Voyager Tires

[jimbo279]

I have a 2011 Voyager that needs a new rear tire. I bought a 180/70r/16 Dunlop Elite3 radial and took it to my dealer to have it installed. When they were about to start the change out they called me and said that they wouldn't install the tire as it was a radial and they wouldn't mix a radial with a bias ply stock front. I didn't agree with them as I have done the radial/bias ply mix about a dozen times with no problems. Does anyone know who makes a 130/90r/16 radial front tire or know if a different size radial will fit. It looks like my options according to this dealer is to install a radial on the front along with a radial on the back or go with a bias ply on the back which I don't want to do. Thanks for any suggestions.
Jim

[cactusjack]

I have a 2011 Voyager that needs a new rear tire. I bought a 180/70r/16 Dunlop Elite3 radial and took it to my dealer to have it installed. When they were about to start the change out they called me and said that they wouldn't install the tire as it was a radial and they wouldn't mix a radial with a bias ply stock front. I didn't agree with them as I have done the radial/bias ply mix about a dozen times with no problems. Does anyone know who makes a 130/90r/16 radial front tire or know if a different size radial will fit. It looks like my options according to this dealer is to install a radial on the front along with a radial on the back or go with a bias ply on the back which I don't want to do. Thanks for any suggestions.
Jim

You forgot option #3: Find another dealer or someone who will mount the tire you want. :D

[BudMan]

You forgot option #3: Find another dealer or someone who will mount the tire you want. :D

Exactly.

[jimbo279]

I also agree. Wish it was that simple. I have the bike at the dealer which is a ways away from home. The crazy part of it is that I have had the same dealer install exactly the same tire on my 06 Nomad and they never even batted an eye. I was just curious if anyone knew of a tire maker that made a 130/90/16 in a radial for the front or if a person can squeeze a little bigger tire on the front. Very limited choices in tires from what I can see. I will likley take it to another dealer.

Jim

[redjay]

Will a 150/80 Cobra radial fit ?

[Monkeyman]

Ask them if they would install it if they put a disclaimer on the receipt. Something like, they aren't responsible because the manufacturer doesn't recommend mixing plys. That's what I talked the local dealer into doing when they put a CT on my bike (it's on my list).

[jimbo279]

Well I went back this morning and got my bike from the dealer with the original tire still on. Found another dealer that will install it for me. First dealers loss as I have dealt there for about 15 yrs and have done the radial/bias mix about a dozen times. Had something to do with the new shop foreman and his attitude. As he said to me....well I am a journeyman MC mechanic and that is what they taught us in school. I then reminded him that I have done the mix for years and wasn't about to change now. In fact I told him that the only thing I was willing to change was dealerships. He just stood there with a stupid look on his face. The rest is history. Movin on.

Jimbo

[redjay]

Evidently the same tires that fit the 1600 Nomads will also fit the Voyager.
150/80 front 180/70 rear.

A guy on the Delphi forum has this combination on his Voyager (Avon Cobras).

[elvis]

...I have done the mix for years and wasn't about to change now....

Jimbo

I ran the no-no Avon Cobra combination on my '08 Nomad [150/80 Radial16 (Front) and 180/65/Bias16 (Rear)] and got alarmed by the comments made on here. And I contacted Avon to ask for clarification about the correct combo. They said that bias and radial tires flex at different rates which might cause problems if mixed and recommended 150/80 R16 (Front) and 180/70 R16 (Rear).

My no-no tire combo had 23100 km when I switched to the radial-radial that was recommended by Avon. Frankly, I did not notice anything with the so-called wrong mix but discovered a screw on my front tire right after getting home from Sturgis in the summer of 2011.

So it was an easy decision for me to go by the "correct" combo although I could go to the end of the season riding the "wrong" tires.

Obviously you are experienced with mixing tires and I make no suggestions here. However, I prefer not to mix different types of tires. I also prefer the same brand of tires front and rear.

Good luck with the next dealer!