Finally installed 130/90/16 front tire

[Tripps]

No, not really. Had an odd weaving above 130, but I believe it was the big, fork mounted windshield.

 

[barbagris]

Take SPEED RATINGS with a pinch of salt. The way the ratings are achieved has little to do with the real world - basically it's an indicator how the tyre deals with heat.

If it's generally HOT where you are, and depending how hard you ride - the rubber COULD get TOO hot in hard use.
I shredded both Metzler and Avon - now running a 140/80R17 Z rated up front. If I had a "T" I'd be running it just as hard.

On a tyre with a LOWER load rating - you will need slightly more pressure to compensate. It will weave if not.
Also take into account that at higher ambient air temps - you NEED more pressure - (approx 1psi for every 10ºC)
And if you habitually run over 80mph-ish a psi or two extra is recommended.

 

[rocket51]

I REALLY like my 130/90/16 the bike handles SO much easier now. A lot of the problem with my 150 tire was with uneven wear but I don't think a new 150 would handle near as good as the 130. I highly recommend the 130 if you like a bike that flows into corners and turns. Also it is much easier to handle in tight places at slow speeds and when moving bike with your feet. Bike feels more like a sport bike now and less like a tank.

 

[1K9]

he rocket leans into turns now without any effort where as before I had to use effort and it felt unstable. I can now go into curves and turns with much more confidence. The Metz 150 I had on the bike had some irregular tread wear which might have caused problems with the bigger tire. So far I am very happy with the new tire. I thought it might take care of the high speed vibration but the vibration is still there, maybe not as bad. I think the motor causes the vibration which I feel in the hand grips at 80mph and it increases with more speed, the fastest I have been is 120mph.

Looks good to me. Clean rim and front end, new shoes, let's go.

 

[Tripps]

No vibration, but I get a weird weave above 130 or 140 mph

 

[rocketjohn]

130 mph....I would be hanging on for dear life at that point I think.

 

[Tripps]

130 mph....I would be hanging on for dear life at that point I think.

Haha, I'm probably still in 3rd gear at that point.

 

[scot in exile]

I didn't see a higher speed rating on the Michelin Commander and 120 is about the top end on my bike. I hope to get Wayne's down load to get more power but even then I don't think I will be doing much over 120mph because of vibration. Do others have vibration in grips when doing excess of 80mph?

Not just a no but a hell no, i do not even feel any vibration at 125mph might be time to get your bike checked out

 

[Paul Bryant]

I dropped from the standard 150 section front down to a 140, the difference was great, in hind site it made the 150 feel like I was riding through mud.
This is on the Classic with a 17" front wheel.
You mention 16" front wheel, do the Tourings have 16" not 17" ?

 

[Jag]

Yes the touring has 16" rims front and rear.