Tires again

[cookiedough]

Hoser is not a super duper aggressive driver plus he weighs 1/2 of some of us.  Road conditions/materials I think play a major part as well in terms of wear/longevity.

My past Avon Cobra rear lasted 10K miles tops and needed replacing ASAP since even though tread was left not worn down like Hoser's in the pic on the right,  it developed about 15 pinholes in the center of the tire give or take 1-2 inches to the left or right all over very slowly leaking air having to add air pressure every few days wasn't worth the risk.

I paid around 160 for the Avon Cobra and this past spring bought a 130 dollar Shinko SE890 Journey rear tire.  So far, so good to save 30 bucks or more I doubt the Shinko will NOT last 9K miles pushing that 10K mark like the Avon's did. 

I would not hesitate, as of now, to buy another Shinko for my front tire sometime needed either later in 2016 or for sure in 2017 riding season since have Avon cobra on that front tire still now, but at 13K or so is starting to show it's age as well.

One thing I will probably not do is spend the extra big bucks to get a dunlop elite III or Metzeler since pretty sure they won't last much longer than 10K miles either on the rear tire so not worth spending another 60-80 bucks or more for no reason.     

[dconstruct55]

Don't want to hijack, but I want to run an Avon Cobra 200 on my rear. Have one on my 2006 Kawasaki V2k and love it. What is the aspect/ratio for the Valk? Is it a 200/70/16 or would it be different?

[Gryphon Rider]

Don't want to hijack, but...

If you really don't want to hijack, then start a new thread with your question.  Those who have insight will be happy to respond.

[dconstruct55]

Got that, my apologies to all on the thread.

[Medina]

Not a fan of dunlops on the heavier bikes

couple different brands I tried on my GL1200 would wear, real quick, the left turn pattern, taht faster wearing strip about 5 oclock if you're looking directly at the front tire.

I put a pair of michelin commander II's on my gold wing, and liked them enough when this set wears out, put a pair on the valk
heavy heavy rains, some dirt, lots and lots of highway, they did well.
or...maybe darkside for the rear next time.

[Hoser]

Hoser is not a super duper aggressive driver plus he weighs 1/2 of some of us.  Road conditions/materials I think play a major part as well in terms of wear/longevity.

My past Avon Cobra rear lasted 10K miles tops and needed replacing ASAP since even though tread was left not worn down like Hoser's in the pic on the right,  it developed about 15 pinholes in the center of the tire give or take 1-2 inches to the left or right all over very slowly leaking air having to add air pressure every few days wasn't worth the risk.

I paid around 160 for the Avon Cobra and this past spring bought a 130 dollar Shinko SE890 Journey rear tire.  So far, so good to save 30 bucks or more I doubt the Shinko will NOT last 9K miles pushing that 10K mark like the Avon's did. 

I would not hesitate, as of now, to buy another Shinko for my front tire sometime needed either later in 2016 or for sure in 2017 riding season since have Avon cobra on that front tire still now, but at 13K or so is starting to show it's age as well.

One thing I will probably not do is spend the extra big bucks to get a dunlop elite III or Metzeler since pretty sure they won't last much longer than 10K miles either on the rear tire so not worth spending another 60-80 bucks or more for no reason.     

Cookie is right about my riding style, and Kansas has well maintained roads. That tire does not fit my old Goldwing, so it wears Dunlop elite3's.  Hoser 

[DarkSideR]

I rode Shinkos on both sport bikes and cruisers. I never had an issue with any Shinko tires until I put one on the front of my Valkyrie. After 4,000 miles the tire de-laminated. It had big air bubbles just under the tread. For me the cost savings are not enough to take the chance of a tire de-laminating again. Sadly no more Shinkos for me.

+1 On the Dunflops. Terrible on the Valkyrie.

I am hearing good things about Michelin Commander II. Some reporting +20k on rears.

Another option is to go DarkSide, which also gives you sizing options. A 205-60 is closest to stock motorcycle tire size. I went with a 205-65 (a larger diameter) which has lowered the RPM's at highway speed. Don't want to open the DarkSide can of worms, so this is just food for thought.

Good luck. Let us know what you decided on.

[h13man]

Bridgestone Valk specific Exdras. 10,500 mi. with .095 left on front (.210 new) and .075 on the rear (.305 new) @ $280 a set new.

[cookiedough]

Yah,  2 other respectable options are those bridgestone exedras and michelin commanders.

