Tires are way expensive now

[Tfrank59]

It’s not really my aim to piss and moan but I just paid over 230 bucks for a rear tire, and it’s not even a great brand. Make matters worse it’s the exact same tire I’m gonna need for my VTX 1800 when it’s ready for one. I would go dark side but I can’t get anyone to mount a car tire it’s not worth the hassle trying to do it myself.  The only consolation is if I buy my tires from the cycle gear conglomerate I save 25 bucks on the mounting cost.

[Jess from VA]

You can probably get a small tire center to mount a rear car tire if you tell them its for a trike or side car rig.

Find a picture of one on line and copy it and take it with you as evidence.  (just not with an out of state tag)

[..]

I've always used a small independent car tire place.

Until I moved to Clayton and the local mower/small tools/rental place did tire work. Took in the wheel and new tire. Left it for a day. $20

[hubcapsc]

I will put a new tire on the back of the 1500 soon. I've always used Avons and also a
few Metzelers. I might try one of those Shinkos... the Suzuki guy where
I buy and mount my tires likes them, I'll get him to suggest one. What Shinko
would y'all run on the back of a Valkyrie?

-Mike "None!  "

[Timbo1]

I will put a new tire on the back of the 1500 soon. I've always used Avons and also a
few Metzelers. I might try one of those Shinkos... the Suzuki guy where
I buy and mount my tires likes them, I'll get him to suggest one. What Shinko
would y'all run on the back of a Valkyrie?

-Mike "None!  "

I put a Shinko on the rear of one of my valks.  I like the tread pattern but I think it causes a slight buzz feel.  I'm not sure it may be what some call a vibration when using the Shinko brand.  I don't know how to describe it accurately but I could feel or hear it after installation.  But since I mounted and balanced it myself it could be a little bit out of balance as well.   On mine it's minor so not a big deal as far as I'm concerned. 

This is the one I purchased, but seems out of stock atm.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0068C8GBE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Jess from VA]

H rated for speeds up to 130 mph

https://www.chapmoto.com/shinko-se890-journey-touring-radial-rear-tire.html?sku=369-874666&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIk4LOnf3l8AIVFZ2zCh0ecAduEAQYASABEgKu-fD_BwE

https://www.denniskirk.com/shinko/se890-journey-touring-tire.pfp544731.prdf?rs=544735

Amazon reviews:  https://www.amazon.com/Shinko-SE890-Journey-Touring-Rear/product-reviews/B0068C8GBE

[Tfrank59]

I will put a new tire on the back of the 1500 soon. I've always used Avons and also a
few Metzelers. I might try one of those Shinkos... the Suzuki guy where
I buy and mount my tires likes them, I'll get him to suggest one. What Shinko
would y'all run on the back of a Valkyrie?

-Mike "None!  "

The Shinko triple seven is a great tire I would run that on any of my bikes front or rear, but they don’t make the triple seven Shinko the right size for our Valkyrie rear tire, the only one you can find is the Shinko journey and I won’t run that one (again) because of the tread pattern which is not good. Another person responded with the same complaint.

[Jess from VA]

The closest 777 is the 180 65 16.  (so a bit shorter) 

https://www.chapmoto.com/shinko-777-heavy-duty-rear-tire.html

[..]

I used Journeys on Valkyries and a ST1300 for over 150,000 miles with no problems. High speed, wet you name it.

[gordonv]

I forget where exactly in West WA you are (Olympia?), but I would check with your other buddies in Seattle are on the PNW forum. See if someone can suggest somewhere they know that's close to you.

[TrapperAH1G]

Andy's Radical Radials in Chehalis, WA.  He mounts all my tires (mostly Shinko's), including my two darkside rears.  One on my Valk and another on my Shadow Tourer.  You bring him the tire and it's $20.  $5 more if you leave your old tire with him.  He doesn't balance MC tires, but I use Ride On in all mine so that's not an issue.

[BigBod]

I just had to buy 2 pairs of Avon Cobra Chrome tyres, one pair for the Interstate and one pair for the Std...paid the equivilant of approx $800...

Darkside is a bit of a non starter this side of the pond, insurance becomes null and void plus our roads are pretty bad and we hardly ever get to go in a straight line...lol... just wouldn't suit our style of riding, well, not mine anyway.....

[Tfrank59]

The closest 777 is the 180 65 16.  (so a bit shorter) 

https://www.chapmoto.com/shinko-777-heavy-duty-rear-tire.html

Thanks Jess

[Tfrank59]

Andy's Radical Radials in Chehalis, WA.  He mounts all my tires (mostly Shinko's), including my two darkside rears.  One on my Valk and another on my Shadow Tourer.  You bring him the tire and it's $20.  $5 more if you leave your old tire with him.  He doesn't balance MC tires, but I use Ride On in all mine so that's not an issue.

I'm near Tacoma, 60 miles from Chehalis

[hubcapsc]

The Pirellis I have on the 1800 "sing" in the turns... maybe
the Shinkos were singing too!

