Whats your prefered Tire?

[Scott in Ok]

Since we had a nice discussion about tires in another thread, I though it might be fun to do a poll.  So please vote for your favorite tire.

For all tire brands, lets assume you are voting for the currently available offerings from the listed brands.  I added Car Tire as an option on purpose.  If you prefer a Car Tire, make that your vote regardless of what tire you use on the front. 

We can do a later poll specifically for front tires if there is interest.

-Scott

[hubcapsc]

I clicked "AVON" on the survey...

I use Avons, but don't have any objective reasons, or personal experience, that makes
my choice of Avons usable as advice for someone else. There were good (un-worn-out)
Metzlers on my bike when I got it, other than that I've never used anything but
Avons (first Venoms, then Cobras)...

The Metzlers seemed fine, but now that I've gotten used to the Valkyrie and am
somewhat clued-in on how to ride it, I can only say that I never have any
problems or issues with my tires, so if it ain't broke don't fix it (ie - I'll stick
with Avon)...



-Mike

[NiteRiderF6]

I liked the Avon Venom R series of tire, but don't care for the Avon Cobra.... I had a set and returned them because of some issues that I had read about on the GL1800 board. I like to keep a spare set of tires around, for just in case. None of the local bike dealers carry any stock on tires.

I currently have the Metzler ME 880 tires front and back and love them, these replaced a Bridgestone (rear) and a Avon Venom R. These were previously my favorite setup for the Valkyrie. The Venom R's are getting harder to find now that Avon has discontinued them. I now have about 8,000 (front) 5,000 (rear) miles on this set of Metzlers and they still look brand new. Go figure. I am a moderate rider nowadays. (read since back surgery)

Tires.... You can get ahold of a bad tire in any brand. I believe the Avon Cobra had some Quality Control issues early on and that was the cause of all of the consternation that I read about. You will use what works best for you..... Oil, Tires, Anti Freeze, you name it. Everybody has a favorite and they will change over time.

BTW.... I can' believe that Scott started a TIRE THREAD????  

[Scott in Ok]

BTW.... I can' believe that Scott started a TIRE THREAD????  

Yeah, what was HE thinking? lol  I really have no dog in this argument, just thought a poll might show more than the vocal minority usually express.

Got my first Cobra installed before heading to Hotglue's.  The transition from a worn out tire to a new tire is always pretty distinct, but I think I'm going to like this new Avon.  I have one for the front too, just don't need it just yet.

-Scott

[Jack]

I have a car tire on the rear but a Bridgestone on the front and on my wife's VTX.  I like them for the money although there may be better tires out there.  I didn't care for the Dunlops oem or E3 or the Metzlers.  Haven't tried Avon or Shinko.

[LadyDraco]

I have been trying the Avon "Cobra's" on the front of meh Valks...
So far so good... 
And I have been a darkside rider for a long time...

Highbinder has not tried the Cobra's yet

[Big IV]

I ran Metzlers before the car tire (always a matched set). The metzler front seems to do fine with the car tire back. But that's my own opinion.


Thanks for the poll Scott. I was just trying to think of what would make a good poll question before the weekend and didn't come up with one of my own. So I'm glad that you came up with one. That is a neat function of this board.  

[Gilligan]

ordered Dunlop E-3s for our '99 IS. It has been harder to get the Venom Rs, so I thought I would try the Dunlops.  Our first trip will be for 6 weeks beginning this June, so I'll certainly have enough experience to have an informed opinion when we get back.

[nortman]

a Goodyear Triple Tread Darkside rear. 

[Michvalk]

I'm taking a set of dunlop E3's off my 99 Interstate and going with the Cobra's. My dunlop front has given my handlebars a bad case of the shakes since I put them on and no amount of foolin' with them has found the problem. I gave 'em a fair chance (11000 miles) . I had the stock tires last as long as the E3's did and had no problem with those. Have'nt had the Cobra installed yet, but this weekend will see how they work.

[6jugzz]

I am going Bridgestone 200 on the back and oem size Shinko on the front. Dyna Beads for balance---i will let ya'll know in a couple weeks.

