[nakota7]

I don't carie what you buy. But to get the best out of your tires for life and ride check the air the first of every month. When the temps get above 95 degrees check every two weeks. Buy a good tire gauge the pencil ones are junk. You'll find you do lose air View attachment 8606

Checking once a month is way too infrequent. I put a TPMS on and check before each ride. 10 degree temp changes can affect pressure. Riding out west a few weeks ago for 6k miles we had temperature swings of 60-70 degrees some days. I left Jackson Wy at 39 and was in Cody WY a few hrs later and it was 102

 

[MagVic CCT]

Thanks, that's useful info.

 

[bobzinger]

Tire threads are a lot like oil threads. In the end don't listen to just a few reports on handling, wear, etc. Search the forum and get a wide view over years of experience. Not that I'm recommending it, but some have even switched to running car tires. Michelin makes the Commander II which many people use even though it's a bias ply vs stock radial ply. I pay attention to Load rating primarily since I ride fully loaded most of the time.
I've used Avon Venom, Dunlop Elite 3, and Bridgestones on Harleys & Nomads in the past. I've used bias vs radial and mixed them with no handling effect that I could tell.

In the end I'll use whatever I get the best deal on.

revised 10-13-15.
I installed Dunlop American Elite. It's a 65 aspect ratio tire (vs 60) and bias ply with a 81 load rating which is higher that the E3... I feel no change in handling. I do want to try the Michelin.

 

[bikendad]

Avon Cobras, stick like super glue wet or dry! Much quicker turn in, much more responsive and sticky than the Dunlops.

 

[jenkins]

I am with Primethius. Have 3500 miles now on my new combination Yokahama CT on the rear and Avon Cobra on the front and will not be going back to a MT on the rear! Just love this combo! For those willing to ask the question "Why a CT?", check the Darkside threads on the GL1800 site for the most thorough discussion I am aware of. Ride safe, Jim

 

[Keith Grey]

I'd say smoother. I don't now about quieter. I use ear plugs and can't hear if there is any difference. I added the Ride-In at 9200 miles. Still lots of tread left, so I was curious about extending the life of the tires. I like to get 15 k miles or more for a set of E3's. I once did 22 k miles on the Goldwing, but the rear was pretty badly cupped.

Not to bang the Dynamic Balance drum TOO HARD, but if you ever have a need to go into triple digit speed this is the only way to go. I remember to check pressure (TPMS) before 90% of my first daily start ups and probably 75% of all rides, then I start testing ABS and feel of the handling before I get to 50 mph on the way out of my little neighborhood.

Dyna-Beads worked very very well compared to weights, and Ride On was a step up since it adds puncture protection. For me it has caught and plugged a MC tire puncture ( replaced), and a car tire (traded to dealer) without a single psi lost. Dynamic puncture protection seems to be about 60-70% effective from the Vog posts and Ride-on reviews and for me that makes it worthwhile. Plus Ride on plugs harden and act like a rubber plug. Slime and Fix a flat, do not.

One thing I wouldn't try in a bike is SLIME. IT never gave as good a result in my Dodge Journey as the Ride On. Seemed to always be trying to settle down.

I kept an old rear Dunflop with ride on in my bike shed for three seasons ( fall, winter, spring) and the Ride-on goop never fully slid off or settled. Even in July when I cleaned it up and took it to the dump it was 80% or more still spread out. Worth the money. Slime settles before you can get a tire off the rim. Junk, unless you really need to be thrifty with a lot of tires that don't balance well or go high speed.

Also? TPMS is worth its weight in gold. $100 for 2 Bluetooth sensors that work with my iPhone. Check before each ride + alarm set points = Peace of Mind.

Spoiled by TPMS on new 4 wheel vehicles, and like ABS, I love it on my bike. Couple good TPMS out there, but I went FOBOBIKE because of cost and iPhone integration with my GPS.

http://www.amazon.com/FOBO-FB1581-Fobo-Bike-Silver/dp/B00YCAVD3W

Motorcycles

 

[Bbeeler]

OK...so I purchased the Michelin Commander II's and I have to admit, bike has not road like this before. The bike appears to be well balanced again, the handling is "off the hook" (This is Good), and the bike hugs the curves the certainty.

I really enjoy the feel so far, but will put several hundred miles on the new tires over the Labor Day Weeore, and heard good things about the Avons, but overall I received nothing but good feedback on the Michelins.

I really enjoy the feel so far, but will put several hundred miles on the new tires over the Labor Day Weekend and report back.

Thanks for all the replies.

 

[El_Spanky]

Dunlop v. Bridgestone v. Michelin v. Metzler... Centramatics.com is what I use for balancing.

 

[Pointman]

New tires are about the best thing ever...

Personally, I've burned through a lot of Bridgestones on my XCT and will continue with them unless I go back to the darkside and then I'll keep the stone on the front anyway. I'm getting 12-14k per rear and 2 rear's to a front. Wingstuff has them for $299 set delivered (and there's a $50 rebate if you buy this month). Downside is they are not as high of a load rating as the E3's but are stock on GL1800's so they're good enough... our 10 day over the road loadout just gets by (souvenirs probably pushed us over).

