Tire Question, not darkside

**Top Cat** · 08-23-2009, 10:49 PM

I know this has been covered but I have only been a member since the forum was started. Sooooooooooo, I haven't learned to use the search feature yet. Well, if you can even call it a feature :-/
My question, I want to put Elite 3's on my bike as I have worn out the rear Cobra already

11,500 miles at 40psi.
Seems the rear Elite 3 comes in my size,180/70-R16,which is a radial.
The front size I need 150/80-16 comes in bias ply only. Can I mix a radial on the rear with a bias on the front?
The only way I can see to get radial front and rear is to run the Elite on the front and a D251 radial, the front tire that comes on a VN2000.
Help out an old timer here :) What do ya think?

cactusjack · 08-23-2009, 11:09 PM

Yes you can have a bias front and a radial rear with no problems. I've been running that way since my second set of tires.

nomad561 · 08-24-2009, 06:52 AM

My Nomad is setup that way and I don't have any concerns.

VulcanE · 08-24-2009, 06:59 AM

The 2 sets of Metzelers I went through was the same way TC., Matter of fact, that's what Metzeler recommends for the 1600s. (radial rear and bias front)

flavor · 08-24-2009, 07:07 AM

The search function is easy. Just click on the search in one of the multiple screens and put in keys words you're interested in. EX. "bias radial" and you should go to any discussions about your search. Just remember to go all the way to the bottom of that search screen and make sure you change the search days to a larger amount. In this case I tried the search and went to the bottom and changed the day search to 50 days. Try it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top Cat (TC)

I know this has been covered but I have only been a member since the forum was started. Sooooooooooo, I haven't learned to use the search feature yet. Well, if you can even call it a feature :-/
My question, I want to put Elite 3's on my bike as I have worn out the rear Cobra already

11,500 miles at 40psi.
Seems the rear Elite 3 comes in my size,180/70-R16,which is a radial.
The front size I need 150/80-16 comes in bias ply only. Can I mix a radial on the rear with a bias on the front?
The only way I can see to get radial front and rear is to run the Elite on the front and a D251 radial, the front tire that comes on a VN2000.
Help out an old timer here :) What do ya think?

caper · 08-24-2009, 07:17 AM

wow I was told by a dealer never ride a bias and radial together?? maybe he is misinformed>

**Top Cat** · 08-24-2009, 10:06 AM

Thanks guys

macmac · 08-24-2009, 11:47 AM

Bias on ft, radial on back is std... The other way around is a killer.
Bias tires will slide and the last thing you want is the rear to slide. It is fine if the rear steps out. That isn't as likely with a radial rear.

The ft won't step out unless you made a boo boo..

dhomoney · 08-24-2009, 11:54 AM

TC,

I can't talk to this, but the E3 I have on rear of my bike feels great. Makes my Nomad flick around like my old 900 did. I also know that the stock stone I have up front is noisy as hell in comparison. E3 is a great tire for me so far.

cactusjack · 08-24-2009, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caper

wow I was told by a dealer never ride a bias and radial together?? maybe he is misinformed>

It certainly wouldn't be the first time (a dealer was misinformed).

landman · 08-24-2009, 02:20 PM

i went with with the bias e-3's and the the 160/80-16 rear.i am
very pleased with the result and don't have to worry about the
mix/match way of doing it.

08-23-2009, 10:49 PM	#1
Top Cat Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Peoples Republic of New York State Posts: 15,154	Tire Question, not darkside I know this has been covered but I have only been a member since the forum was started. Sooooooooooo, I haven't learned to use the search feature yet. Well, if you can even call it a feature :-/ My question, I want to put Elite 3's on my bike as I have worn out the rear Cobra already 11,500 miles at 40psi. Seems the rear Elite 3 comes in my size,180/70-R16,which is a radial. The front size I need 150/80-16 comes in bias ply only. Can I mix a radial on the rear with a bias on the front? The only way I can see to get radial front and rear is to run the Elite on the front and a D251 radial, the front tire that comes on a VN2000. Help out an old timer here :) What do ya think? __________________ Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4] Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

08-23-2009, 11:09 PM	#2
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Tire Question, not darkside Yes you can have a bias front and a radial rear with no problems. I've been running that way since my second set of tires. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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08-24-2009, 06:52 AM	#3
nomad561 Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Pasco , Wa Posts: 1,445	Tire Question, not darkside My Nomad is setup that way and I don't have any concerns.
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08-24-2009, 06:59 AM	#4
VulcanE Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cartersville, Georgia Posts: 4,838	Tire Question, not darkside The 2 sets of Metzelers I went through was the same way TC., Matter of fact, that's what Metzeler recommends for the 1600s. (radial rear and bias front) __________________ Cliff "VulcanE" Evans 2005 Blue & Silver 1600 Nomad VBA # 320 VROC # 20381
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08-24-2009, 07:17 AM	#6
caper Sr. Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Nova Scotia, Canada Posts: 1,137	Tire Question, not darkside wow I was told by a dealer never ride a bias and radial together?? maybe he is misinformed> __________________ Live in the NOW !
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08-24-2009, 10:06 AM	#7
Top Cat Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Peoples Republic of New York State Posts: 15,154	Tire Question, not darkside Thanks guys __________________ Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4]
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08-24-2009, 11:47 AM	#8
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	Tire Question, not darkside Bias on ft, radial on back is std... The other way around is a killer. Bias tires will slide and the last thing you want is the rear to slide. It is fine if the rear steps out. That isn't as likely with a radial rear. The ft won't step out unless you made a boo boo.. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
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08-24-2009, 11:54 AM	#9
dhomoney Advanced Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Lake Tenkiller, OK Posts: 737	Tire Question, not darkside TC, I can't talk to this, but the E3 I have on rear of my bike feels great. Makes my Nomad flick around like my old 900 did. I also know that the stock stone I have up front is noisy as hell in comparison. E3 is a great tire for me so far.
	0

08-24-2009, 02:20 PM	#11
landman Sr. Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: wheatland,wy. Posts: 3,642	Tire Question, not darkside i went with with the bias e-3's and the the 160/80-16 rear.i am very pleased with the result and don't have to worry about the mix/match way of doing it. __________________ bob wittman VBA # 745 COG #11621 wheatland,wy. rallies-custer 09,kalispell 10,crescent city 11,kanab 12,estes park 13,orifino 14.,red lodge 16 2015 ninja 1000 abs 2014 concourse 14 2012 concourse 14-sold 2011 vaquero-sold 2008 nomad-sold 2005 classic-sold
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