I have always have VERY good longevity/wear with Michelin car tires and see now reason as to why not Michelin would make a good, long wearing cycle tire as well.    I'd personally take a Michelin over the Dunlop elite III or Metzeler ME880 for longevity and wear not having personally done none of them is my gut feeling is all.

Shinko is the cheapest though for sure then if on sale probably Avon Cobras or Bridgestones. 

[flash2002]

Bridgestone Valk specific Exdras. 10,500 mi. with .095 left on front (.210 new) and .075 on the rear (.305 new) @ $280 a set new.

Where did you get the Exedra front tire, I don't see that size.

[ripper980]

Bridgestone make OEM specific radial tires for Valks ..
I been running them for a long time, great value and they are still made in Japan.

http://motorcycle.chaparral-racing.com/racing/Bridgestone%20Exedra%20Valkyrie

[flash2002]

I was looking at those Bridgestone O.E.M tires, the price is good $300.00 for the set. Bridgestone does make good tires, I think.

[h13man]

American Motorcycle Tire. com

Click street tires, Bridgestone, and you will see Valk/Goldwing Specific listing. $137 frt. and $155 rear. The only thing I dislike is the 55 mph. "whine" from the front fender amplification. I been in goose drowners with this tire, loaded down to the max on long trips, crappy ass Indiana roads, and these tire have performed to max. I run 33 psi. frt. and 38 psi. rear @ all times. To alleviate (hopefully) the whine I'm going to undercoat the fender thus eliminating the rubber sound proofing pads which one is missing already. Sorry I couldn't get the web address to paste but Google Chrome has been a pain in the arse and now they say they no longer going "protect" me because my system is to old. Good Bye Google! 

[The emperor has no clothes]

American Motorcycle Tire. com

Click street tires, Bridgestone, and you will see Valk/Goldwing Specific listing. $137 frt. and $155 rear. The only thing I dislike is the 55 mph. "whine" from the front fender amplification. I been in goose drowners with this tire, loaded down to the max on long trips, crappy ass Indiana roads, and these tire have performed to max. I run 33 psi. frt. and 38 psi. rear @ all times. To alleviate (hopefully) the whine I'm going to undercoat the fender thus eliminating the rubber sound proofing pads which one is missing already. Sorry I couldn't get the web address to paste but Google Chrome has been a pain in the arse and now they say they no longer going "protect" me because my system is to old. Good Bye Google! 

33 on the front seems a little low to me. Are you getting any cupping ?

[flash2002]

I normally run 40 front and 42 back.

[gordonv]

Tire pressure should be based upon the tires you have mounted on the bike. Not the amount in the owner/service manual, as those amounts are for the OEM tires that the bike came with.

I would not even guaranty, that those same tires made today, have the same PSI on them. Most likely do, but I would start by looking at the sidewall for the max PSI, and start with that.

[h13man]

American Motorcycle Tire. com

Click street tires, Bridgestone, and you will see Valk/Goldwing Specific listing. $137 frt. and $155 rear. The only thing I dislike is the 55 mph. "whine" from the front fender amplification. I been in goose drowners with this tire, loaded down to the max on long trips, crappy ass Indiana roads, and these tire have performed to max. I run 33 psi. frt. and 38 psi. rear @ all times. To alleviate (hopefully) the whine I'm going to undercoat the fender thus eliminating the rubber sound proofing pads which one is missing already. Sorry I couldn't get the web address to paste but Google Chrome has been a pain in the arse and now they say they no longer going "protect" me because my system is to old. Good Bye Google! 

33 on the front seems a little low to me. Are you getting any cupping ?

No cupping. Nice even wear front and back. 33 psi on the front was recommended for light and heavy loads per Honda.

[flash2002]

I think I will go with the Bridgestone OEM, there at a good price and it's a good brand. 

[ripper980]

good choice !   

[cookiedough]

I think the bridgestones would be perfectly fine just like avon cobras or shinkos.  Worth a shot to keep switching until you find one that MAY last in the rear much more than 10K miles.

If my shinko SE890 journey rear lasts 10K just like my avon cobra did,  I will stick with that or consider bridgestone exedra next time or even michelin if on sale.

I just don't think dunlop elite III's and metzeler me880 are worth the added cost if they don't last any longer than the rest. 

[Louis Durocher]

You guys are lucky in Usa. I just bought two Metz me880 for 600$ can installed