front tire 150/80 to 130/90

[starvy40]

ok, fixing to replace my front tire from the 150/80 to the 130/90 for those who have changed what PSI you running in the 130 ? also just to say, when I first bought my nomad I had a new 130/90/16 and wish I had put it on then. I have had two tires since and this will be my third and the WORSE tire I ever had on any bike is the one on now Michelin Commander II been total crap, cupped quicker than anything. yes 40 psi

[dshelly]

I ran my 130 with 38-40. I now have the SG front wheel with a 130/70/18 and am staying with the same pressure.

[Vulcan Bill]

Originally Posted by starvy40

ok, fixing to replace my front tire from the 150/80 to the 130/90 for those who have changed what PSI you running in the 130 ? also just to say, when I first bought my nomad I had a new 130/90/16 and wish I had put it on then. I have had two tires since and this will be my third and the WORSE tire I ever had on any bike is the one on now Michelin Commander II been total crap, cupped quicker than anything. yes 40 psi

Three front tires in how many miles? Yours is the first negative remark I've read about a Michline Commander II. The feedback on the Mich Com 2's is so overwhelmingly positive it makes me think you need to take a hard look at your front end. It may not be a tire problem.

Factory spec on the 130/90-16 for an '05 1600 is 29 PSI. Yep, you read that right. 29 PSI! I ran mine at about 32 except on long haul high speed cross country I would up it to 36/38.

[Teachme]

Mine 130/90 is set at 35 Feels and responds great.

[paul]

Since we're on the subject. I needed tires a while back and decided to take a stab at something other than what I had been doing. Went with a pair of Exedra Max bias for my 1600. I have at this writing 5500 plus miles on the set and these tires have been great!

The wear is very even, it looks like the back tire is going to be good for another 5K plus. The ride has been consistant and great for the entire life so far. I have a 25 mile ride to work one way on some country roads with some real twists and turns. The tires stick, the bike control is predictable and easy. We have also traveled on these tires two up and fully loaded (trunk, fairing, lowers and all), so they handle weight very well. And, I noticed that the footprint on the back tire is quite large compared to the mets I've had in the past. Just an fyi, and my little mini review. No negatives at all so far.

[billmac]

Interesting info Paul. I look forward to hearing more about it at the AR Rally in June.

Two days ago, a shop put a Michelin 180 on the rear and a M90, or 130, on the front. He said to run 42 psi in the rear and 40 in the front. I almost always ride with the wife on the back. The shop had 3 different brands for me to choose from. They said the Michelin seemed to wear the longest and had the fewest complaints. The shop charged me $480 mounted, balanced and taxes. So far, the bike seems to steer easier with the M90 but the tires are hard with 40+ psi.

I had Avon Cobras and the rear tire lasted 9,000 miles. The front only had 12k but I went ahead and replaced the set. The time before I had 880 and it separated at 7k miles. Before that I had Dark Side SP5000 and it wanted to steer the bike on rough roads. My first tire was the Bridgestone which gave me 7k miles.

Is that too much information? :)

[davidhollinger]

I guess I need to keep better records. I dont know how many miles I have on my commander II but it looks and feels great, so I am surprised at the negative comment above. I run 42 in the rear and 40 in the front (Dunlop).

[Silent Sam]

..Still running my Metzler ME 880 www 150/80/16, FRONT (made in Brazil-ugh) @ 42 psi (still no problems with the -front metzlers)

Swore off the Man-Killin Rear Metzler's (made in Brazil)...I run 45 psi in my Dunlop Rear Tire...but I weigh about 250 lbs all suited up...and carry a heavy pack when traveling !

[PNBR549@Bell]

What's the advantage of the 130/90?

[kawvoy]

Originally Posted by PNBR549@Bell

What's the advantage of the 130/90?

That's the only size you can get in the commander2 for our bikes.

[waterman]

Originally Posted by PNBR549@Bell

What's the advantage of the 130/90?

The 130/90 is a narrower tire than the 150/80. The bike feels much more nimble with that tire than the 150/80.

[paul]

I noticed right away, the difference in handling and steering from the 1500 to the 1600. Even though, a bigger bike, the 1600 is waaayyy more nimble than the older bike. Aparently the change in steering geometry does make a big difference. I only said that to say this. I think it is probably a real good idea to use the 130 on the front of the 1500. It's gotta help. But, personally, I would stay with the 150 on the 1600. I really don't think it needs to feel any lighter. When I first started riding the 1600 I damn near ran myself off the road getting into corners too quick. Now, when I get back on the 1500 I have to work to get the bike to drop into the turns. Guess it's what you get used to.

Hopefully, Bill, I'll need a new rear tire by the time we get to ARK. But I really do like the way this one is wearing. I go with 39-40 front and 40-41 rear. I am not sure any less air (without getting rediculous) would soften the ride as the other thing I noticed about these tires was, when they arrived, the carcus is muy stiff, I mean, really unbendable. BEsides, the suspension on the 1600 is very good and I've never had issues with that.

[PNBR549@Bell]

Thanks for the education !

I agree the 1600 has wonderfully light handling. I absolutely love that thing.

[waterman]

Originally Posted by paul

I noticed right away, the difference in handling and steering from the 1500 to the 1600. Even though, a bigger bike, the 1600 is waaayyy more nimble than the older bike. Aparently the change in steering geometry does make a big difference. I only said that to say this. I think it is probably a real good idea to use the 130 on the front of the 1500. It's gotta help. But, personally, I would stay with the 150 on the 1600. I really don't think it needs to feel any lighter. When I first started riding the 1600 I damn near ran myself off the road getting into corners too quick. Now, when I get back on the 1500 I have to work to get the bike to drop into the turns. Guess it's what you get used to.

Hopefully, Bill, I'll need a new rear tire by the time we get to ARK. But I really do like the way this one is wearing. I go with 39-40 front and 40-41 rear. I am not sure any less air (without getting rediculous) would soften the ride as the other thing I noticed about these tires was, when they arrived, the carcus is muy stiff, I mean, really unbendable. BEsides, the suspension on the 1600 is very good and I've never had issues with that.

When I switched from a 1500 to the 1600 I was amazed at the handling as well. However, when I switched from a 150 to the 130 front tire it handles even that much better. Everyone that I know that made the switch has been extremely happy with it.

[toogun]

Originally Posted by waterman

When I switched from a 1500 to the 1600 I was amazed at the handling as well. However, when I switched from a 150 to the 130 front tire it handles even that much better. Everyone that I know that made the switch has been extremely happy with it.

Great timing for this thread, I'm trying to find WWW for my '04 Nomad 1500 and getting a front tire in 150/80-16 WWW tough. I can however get the 130/90-16 from Avon. Not sure which is better for my rear tire, the Cobra or the Venom?