Tire sizes...options?

[Lodogg2221]

Hi guys.
Just got to thinking, at some point in the future, Ill need new tires.
I am wondering what sizes you guys run? 
I know the stock sizes are (on my 95) 120/80-18 and 150/80-16
As most of us know, there arent many radial options in those sizes, especially if you like to have matching tires f/r. 
Ive seen a number of guys running the larger wing size tires, 130/70-18 and 160/70/16 I think.

Are there issues in doing that?  I know there was lots of talk on the old forum about recommended rim widths, and that the Wing had the same size wheels, so it shouldnt technically be an issue, but if you ARE running those sizes, what tires do you use and why?

Or for that matter, what tires, other than Avons, in the stock sizes do you guys run? 

[pat8228]

I have Avon venom's 130/70/18 and 160/70/16 on mine. rides great. tight fit putting wheels back on, but once in place there is more than enough clearance. I didn't put radials on mine because I was told they required a wider wheel.

[Two Skies]

I'm running the Avon AM42 Venom 160/80-16 on the rear of mine.  The Pilot GT also came in this size.

[timsatx]

Avon AV46 in 150/80ZR-16. Correct size for the bike.

[Lodogg2221]

What about the wing sizes?  Found shinko has the SE890 Journey radial in the 'wing sizes, but Ive also heard that radials in the 'wing sizes wont fit, and they should be bias only.

I suppose I could go with bias tires, though Ive never had any experience on them, at least not that I specifically recall!

[CRocker]

What about the wing sizes?  Found shinko has the SE890 Journey radial in the 'wing sizes, but Ive also heard that radials in the 'wing sizes wont fit, and they should be bias only.

I suppose I could go with bias tires, though Ive never had any experience on them, at least not that I specifically recall!

Shinko SE890 Journey tires are not available yet...

Shinko also makes the SR733/SR734  bias-ply tires in GL1500 sizes...just checked motorcycle superstore...$164 for a set!

[George in N Az]

I just got rid of the Metzler front, which felt like a greasey tire. I went to a Dunlop Sportmax Roadsmart 120/70 18. So far I am very happy with it. I have about a 150 miles on it and I like the way it rides. I think I will try a rear of matching type next month when I can afford it.

[gtr1000]

On my 06, 110/80-18 Metzeler Roadtec Z6 with Azaro 150/80-16 on the rear. When the Azaro wears out, the front will also be due for replacement and this time it will be a Michelin Pilot Road 2 as the Z6 Roadtec is hard to get here OTP.

[Lodogg2221]

Just FYI, sent an email to Shinko asking about release date for the 890s, they say they are testing now and hope to have them available mid to late Summer! 
Good news for me! 

[kawamark]

Just FYI, sent an email to Shinko asking about release date for the 890s, they say they are testing now and hope to have them available mid to late Summer! 
Good news for me!

FWIW...

http://www.shinkotireusa.com/product/product.php?id=72



SE890 JOURNEY TOURING RADIAL
STREET / CRUISER TIRE
The SE890 Journey touring radial is designed for larger touring bikes and cruisers with its versatile all-weather tread pattern. Available in sizes for Honda Valkyrie and Honda GL1500/1800 Gold Wing models.

•5 Ply tread, 3 ply sidewall
•Aramid belted, radial construction
•H Speed Rating (130 mph) tubeless
Size Retail Price
 
150/80R17 Front TBA
130/70R18 Front TBA
160/80R16 Rear TBA
180/60R16 Rear TBA
180/70R17 Rear TBA

[Uglydog56]

Avon roadrider in 110/80 measures 116 on the front with excellent turn-in and great stability.  I just can't put a 2 sizes bigger tire on the front and justify it in my head. 

[Roadhound]

Avon roadrider in 110/80 measures 116 on the front with excellent turn-in and great stability.  I just can't put a 2 sizes bigger tire on the front and justify it in my head.

I understand what your talking about. I've never mounted a 130 front on any of my Concours but I have ridden a few which had the 130 fitted on the front. In all honesty I wouldn't ride a Concours if I had to run that oversize tire on the front. IMO it absolutely ruins a very sweet turning motorcycle, it's capable of so much more than that tire enables it to do.

