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Peter55
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« on: July 25, 2021, 10:37:34 AM » |
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I have been looking for a Metzler ME880 or 888 front tires for the past three months and no where to be found. I was lucky to find the a rear ME888 Ultra few weeks ago, but no one has the front 150-80/R17.
My front Marathon ME880 looks still in good shape as it only has about 8K miles, but it is nine years old, so I'm a little concern. There are no cracks of any size on it and the bike has been kept in a dark storage 99/% of the time.
While I'm patiently waiting for new ME880/888 to become available, does anyone know if an older tire should be inflated less than usual to reduce the risk of blowing up? I'm reading that older rubber gets harder and therefore easier to break.
Additionally, would it be ok if I mounted a different brand for the front, like a Kymko for example, given that the treads may be different? Should I stick with a radial for the front as well? Thanks for any suggestions.
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hubcapsc
Member
Posts: 16770
upstate
South Carolina
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« Reply #1 on: July 25, 2021, 10:50:37 AM » |
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People put truck tires on the back and rear motorcycle tires mounted
on the front, but backwards. Not me of course :-) ... anywho... don't
worry about mixing tires... just get something on there that's not
nine years old...
-Mike
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John Schmidt
Member
Posts: 15200
a/k/a Stuffy. '99 I/S Valk Roadsmith Trike
De Pere, WI (Green Bay)
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« Reply #2 on: July 25, 2021, 11:59:27 AM » |
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chapmoto.com has a summer Metzeler sale going on & J&P Cycles has a Michelin sale going on.
FWIW...I've not run a radial on the front the last two changes, generally will get well over 10k on a bias ply.
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« Last Edit: July 25, 2021, 12:03:14 PM by John Schmidt »
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Peter55
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« Reply #3 on: July 25, 2021, 02:02:16 PM » |
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chapmoto.com has a summer Metzeler sale going on & J&P Cycles has a Michelin sale going on.
FWIW...I've not run a radial on the front the last two changes, generally will get well over 10k on a bias ply.
[/quote
Well, they may all have a sale, but all different sizes than what the Valkyrie takes, as usual...
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F6Dave
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« Reply #4 on: July 25, 2021, 08:40:31 PM » |
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Dennis Kirk has several in stock. I've always had great luck with them.
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DeathWishBikerDude
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« Reply #6 on: July 25, 2021, 09:13:51 PM » |
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Been running the rear Kendra up front for years.
Mounted them both forward and reversed.
Good road feel and good wear.
Run then with both motorcycle and dark side rear.
Worth $67 to try it out.
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Peter55
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« Reply #7 on: July 26, 2021, 08:38:43 AM » |
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Dennis Kirk has several in stock. I've always had great luck with them.
Thank you. I found a SHINKO SE890 for about $135 including shipping. I hope it works well with my new rear Metzeler ME888 Ultra. I would have preferred not to mix, but the tread look pretty similar. we'll see how it goes. It is radial at least. |
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Peter55
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« Reply #8 on: July 26, 2021, 08:45:22 AM » |
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Been running the rear Kendra up front for years.
Mounted them both forward and reversed.
Good road feel and good wear.
Run then with both motorcycle and dark side rear.
Worth $67 to try it out.
When I saw them at Dennis Kirk I was tempted, but when I saw the price I wondered what I was getting into to. Good to know that it is working well. Will keep in in mind. I got a SHINKO SE890 this time for the front. Have a brand new Metzeler ME888 Ultra in the back. Hopefully they'll get along. Thank you for your input. |
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h13man
Member
Posts: 1745
To everything there is an exception.
Indiana NW Central Flatlands
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« Reply #9 on: July 27, 2021, 05:42:12 AM » |
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You won't find the 880 as they are discontinued. Bridgestone OEM Exedra is a good tire IMO and affordable though that's questionable nowadays.
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F6Dave
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« Reply #10 on: July 27, 2021, 07:56:03 AM » |
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You won't find the 880 as they are discontinued. Bridgestone OEM Exedra is a good tire IMO and affordable though that's questionable nowadays.
Dennis Kirk has a bunch (10+) of front Bridgestones in stock for $158 with free shipping (but a $5 tire surcharge). My F6B came with Bridgestones and they are a great tire. I tried a set of Avons, but didn't like them as much and plan to switch back. Bridgestones are FAR less expensive than Avons (over $100 a set) so last year I put one on the back of my Valk Interstate. So far it is every bit as good as the Avon so I am a convert. I've run dozens of Avons over the years but their prices have become ridiculous. |
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h13man
Member
Posts: 1745
To everything there is an exception.
