Bias ply front, What is out there for our bikes

[Leathel]

While I like the Avon Cobra I cut out the sides on the rear quite quick even at 42 PSI....feathers the edges. At some stage I will upgrade the suspension and that may help but for now its tire time again.... and I have friends running the Scorcher 32 on there big cruisers with good results but apparently mixing Radials and Bias Ply isn't a good idea & the Michelin Scorcher 32 front isn't available in 17

 Anyone running a front Bias ply, what size/brand

Before you say car tire for the rear.......that is not legal here in New Zealand

Typical tire wear I get (Less tread now)

[The emperor has no clothes]

I`ve been using these for 4 years or so. I like them.
https://www.2wheel.com/michelin-pilot-activ-rear-tires.html?sku=87-9218&campid=335714813&adgrpid=1223756740260287&semkey=pla-4580084407044673&adid=76484877587136&device=c&network=o&extn=87-9218&qry=michelin%20pilot%20activ%20150%2F70%2F17&msclkid=aedcc55cdcd01da5020d9a46cc47d127&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Shopping%20%7C%20Primary%20%7C%20Low&utm_term=4580084407044673&utm_content=GSAPI%205c507447af6e8

[98valk]

only two so far for me

130/90-16    Had a Conti-Go, great tire. only available V-rated in states, u might be able to get the H-rated one.  lasted 25k I checked my notes 28573 miles to the wear bars. H-rated should last longer.

Right now same size Dunlop D404 H-rated. also another great tire. have about 10k miles on it right now, per wear rate should end about 30k+.  it is slightly narrowed than the Conti-Go.

many are using the Battlax in same size, however it is a mulit-tread tire, which could mean it has a harder center for mileage as a rear tire but will give longer braking distance than the others when installed on the front due that center, IMO.

[Challenger]

I am running Metzeler ME888 150/80/17 Bias ply on the front of both Valks and am happy with them.  Every radial brand I've had, has cupped and worn funny no matter the pressure. I can run less pressure with the Bias and get even tire wear plus better ride.  Running a Michelin Commander II 180/65/16 Bias on the rear of the Std. and really like it. Probably going to put a Commander II on the I/S when it needs a rear tire.   YMMV 

[Gideon]

I installed a Dunlop D404, 130/90H-17 Bias Ply “Rear Tire” on the front with Reverse Rotation. This is my second Dunlop. Good mileage with no cupping. 41psi. 

[98valk]

I am running Metzeler ME888 150/80/17 Bias ply on the front of both Valks and am happy with them.  Every radial brand I've had, has cupped and worn funny no matter the pressure. I can run less pressure with the Bias and get even tire wear plus better ride.  Running a Michelin Commander II 180/65/16 Bias on the rear of the Std. and really like it. Probably going to put a Commander II on the I/S when it needs a rear tire.   YMMV 

per Dunlop FAQ cupping is due to late heavy breaking. they give details of what that does to the tire.

[Leathel]

I also should add, must be predictable in the wet, I ride year round as winter is not that cold here (frosts but no snow)

D404 I found to get to a point then let go in the wet but that was a different size and years ago......but it puts doubt in my mind

Will research those mentioned tonight when I get home (at work now)

[The emperor has no clothes]

I also should add, must be predictable in the wet, I ride year round as winter is not that cold here (frosts but no snow)

D404 I found to get to a point then let go in the wet but that was a different size and years ago......but it puts doubt in my mind

Will research those mentioned tonight when I get home (at work now)

At work ? WTH, it`s 6pm. 

[JimC]

I am running Shinko 777's. They are WWW bias ply, and they also make them in black wall.   
I am satisfied with mine so far. (3,000 miles) For the price point, I would buy again, they are half what some of the other tires are selling for.
I have not been in heavy rain or sleet with them, but normal wet highways, they seem to handle fine.

Jim

[Leathel]

Will research those mentioned tonight when I get home (at work now)

At work ? WTH, it`s 6pm. 

Usually at work until 7pm anyway (NZ time)............ I should do shorter days......... just have to much on

[h13man]

Bias up front and radial on the rear has been the suggested application as far as mixing the two.

[0leman]

I have been running bias in front, radial in back for over 60K miles.  No problems.   

For the last 50K have been using D404F tires, only get 10-12k miles out of them.  I believe that I could get a lot more mileage out of them, but all the roads I ride on are chip coated and eat the heck out them. I haven't tried  the rear on front yet.  May do it in the future.

[MarkT]

Batlax BT-45 130/90-17 rear tire in front, bias ply, lasts about 20k miles, handles just fine with either an Avon radial in the rear or a darkside tire.  No cupping and this is my 2nd one.  For the darkside I'm running Austone but after I wear out the new Austone in storage next will be the Firestone CV.  As of what's out there now.

[Leathel]

I don't get cupping on the front, my issue is on the rear .... I have been told the sides are overheating hence the sides not lasting (most of the roads I ride are tight and twisty & I like to power through them) Suspension may take some of the heat out but until then I wanted to try a Bias on the rear, and apparently Bias rear & Radial front is not a good option..........hence looking at a Bias front

 

[Leathel]

I am running Shinko 777's. They are WWW bias ply, and they also make them in black wall.   
I am satisfied with mine so far. (3,000 miles) For the price point, I would buy again, they are half what some of the other tires are selling for.
I have not been in heavy rain or sleet with them, but normal wet highways, they seem to handle fine.

Jim

 I have seen too many shinko's have issues, not the 777 though, But have had friends run that tire, gripped well even in the wet but didn't last so well, they are not as cheap over here so cost more in the long run....and I can't get those fails out of my head.

[Leathel]

Those that are running a rear up front have you reversed the direction??

 With one Michelin tire I ran on my daughters bike it had  a rear & front direction arrows on it in opposite directions

[The emperor has no clothes]

Those that are running a rear up front have you reversed the direction??

 With one Michelin tire I ran on my daughters bike it had  a rear & front direction arrows on it in opposite directions

I normally run them reversed. One time I put one on non-reversed and was too lazy to fix it. The only difference I could notice was slightly more noise on front braking.

[98valk]

Those that are running a rear up front have you reversed the direction??

 With one Michelin tire I ran on my daughters bike it had  a rear & front direction arrows on it in opposite directions

yes installed reverse direction both tires.

[Gideon]

I have been told that due to the way tires are manufactured, you should reverse the tire’s direction of rotation if you fit a rear tire on the front of your bike. During tire manufacture, tread rubber is wrapped around the carcass and joined together with an angled bevel type joint. This joint is orientated so that as the tire rotates, this joint stays shut. As the rear tire provides drive and the front tire provides braking, the joint is made one way for the rear tire and the opposite way for the front.

[98valk]

some D404 reviews vs other popular tires.

https://tirepost.com/2020/05/14/dunlop-d404-vs-shinko-777/

[98valk]

https://www.americanmototire.com/search-results/?q=130%2F90-17

[Leathel]

I've been a bit quiet on the tire front, I found out I didn't need a WOF check (safety check) to Register my bike due to covid exemptions still in place.......... so was able to register the bike

I also checked the front and it will go another rear tire so may stay with Avon for the next tire and do both next time (about 6 months)

 *I Also found my harder start up at times issue and miss when cold at times, 3/4 coil was faulting, I had 2 coils from a VT1100 and fitted to those, sorted, have 2 more coming for a blackbird (same part number) with its brackets as it will help mount them better (tight fit as they are larger)