front tire

[savy265]

   Not  really  a  tech  question, but  where  can  i  find  a  a  metzeler  888 front tire, i  ve searched internet  and local  honda  shops with  no  luck tks  Bob 2000 Honda  valkyrie   interstate

[pancho]

https://www.bikebandit.com/tires-tubes/motorcycle-tires/metzeler-me-888-marathon-ultra-motorcycle-tire/p/41872

[98valk]

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/tires-and-wheels/metzeler-me888-marathon-ultra-front-motorcycle-tire-p

[jnicks01]

This issue is becoming reality.  Huge shortage on MC tires.  Good luck.  I looked around and had the same result.  Might have to swap brand if you need something asap.

[f-Stop]

Seems the whole world is on "back order" right now...

[yrunvs]

Thats what happens when you pay people not to work .

[98valk]

https://www.americanmototire.com/street-cruiser-touring/metzeler-me888-marathon-ultra-140-70b-18-73h-front-3134000-mc.html

[Gondul]

Thats what happens when you pay people not to work .

That's what happens when you pay people a crap wage...

[..]

Thats what happens when you pay people not to work .

This is the tech board NOT the PAM board.

[..]

Thats what happens when you pay people not to work .

That's what happens when you pay people a poop wage...

This is the tech board NOT the PAM board.

[Zanderk98]

I posted a thread here recently on the same subject...  All tires are hard to get these days.  I'm still searching for over s month now.  Tried all local sources & pretty much everywhere I can find on the internet.   As I see it, the basic facts at the moment are:

1) Very few tire manufacturers make a tire the OEM 150/80 R17 size any longer.  This tire is so large I've only found a few brands that even produce this size 

2) Manufacturers that do offer this size are all currently on backorder status.  I was told a month ago by most sellers to wait 1 month... nothing has changed, only gotten worse if anything.  I assume the usual excuses of Covid, slow economy, & unemployment paying people not to work are all possible contributing factors.

3) The only tire I can find right now that anyone has is stock is a Shinko.  They seem to be priced around $150-160 if it's in stock.  I personally think Shinko is garbage but may have to settle for that or nothing soon.  I'm concerned every time I ride my Interstate that my old worn Dunlop Elite 3 on the front is done.

4) Some bike shops are saying 150/70 R17 is a possible option.  Going down 10mm in side profile opens up the range a little on who makes a tire that fits.  I'd much rather keep the OEM size but again, soon there may be no other options.

[98valk]

I posted a thread here recently on the same subject...  All tires are hard to get these days.  I'm still searching for over s month now.  Tried all local sources & pretty much everywhere I can find on the internet.   As I see it, the basic facts at the moment are:

1) Very few tire manufacturers make a tire the OEM 150/80 R17 size any longer.  This tire is so large I've only found a few brands that even produce this size  

2) Manufacturers that do offer this size are all currently on backorder status.  I was told a month ago by most sellers to wait 1 month... nothing has changed, only gotten worse if anything.  I assume the usual excuses of Covid, slow economy, & unemployment paying people not to work are all possible contributing factors.

3) The only tire I can find right now that anyone has is stock is a Shinko.  They seem to be priced around $150-160 if it's in stock.  I personally think Shinko is garbage but may have to settle for that or nothing soon.  I'm concerned every time I ride my Interstate that my old worn Dunlop Elite 3 on the front is done.

4) Some bike shops are saying 150/70 R17 is a possible option.  Going down 10mm in side profile opens up the range a little on who makes a tire that fits.  I'd much rather keep the OEM size but again, soon there may be no other options.

IMHO
this rear tire size 130-90/17 is what should be used on the front in reverse rotation.
the better rounded profile provides better handling and quicker transitions due to the reduced trail number from the slightly smaller diameter. Rear tires have deeper tread for longer life.  
This size makes the ODO spot on, I've verified it via mile markers in three different states.
makes the speedo run 5 mph fast. so see 75mph and I know I'm doing 70mph.
I don't see a downside to this tire size and the price is in the 70-170 dollar range.
I did use a Contigo which is V-rated and it lasted almost 29k miles.
right now I have a Dunlop D404, I won't be using it again, even though its a good tire, I just don't feel its best for the valkyrie, for a few reasons. when it wears out I'll either go back to the conti-go or try another brand/s such as bridgestone or avon.

https://www.americanmototire.com/search-results/?q=130%2F90-17&narrow=%5B%5B%22Categories%22%2C%221968%22%5D%5D&disable_semantics=1

[The emperor has no clothes]

I posted a thread here recently on the same subject...  All tires are hard to get these days.  I'm still searching for over s month now.  Tried all local sources & pretty much everywhere I can find on the internet.   As I see it, the basic facts at the moment are:

1) Very few tire manufacturers make a tire the OEM 150/80 R17 size any longer.  This tire is so large I've only found a few brands that even produce this size 

2) Manufacturers that do offer this size are all currently on backorder status.  I was told a month ago by most sellers to wait 1 month... nothing has changed, only gotten worse if anything.  I assume the usual excuses of Covid, slow economy, & unemployment paying people not to work are all possible contributing factors.

3) The only tire I can find right now that anyone has is stock is a Shinko.  They seem to be priced around $150-160 if it's in stock.  I personally think Shinko is garbage but may have to settle for that or nothing soon.  I'm concerned every time I ride my Interstate that my old worn Dunlop Elite 3 on the front is done.

