ok guys what do we have available for tires?

[rogueleader_92]

I went to my local Honda guy (client/friend of my wife) and scheduled an oil change and asked about tires. I told him the stock tires are a nightmare on wet roads so I want something besides stock. Looking through the books he couldn't find any other front tire of the right size and the rear is a bit rare. I looked up what some of you are using and it seems like I have to mix/match radials and bias and possibly go with a narrower, higher profile tire and he wasn't sure some are really meant for the bike weight. My guy says they (Honda) always said not to mix radials and bias but then they came out with a bike that comes stock with the mix (Africa twin?).

So has anyone found a good set that are preferably the same type or at least the same brand? if not what are you using? If we (you guys) put up enough options I will make a post that lists all the options clearly so no one else has to go digging for the info. That being said please include as much info IE correct brand, type and tire. IE: Front tire, Dunlop(not dunflop), AMERICAN ELITE, part number:33AE81 (I know that tire doesn't fit the bike). Then give impressions.

Thanks for the help in advance.

[dinosnake]

Michelin Pilot 4 and Pilot Trail, do a search on this forum for "Michelin".and it'll turn up all the answers you need.

[Robert]

You should be alot happier with these



Those tires equal this peg grind down



Had the rear on for the last 4k miles and the front about the same. Really happy with them still have plenty tread left and no shake wobble or cupping.

[AdrianR]

As you've experienced, the stock tires, like with many bikes, leaves little to be desired.  To put it plainly, I hated them..

Michelin Pilot 4's for the rear.  You can find an exact match.  For the front, Michelin Trail 4.  120/70-19R is the only tire you'll find close.  Slightly taller, and more narrow.

Bottom line?  GET THEM...I have them on my bike.

Huge difference...almost a different bike..really.  It will turn that bike into a quasi-sport touring machine man.  It will turn much faster, roll more smoothly..ride better, and best of all; STICK really well.  I was out in the rain yesterday..outstanding 'stickage' in the wet...

[hubcapsc]

I ended up trying the "proper" sized (is there anything proper about
the weirdo size Honda used on the front?) Bias tire... it is like
the one Harley uses on the V-Rod, they put the Bias on front
and Radial on back. I like it, I'm sure it has a different
feel than the skinnier Michelin others are using.

I eat up tires, it must be my roads. I've gone through a Michelin
Pilot Road 4 on the back and am now using a Pirelli Angel GT
Spec-A... both are good, I won't know till later which one lasts
longer.

Look at the load rating on whatever you get, remember we have
heavy bikes. For example, there's a Pirelli Angel GT that is not
"spec-A", and it is for much lighter sport bikes...

That's Smokin' Joe on the left, he's on a car tire... I don't
want a car tire, but the point is: don't worry about mixing
brands or putting a Bias on front  ...



-Mike

[Robert]

Hey Mike how did the Pirelli Angel GT compare with the Michelin as far as handling wet and dry?

[hubcapsc]

Hey Mike how did the Pirelli Angel GT compare with the Michelin as far as handling wet and dry?

I can't be as expressive as Adrian  ...

I ride more off the beaten path than on, I don't remember getting
caught out in the rain much with the Pirelli, I like both tires... I
had the Pirelli in the second picture... I particularly like pushing
on my handlebars through the turns, so that probably differentiates
me from some others WRT to my liking the wider front tire...





-Mike

[buzzard]

+1 on the Michelin PR4 

[havoc]

i have researched the concern about load difference of the Michy Pilot 4 Trail front tire compared to our POS stock dunlop. the Dunlop max load rating is 15lb more - a VERY small percentage and i'm 100% fine with that. I am NOT comfortable with the stock OEM POS which is absolutely scary on wet roads.

[AdrianR]

i have researched the concern about load difference of the Michy Pilot 4 Trail front tire compared to our POS stock dunlop. the Dunlop max load rating is 15lb more - a VERY small percentage and i'm 100% fine with that. I am NOT comfortable with the stock OEM POS which is absolutely scary on wet roads.

I hear ya...15lbs is really nothing.  BTW...I have experimented with higher air pressures to help minimize road wear...and have still enjoyed good 'stickage' lol..

It's funny...was on a different F6C site...and a year ago people were complaining about the bike's 'truck like' steering ..that is requiring more effort at the bars to get the bike to turn.  Reason being is that in order to keep the front wheel sticky...you had to run around 38psi...in which made the bike turn slower, and required more pressure at the bars...plus, at those pressures the front end felt more sloppy...

The new Michelin Trail 4..crap...that all GOES AWAY...After an initial feeling at the bars of instability...that is the feeling that it wants to turn more rapidly with little pressure at the bars with the new tire...it too goes away.  And then you realize that the bike probably should have come equipped from the factory with tires like the Michelins.  Now you can 'dart' into turns man...Plus the new rear tire doesn't slip out  easily too...you know when you roll on the power at slower speeds/lower gears in steeper turns. 

