyone's information, the closest size Michelin offers to our stock Voyager rear is a 180/65x16. It is 0.08" shorter than our stock size, but 0.4" wider. The Dunlop E3 is a 160/80x16, which taller and slightly narrower than stock.

Which one I decide to go with will probably come down to whether I want slightly wider or slightly taller.

[bigsid1]

Dunlop K555 bias 170/70/16

Dunlop D206 radial 170/70/16

Both are listed on Dunlops website

I had the K555 on the rear of my nomad and it handled really good.

[kerrymurf]

I ran Dunlop 404s on my 1500 Nomad and only got 8000 miles out of them. I changed to the 160/80/16 E-3 and had 17,000 miles on it before I sold it. I now have a 1700 nomad and also put the E-3 160/80/16 on the rear. I would expect close to 20,000 on my current tire. The extra mileage is a great benefit, but big reason I love the E-3s is that the handling on both bikes was improved tremendously!! The cornering is sooo much better!!

[bugman]

ok, thanks to you all I'm going with E-3's but should i get the 180/70/16 or go with the 160/80/16, i ride two up most of time and here in florida you get caught in an awful lot rain showers so need a good size that will hug the road and not slip, need to keep momma around to control me

[landman]

if you want to stay with a bias tire on the rear i would recommend the dunlop e-3 in 160/80-16.it is a bit narrower but also a little taller then the stock size and will help correct the speedo error.you will get much better tire life.

[bugman]

my bad posted this in the 1700 section, i own a 1600, maybe it dosent matter, still looking for the answer

[Vulcan Hammer]

My appologies if this has been covered, but is there any reason why BOTH tires could not be replaced with RADIALS?

My last 3 bikes all had radials front and back and I much prefered the handling.

The Stock Bias Ply Bridgestone Rear seems very squirmy on road irregularities, such as rubberized crack repairs.

Thanks in advance!

[redjay]

You can use radials on both wheels, but not a radial on the front and a bias on the rear. Avon Cobras are a good choice. I had 2 sets on my 1600 Nomad.

[twowheeladdict]

My appologies if this has been covered, but is there any reason why BOTH tires could not be replaced with RADIALS?

My last 3 bikes all had radials front and back and I much prefered the handling.

The Stock Bias Ply Bridgestone Rear seems very squirmy on road irregularities, such as rubberized crack repairs.

Thanks in advance!


I say go for it. You can run anything you want. I mean, people put a car tire on the back and a back tire on the front. Do whatever you want and report back how it works out. The master technician at my dealer told me I wouldn't like a radial on the back because it would feel squirmy compared to the bias tires. So, if you are already feeling squirmy with the bias tires you probably won't notice a difference with the radials.

I am waiting for reviews on the Michelin Commanders folks are now starting to try out.