Front Tire Suggestions................

[Rams]

I've been running Metzler front tires for several years, I am not unhappy with the way they perform but, they seem to be wearing out faster or in less miles.   I'm not really an aggressive rider although I do enjoy the twisties when the opportunity arises.   

Just curious as to what is recommended for a few more miles out of a front tire.   I'm already running darkside on the rear.   Love the Austone Taxi Tire but, I'm staying with a motorcycle tire on the front.   Suggestions.............................?

Yeah, I know this has probably been discussed a hundred times but, things change, products/tires end production, stuff happens.   What's the current correct answer.   

[msb]

Avons only for me. Switched about 5 years ago from Metzlers which I ran for the previous  5 years, after running Dunlops after I first got the bike in '01. I found the Metzlers were decent wearing and handling  tires but did wear unevenly and became noisy. The Cobra wears perfectly even at 42 lbs and lasts a good 30% longer... also have never had a bad one... front or rear... something I can't say about the other two brands

[cookiedough]

shinko 230 tourmaster bias ply, save some dough will last as long as the avon cobra or metzeler.

15K miles or so on a front tire is about it maybe 17K for me tops but that is pushing it.

[Gavin_Sons]

I like the ME880 with my car tire.  Radial not bias ply, I have a bias ply on now that is almost worn out and I don't care for it as it is much fatter than a radial.

[f6john]

Tire wear could probably be due to "too much of a load"  . Given your new profile, a good bicycle tire would probably serve you well.

[..]

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,97221.0.html

[Rams]

I found the Metzlers were decent wearing and handling  tires but did wear unevenly and became noisy.

Actually, uneven wear is one of the reasons I'm considering a change.   While I haven't done a complete survey of the roads I ride, I have to assume that in my normal riding, I make as many turns and curves one direction as I do the other.   But, I have it in my mind that I may be more confident or aggressive in the twisties while going to my left than to my right.   The reason is, I always seem to wear out the left half of my tires well before the right side.   That and the fact that this last front tire only lasted about 7K miles.

Thinking I'll try the Dunlap version.

Tire wear could probably be due to "too much of a load"  . Given your new profile, a good bicycle tire would probably serve you well.

Tried a bicycle tube once in a semi emergency situation when there was no motorcycle tube available about 30 years ago.   Middle of the Painted Desert on a July 4th week end, not a single tire shop or motorcycle shop open, the only thing I could find was a Walmart about ten miles away.  Lasted about half a mile.   Had to walk both directions (most of the way) and mount that tire on the side of the road by myself.   Not a situation I care to repeat.   Reference the weight, yeah I don't cast nearly as much shadow as I used to and I'm pretty sure the fat lady appreciates it.  

[cookiedough]

I found the Metzlers were decent wearing and handling  tires but did wear unevenly and became noisy.

Actually, uneven wear is one of the reasons I'm considering a change.   While I haven't done a complete survey of the roads I ride, I have to assume that in my normal riding, I make as many turns and curves one direction as I do the other.   But, I have it in my mind that I may be more confident or aggressive in the twisties while going to my left than to my right.   The reason is, I always seem to wear out the left half of my tires well before the right side.   That and the fact that this last front tire only lasted about 7K miles.

Thinking I'll try the Dunlap version.

if you are only getting 7K out of any front tire,  then something is horribly wrong with your rough road conditions.  Never heard of a front tire not lasting 10K easily.  How any front tire can wear down that fast is beyond my reasoning.  If not having a car tire on back,  one would assume a cycle rear tire would only go then 3-4K miles which is also darn low of mileage out of any rear cycle tire.

The reason why left side wears first is obvious which I assume you already know that all roads are cupped/leaning to the right shoulder of the road, thus more of the left of center tread wears down faster.

[John Schmidt]

Earlier this year I changed out my Metz bias ply front due to age only(stock size). It had just north of 17k on it and still had good tread if I were inclined to continue using it. I've had a c/t in back the entire life of the tire, use nothing but balance beads and keep it at 40psi. There were no signs of irregular wear.

[Rams]

I found the Metzlers were decent wearing and handling  tires but did wear unevenly and became noisy.

Actually, uneven wear is one of the reasons I'm considering a change.   While I haven't done a complete survey of the roads I ride, I have to assume that in my normal riding, I make as many turns and curves one direction as I do the other.   But, I have it in my mind that I may be more confident or aggressive in the twisties while going to my left than to my right.   The reason is, I always seem to wear out the left half of my tires well before the right side.   That and the fact that this last front tire only lasted about 7K miles.

