Tires and size for Nomad

[kobra]

Looking for advise on a good brand of tires and the size that some of you would recommend for a 2007 Nomad ...the Black and Silver FAST Model.

[ells]

Check out the link near the bottom of the Maintenance links at: http://www.kawanow.org/links.htm

[kobra]

Thanks for the info Ells...... thinking about going with the Metzler brand tires.

[ells]

Have been running Metzelers on both my Vulcans and am really happy with the grip and ride, wear-life is okay but nothing special. I stuck with bias ply for both front and back on the Nomad so had to go with 160 width for the rear, but some here say that is okay to mix, I've been advised not to.

Metzlers here, radial rear and bias front. So far no problem. I run 40/40 pressure. I get about 10-12,000 rear and 15-16000 front.

[dank]

I also have the Metzlers, radial rear, bias front. Love'em. My first set. I have 11,000 on them. Rear should go a couple thousand more, although there are no wear bars, and the sloping cut of the tread makes it a bit of a guess. Front looks great. I'm running 42 lbs rear, 38 front. I plan to replace them in kind. Only "issue" is they sing a bit in curves. Surprised me the first time or two, but now it seems normal.

[rlfaubion]

Have been running Metzelers on both my Vulcans and am really happy with the grip and ride, wear-life is okay but nothing special. I stuck with bias ply for both front and back on the Nomad so had to go with 160 width for the rear, but some here say that is okay to mix, I've been advised not to.

Hey Ells, I had a hella time ordering tires because I wanted a size not recommended for our bikes. I would inquire about the tires and then they'd ask what kind of bike? Once I said Nomad, that would be end of the story - they didn't and wouldn't sell me the tires due to liability. Onto the third Vendor and they confirmed having the Metzs I wanted and asked me, "what kind of bike"? I said never mind and ordered the tires

[Top Cat]

Valdez, what size were you ordering that they had a problem with?

[lw]

Thanks for bringing up the topic again Kobra, My OEM rear tire is already looking thin at only 6500 miles so the need for a new one is coming up pretty quick.
I have just about decided on Metzlers but I am unsure which size to order.
-- Which size is it that helps to correct the speedo inaccuracy?
-- Do both front & rear need to be replaced to get "the cure"?
-- Do motorcycle tires have load ranges like car/truck tires?

I know somebody on this forum can hook a rookie up with the right info. Thanks in advance.

[dank]

Thanks for bringing up the topic again Kobra, My OEM rear tire is already looking thin at only 6500 miles so the need for a new one is coming up pretty quick.
I have just about decided on Metzlers but I am unsure which size to order.
-- Which size is it that helps to correct the speedo inaccuracy?
-- Do both front & rear need to be replaced to get "the cure"?
-- Do motorcycle tires have load ranges like car/truck tires?

I know somebody on this forum can hook a rookie up with the right info. Thanks in advance.

I got the Metzler Radial 180/70-16 for the rear and the bias 150/80-B16 for the front. My speedometer is pretty close now, 2 or so mph off at 70. (Based on checking with my car, not GPS) Down side; your perception of mpg goes down. I replaced both at the same time, but people do it both ways. I wanted to have close to the same handling on the front and rear, so I replaced both. Doubt it makes a big difference, but I didn't like how the OEM tires held a line in corners, so I was happy to be done with them. (Failed to hold a line would be more accurate.)

[blowndodge]

lw:

motorcycle tires do have load ratings like cars

Only the rear needs to be taller to correct some of the speedo error.

Stock is 170/70/16 for the 1600 Nomad so a 180/70/16 or a 160/80/16 will be a little taller.

[rlfaubion]

Valdez, what size were you ordering that they had a problem with?

TC,

Metzlers Marathon

Front 150 80HR 16 (raise the front .47 inches)
Rear 180 60HR 16 (lower the rear .27 inches)

Handles very well and no death wobble...

[lw]

motorcycle tires do have load ratings like cars

That's good to know BD. When I was shopping before purchasing Lucille, my standard question was "what have ya got in a three quarter ton?"

[pablo]

After the original Bridgestone wore out in 6,500 miles, I got the 180/70 R16 Metzeler for the rear. It cupped and wore out in 6,500 miles. This time I got the 180/60 R16 Metzeler (GW1800 tire). It now has over 3,000 miles on it and has not cupped (yet). I like the lower profile rear tire, even if it makes the speedometer error worse. I think the next tire I buy will be a 195/60 R16 car tire. This will be almost exactly the same height as the 179/70 16 original tire.
Paul

[Top Cat]

Paul, you gotta stop doing burnouts. It is not good for tires.