Tires

[Gearhead24]

Yesterday I rode out to Livermore and back (around 85 miles each way) and when I left I did a precheck since it was the longest ride I've done yet. While it looks old, my front tire looked fine for the ride but when I got out there I noticed a lot of cracks had formed. I had no choice but to ride it back home and when I got back I noticed even more cracks. It's safe to say this tire has reached the end of it's life.
My front tire is a Dunlop E3 while my rear is a bridgestone, and I did try looking up old threads here on tires but they were all over 10 yrs old so I was curious as to what todays valk riders are running.

So far I have not liked the Dunlop, I'm not sure if its because of it's condition but I feel very little security in it. In 90 degree turns I have to go super slow to the point where I'm being tailgated, or else it feels like the bike will slip out. High speeds also have a hard time keeping steady while fighting the air resistance too.

With all this in mind I was thinking of finding a bridgestone for the front since I really like how the rear end always feels. My front is a 150/80-17 and my rear is a 180/70-16. What tires are yall running?

[sandy]

Having had 3 Valks, I prefer Avons. A little pricy but the best handling. Airing up at 42Fr and 46 rear makes them last long and they don’t cup on the edges as they wear. My local supplier told me he can’t even order them as they are back ordered. Look around, you may find them.

[Gearhead24]

Having had 3 Valks, I prefer Avons. A little pricy but the best handling. Airing up at 42Fr and 46 rear makes them last long and they don’t cup on the edges as they wear. My local supplier told me he can’t even order them as they are back ordered. Look around, you may find them.

What size do you run in the front? I was thinking of going from a 150 to a 160 in the front just for a little more width.

[klb]

I have a set of Avon Cobras on my 99 standard with 16,000 miles on them ridden on mostly curvy roads and they still have about 1000 more left. I can't believe they lasted this long. I run 42 front and rear and they have no cupping. I just ordered a set of Avon Cobra Chromes from this place on eBay. I have a set of Shinko se890 tires for my 2001 to see how they do.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/386836558849?fits=Make%3AHonda&_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110013%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIMRXI%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D264421%2C262142%26meid%3De679f7ec6bd24d9097a3fc92cae49799%26pid%3D101196%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D11%26sd%3D362705410884%26itm%3D386836558849%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2332490%26algv%3DPromotedRVIPbooster%26brand%3DAvon%2BTyres&_trksid=p2332490.c101196.m2219&itmprp=cksum%3A386836558849e679f7ec6bd24d9097a3fc92cae49799%7Cenc%3AAQAJAAABICwDxH%252FaslyJlxG5OwCzDVvX0e6Cn6j9YrHLRIjrhOFMP%252FxwxHtusgJZ8K7oQ2AQtBUWZw9bUR7W82eXFZpPP%252BXIjkRLHu6PeMPjex4p5tCyQE0%252BOKDv0lj8uj8oqCoHDkVPNyO9PhFn4APzR2X%252FEVa0bzXNI6acW4%252FKoJ1WOfIineN6p39B6uBkPhtEgDEUKLqYyeacGOMbKG0E7jcgiJph0%252BlvoAq1SWrWWzjYLzjIXj%252FdypqssGaFZu5pekd%252FjyaW0cjkkl0rsOurXncFb%252FO3ydnTZDsiEf0juiGv6%252FyXSsNIlw6cKiBSSdsf4KjUzlp%252F4lKvHFttQ2eSWDyJ9CKCNXgccMK0g0nTFkUYco%252FqkDYHBgnixxgtrFhH6cFGuQ%253D%253D%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A2332490&epid=26060713802&itmmeta=01HW3PRCDS2C93J66RC47Z5FAK

[old2soon]

    The dunflops mine came with 14 year ago scared the kaka outa m when it rained in Texas! I wuz Still in Missouri!  I went D/S Early on and have had decent mileages out of the Shinkos I've run. When My Brother da prez found the 88 G/W trike I now have he installed a New front Shinko cuz that's what I Asked to be mounted on her. RIDE SAFE.

[Joe333x]

I just put on Metlzer M888s, only have 500 miles on them but so far no complaints besides price lol.

[Jims99]

I put shinkos front and back on my interstate with balance beads. I have over 6k miles on them and so far very happy with them. I’ve always run Dunlap on my wings, but going to try something different next time. Avons on my tourer, but honestly don’t feel much different than the others.

[Jess from VA]

No Dunlops ever (and certainly not E3s).   Metzler is the way (best ride, handling and grip bar none), though they don't last as long as others.  Run them a pound or two under the max PSI printed on the sidewall for best longevity.

[h13man]

I've had Bridestone 701/702 2x and a set of Cobra AV72 and both rode the same but 'm not a peg dragger either. I'm getting to replacing the front Cobra today with 21,000 mi. using balance beads with the new 701F B.S.

I've tried the B.S. Max version on the rear of a 1600 Vulcan and it rode very good but it was summer with no action in rain/cold thus I expect they are a harder compound for wear thus they may share the same fate as some Michelin's and the Metzler 888's not performing well in these conditions but these were on the lighter Honda VT1100's and Yamaha V Star 1100's. Be sure to get radials with the "R" designation.

[Gearhead24]

No Dunlops ever (and certainly not E3s).   Metzler is the way (best ride, handling and grip bar none), though they don't last as long as others.  Run them a pound or two under the max PSI printed on the sidewall for best longevity.

After my last ride I'm on the same page about dunlops. Currently I'm trying to find an Avon Cobra but everywhere around me is out of stock. I saw some ebay pages that had it but i also got to wait until the next paycheck to get one. We'll see if it's still around then

[holly]

      I have been running Shinko Journey on the rear last two changes. I got at least 21,000 out of the first one, but the second one has not been as good. It has not worn evenly for some reason, it has had cupping issues for some reason. I am about to change to a Bridgestone Exteria. Not sure I spelled that right.