[3fan4life]

When I bought my VALK it had the OEM tires on it.

When they wore out I replaced them with a set of AVON Venom R's.

They were a world apart from the OEM tires.

It felt like I was riding a sport bike.

The rear wore out after about 6000 mi.



AND I DO MEAN WORE OUT!

The guy that I buy my tires from felt that the wear pattern indicated that I had been running it underinflated.

I was running the 36psi that the sticker on the swingarm calls for. Which after an inquiry her on the board I discovered was too low.

I replaced it with an Avon Cobra hoping that by increasing the pressure premature wear wouldn't be an issue.

So I ran it with 46-48psi and after 4-5k mi it was showing significant wear.

No cords were showing yet but it wasn't going to be long before they were.

I went with the recommendation of the guy that I buy my tires from an let him order an E3 for the rear.

Time will tell how that works out.

I love the feel of the AVON's, the bike feels like its on rails with them.

But, I can't put a new rear tire on every 5k mi.





The AVON Venom R on the front gave me a respectable 16-20k mi. before I declared it worn out.





I replaced it with an AVON Cobra



and I love how it feels on the bike.

If it also gets respectable mileage I'll probably stay with AVON on the front.

 

[Ghost]

I run the dark side on back, and the shinko on front. So far this is working fine. Will give more imput after a few thousand more miles.

[Crazyhorse]

I have always gotten good service from the Avon's. But I do like the Darkside. This is my third car tire. It is a Hankook 205-55-16.

[R J]

Good Year Triple Tread car tire on rear.    About my 7th or 8th one.

When I went Darkside I put a Metzler on the front for a wider tread pattern on the ground........

No problems with it, so I'll be stickin to the Metz front, and Darkside rear......

[Andy]

You missed an option for "inflated and turning".
I got to ride a whole five miles today. Crappy spring weather here.

I have a Metz on the front and a Battlax on the back, fabulous combo wet or dry.

[Scott in Ok]

Excellent feedback folks, keep the votes and comments coming.  I'm always curious what others experience is like when it comes to tires.

Let your vote be counted!

-Scott

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I pulled the trigger to fast and did'nt see about the car tire vote    Oh well I voted Avon and I do use them on the front...Good thread 

[fudgie]

I have always gotten good service from the Avon's. But I do like the Darkside. This is my third car tire. It is a Hankook 205-55-16.

Ditto on the Hankook. Only have a few hundred on it but can find no faults.Feels like my old Metz. I have had 2 or 3 Metz 200 rears. Very happy with them. I like the wider tire esp around muddy camp grounds. Metz on the front to. Feels great with the CT on the back. I did have a little trouble in WY last year. The cracks in the road that are filled with tar seemed a little slick last year. Over all I'm staying with the Metz.

[Gear Jammer]

when I bought the bike (from a dealer) the previous owner had put an E3 on front and an M880 on the rear.  From the tread depth, I'm guessing the rear was the newer tire.  After having the Dunlop break traction on a slow (10mph) turn, and nearly sliding out from under me, I bought the Avon VenomR for the front, and changed out a perfectly good M880 for the Avon Cobra 200mm.   Noticed the difference pulling onto the road from the bike shop drive.  Don't have enough miles to make any judgments regarding longevity, but the handling is superb.  Unless something changes, I'm an Avon convert!   

[SlowRoad]

   I just installed my second Falken on the rear. I tried the Dunlop D404 rear tire on the front and it didn't work for me. It may have been the tire combination. I may try it again next tire change with a different car tire on back, but it got very unstable at highway speeds. I ordered and just installed an Avon Cobra on front and so far I love it.
   First front was an E3. I had good luck with it and got good milage out of it, but it didn't handle as well as I wanted with the darkside rear. I was going to try a Venom, but got a deal I couldn't turn down on a Metzler front, so I tried it next. It handled much better that the E3, but I only got about 5K miles out of it. I could have gotten another 1000 or so out of it, but still not very good. The Cobra handles great and seems to stick well so far. We will see about the milage as more time goes by.