4) Some bike shops are saying 150/70 R17 is a possible option.  Going down 10mm in side profile opens up the range a little on who makes a tire that fits.  I'd much rather keep the OEM size but again, soon there may be no other options.

I run a 150/70 rear tire up front. You won’t have any issues with that size. I doubt you’ll even be able to tell at all.

[Bagger John - #3785]

I'm going to need an entire new set plus a front for a couple of projects I'm working on. Hopefully they'll begin showing up again soon.

[jnicks01]

I'm taking a long trip this week and will be due for a new rear shortly after I get back.  Plus I like to have a new spare at home.

 I was lucky enough to get one last week and at my door in 2 days from Dennis Kirk.  Now it is OEM sized Shinko.  I figured I'd give it a try as I've heard both sides of the opinions and don't need more.  But for $160 to my door, I could care less if it burns out in 5K miles.  May even last me 10K...who knows.  A lot of their other stock was wiped out though. 

[Peter55]

I was also looking for ME888 a couple months ago. I found the rear 888 Ultra but for the front I had to settle for the Shinko SE890. It seem to be a much softer tire then the Metzeler, but for the front it may be okay for a while, and it only cost about $125. But if you install the Shinko be very careful for the first 120-150 miles as it makes you feel like if you're ice skating on the road. After 150 miles it feels much better. I now have about 6-700 miles on it now and it handle fairly well. Hopefully next year we'll find the Metzler in stock again. My impression is that I won't get more than 7-8K miles out of it, but we'll see.

[h13man]

http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/ have not a tire of any brand in that size. I'm fortunate to have front OEM 701 Bridgestone sitting in the garage from last years purchase when they were still affordable.

[savy265]

i  deal  with  a  local  motorcycle shop,  so  i  pre ordered  one,  told  me  i  should  have  it  on the  17th, There;s  tread on the  bike tire now,  but  i  was  going  to  try  to  make  it  to  Americade in  Lake  George the 21 to  the  25, its  a  3  hour  ride  and  i  want  good  rubber  down  where  it  counts,  tks  Bob

[bobdog]

i  deal  with  a  local  motorcycle shop,  so  i  pre ordered  one,  told  me  i  should  have  it  on the  17th, There;s  tread on the  bike tire now,  but  i  was  going  to  try  to  make  it  to  Americade in  Lake  George the 21 to  the  25, its  a  3  hour  ride  and  i  want  good  rubber  down  where  it  counts,  tks  Bob

Just started riding again and waiting for repairs to be complete, including new rubber. Can't get Dunlops; dealer tells me they're way backordered.

He offered Avons, which I'm not sure about. They've had my bike for over a month, and I want to ride it before the weather changes here in Chicago, so I held my nose and told them to go ahead. Bike was supposed to be ready today; still waiting on tires.

Anyone have experience with Avons?

[Tazman11]

I feel like I won the lottery. After searching for two hours searching I was able to get Metzeler ME888 Marathon Ultra for the front and rear. I had to split the order between American Moto and Moto Sport. I had 3 tire brands that I was considering and found there radials but not without a ton of effort. Getting the recommended stock size was almost impossible. ALMOST. The front tire was the last in stock. Ridiculous. Now I’m off to buy some Lotto Tickets.

[Jess from VA]

i  deal  with  a  local  motorcycle shop,  so  i  pre ordered  one,  told  me  i  should  have  it  on the  17th, There;s  tread on the  bike tire now,  but  i  was  going  to  try  to  make  it  to  Americade in  Lake  George the 21 to  the  25, its  a  3  hour  ride  and  i  want  good  rubber  down  where  it  counts,  tks  Bob

Just started riding again and waiting for repairs to be complete, including new rubber. Can't get Dunlops; dealer tells me they're way backordered.

He offered Avons, which I'm not sure about. They've had my bike for over a month, and I want to ride it before the weather changes here in Chicago, so I held my nose and told them to go ahead. Bike was supposed to be ready today; still waiting on tires.

Anyone have experience with Avons?

The newer Avon Cobras (or Chromes?) are considered among the very best choices.  

Keep the pressures up, not the stupid low Valk manual ones (which were bad advice even for the OE tires, which is all that recommendation was good for).  40-42psi.

[Avanti]

Avon chrome tires are very good, they are also getting hard to find.

[Bighead]

I posted a thread here recently on the same subject...  All tires are hard to get these days.  I'm still searching for over s month now.  Tried all local sources & pretty much everywhere I can find on the internet.   As I see it, the basic facts at the moment are:

1) Very few tire manufacturers make a tire the OEM 150/80 R17 size any longer.  This tire is so large I've only found a few brands that even produce this size 

2) Manufacturers that do offer this size are all currently on backorder status.  I was told a month ago by most sellers to wait 1 month... nothing has changed, only gotten worse if anything.  I assume the usual excuses of Covid, slow economy, & unemployment paying people not to work are all possible contributing factors.

3) The only tire I can find right now that anyone has is stock is a Shinko.  They seem to be priced around $150-160 if it's in stock.  I personally think Shinko is garbage but may have to settle for that or nothing soon.  I'm concerned every time I ride my Interstate that my old worn Dunlop Elite 3 on the front is done.

4) Some bike shops are saying 150/70 R17 is a possible option.  Going down 10mm in side profile opens up the range a little on who makes a tire that fits.  I'd much rather keep the OEM size but again, soon there may be no other options.

Funny you can pay for tires but not a desmogg kit.