[havoc]

Rocky Mountain Honda is installing my Michy's tomorrow....SO EXCITED!!!

front : Pilot Road 4 Trail 120 120/70R19
rear: Pilot Road 4 GT 180/55ZR17

[AdrianR]

Rocky Mountain Honda is installing my Michy's tomorrow....SO EXCITED!!!

front : Pilot Road 4 Trail 120 120/70R19
rear: Pilot Road 4 GT 180/55ZR17

Groovy!!  Report back after your findings...  Both 40psi F/Rear tires.  Bar input at first will feel much lighter..ignore and enjoy!

[Robert]

Rocky Mountain Honda is installing my Michy's tomorrow....SO EXCITED!!!

front : Pilot Road 4 Trail 120 120/70R19
rear: Pilot Road 4 GT 180/55ZR17

Let us know how you like them but give them a little bit of time.

[havoc]

i've ridden about 200miles so far on the Michy's...love em. Really like the lighter feel of the steering. the ride feel is nicer - especially on road grooves/cracks, you're not getting pulled or sucked into them as bad. Looking forward to see the improved rain traction.

i managed to get 5125 miles (8200km) on the OEM tires...had 1% tread left (talk about cutting it close). I don't expect to get that much on these higher performance tires, but i'm fine with that. I will take safety and performance over long wear ANY DAY...Plus the lads at Rocky Honda powerhouse treated me like gold and gave me a ridiculous deal on the tires and installation. Some Anejo Tequila will definitely be sent to the 2 managers as a thank you. They put PSI to 41 front and rear, with Nitrogen.

[AdrianR]

i've ridden about 200miles so far on the Michy's...love em. Really like the lighter feel of the steering. the ride feel is nicer - especially on road grooves/cracks, you're not getting pulled or sucked into them as bad. Looking forward to see the improved rain traction.

i managed to get 5125 miles (8200km) on the OEM tires...had 1% tread left (talk about cutting it close). I don't expect to get that much on these higher performance tires, but i'm fine with that. I will take safety and performance over long wear ANY DAY...Plus the lads at Rocky Honda powerhouse treated me like gold and gave me a ridiculous deal on the tires and installation. Some Anejo Tequila will definitely be sent to the 2 managers as a thank you. They put PSI to 41 front and rear, with Nitrogen.

Cool...your testimony is what I expected!  41psi front and rear eh?  I need to try that...I am running 40psi front and rear.  The higher the pressure...the longer they will last (within reason of course).. If you do not mind saying, what did they charge you for the install?  I took mine to a local Honda dealer and I want to say they charged me like $389 for the install...that is bringing the bike to them...

[bscrive]

i've ridden about 200miles so far on the Michy's...love em. Really like the lighter feel of the steering. the ride feel is nicer - especially on road grooves/cracks, you're not getting pulled or sucked into them as bad. Looking forward to see the improved rain traction.

i managed to get 5125 miles (8200km) on the OEM tires...had 1% tread left (talk about cutting it close). I don't expect to get that much on these higher performance tires, but i'm fine with that. I will take safety and performance over long wear ANY DAY...Plus the lads at Rocky Honda powerhouse treated me like gold and gave me a ridiculous deal on the tires and installation. Some Anejo Tequila will definitely be sent to the 2 managers as a thank you. They put PSI to 41 front and rear, with Nitrogen.

Holy smokes Havoc,

I have 11600km on my original tires, and they are not even down to the halfway mark.  I am a pretty aggressive driver, so you must be a mad man 

Brian

[hubcapsc]

i've ridden about 200miles so far on the Michy's...love em. Really like the lighter feel of the steering. the ride feel is nicer - especially on road grooves/cracks, you're not getting pulled or sucked into them as bad. Looking forward to see the improved rain traction.

i managed to get 5125 miles (8200km) on the OEM tires...had 1% tread left (talk about cutting it close). I don't expect to get that much on these higher performance tires, but i'm fine with that. I will take safety and performance over long wear ANY DAY...Plus the lads at Rocky Honda powerhouse treated me like gold and gave me a ridiculous deal on the tires and installation. Some Anejo Tequila will definitely be sent to the 2 managers as a thank you. They put PSI to 41 front and rear, with Nitrogen.

Holy smokes Havoc,

I have 11600km on my original tires, and they are not even down to the halfway mark.  I am a pretty aggressive driver, so you must be a mad man 

Brian

I believe it is road surfaces... I chewed through my rear Michelin in
4,000 or so miles. Its not looking good for the Avon on my Tourer,
either, and I used to get 7 or 8 k out them... my "real rides"
are the normal mix of things, my "to work" rides are a newly found
network of farm roads, chip-seal and stuff...



-Mike "not a mad man, 40-42 psi the whole time"

[havoc]

Holy smokes Havoc,

I have 11600km on my original tires, and they are not even down to the halfway mark.  I am a pretty aggressive driver, so you must be a mad man 

Brian

ha! no last year was my first year as a new rider...i rode conservatively and with very little aggression ... i weight 210lbs so maybe that added to the wear and tear...road conditions as well...maybe my tire pressure wasn't as high as it should be (was trying to keep it around 40psi f/r)... But definitely not due to being an aggressive speed demon.