Tim

[Nickster]

My valk had metzler 880s on it when i bought it.  I didnt like how the tire cupped when wearing out.  I switched to dunlop E3s and liked them.  I went to the darkside loast year with E3 front and didnt mind it at all but next ill try Avon to see what i like better.
Thanks Scott and we will see ya in CO
AkNickster

[Madmike]

We ain't scared of no VooDoo so we all run darkside around here................

[BOOMR]

I've run just about all the major brand tires on my Valks since '98. Dunlop D206's, Elite 2, E3's Met's, Avons, Bridgestones... I hated the Avons when I first tried them...had the Venoms years ago, those POS tires alost killed me and swore they would never go back on. Metzlers never did anything for me either way, just a ho hum tire. The Dunny Elite 2 were good tires, got decent milage out of them. The 2 Bridestone BattleAx 200-60s I had on the rear were the best rear tire I rode on in 40 years up to that time, just kept on burning them out real quick 7500-8300 miles. Last Summer I went Dark Side with the YOKO AS430 (recommended By Warlock) and after 3500 miles on it all I can say so far I love it.

While on my way back to the hotel at 11:30 at night from Knoxville last year wile at InZane, we got caught in a Monsoon type downpour while on the Interstate. At 85mph, I can't describe how steady and stable the rear end was with the car tire, changing lanes felt like I was in a 4x4. 

I also put on a new E3 front tire last June and I HATE it. As Joe has said there have been some scary times while out doing some boogy riding. This is the first time I got a Dunny I hated and will replace it soon, probably with the new Avon Cobra, supposed to be alot better than the Venom.

If I would go back to a rear MC tire, I would probably give the 200-60 Cobra a try first, just love them wide shoes.

 

[Hoser]

Bridgestones, cause they are CHEEP!  Hoser 

[Scott in Ok]

Well, one person voted for the Shinko's.  For the price, those tires sure look tempting.

Let your vote be counted.

-Scott

[Ghost]

Well, one person voted for the Shinko's.  For the price, those tires sure look tempting.

Let your vote be counted.

-Scott

That would be me Scott, i did go with the cheap tire, It was advertised as a high mileage big bike tire, For the price of about $130.00 i thought i would give it a try on the front. So far so good. i have pushed it in the corners with the rear car tire and it has not slipped. Don't want to brag on it to much, they might hear me and raised the price. If i have any problems i will post the results.

[2tonevalk]

Scott,

You should have given this a two part question.  I ride an Avon on the front and a Battleax on the rear tire.  It is a good combination for me.
I would like to try the Cobra on the rear but the cost is so much more, I want to see some reviews before I go that route. 

Ride safe
Robert

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Well, one person voted for the Shinko's.  For the price, those tires sure look tempting.

Let your vote be counted.

-Scott

That would be me Scott, i did go with the cheap tire, It was advertised as a high mileage big bike tire, For the price of about $130.00 i thought i would give it a try on the front. So far so good. i have pushed it in the corners with the rear car tire and it has not slipped. Don't want to brag on it to much, they might hear me and raised the price. If i have any problems i will post the results.

Post some more details on this tire when you have time.

[Momz]

Round & Black.
And definately not a Bridgestone.
I've had Avons and Metzlers, and on my I/S I've gone over to the Darkside.

[Scott in Ok]

Scott,

You should have given this a two part question.  I ride an Avon on the front and a Battleax on the rear tire.  It is a good combination for me.
I would like to try the Cobra on the rear but the cost is so much more, I want to see some reviews before I go that route. 

Ride safe
Robert

I intended this Poll to be about rear tires, which I alluded to in my first post.  I didn't explicitly say that in the poll question tho.  I have to believe however, that outside of the Car Tire crowd, intentional mixing of tire brands is uncommon.  Not saying some don't do it, but I would says its a small group.

-Scott

[Tundra]

Avon for the front...Battle-Axe 200 for the rear. Best sticking, cornering, handling I've ever experienced on a bike! As long as the Battle-Axe is still available I wouldn't even try another tire for free, in my experience, best bang for the buck