OPINIONS WANTED REGARDING TIRES FOR OUR BIKES

[neoracer]

having riding 491's you'll think its not your "old" mc,run them at 40/42 not at stock pressures like the 491's

[efdehoyos]

My first posting here... Cooper tires motorcycle brand is called Avon.

I have an 80 GL1100i, my second. Tires have been an Huge issue with me since I prefer two wheels over four wheel any time. I have mostly used the Dunlop D404 and go thru them every few months and I am now an Expert on GL1100i tire changing.

Frustrated with the Dunlop wear I have tried several other brands and models with minimal results. I started thinking of the same issue I had in high school with my 70 Dodge Superbee and my preferred tires the Kelly "Super Chargers". After one crazy weekend of having my posi-traction burn thru two 3 day old rear tires I started asking around. I ended up buying Cooper tires, not sure of the model. Problem Solved, I could not burn them out no matter how crazy I got and they lasted almost a year of lead footing.

I called Cooper and inquired if they made motorcycle tires... Avon tires are their motorcycle brand. Got mine from revzilla.com at reasonable price and my problem has been solved once again. I have replaced the rear tire after 14 months due to my riding style and my front is still going strong 19 month later.

Ciao.

[Subzero]

Good thread! I'll probably be slapping new tires on my 1200 this spring and am thinking I might give the Shinko's a shot. I currently have the Dunlop E3's. They don't look bad but I'm unsure of the age and mileage so I would like to change them out. I change my own motorcycle tires but have only done tube type tires, is it possible to change out the Wing's tubeless tires with irons as well, or is a machine necessary?

[neoracer]

E3's have not been out too long, you could just check the date cide
front tires have date code on the left side,mine are 4610 which means they were made in Dec 2010
rear tire has them on the right side

have a set on my aspy with 22K+ and still has 5/32 tread left,surprised me when i checked my logs,fronts have 3/32 (6/32 new),dunlop website says 11/32 rear new but i recall 9/32 when new
http://www.ebay.com/itm/121036880395?ssP...1423.l2649
http://www.ebay.com/itm/COLOR-Tire-Tread...0b&vxp=mtr

[Subzero]

Good info, I'll definitely check the date codes and tread depths, might get some more use out of them yet! Thanks for the info

[mtnsurgtech]

I have the tourmasters on both front and rear and run both at 42 psi. I live in Western NC and run in the mountains as well as some distance hwy miles. Road the Shinko's all last fall and loved them. They do well in the rain and seem to handle the tar snakes as well as the EIII I had on the bike. In june I am riding from NC to Idaho with the tires and I will give you a report on how they ride long distance.

[bs175dths]

Good thread! I'll probably be slapping new tires on my 1200 this spring and am thinking I might give the Shinko's a shot. I currently have the Dunlop E3's. They don't look bad but I'm unsure of the age and mileage so I would like to change them out. I change my own motorcycle tires but have only done tube type tires, is it possible to change out the Wing's tubeless tires with irons as well, or is a machine necessary?

I changed my first set of Shinkos at my house.
(Now I use a friends air driven tire changer)
Breaking the bead is the hardest part.
Remove the air valve innards.
I placed the rim on some wood so as not to let the rotor touch the ground, I added WD-40 to the bead, I placed the square base of a bottle jack on the tire, at the bead, near the rim (not on the rim), I then aligned the top of the bottle jack under a car frame and slowly jacked the bottle jack.
As soon as the weight of the car started to push on the bead of the tire, I slowed the jacking and eventually, the bead was broken.
Repeat this several times around the rim on one side of the wheel, then flip the wheel over and do the same on the other side to break the bead.
Second hardest is geting the bead to seat.
(don't forget a new valve stem)
I used a pair of ratcheting tie downs to allow the bead of the tire to seat near the rim. Apply air, making adjustmets to the tie downs, until the bead is seated and the tire fills with air.

Repeat if you are doing two tires.

Yep, it takes some time, but it can be done.

-Ride On

[WingMan71]

OK... I'm gonna revive a year old thread, cause I need new tires!

Those of you running Dunlop E3s, aren't those radial tires? If so, is it OK to run radial tires on the GL1200, which was originally designed for bias belted tires?

Also, are the Michelin Commander 2s radial or bias belted?

Just wondering before I start my search for some new shoes for my '87 Aspencade.

[SIR tricky]

This is what I use:
http://www.dunlopmotorcycle.com/fitment-...513&submit=

[bagelboy]

I run Dunlops on all 3 of my bikes, 2 gl1200 Aspencades and a 97 Valkyrie tourer. I average close to 20,000 on the gl1200s and 15,000 miles on the Valkyrie. I keep the 1200 at 36 psi for the front and 40 psi for the back. On the Valkyrie it's 40 psi for the front and 44 psi for the back. I think air has a lot to do with longevity! Not saying they are the best ride as far as tires go, but with 3 bikes, I need long lasting tires!

[WingMan71]

I decided to go with the Dunlop 491 Elite II for the front. MT90B-16.

I wasn't able to get a Dunlop 491 Elite II for the back in the correct size. MV85B-15. It's a 15" wheel, and Dunlop only shows a 16" rear tire in that model in the dealer's book.

So, don't know what I'm gonna do about the back tire. Still have some tread left on the back, so I have some time to decide.

[85GL1200I]

I put a Shinko tour master on the back last year, and will be putting one on the front soon. I liked the E3s, but the steep price jumps did me in. Like the tour masters, can't vouch for the mileage yet.