Tire life & reccomendations

[WDAN]

What kind of life expectancy should I expect from my tires
New to Valks.
I only have 6000 miles on my 2001 and a friend told me I should replace my front tire. I don't think I do.
I feel sure I have original rubber at this mileage.

Also, does Metzler make wide white walls to fit these bikes or does anyone else?
I have had good experience with Metzlers in past.
Is there a better tire for the Valk?

Thanks,

WDAN

[Chrisj CMA]

If you have OEM D-206 tires....your friend is more right than you think.  6-10 K miles is the usual for the OEM tires.  I get 23K on a set of Dunlop E-3 tires so all dunnies are not the same.  Many have never liked any Dunlops, some prefer AVON and have reported similar miles to the E-3 which for either tire has a mysteriously wide range from considerably under 10K to a bit over 20K miles but them OEM will never get to 20K  Metz seem to give the best ride from what I hear but dont last very long.  Car tire, a whole different can of worms.......not for me, but it is an answer to getting more miles

[RiderNJ]

For me,  it wouldn't matter if your tires have 6 miles or 6000 miles, if they are original Dunlops then they are 10 years old.  I'd seriously consider swapping them out for fresh rubber. 
Just my opinion.
I'm looking for fresh Avons myself now... 
RiderNJ

[sandy]

Good advise is already given. Those tires are old and could delaminate at any moment. Get 2 new tires right away. I've had Metzler 880's and several sets of Avons (now running Cobra's). I prefer the Avons for handling but they're pricey compared to Metzlers. DO NOT go out of town on those old Dunlops!!!

[R J]

I run only the Metz 880 on the front, bigger footprint, I like that, and a car tire on the rear.

Metz are short lived, but I like them better than any other choice I have.

Don't know of anyone who makes an exact fit wide white wall.

You can find a close size and go from there.    Remember, speedo runs off the front tire.

[john]

dunlop elite 3 lll"s ...     
20,000 plus miles ...       
45 - 50 psi ...
no car tires ...     

[SANDMAN5]

Too many variables to get an accurate answer. Different tires,
different roads, riding styles, loaded weight, tire pressure, etc.
I run a Metz front 42 lbs and a Darkside rear 38 lbs. Ride fairly
conservative mostly but drag my pegs a few time a year. IF I can
remember to keep the pressure steady I get 15,000 or so on the front.
22,000 on my rear Goodyear Triple Tread and plenty left. Avons
generally last longer but, IMHO, don't grip as well as the Metz.
I won't discuss Dunlops because it makes my blood pressure go up. YMMV.

[Steve K (IA)]

dunlop elite 3 lll"s ...    
20,000 plus miles ...      
45 - 50 psi ...
no car tires ...      

Same here, 20,000 miles from Dunlop E3's.  Handles/ rides wonderfully and gives me confidence in the rain also.   I've had Avons slip on me in the rain, and that gets your attention real quick.  On my second set of E3's and will stick with them.     Did the car tire thing for 4,000 miles and got rid of it...never again!       

[john]

" I won't discuss Dunlops because it makes my blood pressure go up. YMMV. "
come on bob ...     
lay it on me ...   
you sure it was the tires ?     

[SANDMAN5]

" I won't discuss Dunlops because it makes my blood pressure go up. YMMV. "
come on bob ...     
lay it on me ...   
you sure it was the tires ?     

Absolutely!! Although I should note that I only had the front E3, Darkside
rear. My Metz 880 sticks better on a wet road than the E3 did on a dry one.
The ONLY time I have ever been passed by a harley and was unable to do
anything about it was was at Deals Gap in the rain when I had an E3 front.
And they were riding 2-up!!! After the E3 slid for the THIRD time on a dry road
I threw it in the trash pile. Only had 8,000 miles on it, plenty of tread left.
The only way I would consider another one is if it was my ONLY option. Even
then I would replace it at the first opportunity.Some folks love'em, not me. YMMV