Thinking I'll try the Dunlap version.

if you are only getting 7K out of any front tire,  then something is horribly wrong with your rough road conditions.  Never heard of a front tire not lasting 10K easily.  How any front tire can wear down that fast is beyond my reasoning.  If not having a car tire on back,  one would assume a cycle rear tire would only go then 3-4K miles which is also darn low of mileage out of any rear cycle tire.

The reason why left side wears first is obvious which I assume you already know that all roads are cupped/leaning to the right shoulder of the road, thus more of the left of center tread wears down faster.

Ya know, DUH!!!   I hadn't even considered the roads being canted for liquid/rain run off as the reason that tire wears out faster on the left side.   Makes sense.  Reference the 7K miles and wearing out.   This is the lowest mileage I've ever gotten on a front tire.   May be a reflection of the fact that I've been doing quite a bit more riding national forests and back roads than previously.   Still, have never run a Dunlap so, it sure won't hurt to try something new.

[northernvalk]

Friends don't let friends ride dunlops.....

[baird4444]

   Michelin Commander......
      I have gotten better than 20k out of the last 2 with diligent air pressure monitoring.
                - Mike

[Rams]

   Michelin Commander......
      I have gotten better than 20k out of the last 2 with diligent air pressure monitoring.
                - Mike

Michelin huh?   Hmmm, will have to look at them.   Thanks for the suggestion.   

[MarkT]

There's more than one reason the left wears more, and it happens to everyone with right-side roads.  Opposite happens in left-side countries.  The other major factor besides the cant, is left turns are wider radius and thus, faster with associated wear.

I've gone to Bridgestone Batlax BT45 rear tires on the front, on all my bikes.  Wear is not quite twice that of Cobras, Metz, Dunlop.  Tread depth is 11/32 rather than 6/32. Size I buy is 130/90-17 on the Valks.  I also use Ride-On for dynamic balancing - seems to prevent cupping as well.  Pressure matters. 40# is good for the front.  I have also run a bit less as these are bias ply tires.  No handling issues.  The narrower tire also gives the steering a lighter feel.

[cookiedough]

   Michelin Commander......
      I have gotten better than 20k out of the last 2 with diligent air pressure monitoring.
                - Mike

yah, michelin commanders heard are the best cycle tire out there for pretty much everything and for sure longevity, but near double the price of say shinkos.   trade off either way.

those battleaxe rear car tire on front have heard done before with I think also rear cycle michelin pilot activ tires or something other rear tire michelins as well putting on front in reverse direction. 

[3fan4life]

shinko 230 tourmaster bias ply, save some dough will last as long as the avon cobra or metzeler.

15K miles or so on a front tire is about it maybe 17K for me tops but that is pushing it.

+1 on the Shinko 230 Tourmaster.

I've been running one since last summer.

At 10k mi the tread is still great, it handles well in the wet and at $80 you can't beat the price.

[cookiedough]

shinko 230 tourmaster bias ply, save some dough will last as long as the avon cobra or metzeler.

15K miles or so on a front tire is about it maybe 17K for me tops but that is pushing it.

+1 on the Shinko 230 Tourmaster.

I've been running one since last summer.

At 10k mi the tread is still great, it handles well in the wet and at $80 you can't beat the price.

Agree,  not 10K yet but say 4k miles and still looks brand new.  If it goes 15K as it should minus any road rash issues (screws/nails, etc.),  I will stay with it.  My issue is rear cycle tires none last over 10K so the darkside rear car tire is highly desirable.  My 98 Valk has a car tire on the rear and was skeptical at first riding it.  I can say it does not corner as well for sure as any cycle tire though but works well enough for me to not have to fight the corners riding it much.  I do slow down more so in the corners on that car tire valk vs. the normal rear cycle tire valk though.

[LandElephant]

Rams,

I always had good luck with Avons.  Would get 12 to 14K with Dyna Beads for balancing.  I do use Ride On with my Urals because of the inner tube type tires required.  Never use Slime on you aluminum rims.  It's a mess to remove and depending on how long you leave it in it starts to cause pitting on the inside.

As far as the Avons, they were great handling on the twisties, very good in the rain, and readily available.  Bad news they are not cheap. 

Good luck on finding a tire.

Charlie Morse
Landelephant

[Rams]

Rams,

I always had good luck with Avons.  Would get 12 to 14K with Dyna Beads for balancing.  I do use Ride On with my Urals because of the inner tube type tires required.  Never use Slime on you aluminum rims.  It's a mess to remove and depending on how long you leave it in it starts to cause pitting on the inside.

As far as the Avons, they were great handling on the twisties, very good in the rain, and readily available.  Bad news they are not cheap. 

Good luck on finding a tire.

Charlie Morse
Landelephant

Charlie,
I'm a tightwad on a lot of things, tires are not one of them.   Thanks for the suggestion.   Will look into Avons.