decent front tire

[Tfrank59]

I've used this tire 2x now, both times getting around 18k out of it, so I'm going with another one.  It's not too pricey, good in the wet or dry, and not bad handling on curves. FWIW...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bridgestone-G701-Tire-Front-150-80-17-For-Honda-Valkyrie/391913979118?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

[Bighead]

Man those roads In WA must be made of cotton.

[sandy]

I consistently get over 20K out of an Avon Cobra. Nearly the same price and the best ride and handling tire on a Valk.

[Bighead]

Never got past 10 k before the tire handled like a turd .. and yes I keep pressure checked.

[Jess from VA]

I have always been amazed by these disparate reports of tire mileage.

Sure, the Dunlop E3s last the longest (except for car tires) and ME880s last the shortest.

But the different mileages reported over the years include all available choices, and a number of tires that are not OE sizes but close enough.

It can't just be the road surfaces either (crushed coral vs concrete).

Some guys ride like grandad, and others like the hammers of hell.

It's a mystery.

I choose car tires in back for longevity, strength, reliability and less tearing apart the back end.

I choose ME880s up front because nothing sticks better (though perhaps Cobras are about the same), and I like the hammers of hell riding style, leaned all the way over as often as possible.  I'm lucky to ever get 8K on a front.  And my days of trying to get just another 3-400 miles out of a tire are over, I've had my bikes sideways doing that, several times (hot days on hot used up tires), and it's just stooopid.  

[Tfrank59]

Yeah I wasn't trying to milk extra miles out of this last front tire, there's still some tread left on it but I ride year-round and I need especially a good rain tire up here in the Seattle area. When I first bought my Valkyrie the tires were pretty worn and I went into the wet season with them and it scared the crap out of me so I said no more of that. Just by God's grace I didn't go down that first fall and winter.

[h13man]

Always ran 33 psi. and got a safe 15,000 out of mine. A bit noisy around the 55 mph. mark. Presently running Avon Cobra's @ 36 psi. Here is the best price for Exdrea I know of:  http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=697&products_id=748

[sixlow]

My I/S came with this 701 and 702 rear tire new when I got her with 21k miles, the rear went away quickly about 8k miles, so I put on the Yoko. The front 701 is still looking good at 37k so 16k on it so far, I run 42 to 44psi. It was loud to break in but after a run on the dragon the tire has been silent. This tire has been good but scared me once on tar snakes on a slight lean at highway speeds in Colorado that others in the group didn't notice them. But it kept me up in an ice marble storm once on the BRP. I have the Metz on my Tourer and as Jess says it may not last as long but it sure does feel stickier. 

[cookiedough]

I have always been amazed by these disparate reports of tire mileage.

Sure, the Dunlop E3s last the longest (except for car tires) and ME880s last the shortest.

But the different mileages reported over the years include all available choices, and a number of tires that are not OE sizes but close enough.

It can't just be the road surfaces either (crushed coral vs concrete).

Some guys ride like grandad, and others like the hammers of hell.

It's a mystery.

I choose car tires in back for longevity, strength, reliability and less tearing apart the back end.

I choose ME880s up front because nothing sticks better (though perhaps Cobras are about the same), and I like the hammers of hell riding style, leaned all the way over as often as possible.  I'm lucky to ever get 8K on a front.  And my days of trying to get just another 3-400 miles out of a tire are over, I've had my bikes sideways doing that, several times (hot days on hot used up tires), and it's just stooopid.  

8k miles ONLY on a front tire seems really low to me even say on a metzeler.  8k on a rear tire I can see, but the front tire is just on the road with no power to it like the rear tire so anything under say 12K miles is a mystery to me on why so low of miles.  Even if you ride like you stole it every ride,  under 10K does not seem possible for a front tire to wear out unless the roads are all chewed up and rough. 

I have yet though to find a rear cycle tire that will last much over 10K miles.   For some to get 15K or more on a rear cycle tire amazes me even if driving super slow and under ideal conditions.

[MarkT]

I have always been amazed by these disparate reports of tire mileage.

Sure, the Dunlop E3s last the longest (except for car tires) and ME880s last the shortest.

But the different mileages reported over the years include all available choices, and a number of tires that are not OE sizes but close enough.

It can't just be the road surfaces either (crushed coral vs concrete).

Some guys ride like grandad, and others like the hammers of hell.

It's a mystery.

I choose car tires in back for longevity, strength, reliability and less tearing apart the back end.

I choose ME880s up front because nothing sticks better (though perhaps Cobras are about the same), and I like the hammers of hell riding style, leaned all the way over as often as possible.  I'm lucky to ever get 8K on a front.  And my days of trying to get just another 3-400 miles out of a tire are over, I've had my bikes sideways doing that, several times (hot days on hot used up tires), and it's just stooopid.  