Indiana NW Central Flatlands
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« Reply #11 on: July 27, 2021, 07:26:15 PM » |
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I got my set of Cobra's from Jake Wilson @ the same cost as the Exedras but that was with a rebate. The Cobra's didn't seem any better but I'm not a aggressive rider as far as knee dragging but on straights,  ! Our roads don't justify being to aggressive especially now its "grass clipping" season.  |
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f-Stop
Member
Posts: 1810
'98 Standard named Hildr
Driftwood, Texas
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« Reply #12 on: July 28, 2021, 06:58:11 PM » |
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I was looking for a front Dunlop Elite IV radial to match the Elite IV rear with no luck. As a "temporary" solution I was thinking of putting on a Shinko SE890 ($123 at Rocky Mountain ATV/MC), but they became unavailable for a bit. (Got word two days ago that they were available again.) I contacted Dunlop back in April and they told me they had no idea when the Elite IV 150/80R-17 would be available. (Their manufacturing has been wrecked due to the pandemic.) Sooo...I got an Avon Cobra a couple of weeks ago. Funny thing, Hildr the Valkyrie has never had anything but Dunlops on her from the day she came off the assembly line in Marysville, OH. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/16x3eHw2cezMTbwFsqlcCMR38MRzNN0Ix?usp=sharingChanging tire brands after 24 years isn't bad is it? The Avon Cobra looks pretty good and rides well. After a few hundred miles through the Texas Hill Country, the biggest difference I can tell from the Dunlop Elite III is that there is no tire singing. Been hearing that front tire whir for a long time...can't say that I miss it.  |
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  Had my blinker on across three states! |
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Bagger John - #3785
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« Reply #13 on: July 29, 2021, 06:46:00 AM » |
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...the biggest difference I can tell from the Dunlop Elite III is that there is no tire singing. Been hearing that front tire whir for a long time...can't say that I miss it.
A singing tire is a happy tire ...  |
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f-Stop
Member
Posts: 1810
'98 Standard named Hildr
Driftwood, Texas
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« Reply #14 on: August 01, 2021, 07:31:03 AM » |
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Update...
Just got a notice that the Dunlop 150/80R-17 Elite IV is available at Cycle Gear. I have not heard from two other sources I was looking at, so I don't know if Dunlop has gotten their manufacturing back up and running or if Cycle Gear found some in one of their warehouses...
FYI, Cycle Gear wants $260 for that tire.
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Had my blinker on across three states!
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DeathWishBikerDude
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« Reply #15 on: August 02, 2021, 03:52:45 PM » |
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Was replacing dunflops twice a year..no thanks!
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Zanderk98
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« Reply #16 on: August 04, 2021, 12:35:35 PM » |
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I'm chiming in here as I'm in the same boat... Looking for a new front for my Valkyrie as I don't know the history of the tire on there now from the previous owner. It's got a well worn Dunlop Elite 3 on the front now. The rear is also an Elite 3 but appears much newer/less miles & still in good shape.
Ideally I think I'd like to try the Metzeler ME888 Ultra on the front but I'd take almost anything at this point. Every local motorcycle shop & every online source I checked says the 150/80-R17 size on back order... Metzeler, Dunlop, Michelin, Bridgestone, Shinko... nothing available anywhere from any manufacturer. I'm told backordered until late Aug/early Sept.
Is there another size for the Valk front?
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Timbo1
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« Reply #17 on: August 04, 2021, 03:18:23 PM » |
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I'm chiming in here as I'm in the same boat... Looking for a new front for my Valkyrie as I don't know the history of the tire on there now from the previous owner. It's got a well worn Dunlop Elite 3 on the front now. The rear is also an Elite 3 but appears much newer/less miles & still in good shape.
Ideally I think I'd like to try the Metzeler ME888 Ultra on the front but I'd take almost anything at this point. Every local motorcycle shop & every online source I checked says the 150/80-R17 size on back order... Metzeler, Dunlop, Michelin, Bridgestone, Shinko... nothing available anywhere from any manufacturer. I'm told backordered until late Aug/early Sept.
Is there another size for the Valk front?
chaparralmotosports on Ebay has both front and rear Shinko in the correct sizes if your interested. I ordered both yesterday and Fedex is supposed to deliver them tomorrow. $285 for both so price is right imo. https://www.ebay.com/itm/334099400891 |
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