New Tires

rhraziel · 02-08-2018, 09:36 AM

My 2010 Voyager only has 7000 miles on it but the center tread of the rear tire is already looking pretty bare. Is that normal? I figured it should have lasted me longer than that.

Anyway, does anyone have any recommendations for good, affordable, long lasting front and rear tires?

duffy · 02-08-2018, 10:02 AM

All OEM tires seem to be what ever the manufacturer gets a good deal on and generally don't last as long as one would think. Anywhere from three to eleven thousand seems to be about what most folks get. I currently ride a much smaller bike than a Vulcan (Versys 650 LT) and the rear wore out on it at 6K, and that's a pretty light bike at 500 lbs.. The new one I installed now has 3K on it and shows no wear except for the loss of the nubs.

I've been through a lot of tires on a lot of different bikes and unless you go darkside you will be lucky to get 15K out of a set. I have found that you will go through two rears for every front. At least that's about how it works the way I ride.

Welcome BTW......................

Demolition Man · 02-08-2018, 10:04 AM

Normal for the stock Bridgestone tires.

I changed to the Michelin Commander II.
Front tire - stock size
Rear tire - stock size not available, change to 180 / 65 / R16

Some like the tire, some not, depends on your Popometer and how much rain while riding, which kind of asphalt you have where you ride, etc.

Cu,
Sven

Scootergptx · 02-08-2018, 10:07 AM

All the bikes I've had, the rear tires were all the same. One day it looks fine, the next day it looks like it took cross country ride over night.

HammerDown · 02-08-2018, 01:51 PM

Many variables on how long a tire is going to last.
I run a Metzeler 888 rear and a 880 on the front, both in a white wall 150/80/16. I got just over 14,000 miles on the last set, and I do a lot of long distance well-loaded touring. I've been very happy with them.

**smokier** · 02-09-2018, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhraziel

Anyway, does anyone have any recommendations for good, affordable, long lasting front and rear tires?

I'd second Sven's post. Michelin's give good wear and ride. Some have had less than favorable comments on wet handling with the Michelin Commander II's.

Yeah, the stock tire wear is less than one would hope for... Have easily gotten double that from the rear MC II.

Ride safe,
Smokier

rhraziel · 02-09-2018, 10:08 AM

Thanks everyone! I ended up going with the Commander IIs. Rocky Mountain ATV MC had the cheapest price I could find on them.

MrMikey · 04-25-2018, 07:10 AM

Quote:

I changed to the Michelin Commander II.
Front tire - stock size
Rear tire - stock size not available, change to 180 / 65 / R16

So Sven, you had no problem with fitting? There's not a heck of a lot of size difference but I figure I'd ask anyway.
How do you like the Commander so far?.................Mike

robjob · 04-25-2018, 10:16 AM

On my last Nomad (2011) I had an MC2 on the rear and had 26000 miles on it when it got a screw in it. Still had 4mm tread left. 40 psi and I ride almost exclusively 1 up. Didn't hesitate to put another one on my current Nomad.

markc9503 · 04-25-2018, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrMikey

So Sven, you had no problem with fitting? There's not a heck of a lot of size difference but I figure I'd ask anyway.
How do you like the Commander so far?.................Mike

I am using the Commander II's on my Voyager. I currently have 15,000 miles on the tires with them showing only minimal wear.

MrMikey · 04-25-2018, 07:37 PM

Quote:

I am using the Commander II's on my Voyager. I currently have 15,000 miles on the tires with them showing only minimal wear.

what I was looking to hear, thanks Mark............Mike

redjay · 04-25-2018, 08:29 PM

I have a Commander II on the rear of my bike and after 20,000 kms it has lots more to go, probably at least another 10,000 kms or more.

pete · 04-26-2018, 05:57 AM

My Nomad, which I have just sold, had 28,000 km on the front MCII with about 20-30% tread left.
When the original Brickstones wear out on the Vaq, I have 2 new MCII ready to go.
Cheers, Pete.

