New Tires - Page 2

P2breaker · 02-14-2019, 07:51 PM

My 2016 Vaquero came with Bridgestone Exedra and they lasted less than 7k. Either get the Dunlop American Elites or the Commander2. Don’t listen to anyone who says they are too hard and the ride is rough and the wet traction is bad. Just ride safely and don’t be a dipturd while motorcycling and you will have nothing to worry about. Or would you rather spend 600 bucks to replace tires at 1/3 the treadlife just to avoid a miniscule amount of increased bumpiness. I’d rather have the 1200 bucks in my pocket.

mbarr10 · 02-14-2019, 07:56 PM

$.02 more. On the Rear Mc11 are very tar snake, poor. Not sure anything is good with the tar snakes. IMHO. Wet.. well....I slow down anyway. So I can not say. I have read of poor performance, but I go slow CUZ I like to stay up right. The thing is that, when can you Quantify the oil on the road washing off? in the first part of a rain?( so we are taught) So I believe each opinion is bias as to how long it has rained and what the actual surface of the road was before it was wet. So I go with wet = Go Slow... and Dry is the test of a tire. The actual mileage speaks for itself. What's your favorite Oil to use???

Same set of extremely bias and non quantifiable variables based off of to many factors to reach a definitive answer. So I see it.

My truth of the OEM tires is, they do perform well. I have about the same performance so far in the aftermarket rear tire I chose,( MC11) just a longer wear. This may be because I do not push things to the limit very often so I have some wiggle room for errors in my judgement.

Don't get me started on the front tires Hypothesis.

WVC too

MrMikey · 02-15-2019, 04:28 AM

Quote:

How many kms did you get on the ME880 ?

15,000kms and by the looks of them should have been replaced at 12,000.........Mike

**Sabre-t** · 02-16-2019, 12:23 AM

In my experience, the MCIIs do not provide as good traction as other tires (specifically, the Bridgestones) especially wet traction and on hot tar snakes. However, the traction is not bad, either.

As much rain as I seem to get caught in, and as many slick tar snakes as I find in the deep South, I would like to find a tire with a bit more traction, but that last longer than Bridgestones. I barely got 6k out of the new rear Bridgestone the dealer put on the bike when I bought it. No more Bridgestones ever! The difference in traction was not worth the short life of the tire.

I will get ~20k miles out of my current rear MCII. Many thousands of those miles were in rain or on tar snakes. I would be very happy to find a tire that will give me better traction, but will last at least 10k - 12k miles.

**smokier** · 02-16-2019, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhraziel

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?

Greetings RHRaziel,

Yes. The stock rear tire looking thin at 7k is not uncommon.
If by AFFORDABLE, you mean not in the same price range as METZLER, MICHELIN or top end DUNLOPs, then take a look at SHINKO 777. I have never had SHINKO's, but many have reported good life and traction with SHINKO's.

Please be mindful that these are HEAVY machines. An "affordable" Dunlop D404 will not survive the weight of these bikes. You would be putting yourself at risk with a tire not designed for a heavy bike.

Attached is my current shopping cheat-sheet. The number after the tire size is the load rating. This is important enough to me, that it gets factored in when price comparing options... (DK = Dennis Kirk, BB = Bike Bandit)

ldhthept · 02-16-2019, 01:56 PM

Avon Cobras are my tire of choice and have been for prob 10 years. On the rear I avg around 10-12k miles, good ride and traction in rain. Problem is no has any, all out of stock on the AV 72 170/70 R 16. Anyone know why?

mbarr10 · 02-16-2019, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Attached is my current shopping cheat-sheet. The number after the tire size is the load rating. This is important enough to me, that it gets factored in when price comparing options... (DK = Dennis Kirk, BB = Bike Bandit)

I could not help but notice the Cruisetec is not on your list. Were your taxes as bad as mine?

andyvh1959 · 02-16-2019, 09:21 PM

Did I miss it, or did no one ask what pressures do you have the tires set up? Tire pressure is always the first thing to consider when tire wear seems incorrect. On a heavy bike like a Voyager I'd say the front should be 40 psi, and the rear should be at least 42 psi. In some cases, depending on the loads expected to carry the rear tire pressure could be 45+psi.

spaceliner · 02-18-2019, 05:01 PM

CORRECT AIR PRESSURE. Please check often and be sure you are running the correct PSI as indicated on your tire. Regardless of the brand, you will get the best performance and best wear if you run the correct PSI.

