Tire Question

ricklee4570 · 03-05-2018, 11:00 AM

Just bought a used 2001 Nomad 1500. It has Pirelli Night Dragon Tires on it with about 1200 miles on them. They look great, tread is perfect. Here is the question. They were installed on March 3rd of 2013. A little over 5 years ago. The motorcycle obviously was not ridden much these last 5 years. It was garage kept. If you didn't know better you would think the tires were 6 months old.

I have been told that I should replace the tires as age is hard on them and motorcycle tires are bad for getting hard and losing stability when over 5 years old. Any truth to this? Any advice?

**Top Cat** · 03-05-2018, 11:11 AM

I would replace them. Tires are your first line of defense.
5year old tires could cause loss of control in an emergency situation.
To me it would not be worth taking the chance.

ricklee4570 · 03-05-2018, 11:23 AM

Thanks for the advice. I appreciate it!

Spondulas · 03-06-2018, 08:47 AM

Most tires on these bikes only last about 6500 - 7000 miles, so you will be changing them pretty soon regardless of your decision. Road surface, riding style and tire pressures are big factors in tire life. I don't have any scientific proof, but it seems like the first half of the tread lasts longer than the last half, regardless of how you care for them.

Since it was garage kept, you should be OK to finish them out this year. I wouldn't use them again next year.

**Top Cat** · 03-06-2018, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spondulas

Since it was garage kept, you should be OK to finish them out this year. I wouldn't use them again next year.

Before I did this I would check for dry rot and rubber cracking.

warrbucks222 · 03-06-2018, 12:58 PM

No cracks anywhere, go fir it. I'd wear em out.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

flavor · 03-07-2018, 09:27 AM

If no cracks on them now and you are not going to replace make it a point to check often as they may show cracking at any time.

Jllm02199 · 03-08-2018, 09:29 AM

I have a set of Michelin Commander II's on mine with 15,000 miles and still look good.
Ride smooth.

ricklee4570 · 03-08-2018, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jllm02199

I have a set of Michelin Commander II's on mine with 15,000 miles and still look good.
Ride smooth.

How old are they?

Tortuga · 03-08-2018, 09:42 AM

I've put Michelin Commander II's on my '06 Nomad about 18 months ago. 18,647 miles on the front as of today. The rear had to be replaced at 11,080 miles last May due to blowout from object I hit on the road. The new rear has 9,567 miles on it.

Jllm02199 · 03-08-2018, 10:26 AM

3 years old. And no they are not weather cracked.
That’s why I bought Michelin’s. I gave up on Dunlop’s.
I’m going for 20,000.

ricklee4570 · 03-08-2018, 11:10 AM

Sounds like the Michelin Commander II's are really good tires. So far they are my top choice for replacement.

Tortuga · 03-08-2018, 01:34 PM

I've never had a motorcycle tire last like the Commanders. Not sure what they're like in extended rain as we don't have much here in AZ and if I get caught in the rain I'm very conservative because there is so much fine dust and oil, etc collected on the roads that the surface can be quite slippery.

**plumber63** · 03-08-2018, 01:51 PM

I had a Michelin Commander II on the rear of my 1600. I did run it to 18,000+ miles, but it started cupping at @ 13,000 miles got nosier as the mile got higher. The more it cup the worse the traction got, especially on wet, tar snake or grooved roads. I always checked pressure, kept 40-42 psi. I ride 2 up 98% of the time, and on a variety of roads. Packed with luggage and the 2 of us no more than 370-400 lbs.

It wasn't even down to the wear bars when I replaced it but so badly cupped that I felt it wasn't safe.

I got 12,000 out of a OEM Bridgestone and it would have gone another 1-2,000 but I was going on a trip and didn't want to chance it. I never had any issue with it. Traction at the end was just as good as the Commander II at the beginning.

I went with a Exedra Max this time, time will tell on mileage, traction and handling. I did alot of research, read the reviews on several sites that sell a lot of tires. They seem to be rated just as good or better then most of the other name brands. and If I get 12,000+ and no issues I will be happy. If it doesn't preform well I will replace it soon than later.

Traction and handling trumps mileage. Trying to find that happy medium is the trick.

I buy my Tires from Denniskirk.com. Price just as good or better than most. I mount my own tires and use dyna bead to balance.

Spondulas · 03-12-2018, 02:51 PM

I ran Exedra Max on my 1600 Nomad and the rear was worn completely slick at 7,300 miles. The front was about 50%. I put a Dunlop American Elite on the rear and was getting good service out of it when I replaced the Nomad with a Voyager. Voyager had 7,483 miles on it when I got it and the rear tire (OEM Bridgestone) was completely slick and showing cord in several places. Had to trailer my new toy home. Put American Elite front and rear. After 12,200 miles, the rear has about 6,000 miles left before the wear bars and the front still looks almost new. I use 130/90 size with 38 psi on the front and 180/65 with 40 psi on the rear.

Tire wear on these bikes has been a big disappointment to me. I am meticulous about tire pressure and consistently got 26,000 - 28,000 miles out of tires on my Goldwing using Dunlops and Avons.