 

[skiziks64]

I put on a set of Bridgstone Exedra's this spring and so far I really like them I have never rode on new Dunlops and I am sure they are good but I could not pass on the Exedra's for the price from Wingstuff
Bridgestone Bridgestone Tire COMBO for GL1800

 

[CC4ME]

I have had two sets of Avon Cobras on my XC and love the handling, wet or dry. They have great grip, but at the expense of tire life. I have only got around 7000 miles on each rear (7100 first, 7300 second). I ride hard and engine brake often so I don't expect to get real high mileage, but that is real low. BTW, I'm wearing to the wear bars evenly, and don't wait till they are bald t change. After having to change tires in less than a year, I bought a Michelin PA like Primethious above. I will get it mounted (with Dyna Beads) this week and see how I like it. If I don't, I'll pull it and go back the the Avon's, and more frequent tire changes.

I too am running the Cobra. I really like the ride performance, but the rear cupped like hell. Actually every tire I've tried has cupped after 5 or 6 K miles. E3, 880, and the Cobra. I use Ride-On and check air religiously. After a lot of reading, I've come to the conclusion it's the weight of the bike and my aggressive riding style. Not a lot of straight, flat roads up here in New England. I will try the 888 next, but have come to terms with trashing tires. Small price to pay for the enjoyment.

 

[Pointman]

I too am running the Cobra. I really like the ride performance, but the rear cupped like hell. Actually every tire I've tried has cupped after 5 or 6 K miles. E3, 880, and the Cobra. I use Ride-On and check air religiously. After a lot of reading, I've come to the conclusion it's the weight of the bike and my aggressive riding style. Not a lot of straight, flat roads up here in New England. I will try the 888 next, but have come to terms with trashing tires. Small price to pay for the enjoyment.

Cobra's are worse than most when they cup, too, due to their asymmetrical tread pattern. The ones I had on my VTX1800 cupped/scalloped badly and at low speed you could feel the rear end moving around on the uneven cupping. Too bad because their previous Venom series were excellent but they quit making them (in the right sizes) in favor of the Cobra which I found to be an inferior design solely due to the cute tread pattern.

 

[CC4ME]

Cobra's are worse than most when they cup, too, due to their asymmetrical tread pattern. The ones I had on my VTX1800 cupped/scalloped badly and at low speed you could feel the rear end moving around on the uneven cupping. Too bad because their previous Venom series were excellent but they quit making them (in the right sizes) in favor of the Cobra which I found to be an inferior design solely due to the cute tread pattern.

That's an interesting explanation. The front is in good shape, so I'm thinking now that I'll replace the rear and when that is trashed, I'll replace the set.
Did I read that you are rubbing Bridgestones?

 

[Pointman]

That's an interesting explanation. The front is in good shape, so I'm thinking now that I'll replace the rear and when that is trashed, I'll replace the set.
Did I read that you are rubbing Bridgestones?

Yes I've been running the Bridgestones since the OE E3's came off at 9k, 62k on my XCT now.

Edit: And, I am also using 2 rear to 1 front...

 

[Bbeeler]

So 3rd week of September I did a solo ride from Dallas, Tx to Louisville, Ky...832 Miles one way (but who is counting). This was the first ride on my new Michelin Commander II's. My opinion....the best tires I've ever had so far. The handling was outstanding and my bike feels balanced like never before. Thanks to Deke, the service manager at Freedom Powersport in McKinney Texas. He said they are the best tires on the market and I have to agree.

Prior to this I was a Metzelers fan. But I did notice that they would grab in grooved roads or uneven transitions. This was very scary, but I thought it was normal. I don't get that with the Michelin's, and everyone with these tires get much longer life then the DE3's

The ride back home was perfect. I picked a great weekend for a trip. Did the full 800+ in one day....both going and returning. A little cool on the return trip, but I had chaps, gloves, etc to support the cool mornings.

I purchased the Coolstream Duo Bluetooth adapter off Ebay for $30. Connected it to the 30 pin iPod jack in my lowers, placed my LG Tablet on a online station or Pandora, placed in my bags and had good music the whole way. Best investment for my music listening.

Learned a few lessons on this trip:

1. I have a smoked windshield...and started my trip too early (Was too dark to see the road through shield)

2. When my azz got a little tired, I used the highway pegs to stretch calfs, this made all the difference and allowed me to continue for much longer. Still will purchase and Ultimate Seat after I "Stack my Chips" a bit more.

3. Moms was worried about my return trip...so I used the app "Glympse" so she and family members could track my progress on this GPS tracking app, all the way back. Helped lessen the worry factor. If you have never heard of this "free" app, you must download now. Works as a text or e-mail, and give the recipient a GPS enabled map of your location and speed.

Thanks again for all the advice on the topic. Very much appreciated !!!!

 

[Coster]

This was the first ride on my new Michelin Commander II's

Since Michelin didn't list them, what size Commander II's did you put on your bike?

 

[Ampdreamer]

I wanted to buy michelins but they didn't make both sizes for the vegas

 

[Bbeeler]

Front 130/70-18
Rear 180/65-16

Ebay Prices

130/70 18, 180/65 16 Michelin Commander II Tire Kit

 

[rwilly]

I changed my tires and afterwards wish I'd done it at zero miles. I went with a Michelin Primacy Alpin zp Darkside rear tire, and a Avon Cobra front tire.
First car tire I ever had and would not go back. The grip and handling is far superior to the E3's.

The profile of that tire looks good. A lot better than most car tires I've looked at.

 

[AF-Rider]

I'm looking at the Metzeler ME888 or the Michelin Commander IIs. What's the difference between the two on performance, wear, & cost? Also, where's the best place to order from?