Tires

I ride a '99 Nomad with 150/80 Dunlops. I had a lot of "noice" when leaned in corners, but was told in the Vulvan forum to run at 40psi front and back. That seems to have reduced the tire rumble by more than half.

I was told Mettzler 880's are quieter and also seem to be a little narrower for the same size tire. Avon X are supposed to be the quietest but wear fastest.... also heard Pirelli's Route 66 are pretty good.

My question is: Can you run a narrower tire up front like a 130/90 ? Will it even fit?

Also... will a 160/80 fit on the back?

I hope I don't fall into this category.. "There are no stupid questions... only stupid people who ask questions!"

Nico

[trip]

Don't worry nico....no stupid questions here. Although, I'm not sure about the narrower tire on front. Someone with a 99 nomad will give you their take soon.

Hi GH....

When I first took it into the local shop (not a dealer) ... he suspected bearings....... I had the front and back both replaced.... noise was the same (at least I have new bearings)..... then I found out about the psi and it did help. I can live with it at the noise level it's at, but will change to Metzlers or Pirellis (only because I'm a Dago) lol next time around.... Nico

[spork]

Not that this helps much but I have the same thing going on on my 2001. If I am riding straight up and down the ride is fine. Any lean in either direction causes vibration and noticeable whining sound. I have the 880's on mine and when I looked at the tires a little closer, I could see the cupping is fairly noticeable although the tread seems to be really good.

I don't what pressure the tires were normally run at since I just picked the bike up about a month and a half ago. When I initially checked them, the gauge showed 50 psi.

I am personally a fan of the Avons. I know they don't last as long but ohhhhhh man they ride really well. I went through 2 rears on my classic over about 13,000 miles.

Yeh... I'm starting to lean towards the Avon Venom X's.....

[nightflight1]

I can't help you on the vibration problem but my Metz 880's cannot be heard when I crank my radio up on high. I guess I just got used to the vibes and noise after so many miles and am not even aware of the problem anymore. I do really like the Metz 880's.
Wayne
Night Flight

[oledawg]

Info on tire presure; speaking witha tire specialist I asked him how does one determine the correct psi following is the answer I received, inflate your tire to factory recomendations,then throughly warm them up (about an hr. ride) then ck. the presure, it should be between 4 to 6 lbs. above instaled presure. If its higher you started with too low a presure, if its lower you started with too high of a presure. So with trial & error thats how I arrived at the presure I use. And unless your total wt. pkg. is the same as mine, my figures won't be ideal for you. I've found with the Bridgestones i've added 1lb. to the ft. tire recomendation 33psi and 3lbs. to the rear 43psi. this gives me a preasure increase in each tire of 5lbs. (ideal) With my wife & gear(including me) were at about 385lbs. Hope this might help out.

The Ole Dawg

Ahh.... the tire thread!!

<---(hangs head in shame)

Oh My God!

I've unleashed a monster!