Tire report thus far.

[barney fife]

I have a preference for a sport touring tires instead of cruiser tires, cause I like to push it a little in the twisties. The longest lasting front tire I've had  is a Dunlop American Elite which I changed with 12,000 miles on it, due to an upcoming trip.  Out back I had a Bridgestone T30 GT, which had a little over 5,500 when changed due to an upcoming trip and a Michelin Pilot 4 GT that also had 5,500 on it when it was changed for the same reason.  It appeared that the Michelin was gonna last a little longer than the Bridgestone.  I have no complaints on any of these tires.  I did have a Michelin Pilot 4 Trail on the front which cupped badly quickly, probably because it did not have the right weight rating.  My buddy has a Metzeler ME888 Ultra Marathon on the front of his Valk, but it is also cupping.  It might just be the way it goes with these heavy bikes; wings are well known for it.  The only other tire off the top of my head that I might try in front is a Michelin Power Commander.  If anyone has found a good sport touring front tire let me know.

[idcrewdawg]

I put the Commander on the front of mine. I've got almost 1500 miles on it. I'll keep ya all posted.

[barney fife]

Let us know on the PC.  I just saw where the Metzeler 888 Ultra Marathon comes in the Valk size for the front and rear.  Maybe a cruiser tire instead of a sport touring tire is good enough for me.  I just feel better with something a little stickier and can live with less mileage instead of risking damage to my bike and self.

[98valk]

dunlops states the cause for tire cupping which is really scalloping. best way to have the correct tire pressure is to check the surface temperature of the tire after a hwy ride of a few miles. should be warm to touch, too cold or hot wrong temps. your favorite search engine will provide more info.

Avoid hard braking whenever possible. Braking causes the tire to grab and wear in one direction. When braking is applied to the front tire, the load transfer over-flexes the tire and increases the tendency for cupping and uneven wear. Maintain your tire pressures. Under inflation and overloading of motorcycle tires are significant causes of cupping and uneven wear, particularly in association with hard braking and/or trailer use.

https://www.dunlopmotorcycletires.com/about/faq/#faq-4

[barney fife]

Are you experiencing cupping on your Valk.  I am pretty regular at checking my tire pressure and I save my racing for the track, so I don't think that braking too hard is the problem.  Maybe a tire temparture gauge would be helpful.  Thanks for the input.

[98valk]

Are you experiencing cupping on your Valk.  I am pretty regular at checking my tire pressure and I save my racing for the track, so I don't think that braking too hard is the problem.  Maybe a tire temparture gauge would be helpful.  Thanks for the input.

I have, and watching my braking helped with an already cupped tire, to maximize its life.
only a digital gauge is accurate enough for constant changing atmospheric conditions. unless one is getting the non-digital gauge calibrated at recommended intervals and calculating for the atmospheric changes.
late breaking, stop sign, stop light, etc., is considered hard breaking. nothing to do with the track. Dunlop FAQ is addressing street tire usage.

[ledany]

Pirelli Scorpion Trail II 120/70/19 on the front. 
12,500 mls so far, I could keep it for a month or two ( = 2,000 mls minimum) but winter is coming and I'll change it next week. 

[barney fife]

Thanks Ledany.  I haven't bought a Pirelli tire since the 60's.  I might check out the Night Dragon also.  I think these tires might work well on my Tenere too. 

[enroute1]

It seems that there is a great deal of concern about how many miles $$ you can get from a tire.
It has been my experience that the as a rule of thumb, that the greater the mileage the harder the compound which usually equates to poorer grip and traction.
The oem tires in my opinion are pretty bad.  
The rear tires locks up and skids very easily and if the road is at all damp, will also spin very easily.  

Thinking that maybe some of the front tire wear, along with low tire pressure, may be due to the fact that with the Dunlops oems you need to rely on the front brake more for stopping or chance easily locking up your back tire.

My main concern about tires are grip handling and safety.
If I wanted economy, I would have bought a scooter, not a Hot Rod Goldwing.
Of course it would be nice to have a tire last to really high mileage but,
I care less about the cost of a tire if it preforms to the level of the Bikes intended capabilities, while keeping me as safe as possible.

