Tires '98 1500 tourer

[Drclassic]

OEM tires call for radials-but Bias seem to be the choice for replacements-PROS and Cons appreciated

[hubcapsc]

?? whose choice?

There's a ton of good radials that fit 1500s... Avon Cobras and Metzler me888s are
a couple of the popular ones...

-Mike

[h13man]

Radials: 180/70R-16  150/80R-17

Bias: 180/70B-16  150/80B-17

As far as the OEM Bridgestone Exedra's are concerned, radials are all is offered. Now that being said I have a Vulcan 1600 that weighs 25 lbs. more than my "dressed" standard and it comes from the factory with bias ply. Why? I don't know but a lot "heavys" use radial tires. I'd stay with what the factory used/design fot the Valk's ride/suspension setup. If this would be your 1st. tire change I'd stay with the radials to determine the difference in ride with new tires. That alone is a night and day difference in most case. The wear factor between bias and radials, I just can't say as I respect that the manufacture knows best but....

[h13man]

Radials: 180/70R-16  150/80R-17

Bias: 180/70B-16  150/80B-17

As far as the OEM Bridgestone Exedra's are concerned, radials are all is offered (701 front. 702 rear). Now that being said I have a Vulcan 1600 that weighs 25 lbs. more than my "dressed" standard and it comes from the factory with bias ply. Why? I don't know but a lot "heavys" use radial tires. I'd stay with what the factory used/design fot the Valk's ride/suspension setup. If this would be your 1st. tire change I'd stay with the radials to determine the difference in ride with new tires. That alone is a night and day difference in most case. The wear factor between bias and radials, I just can't say as I respect that the manufacture knows best but....

[sandy]

If you put bias tires on a car that calls for radials, you'll soon regret it. It won't track well over a varied road surface. IMHO Avon Cobras are the best tire for Valkyries. After 160K miles on Valks, I won't run any other tire.

[Kokomo Kevin]

Second on Avon Cobras, had Dunflops and Metzlers went back to Avons. Near 100K on mine

[Bighead]

Radials: 180/70R-16  150/80R-17

Bias: 180/70B-16  150/80B-17

As far as the OEM Bridgestone Exedra's are concerned, radials are all is offered. Now that being said I have a Vulcan 1600 that weighs 25 lbs. more than my "dressed" standard and it comes from the factory with bias ply. Why? I don't know but a lot "heavys" use radial tires. I'd stay with what the factory used/design fot the Valk's ride/suspension setup. If this would be your 1st. tire change I'd stay with the radials to determine the difference in ride with new tires. That alone is a night and day difference in most case. The wear factor between bias and radials, I just can't say as I respect that the manufacture knows best but....

OEM were Dunflops. At least on the two I bought.
Also  +1 on the Avons well over 100k. And still happy.

[dconstruct55]

Love the Avon Cobras, have a 200 on the rear and 150 up front. I'm with Sandy, I won't run anything else on my '99 Tourer or on my '06 Kawasaki Vulcan 2000 LT.

[Bighead]

OEM tires call for radials-but Bias seem to be the choice for replacements-PROS and Cons appreciated

What do you mean seems to be the choice?

[F6Dave]

Here's another vote for Avon Cobras.