Front tire size question

[Roidfingers]

Ok, I'm looking to replace the Dunlop t3 on the front. From what I've read, I'm gonna do a rear tire on front. I have read other threads and I'm going with the BattleAxe or the Shinko. I looked at the links for the tire others have recommended and the sizes for both are 130/90/17. But the tire I have on there now from PO is a 150/80/17. Are the 2 tires above correct?? What will this affect?  TIA

[RDKLL]

I have the Battlax in 170/60-17

[mark81]

150/80-17 is the correct front tire size. there is no rear tire made in that size so 130/90-17 is the closest to that they make in a rear tire.  long story short it will affect handling of the bike. positive or negative is up for debate and will vary with what tire you choose and also what rear tire you run. too many variables for anyone other than you to make a decision.  that being said I'm about to drop the hammer on a shinko 230 tourmaster rear for mine.  I've run the shinko se890 journey on 2 valks and wasn't impressed with either. have ran the tourmaster on other bikes and was happy.  never run double dark though.

[RDKLL]

Let me know how the 230 works,  how much work it takes

[Gideon]

I just install new front tire - Dunlop D404, 130/90H-17  Rear Tire with Reverse Rotation. Also check the manufacture date, (Date stamp is four digits) 1117, eleventh week of 2017.

[Dale_K]

Shinko makes a radial front tire (rear too) in the correct size.  I'm running them.  They're inexpensive.  I only have 3k miles on mine so I can't claim to be an expert.  They feel like a regular motorcycle tire.

http://www.bikebandit.com/tires-tubes/motorcycle-tires/shinko-se890-journey-touring-radial-motorycle-tire

[Fazer]

I also just installed the D404 in reverse rotation.  I am running the ATT on the rear.  As I posted a week ago, this is my first foray into double dark side, or any darkside for that matter.  Caught a rain shower last night and all was well with the new rubber, although I am the first to admit I really take it easy when the road is wet.  First time out with this combo a couple of weeks ago, I could tell it was different, but not necessarily better or worse--just different. 

I got good life out of my Dunlop E3's and only made the change because I had an unrepairable flat rear tire.  I was at 11,000 on 'em and the front was showing some wear, but the rear still had a ways to go, if not for that darn flat.

I am expecting to get great mileage from this new combo, and another benefit is lower RPM as the ATT is about an inch taller than stock.  I can actually tell when I put my feet down.  It also makes the bike lean more on the side stand, so a little more work to pick up.

[old2soon]

While NOT a rear tire I have the Shinko 777 in 140-80-17 in white wall. Happy with this tire wet or dry.  RIDE SAFE.

[98valk]

I just install new front tire - Dunlop D404, 130/90H-17  Rear Tire with Reverse Rotation. Also check the manufacture date, (Date stamp is four digits) 1117, eleventh week of 2017.

same just installed. removed ContiGo same size except it was V-rated, 26k miles out of it. The D404 is a H-rated, can already tell its smoother riding than the V-rated.
The 130/90-17 is a smaller dia than the OEM size. This provides less Trail resulting in better handling and for my std/tourer the ODO is spot on and the speedo is only off 4-5mph. put it on 65 and actual is that 4-5 less.

[DeathWishBikerDude]

Kenda 657 is my choice.Been running them the last 2 or 3 tire changes.Tires wear better,handle better and ride better.I run the 130 90 17,speedo reads about 5 mph faster than actual..check this with posted road signs showing your speed.I run the tire in reverse rotation.Im installing one this weekend..ran me $80 with shipping.

[98valk]

Kenda 657 is my choice.Been running them the last 2 or 3 tire changes.Tires wear better,handle better and ride better.I run the 130 90 17,speedo reads about 5 mph faster than actual..check this with posted road signs showing your speed.I run the tire in reverse rotation.Im installing one this weekend..ran me $80 with shipping.

 

[DeathWishBikerDude]

After the short wear of the original Dunflop's,I will never buy them..pure junk.

[Roidfingers]

Shinko makes a radial front tire (rear too) in the correct size.  I'm running them.  They're inexpensive.  I only have 3k miles on mine so I can't claim to be an expert.  They feel like a regular motorcycle tire.

http://www.bikebandit.com/tires-tubes/motorcycle-tires/shinko-se890-journey-touring-radial-motorycle-tire

Didn't see a rear in our size

[98valk]

After the short wear of the original Dunflop's,I will never buy them..pure junk.

I got 13k out of the OEM Dunlops. 24k from a rear E3 replaced by GT-fit car tire. all to the wear bars. following the service manual they would have been done at 8k for the OEMs.

[RDKLL]

Here are a pic or two or the 170 up front...

[DeathWishBikerDude]

My 97 tourer was 753 off the line,the dunflops lasted 7 k miles and rode like garbage.Search dunflops tire recalls and see what you find.The same junk as Bridgetown and Firestone

Pure garbage.