MrMikey · 02-14-2019, 04:05 PM

Considering this is what my rear tire looked like, a Metzler ME880 I think it was time for a couple of new ones.
Michelin Commander ME2's, mounted, one new valve stem and tax CAN$575.00.

redjay · 02-14-2019, 07:29 PM

How many kms did you get on the ME880 ?

I have 26,000 kms on my Michelin Commander II.

02-08-2018, 09:36 AM	#1
rhraziel Jr. Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 4	New Tires My 2010 Voyager only has 7000 miles on it but the center tread of the rear tire is already looking pretty bare. Is that normal? I figured it should have lasted me longer than that. Anyway, does anyone have any recommendations for good, affordable, long lasting front and rear tires? Login or Register to Remove Ads
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02-08-2018, 10:04 AM	#3
Demolition Man Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Hannover, Germany Posts: 380	Normal for the stock Bridgestone tires. I changed to the Michelin Commander II. Front tire - stock size Rear tire - stock size not available, change to 180 / 65 / R16 Some like the tire, some not, depends on your Popometer and how much rain while riding, which kind of asphalt you have where you ride, etc. Cu, Sven __________________ "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb deciding what to have for dinner. Liberty is a well-armed lamb." - Benjamin Franklin MY LIFE - MY RULES ! 2018 Indian Roadmaster
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02-08-2018, 10:07 AM	#4
Scootergptx Advanced Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Grand Prairie, TX Posts: 654	All the bikes I've had, the rear tires were all the same. One day it looks fine, the next day it looks like it took cross country ride over night. __________________ 2011 Vaquero V&H slip ons Roaring Toyz intake PCV (removed) Ivan's ECU flash
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02-08-2018, 01:51 PM	#5
HammerDown Jr. Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Colorado Posts: 21	Many variables on how long a tire is going to last. I run a Metzeler 888 rear and a 880 on the front, both in a white wall 150/80/16. I got just over 14,000 miles on the last set, and I do a lot of long distance well-loaded touring. I've been very happy with them. __________________ Semper Paratus 2000 Nomad 1500 FI Dave C. Grand Junction, CO VBA Member #: 03362 Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

04-25-2018, 10:16 AM	#9
robjob Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Belleville, Ontario Posts: 347	On my last Nomad (2011) I had an MC2 on the rear and had 26000 miles on it when it got a screw in it. Still had 4mm tread left. 40 psi and I ride almost exclusively 1 up. Didn't hesitate to put another one on my current Nomad. __________________ Lovin my 2010 Nomad Rob Woodall Canadian Motorcycle Cruisers 088 Picton VBA # 02445
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02-08-2018, 10:02 AM	#2
duffy Sr. Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hot Springs, SD and other warm and dry places Posts: 1,043	All OEM tires seem to be what ever the manufacturer gets a good deal on and generally don't last as long as one would think. Anywhere from three to eleven thousand seems to be about what most folks get. I currently ride a much smaller bike than a Vulcan (Versys 650 LT) and the rear wore out on it at 6K, and that's a pretty light bike at 500 lbs.. The new one I installed now has 3K on it and shows no wear except for the loss of the nubs. I've been through a lot of tires on a lot of different bikes and unless you go darkside you will be lucky to get 15K out of a set. I have found that you will go through two rears for every front. At least that's about how it works the way I ride. Welcome BTW......................
	0

02-09-2018, 10:08 AM	#7
rhraziel Jr. Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 4	Thanks everyone! I ended up going with the Commander IIs. Rocky Mountain ATV MC had the cheapest price I could find on them.
	0

04-25-2018, 08:29 PM	#12
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,925	I have a Commander II on the rear of my bike and after 20,000 kms it has lots more to go, probably at least another 10,000 kms or more.
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04-26-2018, 05:57 AM	#13
pete Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Australia, Perth. Posts: 236	My Nomad, which I have just sold, had 28,000 km on the front MCII with about 20-30% tread left. When the original Brickstones wear out on the Vaq, I have 2 new MCII ready to go. Cheers, Pete. __________________ 2012 Vaquero 2007 Nomad
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02-14-2019, 07:29 PM	#15
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,925	How many kms did you get on the ME880 ? I have 26,000 kms on my Michelin Commander II.
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