03-05-2018, 11:00 AM	#1
ricklee4570 Jr. Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Southwest Virginia Posts: 44	Tire Question Just bought a used 2001 Nomad 1500. It has Pirelli Night Dragon Tires on it with about 1200 miles on them. They look great, tread is perfect. Here is the question. They were installed on March 3rd of 2013. A little over 5 years ago. The motorcycle obviously was not ridden much these last 5 years. It was garage kept. If you didn't know better you would think the tires were 6 months old. I have been told that I should replace the tires as age is hard on them and motorcycle tires are bad for getting hard and losing stability when over 5 years old. Any truth to this? Any advice? Login or Register to Remove Ads
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03-05-2018, 11:11 AM	#2
Top Cat Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Peoples Republic of New York State Posts: 15,154	I would replace them. Tires are your first line of defense. 5year old tires could cause loss of control in an emergency situation. To me it would not be worth taking the chance. __________________ Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4]
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03-08-2018, 09:29 AM	#8
Jllm02199 Advanced Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Morrow, Ga. Posts: 830	I have a set of Michelin Commander II's on mine with 15,000 miles and still look good. Ride smooth. __________________ 02 1500 Nomad (07 1600 Motor) 160,000 Red & Black 12" mini apes Galfer lines (6' over) EJK Dobeck Reckless Fairing. Led H4 headlight All LED lights Rockford Fosgate radio
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03-08-2018, 10:26 AM	#11
Jllm02199 Advanced Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Morrow, Ga. Posts: 830	3 years old. And no they are not weather cracked. That’s why I bought Michelin’s. I gave up on Dunlop’s. I’m going for 20,000. __________________ 02 1500 Nomad (07 1600 Motor) 160,000 Red & Black 12" mini apes Galfer lines (6' over) EJK Dobeck Reckless Fairing. Led H4 headlight All LED lights Rockford Fosgate radio
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03-08-2018, 01:34 PM	#13
Tortuga Advanced Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Sahuarita, AZ Posts: 560	I've never had a motorcycle tire last like the Commanders. Not sure what they're like in extended rain as we don't have much here in AZ and if I get caught in the rain I'm very conservative because there is so much fine dust and oil, etc collected on the roads that the surface can be quite slippery. Last edited by Tortuga; 03-09-2018 at 01:41 PM.
	0

03-05-2018, 11:23 AM	#3
ricklee4570 Jr. Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Southwest Virginia Posts: 44	Thanks for the advice. I appreciate it!
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03-06-2018, 08:47 AM	#4
Spondulas Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Dickson, Tennessee Posts: 110	Most tires on these bikes only last about 6500 - 7000 miles, so you will be changing them pretty soon regardless of your decision. Road surface, riding style and tire pressures are big factors in tire life. I don't have any scientific proof, but it seems like the first half of the tread lasts longer than the last half, regardless of how you care for them. Since it was garage kept, you should be OK to finish them out this year. I wouldn't use them again next year.
	0

03-06-2018, 12:58 PM	#6
warrbucks222 Member Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 119	No cracks anywhere, go fir it. I'd wear em out. Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
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03-07-2018, 09:27 AM	#7
flavor Sr. Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: RI Posts: 1,351	If no cracks on them now and you are not going to replace make it a point to check often as they may show cracking at any time.
	0

03-08-2018, 09:42 AM	#10
Tortuga Advanced Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Sahuarita, AZ Posts: 560	I've put Michelin Commander II's on my '06 Nomad about 18 months ago. 18,647 miles on the front as of today. The rear had to be replaced at 11,080 miles last May due to blowout from object I hit on the road. The new rear has 9,567 miles on it.
	0

03-08-2018, 11:10 AM	#12
ricklee4570 Jr. Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Southwest Virginia Posts: 44	Sounds like the Michelin Commander II's are really good tires. So far they are my top choice for replacement.
	0

03-08-2018, 01:51 PM	#14
plumber63 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: NE Indiana Posts: 989	I had a Michelin Commander II on the rear of my 1600. I did run it to 18,000+ miles, but it started cupping at @ 13,000 miles got nosier as the mile got higher. The more it cup the worse the traction got, especially on wet, tar snake or grooved roads. I always checked pressure, kept 40-42 psi. I ride 2 up 98% of the time, and on a variety of roads. Packed with luggage and the 2 of us no more than 370-400 lbs. It wasn't even down to the wear bars when I replaced it but so badly cupped that I felt it wasn't safe. I got 12,000 out of a OEM Bridgestone and it would have gone another 1-2,000 but I was going on a trip and didn't want to chance it. I never had any issue with it. Traction at the end was just as good as the Commander II at the beginning. I went with a Exedra Max this time, time will tell on mileage, traction and handling. I did alot of research, read the reviews on several sites that sell a lot of tires. They seem to be rated just as good or better then most of the other name brands. and If I get 12,000+ and no issues I will be happy. If it doesn't preform well I will replace it soon than later. Traction and handling trumps mileage. Trying to find that happy medium is the trick. I buy my Tires from Denniskirk.com. Price just as good or better than most. I mount my own tires and use dyna bead to balance. __________________ 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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03-12-2018, 02:51 PM	#15
Spondulas Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Dickson, Tennessee Posts: 110	I ran Exedra Max on my 1600 Nomad and the rear was worn completely slick at 7,300 miles. The front was about 50%. I put a Dunlop American Elite on the rear and was getting good service out of it when I replaced the Nomad with a Voyager. Voyager had 7,483 miles on it when I got it and the rear tire (OEM Bridgestone) was completely slick and showing cord in several places. Had to trailer my new toy home. Put American Elite front and rear. After 12,200 miles, the rear has about 6,000 miles left before the wear bars and the front still looks almost new. I use 130/90 size with 38 psi on the front and 180/65 with 40 psi on the rear. Tire wear on these bikes has been a big disappointment to me. I am meticulous about tire pressure and consistently got 26,000 - 28,000 miles out of tires on my Goldwing using Dunlops and Avons.
	0