On that basics, I am looking for Radial Tire recommendations.
I tried many different tires tires on my VTX 1800 and found the Avons to be be the best all around handling with good corning grip for that bike.  Not the longest lasting tire but it seems again that you may have to sometimes sacrifice grip and handling for high mileage.
Of course if you ride this beast like a scooter then a bias ply high mileage tire may be your only concern.

Has anyone tried Avons or any other good grip and handling tires on the F6C?
At 3,500 miles on the oems I may decide to change out early...

[bscrive]

I was running an Avon 3D on the back this summer.  I got 12000 kms (A 7500 mi) on it before I decided to change it.  It could have went longer, but I was going for a 5 day tour and didn't want to have any issues on the road.  It gripped really good, since it was really made for sport bike.

[Robert]

Cupping is usually not because of the correct tire rating but wrong inflation pressures, or poorly designed tire. Unless I under inflated the tire I have never had cupping.

As always my recommendation

[hubcapsc]

Has anyone tried Avons or any other good grip and handling tires on the F6C?
At 3,500 miles on the oems I may decide to change out early...

I really like Cobras on my 1500. I wore out a "sport bike" Avon on the 1800 in less
than 2000 miles, I don't know of an appropriate Avon low profile tire for the 1800.

I've had good enough luck with the Michelin PR4 that I've had two. The Pirelli
Angel gt spec A was about as good.

There's tons of good tires for the front as long as you're willing to go 120 instead
of 130... I have an Avon on there now...

-Mike

[PAVALKER]

Curious if anyone has tried one of these tires......

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ZAREBHG/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ARYEP01KRKYDD&psc=1


I have the Austone Taxi Tire on the rear of my 99 SuperValk and have been very pleased with that for the last few years......

[bscrive]

I would love to put a car tire in the back of my motorcycle but unfortunately my insurance prohibits it. They are really anal up here about that kind of thing in Ontario.

[RDKLL]

Just pot a set on my Super Duke GT in 190/55-17 and 120/70-17 Man are they sticky...only have 10 miles on them so far
 

[/quote]

[barney fife]

The rear Pilot Road 4 GT was fine.  The Pilot Road 4 Trail front cupped quickly, but still works fine.  Just saw where Avon has come out with a new sport touring tire in our size.  Its called a Spirit ST.  That will be my next set.  Have a Metzeler ME888 Ultra Marathon front that I already have, to use first.

[Bronxboy]

I have run everything from a Dunlop 404, Avon Cobra, Metz 880, and have always gotten 15/16K miles out of them with no cupping? I always run 40psi up front, and do a lot of mixed riding from twisties up in the mountains, to Hwy and back country roads, and never had a cupping issue with any of them.

I believe that PSI is key and checking it often is just as important 

[Robert]

I also have not had any cupping or at least minimal when the tire psi was at least 40 to 41 it was only when the pressure went below that there was a problem. I would read the reviews on the Avon tire, the front seemed ok but the rear was skidding out on one reviewer.

[barney fife]

Just wondering how the front feels in the twisties running high pressures in the front.  I would rather deal with some cupping then run with that much psi.  See that the Metzeler Marathon ULTRA ME888 comes in a 180 rear, so i may try them front and rear.  Robert, thanks for the info on the Avon.

[Robert]

Just wondering how the front feels in the twisties running high pressures in the front.  I would rather deal with some cupping then run with that much psi.  See that the Metzeler Marathon ULTRA ME888 comes in a 180 rear, so i may try them front and rear.  Robert, thanks for the info on the Avon.

While you call that high pressure I think you will find that most run their tires in that area. If you look on the side of the tire I think max pressure is 42 so you are within spec.

The feeling is not a earth shaking difference, it is more responsive, slight harsher and rolls easier.

[barney fife]

Was aware of what the max is on the side.  I know Honda recommends 36 for the front, for whatever that is worth.  Cant help it, just afraid of losing the front with that much pressure.  Maybe it is not an issue.    Not trying to argue with ya, appreciate the input.  Guess Ill try going higher.