Last year my mechanic recommended Bridgestone Exedra tires. They are outstanding.

 

I tend to ride rain or shine, Avon Cobra Chromes front and rear on my XC. Front tire I run the stock sized front tire HR rated to 18-20k miles to the ware indicators.

The rear have gone 9-11k to the cords with better wet grip completely bald than the original E3 or the E4 with plenty of tread, I mistakenly tried, looking for more miles. Not only did the E4 not last any longer, it would slide out tomorrow, on a wet road, where the Vision went through the day before on a rail in the rain.

 

IMHO, carefully riding down a gravel road is one of the very best ways to scrub in new tires. I also much prefer the front tire on my Cross bikes to be a 160/60. After running two consecutive 160/60's, the oem size of 130/70 just doesn't cut it.

My CCT is currently running Dunlop E4's and the hard-Ball is running Shinko SE890 Journey tires. They both perform well in all circumstances but again, I much prefer a 160/60 up front.

 

I will use a back tire that is not an exact size match if I can get the other specs in a tire I like, but generally I will run OEM size and spec tires. That said, the last three sets have been Cobra and Cobra chrome. Love them, no issues with ride or grip wet or dry. I would go to Excedra Max in an instant if I could get a good enough fit. The rear is the problem. To uphold the rating it is necessary to go to a 200 width. This may not be an issue, but I can't get a definative answer. If I do, then I may switch. There is very little wiggle room under the back fender.

 

There is very little wiggle room under the back fender.

Rear tire fitment has more to do with clearance at the front of the swingarm. Tire height and growth at speed is what you need to watch out for.

 

my front shinko 890 has 30k miles on it and run a car tire on the rear, got 33k miles on my '09 vision

 

What size of car tire do you run on the rear? What brand and model? Would you mind posting a few pictures please?

 

What car tire are you running out back? I did that once on my CCT with very good results. At that time I ran a Dunlop Winter Sport 3D runflat in 195/55. That particular tire is no longer available.

 

Current is Solar xs+ 195/55/16 on the back. I buy whatever I can get for under $100 in that size. Had very good results on all the car tires I've mounted (5). Last one was a 185/55/16... hard to put on and take off,, but decent miles. 158k on the bike

 

I run the e4 on my xr and vision no problem

 

Of the Exedra Max, the E4, Metzler 888 & the Avon Cobra I would recommend all if that’s your only option. I got around 13k miles out of each except for the Avon which I only got 8k miles. The more consistent you are with doing tire pressures the longer any tire will last.

 

Been running Avon fronts on 007 with a darkside rear. This time i couldn't find an Avon so I bought a Metzler for the front. We'll see if it stacks up to the Avon. Darkside is an Yoko Avid Envigor 195/55R16.

 

Just put on a set of metlzer cruise tech this past weekend haven’t had a chance to test them out yet, the weather needs to decide what it’s gonna be hot or cold.

 

I'm looking at the Metzler's now. How have they been?

 

YOKOHAMA AVID ENVIGOR ZPS, 195 /55 R16 87V SL BSW RF ($156.00 Discount Tire)
I like the tread pattern, looks very stable. What air pressure?

 

I started at 40 and over the years am now at 34 pounds. For me the sweet spot is 34psi. Rode darkside on two different Valks, VTX 1800, a Suzuk V-Strom, and three VV's. Lots of miles one and two up. They work for me.

 

I’m getting another rear tomorrow at ironpony, they have metzler 888, E4, Bridgestone Exedra, Avon CC & the cruise techs in stock so I’ll decide when I get there. I’ve ran all but the cruise tech so maybe will try it, I need to buy a tire changer & switch to darkside out back & move on with my life, twice the miles & half the cost

 

About to change my front. Have only run E4, but will be trying either the cruisetec or the exedra. Will let you know what ends up going on the Vision.

 

I have always run Cobra and Cobra Chromes since removing the original E3 Dunlops on my bikes. For me it’s not about mileage. They are by far the best tire for wet road riding designed for a motorcycle. The new Metzler CruiseTec tires are a consideration as Indian puts them on the mighty Challenger and Pursuit bikes knowing darn well these bikes can be ridden at a performance level.
While at J&P Cycles during Daytona Bike week I visited the outdoor tire vendors and chatted in length with the Cruisetec factory rep. He was quite knowledgeable in everything MC tire. He has in his career path represented a few brands including Dunlop and found his home at Metzler. The tread design/pattern , rubber compound, and load rating besides the fact that they now have Victory sizes makes these tires a great replacement choice for our bikes. The rep walked over to my bike and compared his tread design to that of cobras showing how much better the front tire will push water out of the way making a cleaner path for the rear tire as to not hydroplane. Not once discounting the Avons and in fact praising them as Metzler wanted to follow the same path for confident traction in both dry and wet riding but with improved wet riding traction and longevity of the tire. Not remembering word for word coming from this well educated tire rep …. I walked away as did my buddy with the impression that these tires could be my next choice.
My other friend owns a 15 X1 and just mounted a set of the cruisetecs. 21” bias ply front and radial rear. His report now that he has well over 1000 miles on this beauty is simply ….. a great feel on the road. Unfortunately or better yet fortunately he has gotten caught in the rain yet on this bike.
Shinko no doubt is a more budget friendly tire. Some MC shops say they’re fine and some say not recommended. IDK. Many here that ride them have no complaints. They look fine and I’m sure they are fine but I’m one who will “stick” with what has always worked for me. Avons are my first choice always on a Vic. Metzler Cruisetec ?? Sure I’ll try them if I can’t get Avons !

