[stevel]

I have a VTX1800T that has 4600 miles. I bought it used, from a dealer a few months ago. It was sitting on the showroom floor for years (4+). The rear tire is now almost worn out. I've had heavy cruisers (Harleys) for many years, so I'm used to changing rear tires often,but a worn out tire after 4600 miles seems to be ridiculous. I must admit to a bit of "exhuberant throttle syndrome", since the Honda has way more power than anything else I've ever owned, but surely there must be a tire that offers better life than the stock Dunlop.

I've read the "darkside" posts, but I'm not yet ready to try a car tire.

I'd like to hear what motorcycle tires have given decent mileage for folks in the cafe. I'm looking at Metzler ME880, Dunlop Elite III, Avon Cobra, and Bridgestone Exedra.

Any reviews/advice would be GREATLY appreciated !

 

[blackdot]

40psi will help and easing up on the quick get-aways.

 

[Robtaz]

I've been doing a lot of reading, and my Brother is a Design Engineer at Michelin. I am looking at the Michelin Commander II. According to their statistical data and real world tests, they claim the are getting 2 times the tread wear of a Metzler ME 880 and Dunlops D407/408. Something to think about.

Here is a link to the Video on Youtube by JPCycles.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSKFDtTBK2g&feature=player_embedded#!

 

[stevel]

I don't see 180/70-16 (stock size) in the Michelin Commander. They have a 180/65-16, which has a lower sidewall (smaller tire diameter). Since I use the bike for touring, it's not geared high enough for me now. If somebody made a taller sidewall tire (180/75-16) I'd buy it to lower the rpm's at cruising speeds.

Going smaller is going in the opposite direction for me.

Thanks for the suggestion though.............

 

[Tersuesar]

I'm interested in finding a motorcycle tire that will have greater mileage too. I'm one of the Darksiders that would like to have a front tire last at least half as long. Great thread, Stevel!

 

[Deno]

I switch from ME880's to the Michelin Commander2 radial, picked it up from bikebandit.com. It made a huge difference, probably due to the radial aspect. Theres alot of 1800sthe running the Elite 3 with successful results. IMHO Avon's are too soft.

 

[etep]

Similar problem so I went dark side a year ago.

Yep ! I went through a Dunlop 440 and only got 7K out of it on my VTX 1300. I can imagine what I would do to such a motorcycle tire on an 1800.

18,000 miles on my Michelin Hydro Edge now and lots of tread left !
Last month I did 1,300 miles worth of hard twisties in the NC and TN mountains on it too. That included a day at the Dragon. I guess a CT is not for everyone but personally I love it. I will never go back to a MC.

Hope you find a better tire that works out for ya !
:cheers:

 

[Charlie D]

One statement doesn't fit
I've had heavy cruisers (Harleys)

There isn't a Harley made that has the weight of an 1800 X heck even the 1300 is 740lbs dry weight.

You can go with a 1300 final drive and lower your rpm about 300 at cruise then the 65 sidewall would work fine.

 

[stevel]

Beg to disagree there Charlie D.
My last Harley was an older ('02) Electraglide with full bags + touring trunk (from the factory). Back in '02 those bags were thick, heavy fiberglass, and my old rig was as heavy, if not heavier than my current VTX 1800 T.

I know. I've ridden both bikes.

Thanks for the final drive tip. It's kinda impractical to spend a lot of money changing the final drive to use a specific brand of tire, but may be worthwhile to lower (raise numerically) my gear ratio to lower the RPM's at highway speeds with a 70 series tire.

 

[thundrhd]

02 Electraglide 776# dry weight, Honda 08 1800 734# dry weight, not a lot of difference in weight, add hard bags, fairing, and trunk to the Honda, they even out. The early wear on the stock tire is not surprising, especially if it was kept at the factory "suggested" psi, Metzeler tires at proper inflation will outlast stock dunnies four times over(16k) at least. Maybe try a Metz 200/60/16
http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/me-880-marathon-xxl-20060vr-16-rear/part/ME-110-13075

 

[motorcyclejip]

I'm running the Elite 3 at 40 & 42 psi. World of difference.

 

[stevel]

Thanks Mike. I wondered if the extended mileage claims that Metzler makes were real or just hype. The Metz's are one of the most expensive of the brands that I'm looking at.
I'll almost surely stick with the stock sidewall height (70 series) and forego the expensive final drive swap, at least for this tire change.

If I swap the final drive, I'll probably still stick with the 70 series tire, and just enjoy smoother (lower RPM's) highway cruising.

Metz makes a Marathon ME880 in 180/70 R16. That's plenty wide enough.

Do you know what the "proper inflation" would be ?

I run my stock Dunlops at 30 psi front and rear. It came from the stealer with 32 psi in the front, and 36 psi in the rear. It handled lousy, and felt like a jackhammer over bumps.

Thanks for your input (on both the tires and bike weight).

"I'm running the Elite 3 at 40 & 42 psi. World of difference."

World of difference in what way John ?
Longer life ? Better handling ? More comfortable ? Other ?

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Charlie D]

Thanks Mike. I wondered if the extended mileage claims that Metzler makes were real or just hype. The Metz's are one of the most expensive of the brands that I'm looking at.
I'll almost surely stick with the stock sidewall height (70 series) and forego the expensive final drive swap, at least for this tire change.

If I swap the final drive, I'll probably still stick with the 70 series tire, and just enjoy smoother (lower RPM's) highway cruising.

Metz makes a Marathon ME880 in 180/70 R16. That's plenty wide enough.

Do you know what the "proper inflation" would be ?

I run my stock Dunlops at 30 psi front and rear. It came from the stealer with 32 psi in the front, and 36 psi in the rear. It handled lousy, and felt like a jackhammer over bumps.

Thanks for your input (on both the tires and bike weight).

"I'm running the Elite 3 at 40 & 42 psi. World of difference."

World of difference in what way John ?
Longer life ? Better handling ? More comfortable ? Other ?

Thanks,
Steve

If you run your tires at 30-32 you won't get much more than 5000 out of any tire you run.

 

[Sasquatch Biker]

I don't know about the 1800x yet but on my Voyager If I got 7000miles out of my ME880 I was doing good. I ran 42 psi front and rear. Tried a conti pro tour but it separated after about 4000. Have a buddy with over 14,000 on an Elite III on his Road King and still looks good. I am leaning toward an elite III but I am considering going to the darkside. Wonder how much different the X will handle with a ct on it?

 

[Charlie D]

I don't know about the 1800x yet but on my Voyager If I got 7000miles out of my ME880 I was doing good. I ran 42 psi front and rear. Tried a conti pro tour but it separated after about 4000. Have a buddy with over 14,000 on an Elite III on his Road King and still looks good. I am leaning toward an elite III but I am considering going to the darkside. Wonder how much different the X will handle with a ct on it?

Most that go dark don't go back.

I have 40,000 on my dark now and need to order a new one today after work.
Now running the hydroedge and going to get the Altimax hp for the new one.