**Sabre-t** · 02-18-2019, 05:30 PM

The pressure on the tire is the MAXIMUM cold pressure to be used if there is the MAXIMUM load on the tire! It is not the "recommended" pressure. If you are not putting the max load on the tire, you don't need the max psi.

**smokier** · 02-20-2019, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbarr10

I could not help but notice the Cruisetec is not on your list. Were your taxes as bad as mine?

Greetings,

The CruiseTecs are at the top of the list. However, at half again the coin I will probably go with the green highlighted selections. That said, the Metz 888 Ultras on Momma's CrossRoads look good and feel good. So have not pulled the trigger yet...

Ride safe,
Smokier

redjay · 02-20-2019, 05:48 PM

I have a Metzeler 888 on the front of my bike and I am happy with it.

It gives a softer ride than a Commander II.

**plumber63** · 02-20-2019, 06:14 PM

You can't find many reviews on these, but the description sounds good.
https://www.denniskirk.com/bridgesto...f?skuId=545171

https://www.bridgestone.com/products.../detail/pr140/

hlknvlcn60 · 02-22-2019, 02:34 PM

This coming spring I am going to mount Metzeler ME888 Ultras on mine. A good friend of mine with his Harley Street glide garnered up 21 thousand miles on the front and 14 thousand on the rear with those and never had any problems whatsoever with them. The new Metz front tire I am going to mount is the just out ME888 Ultra reinforced and it is built unbelievably stout. It weighs 16 lbs. and takes the heaviest load available weight wise of any front tire out there. made for heavy touring bikes. I will report back after a few thousand clicks on how it is working.

**smokier** · 02-23-2019, 08:24 AM

HLKNVLCN60, look forward to your report on the new Metz 888 Ultra.

I have had very good luck with the MC II's, however, the wet road traction is IMO the weak spot. Finding a alternative which provides good even wear, durability, ride and good traction in all conditions may be a pipe-dream.

But that is what I am hoping for.

Yup, the perfect tire...

Ride safe,
Smokier

02-14-2019, 07:51 PM	#16
P2breaker Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Woodbridge, Vriginia Posts: 45	My 2016 Vaquero came with Bridgestone Exedra and they lasted less than 7k. Either get the Dunlop American Elites or the Commander2. Don’t listen to anyone who says they are too hard and the ride is rough and the wet traction is bad. Just ride safely and don’t be a dipturd while motorcycling and you will have nothing to worry about. Or would you rather spend 600 bucks to replace tires at 1/3 the treadlife just to avoid a miniscule amount of increased bumpiness. I’d rather have the 1200 bucks in my pocket. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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02-14-2019, 07:56 PM	#17
mbarr10 Sr. Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 1,562	$.02 more. On the Rear Mc11 are very tar snake, poor. Not sure anything is good with the tar snakes. IMHO. Wet.. well....I slow down anyway. So I can not say. I have read of poor performance, but I go slow CUZ I like to stay up right. The thing is that, when can you Quantify the oil on the road washing off? in the first part of a rain?( so we are taught) So I believe each opinion is bias as to how long it has rained and what the actual surface of the road was before it was wet. So I go with wet = Go Slow... and Dry is the test of a tire. The actual mileage speaks for itself. What's your favorite Oil to use??? Same set of extremely bias and non quantifiable variables based off of to many factors to reach a definitive answer. So I see it. My truth of the OEM tires is, they do perform well. I have about the same performance so far in the aftermarket rear tire I chose,( MC11) just a longer wear. This may be because I do not push things to the limit very often so I have some wiggle room for errors in my judgement. Don't get me started on the front tires Hypothesis. WVC too __________________ Please post back after you have solved any issues 2016 1700 Vaquero 10/4/2016 2007 1500 Classic W/ Reckless Fairing, 42,000 miles 2004 600 Honda Shadow 18,000 miles 1989 500 Honda CX Custom 55,000 miles 1973 400 Kawi Triple 5,000 miles
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02-16-2019, 09:21 PM	#23
andyvh1959 Advanced Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Green Bay WI Posts: 758	Did I miss it, or did no one ask what pressures do you have the tires set up? Tire pressure is always the first thing to consider when tire wear seems incorrect. On a heavy bike like a Voyager I'd say the front should be 40 psi, and the rear should be at least 42 psi. In some cases, depending on the loads expected to carry the rear tire pressure could be 45+psi. __________________ My $1200 Vulcan, to start from.
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02-20-2019, 05:48 PM	#27
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,928	I have a Metzeler 888 on the front of my bike and I am happy with it. It gives a softer ride than a Commander II. Last edited by redjay; 02-20-2019 at 07:41 PM.
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02-20-2019, 06:14 PM	#28
plumber63 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: NE Indiana Posts: 984	You can't find many reviews on these, but the description sounds good. https://www.denniskirk.com/bridgesto...f?skuId=545171 https://www.bridgestone.com/products.../detail/pr140/ __________________ Troy Donat VBA #02401 2015 Voyager 2006 1600 Nomad black(sold) 2016 Salem, Antlers, 2017 Eureka Springs, Lake George, Antlers 2018 Custer NR, Antlers
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02-16-2019, 12:23 AM	#19
Sabre-t Join Date: May 2015 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 838	In my experience, the MCIIs do not provide as good traction as other tires (specifically, the Bridgestones) especially wet traction and on hot tar snakes. However, the traction is not bad, either. As much rain as I seem to get caught in, and as many slick tar snakes as I find in the deep South, I would like to find a tire with a bit more traction, but that last longer than Bridgestones. I barely got 6k out of the new rear Bridgestone the dealer put on the bike when I bought it. No more Bridgestones ever! The difference in traction was not worth the short life of the tire. I will get ~20k miles out of my current rear MCII. Many thousands of those miles were in rain or on tar snakes. I would be very happy to find a tire that will give me better traction, but will last at least 10k - 12k miles.
	0