-Mike

[SCain]

Here is a place I have used before;
American Moto Tire, Rear Avon Chrome 180/70-16 $221.66

Get up to $60 reward on a single set of Cobra Chrome Tires.
Avon Tyres is offering $20 reward for purchasing 1 tire and $60 for purchasing a single set of Avon's Cobra Chrome Tires at select stores. 

This promotion runs until the 31st of October 2021.

So you could get the rear tire for $201.66, just an option.

[RustyValkry]

I just put on a set of Shinko SE890, front and rear.  I really can't tell you much because I've only put about 1500 miles on them and this is my first Valk, first set of new tires and I took my first long ride a couple weeks ago.  I can say I've seen no issues so far.


https://www.motosport.com/shinko-se890-journey-touring-tire-combo

[Jess from VA]

Every time you go though choosing a tire or tires (and seeking opinions), remember that brand new tires (less the release agent) are almost always better than the worn out one(s) you're replacing. 

Then there's how much pressure to run in them.

And finally there's how they do over time and miles.

Some cheaper tires may not do as well over time as more expensive ones.  So you replace them sooner.  Or not.

Except for my car tires (which are fantastic, and last for years), I'm only interested in the best sticking tire in all weather I can get in front (even if I only get 8K from them, maybe).   (For me, that's Metzelers)

[hubcapsc]

Tires that Britman screams around in the rain on are probably
good enough  ...

-Mike

[rug_burn]

That $230 sounds about like it is here at my local shop that mounts and balances the tires for free (if you buy from them.)   I got a Metzler 888 this time... looking pretty good so far, mileage wise.

[Led]

I used to work in the "Tire and Lube" portion of WallyWorld.   I clocked out, and came back in to do my own "Darkside" change, on their machine.

   Afterall, I just spent the WHOLE day, mounting tires for them.   Needless to say......the Boss was NONE to happy about it.  

I guess that they have no "fringe" benefits there......YES!!   Try and find a desolate type of tire mounter.....who will do what you want.......I guess that is all one can do today.......???

[turtle254]

take it anywhere and tell them its for a trailer!

[Tfrank59]

That $230 sounds about like it is here at my local shop that mounts and balances the tires for free (if you buy from them.)   I got a Metzler 888 this time... looking pretty good so far, mileage wise.

I’d gladly pay $230 to have the tire and includes mounted and balanced.  As it is I will haul my rear wheel in to Cycle Gear and because I have metal valve stems and bought the tire from JP cycle (which is part of Cycle Gear conglomerate) they’ll charge me about 25 bucks plus tax to mount and balance it. Another five bucks if they recycle the old tire.They do a great job and stand by their work, I brought dozens of tires to them over the years and I’ve never been dissatisfied with their work. Let’s hope they keep it up.  Bottom line is I end up something like $260 poorer and of course there’s a couple hours labor for me which is fine. The more I think about it the less it bothers me

[RustyValkry]

That $230 sounds about like it is here at my local shop that mounts and balances the tires for free (if you buy from them.)   I got a Metzler 888 this time... looking pretty good so far, mileage wise.

I’d gladly pay $230 to have the tire and includes mounted and balanced.  As it is I will haul my rear wheel in to Cycle Gear and because I have metal valve stems and bought the tire from JP cycle (which is part of Cycle Gear conglomerate) they’ll charge me about 25 bucks plus tax to mount and balance it. Another five bucks if they recycle the old tire.They do a great job and stand by their work, I brought dozens of tires to them over the years and I’ve never been dissatisfied with their work. Let’s hope they keep it up.  Bottom line is I end up something like $260 poorer and of course there’s a couple hours labor for me which is fine. The more I think about it the less it bothers me

I bought my Shinkos from RevZilla and took them to Cycle Gear for mounting.  I took a set of right angle metal valve stems as well.  The guy got the job done but when I mounted them on the bike I saw that he had the valve stems on the low side of the bike.  Didn't make me happy.

[Tfrank59]

That $230 sounds about like it is here at my local shop that mounts and balances the tires for free (if you buy from them.)   I got a Metzler 888 this time... looking pretty good so far, mileage wise.

I’d gladly pay $230 to have the tire and includes mounted and balanced.  As it is I will haul my rear wheel in to Cycle Gear and because I have metal valve stems and bought the tire from JP cycle (which is part of Cycle Gear conglomerate) they’ll charge me about 25 bucks plus tax to mount and balance it. Another five bucks if they recycle the old tire.They do a great job and stand by their work, I brought dozens of tires to them over the years and I’ve never been dissatisfied with their work. Let’s hope they keep it up.  Bottom line is I end up something like $260 poorer and of course there’s a couple hours labor for me which is fine. The more I think about it the less it bothers me

I bought my Shinkos from RevZilla and took them to Cycle Gear for mounting.  I took a set of right angle metal valve stems as well.  The guy got the job done but when I mounted them on the bike I saw that he had the valve stems on the low side of the bike.  Didn't make me happy.

Yeah, RevZilla is also under Cycle Gear but my guys are smarter than to put the valve stems looking the wrong way