[Earl43P]

I just installed a Michelin Pilot Activ in the 150/70-17 size on my front, which replaced the previous Activ in size 130/90-17. The old tire had a gouged sidewall that made me uneasy.

I like the handling qualities of this size much better, but the speedometer error on my IS is greater than before (I haven't used the GPS or Waze to compare yet, but it's reading at least 5 or 6 mph higher than actual at highway speeds).

I have the BT-45 rear tire on the front of my ST1300 and wish I'd have put an Activ on it instead (not sure it even comes in that size). The BT45 likes to follow imperfections in the road more than the Activ (which is also on my 93 Goldwing front again, the first one went >34,000 miles commuting).

[Jess from VA]

How much shorter is the 70 than the correct 80?

I swore I was done trying rears on front, but....

The Michy Commander II (front radial on front, but shorter 65, and a 140 instead of 150) was/is a damn good tire.... but it's all done at 7K.

[Earl43P]

OEM 150/80-17 size is 26.4"
150/70-17 is 25.3" a SIGNIFICANT drop but it really feels better than the 130/90 to me. New rubber always does....

130/90-17 is 26.2"
170/60-17 is 25"
140/80-17 is 25.8"
https://tiresize.com/height-calculator/


So, calculating speedometer error, ASSuming that OEM is accurate....Pffft

65 indicated would be 64.42 actual with the 130/90....insignificant.
65 indicated would be 62.1 with the 150/70 ..... growing to 76.43 actual at indicated 80.

But we all know the OEM IS speedometer was not very close to being "accurate".
I do recall 80 = 80 with the 130/90, which I verified with GPS, but lower speeds were off, but not by much and ALWAYS indicating higher than actual. I recall 35 really being 31 and 45 really being 42 which is great for avoiding tickets, but the error was not linear. The gap closed at 80.

I'll break out the GPS and see wazzup this weekend. (I need to do the same with the ST1300, it LIKES 80+ so much more than the Valkyrie.)

https://tiresize.com/speedometer-calibration/

[98valk]

OEM 150/80-17 size is 26.4"
150/70-17 is 25.3" a SIGNIFICANT drop but it really feels better than the 130/90 to me. New rubber always does....

130/90-17 is 26.2"
170/60-17 is 25"
140/80-17 is 25.8"
https://tiresize.com/height-calculator/


So, calculating speedometer error, ASSuming that OEM is accurate....Pffft

65 indicated would be 64.42 actual with the 130/90....insignificant.
65 indicated would be 62.1 with the 150/70 ..... growing to 76.43 actual at indicated 80.

But we all know the OEM IS speedometer was not very close to being "accurate".
I do recall 80 = 80 with the 130/90, which I verified with GPS, but lower speeds were off, but not by much and ALWAYS indicating higher than actual. I recall 35 really being 31 and 45 really being 42 which is great for avoiding tickets, but the error was not linear. The gap closed at 80.

I'll break out the GPS and see wazzup this weekend. (I need to do the same with the ST1300, it LIKES 80+ so much more than the Valkyrie.)

https://tiresize.com/speedometer-calibration/

lowering front end reduces trail. stock is almost 6" so less makes a better handling motorcycle.

130/90-17 is 26.2" ....depends on tire.
The ContiGo I just removed was 26" installed and the D404 I just installed is 25.875" installed.

[Jess from VA]

OEM 150/80-17 size is 26.4"
150/70-17 is 25.3" a SIGNIFICANT drop but it really feels better than the 130/90 to me. New rubber always does....

130/90-17 is 26.2"
170/60-17 is 25"
140/80-17 is 25.8"
https://tiresize.com/height-calculator/

Thanks Earl.  A bit under an inch is not any big deal; I really don't notice the lower yet 65, unless I'm looking for it.

Maybe I'll give it a try.

New rubber always does....

Yeah, I never like used rubbers either.   

 

[turtle254]

I Need a taller tire than 150/80 17

[Jess from VA]

You might find this tire calculator site helpful.  Plug in the two sizes and get the differences.

I already have the front tire on top.

The front fender is large.  It also has a piece of rubber glued to the inside.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/tirecalc?tires=150-80r17-140-75r17

[turtle254]

yea, thats a smaller tire ... looking for a brand, I know how to find the size.
Just cant find a larger tire to replace mine
Thanks for the site

[H*GLEG]

Checkout Michelin commander III. 160/70/17

[turtle254]

Checkout Michelin commander III. 160/70/17

That tire is smaller than stock

[Jess from VA]

Checkout Michelin commander III. 160/70/17

That tire is smaller than stock

It is shorter (.63"), but wider (.39"). 

[turtle254]

Checkout Michelin commander III. 160/70/17

That tire is smaller than stock

It is shorter (.63"), but wider (.39"). 

Looking for a taller tire