02-16-2019, 01:56 PM	#21
ldhthept Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Tallahassee FL Posts: 1,033	Avon Cobras are my tire of choice and have been for prob 10 years. On the rear I avg around 10-12k miles, good ride and traction in rain. Problem is no has any, all out of stock on the AV 72 170/70 R 16. Anyone know why?
	0

02-18-2019, 05:01 PM	#24
spaceliner Jr. Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Cuyahoga Falls OHIO Posts: 21	CORRECT AIR PRESSURE. Please check often and be sure you are running the correct PSI as indicated on your tire. Regardless of the brand, you will get the best performance and best wear if you run the correct PSI.
	0

02-18-2019, 05:30 PM	#25
Sabre-t Join Date: May 2015 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 838	The pressure on the tire is the MAXIMUM cold pressure to be used if there is the MAXIMUM load on the tire! It is not the "recommended" pressure. If you are not putting the max load on the tire, you don't need the max psi.
	0

02-22-2019, 02:34 PM	#29
hlknvlcn60 Advanced Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: crooked river ranch oregon Posts: 723	This coming spring I am going to mount Metzeler ME888 Ultras on mine. A good friend of mine with his Harley Street glide garnered up 21 thousand miles on the front and 14 thousand on the rear with those and never had any problems whatsoever with them. The new Metz front tire I am going to mount is the just out ME888 Ultra reinforced and it is built unbelievably stout. It weighs 16 lbs. and takes the heaviest load available weight wise of any front tire out there. made for heavy touring bikes. I will report back after a few thousand clicks on how it is working. __________________ 2012 Vaquero S.E. Chuckster's tear drop intake, Freedom true dual racing exhaust, Ivan flash, Clearview windscreen, Corbin gunfighter seat, Clockwerk's hugger style front fender, Kawasaki KQR backrest and luggage rack, kuryakyn iso grips and rear passenger boards, front highway pegs, revolutionspeed clutch and primary covers and reservoir and switch box covers and Kuryakyn skeleton rearview mirrors.
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02-23-2019, 08:24 AM	#30
smokier Join Date: May 2015 Location: DBQ Iowa Posts: 1,807	HLKNVLCN60, look forward to your report on the new Metz 888 Ultra. I have had very good luck with the MC II's, however, the wet road traction is IMO the weak spot. Finding a alternative which provides good even wear, durability, ride and good traction in all conditions may be a pipe-dream. But that is what I am hoping for. Yup, the perfect tire... Ride safe, Smokier
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