8k miles ONLY on a front tire seems really low to me even say on a metzeler.  8k on a rear tire I can see, but the front tire is just on the road with no power to it like the rear tire so anything under say 12K miles is a mystery to me on why so low of miles.  Even if you ride like you stole it every ride,  under 10K does not seem possible for a front tire to wear out unless the roads are all chewed up and rough.  

I have yet though to find a rear cycle tire that will last much over 10K miles.   For some to get 15K or more on a rear cycle tire amazes me even if driving super slow and under ideal conditions.

CD - Try an Austone.  You'll get 2 1/2 times that many miles, better mileage, price, traction and puncture resistance. Betcha you'll be pleased.  Speakin as a SE WI emigrant.  Just sayin...

[vanagon40]

I got 20,000 miles out of a Dunlop K491 Elite II MT90HB17 Rear Tire and paid $87.50 for it in 2007. I replaced it in 2013 with a Dunlop D404F 150/80-17 only because the K491 was over 10 years old (there was still lots of tread left). I have about 13,000 miles on a Dunlop Dunlop D404F 150/80-17. I have a Dunlop D404 130/90-17 (68H) Rear Tire ($83.19) I will install as soon as the weather changes.

[Bighead]

I personally would like to ride side by side and mile for mile with those of you that get that many miles from a M/C tire. Rear usually gets around 8-9 k and front is right behind it. 20k on a rear really? That thing must be on blocks with the tires spinning without contact yo the pavement.
I ain't hating just stating I haven't been close to any of that. BTW I do replace my tires when they start handling bad. ( my life is worth more than a few hundred $$$ to me) They may have some tread left but if it chatters in the corners time to go

[Tfrank59]

The most I've gotten out of a rear tire so far is 14 - 15 K, if it makes you feel any better. And I would say 98% of that is not freeways

[Bighead]

Not riding freeways either but you are averaging 6+k more then me. As I said I would like to ride side by side and mile for mile with you getting that kind of mileage out of a tire. I must be doin something waaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyy wrong.

[hubcapsc]

BTW I do replace my tires when they start handling bad.

I remember showing up at a Britman's Memorial Day Ride with an iffy rear
tire. It was misty on the ride day, and my rear slipped numerous times
in the curves, I started imagining F150 grills around each corner...

I start thinking about replacing my tires when they start seeming like
they might be iffy on a 3 day ride where you might go five or eight
hundred miles.

-Mike

[Tfrank59]

Not riding freeways either but you are averaging 6+k more then me. As I said I would like to ride side by side and mile for mile with you getting that kind of mileage out of a tire. I must be doin something waaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyy wrong.

Yeah something doesn't sound right there. Well you're welcome to head on up here to Washington and we'll go for a ride! I was just thinking and I suppose there's plenty of research about it, but if a guy is riding on wet pavement quite a bit how does that affect tire life? I would think it would reduce Tire life, but again I'm not sure. At any rate for the last couple of months most of my rides have been on wet asphalt.

[Gideon]

I got 20,000 miles out of a Dunlop K491 Elite II MT90HB17 Rear Tire and paid $87.50 for it in 2007. I replaced it in 2013 with a Dunlop D404F 150/80-17 only because the K491 was over 10 years old (there was still lots of tread left). I have about 13,000 miles on a Dunlop Dunlop D404F 150/80-17. I have a Dunlop D404 130/90-17 (68H) Rear Tire ($83.19) I will install as soon as the weather changes.

I am on my second Dunlop D404 D 130/90-17 Rear Tire on the front. I run it in reverse rotation with 40-42 air pressure. I got a little over 18,000 mile on the first one. The tire handles great and you can't beat the price. 

[Jess from VA]

Not riding freeways either but you are averaging 6+k more then me. As I said I would like to ride side by side and mile for mile with you getting that kind of mileage out of a tire. I must be doin something waaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyy wrong.

Yeah something doesn't sound right there. Well you're welcome to head on up here to Washington and we'll go for a ride! I was just thinking and I suppose there's plenty of research about it, but if a guy is riding on wet pavement quite a bit how does that affect tire life? I would think it would reduce Tire life, but again I'm not sure. At any rate for the last couple of months most of my rides have been on wet asphalt.

I would think the opposite;  wet equals less friction and thus less wear.  I have no science for this opinion, just a WAG.

[vanagon40]

Here is what the Elite II looked like after 20,000 miles. It was mounted as a front tire, not on the rear. It is not made any more.

[Gideon]

Regardless of the tire you choose, always check the Manufacture Date.
The date stamp is four digits, such as 1117, eleventh week of 2017.

[RonW]

Here, info on mold release.

[Tfrank59]

Here is what the Elite II looked like after 20,000 miles. It was mounted as a front tire, not on the rear. It is not made any more.

that's awesome!  wish I could get a tire on my bike to look like that even after 10k