[havoc]

 If you do not mind saying, what did they charge you for the install?  I took mine to a local Honda dealer and I want to say they charged me like $389 for the install...that is bringing the bike to them...

the dealer quoted me around $300 on install bringing in the bike...i'm thinking that is based on roughly 2.5hrs of labour. The quote was $60 less if i just brought in the wheels...I'm all knuckles when it comes to wrenching so i figured i would spend the extra to let a pro do the job...next time T-man and i might tackle the task of removing the wheels - if i can persuade him with some Elmer T. Lee  

[ledany]

2.5 hours for both tires ?! How many beers in between ? 
Let's say 30 or 40 ' and that's it 

[rogueleader_92]

You should be alot happier with these



Those tires equal this peg grind down



Had the rear on for the last 4k miles and the front about the same. Really happy with them still have plenty tread left and no shake wobble or cupping.

Ok I just ordered these from my local mom and pops shop, the guy was a bit concerned about the front being a different size so I really hope I they work.

[ledany]

Don't worry, they do 

[Fsixer]

If I had to guess I bet the Mich 120/70/19 will take bumps and road imperfections better than the stockers due to the slightly taller sidewall.

[Robert]

You should be alot happier with these

Had the rear on for the last 4k miles and the front about the same. Really happy with them still have plenty tread left and no shake wobble or cupping.

Ok I just ordered these from my local mom and pops shop, the guy was a bit concerned about the front being a different size so I really hope I they work.

Dont worry they really work well and I have another set waiting in the wings that should not be to long to install now. I think I have around 6k on my rear and would expect another couple thousand miles at least more out of them. I was not easy on the rear either and would imagine if you were easy you could get 12k out of the rear maybe more. The front still has plenty of tread on it by the way. This is pretty consistent with the wear I was getting on the Avons on my 1500 and may be a bit better.


I am running 38/41 as pressure in these tires which is what the shop manual says is the correct pressure. I think the 41 for the front is ok but 38 seems just to give a better ride and yet maintain the great cornering and responsiveness of these tires. As the rear tire wears I notice the contact patch actually gets quite a bit larger. I have the customary flattening of the center but because of the way the tire is designed I have not noticed any less traction and in fact have more. Unlike some tires that seem to loose traction when they wear down or start to change riding characteristics. These tires not only maintain the riding feel but actually get better. Tread design has alot to do with this as the most rubber is in the center of the tire with good support or foot print of the tire consistently around its circumference. The pattern of the grooves in the center is not at 90 degrees of the tire but parallel to the center line giving the tire the most rubber and support where it counts.

[jimmytee]

 If you do not mind saying, what did they charge you for the install?  I took mine to a local Honda dealer and I want to say they charged me like $389 for the install...that is bringing the bike to them...

the dealer quoted me around $300 on install bringing in the bike...i'm thinking that is based on roughly 2.5hrs of labour. The quote was $60 less if i just brought in the wheels...I'm all knuckles when it comes to wrenching so i figured i would spend the extra to let a pro do the job...next time T-man and i might tackle the task of removing the wheels - if i can persuade him with some Elmer T. Lee  

Dang guys, I take my F6B in and it cost me about $140 to install my front and rear tires at the Honda dealer 2 miles down the road.  Had them check my brake pads and while it was in there jsut told them to go ahead and replace them. They were down to 30% . Paid $315 for the tires, out the door with new brakes pads, new tires for like $560 something.

[Dragunslayer]

My tire changes are my favorite word FREE!!! I have a Jr. Pro No Mar Tire Changer and am looking forward to putting the Michelins on. The should be a ton easier than the stones I used to run on the 08 Goldwing I had.

http://www.nomartirechanger.com/

All you will ever need

http://www.nomartirechanger.com/Classic_Model_Tire_Changer_Ultimate_Package_p/tc-classic-ultimate.htm

[havoc]

 If you do not mind saying, what did they charge you for the install?  I took mine to a local Honda dealer and I want to say they charged me like $389 for the install...that is bringing the bike to them...

the dealer quoted me around $300 on install bringing in the bike...i'm thinking that is based on roughly 2.5hrs of labour. The quote was $60 less if i just brought in the wheels...I'm all knuckles when it comes to wrenching so i figured i would spend the extra to let a pro do the job...next time T-man and i might tackle the task of removing the wheels - if i can persuade him with some Elmer T. Lee  

Dang guys, I take my F6B in and it cost me about $140 to install my front and rear tires at the Honda dealer 2 miles down the road.  Had them check my brake pads and while it was in there jsut told them to go ahead and replace them. They were down to 30% . Paid $315 for the tires, out the door with new brakes pads, new tires for like $560 something.

....which converts to like $1000 CAD doesn't it?