Best front/rear tire for rocket touring

[rocket51]

On Stratoliner and VTX forums, most used Run Flat tire, I might check them out. The General I used was not a Altimax, I don't remember what the name was; it had great reviews by car owners but had to much give on the side walls for the Goldwing.

 

[Macrider]

Darkside

R51, this might help you get some more info..Riding on the Darkside

 

[BIGMIKE 08TR3T]

I would probably stay with a motorcycle tire for the rear if it wasn't for the greatly reduced longevity. From my past experience I get at least 5 times the miles on the car tire. I really don't know how long the car tire will last because I have never gotten close to wearing one out. On my VTX 1800 I had 3 motorcycle tires; 1 stock Dunlop, 1 Dunlop Elite 3, and 1 Avon Venom, all lasting from 5 to 6 thousand miles till steel cord was showing. I put a 205/65/16 Michelien Hydroedge car tire on the bike and road it for 20 thousand miles, it looked like it had at least another 20 thousand left on it when I sold the bike.

There were things I liked better about the car tire and some not. I liked of course the longevity but also liked that with the car tire I could go 15% faster in a curve and still feel in control of the bike, the ride was smoother over bumps, and bike had much better traction; these are some of the positives I can think of. The only real negative to the car tire was that on uneven roads at slow speed the bike would rock, which for me was not much of a problem. On my 1800 Goldwing I put a General tire which did not handle nearly as well as the Michelein Hydroedge, it felt mushy even with max air pressure. I had a Michelein Hydroedge on my Stratoliner but the only size offered with the Hydroedge close to the sized I needed was a 215/60/17 which was to big. The tire handled great on good road but bottomed out on rough road, also the larger width made the bike not handle quite as well as the VTX.

Rocket51, I too, am a Honda owner. I have a 01 VALK with a Goodyear TripleTread, 205/55R16 on the rear, and the Dunlop 150/80R17 on the front of the Valky, and it runs like a dream. I just bought a 09 R3Touring, and the tires need replacement now (as it wobbles horribly) when riding at any speed. Your post is old. What did you decide to try on the rear rim, and front rim??

 

[TriumPhil]

On Stratoliner and VTX forums, most used Run Flat tire, I might check them out. The General I used was not a Altimax, I don't remember what the name was; it had great reviews by car owners but had to much give on the side walls for the Goldwing.

Yep! The VTXOA is what got my attention about Darksidin'. I enjoyed 30,000 miles worth...


Well, almost that , much.

 

[mport]

I'm running Michelin Commander II tires on the front and rear and they will hold up. I currently have over 12000 miles on them.
There's probably 4-5 thousand left. 180/65/16 rear 130/70/16 on the front. The 130 front is only about 1/8 inch narrower than the stock 150.
They handle great and wear like iron. I was doing good to get 6000 miles out of the Metz 880's. Only option I have found for long tread life if you want to stick with motorcycle tires.

 

[1olbull]

Might sometime try this on the rear:
Dunlop Elite 3 Radial Touring Tire - Rear - 180/60R16
One of the best I have run on my cruisers - won't fit my Roadster

 

[Fingers]

Have same tires as mport W/over 14k on them,agree should get around 20,000 on them .

 

[BIGMIKE 08TR3T]

thanks y'all. I'm going w/ Shinko 777 HD 150/80R16 on the Front & Goodyear Triple Tread 205/60R16 on the Rear. Now if I can find someone to put these bad boys on. It has always been a struggle to find someone to do it. There aren't many darkside m/c mechs.

I currently have the Dunlop 150/80R17 on my F and Goodyear TripleTread 205/55R16 on my 2001 Honda VALK Interstate, and they have lasted a long time. The Triple Tread has lasted 30K+ at 42 PSI. and the Dunlop will be changed out at the normal 15K. For Florida these are the tires to have.

 

[kiwi Steve]

I was going to offer an opinion, but if you're into the car tire thing, I have nothing to offer, sorry.

Do u have an opinion on a front tyre? At present running an Avon Cobra AV71.
Metzeler 880 Marathon on the rear.

 

[johnreeder]

Do u have an opinion on a front tyre? At present running an Avon Cobra AV71.
Metzeler 880 Marathon on the rear.

I'm using a 205/60/16 Bridgstone run flat on the rear and a motorcycle Bridgstone on the front.