 

I highly encourage trying the 160/60 up front on the Cross bikes. That size simply works very well. Mileage also goes way up. There simply isn’t a downside that I’ve found except maybe limited options for the same brand/type out back.

 

I haven't experienced mileage gains from a 160 on the front of my Vision.
The Angel GT went 15-16k the Bridgestone Battlax T32 currently has just shy of 10k. Really like this tire, doesn't slow down turn-in like the Angel GT.

The 1st Avon CC 130 60 18HR on my XC went 18k miles without reaching the TWI. The current Avon CC has 18k so I may pickup a Battlax for the 50k service.

Sh!t, I'm going to have to replace 5-6 tires in the next month or two.

 

I've always tried to at least match my tour bikes rear tire load rating, the Vision & TCD both specified an 80 rating (992 lbs) & that narrows it down to maybe 4 manufactures last time I was looking & then maybe one of them might be available when you need one. I've been on Avon's for many miles & they're my first choice. Had to replace a Cobra mid tour with a Dunlop Elite 4 years back & while it wore well the handling was sub par for all but the first few thousand miles. I'd consider a Shinko or a Kenda on a lighter solo bike not on on a two up/loaded tourer. Had a disappointing try with two sets of Metzeler's & I'll take superior handling over mileage on my motorcycles, If a rear tire makes it to 10,000 miles for me it's a miracle.

 

Yes sir …. Couldn’t agree more. Wether you’re riding everyday or every weekend or just once a month. The only thing between you and that nasty hot asphalt is that tire. Mine needs to perform when I perform. When 2 up ? Yeah that’s priceless when the rubber holds the road.

 

I used Shinko tires (also Dunlops and a few other brands) on an 1100 Honda Aero that I outfitted for touring and rode for 14 years. The Shinkos seemed fine to me. My bike tipped the scales at about 730 lbs. with accessories (hard bags, engine protector bars, windshield and hardware, Cobra light bar, etc). That's still lighter than a Vision, but they wore well and had a decent service life.

 

Not knocking what you’re saying. The Aero 1100 does not have the HP/ Torque of and the weight of the CC and CCT (230lbs difference). The Aero 1100 certainly has the smoothest VTwin I e ever ridden.

 

No argument - I had the opportunity to test a Victory Vision, doing a tour-test for a motorcycle publication, and had the bike for about six weeks. It was a LARGE motorcycle, excellent on the road, but a bit of a handful at slow speeds and in tight turns. I ride a Victory Cross Country now, which is only probably 30 pounds heavier than my outfitted Honda, but the wheelbase on the Victory is actually an inch or two shorter than the Honda. The Cross Country is about as big as I want to go.

 

I got the cruise tech, it’s the 80 load rating, will scrub in tomorrow & report back

 

Dunlop RoadSmart 2, dual compound rear tire up front, running ‘backwards’.

1st one - at 33K mikes it was ‘just about’ to the wear bars
2nd one - like an idiot I changed it out at 25K miles because I was going on a 4K mile trip and got a great deal on a set of oem sized Dunlop E4’s.

For most of the life on these Dunlop 160/60 front tires I ran a Dunlop WinterSport 3D run flat car tire out back. Talk about grip. Wow, very impressive.

For me, I’m bummed Dunlop no longer makes a 160/60 in the RoadSmart series.

My current E4 130/70 on the front of my CCT loves to track groves in the pavement.

 

I'm running the Dunlap E4 front and rear and I'm happy with them.

 

Even the E3 was a decent tire in its own right. One of the few in full front and rear radial. The only one in radial at the moment for the 21” front wheel of the magnum. The E4 is a better tire still not nearly the grip as the Avon Cobras especially in the rain.
When I ran Dunlops it was as simple as a twist of the throttle to break the rear tire loose when taking off. No aggressive launches were necessary as the bikes being cammed and tuned had the power to do so. It was fun actually. These bikes would lay rubber for a block. With the Avons ? It’s almost impossible. The bikes just bite ….. try to lift the wheel and go hard. Ideal tire for a drag race. Not that I condone this behavior…… Avon is a tire that gives you everything but longevity!

 

I would contend the contact patch of a car tire on the back of a Victory is always, under every condition, larger than the contact patch of the oem size 180/60 motorcycle tire.

Same situation with a 160/60 mounted up front. The contact patch of a 160/60 tire is always, under every condition, larger than the contact patch of the oem size 130/70 tire.

 

I would contend the contact patch of a car tire on the back of a Victory is always, under every condition, larger than the contact patch of the oem size 180/60 motorcycle tire.

Even at full lean when cornering?

 

Yes, absolutely. Several YouTube videos have professionally recorded this.

 

If there were any traction, handling, or cornering grip advantage gained by using a car tire on a motorcycle...then why don't road racers use them? Racing is about pushing limits. I can see the advantage for drag racing, but not for cornering.

 

Awesome, that's been discussed and debated for decades. Please enjoy your time reading on it and watching the 1000's of available videos.

When you're fully leaned into corners racing your motorcycle, please trust whatever motorcycle specific tire you bought or get a sponsorship from.

For road riding a Victory cruiser, please enjoy the very large rear tire choices available to you. Whether they be motorcycle specific or a run flat car tire.