[Lodogg2221]

I understand what your talking about. I've never mounted a 130 front on any of my Concours but I have ridden a few which had the 130 fitted on the front. In all honesty I wouldn't ride a Concours if I had to run that oversize tire on the front. IMO it absolutely ruins a very sweet turning motorcycle, it's capable of so much more than that tire enables it to do.

Well, thats the point of my post, to find out my options.
So, what tires do you run???

[tvpierce]

I understand what your talking about. I've never mounted a 130 front on any of my Concours but I have ridden a few which had the 130 fitted on the front. In all honesty I wouldn't ride a Concours if I had to run that oversize tire on the front. IMO it absolutely ruins a very sweet turning motorcycle, it's capable of so much more than that tire enables it to do.

With all due respect, I think that's a little misleading.   

The Wing sized tires -- at least the Pilot GT -- don't handle any worse than comparable smaller sized touring tires.... you simply need to apply more effort to get the same level of handling.  You'll start dragging Connie's metal bits long before the Pilot GTs are going to loose their grip... even in rain.  I found the Pilot GTs to be exceptionally confidence inspiring right out of the box, but others have taken a while to build confidence with them... confidence is a subjective thing.

Personally, I like the heavier steering that the Wing size tires afford.  They definitely reduce the "flickablity" of the bike, but not the handling... IMHO.   

[snarf]

With all due respect, I think that's a little misleading.   

The Wing sized tires -- at least the Pilot GT -- don't handle any worse than comparable smaller sized touring tires.... you simply need to apply more effort to get the same level of handling.  You'll start dragging Connie's metal bits long before the Pilot GTs are going to loose their grip... even in rain.  I found the Pilot GTs to be exceptionally confidence inspiring right out of the box, but others have taken a while to build confidence with them... confidence is a subjective thing.

Personally, I like the heavier steering that the Wing size tires afford.  They definitely reduce the "flickablity" of the bike, but not the handling... IMHO.   

Very well said.  I am going to miss the GT's.  I also liked the heavier steering.  It made the bike super rock solid on the flat slab and yet I could grind off pegs in the twisties
 

[Roadhound]

With all due respect, I think that's a little misleading.   

The Wing sized tires -- at least the Pilot GT -- don't handle any worse than comparable smaller sized touring tires.... you simply need to apply more effort to get the same level of handling.  You'll start dragging Connie's metal bits long before the Pilot GTs are going to loose their grip... even in rain.  I found the Pilot GTs to be exceptionally confidence inspiring right out of the box, but others have taken a while to build confidence with them... confidence is a subjective thing.

Personally, I like the heavier steering that the Wing size tires afford.  They definitely reduce the "flickablity" of the bike, but not the handling... IMHO.   

I don't know about you but I consider anything that increases the effort required to initiate a turn, and anything that reduces the loss of "flickability" to be a pronounced loss of handling. I also find the loss of feel in the front end due to the dampening effect of the heavy tire to be unacceptable.

Any discussion of Michelin Pilot GT's actually is valueless at this point in time. Michelin abandoned you Wing size tire guys, just like they abandoned those of us who run stock size tires.

[Roadhound]

Well, thats the point of my post, to find out my options.
So, what tires do you run???

I run the Avon Storm II ultra on the front in the 110/80/18 size along with the Avon Azaro on the rear in the 150/80/16 size. I ran them on my 2000 and now run them on my 2006. The Storm II ultra is an amazingly good front tire on the C10, excellent feel, precise steering, great feedback and very good mileage.
The front likes to be aired up to 42psi and to get the best results from them you do have to get your suspension set up correctly.

I realize that many don't care for the life of the rear Azaro. I tolerate it because I just like the handling of the tire better than I do anything else out there.
A good friend of mine is running a little experiment right now with the Avon Storm II front in the 110 size and the Avon Venom in the 160/80/16 rear. I've ridden the bike and other than the fact I can detect the rear turning a little slower than the front it feels pretty good. He has about 3500 miles on the combo and the tires seem to be wearing well. He can't feel the slower turning rear but I can. I'm an everyday rider (don't do 4 wheel things) so I stay a little more in tune with my bike than many. I think this combination might just be the thing for many who just couldn't live with the life expectancy of the Azaro rear.

[Lodogg2221]

Thanks Don.  Thats what I was looking for.

I like the Storm II on the front, but the Azaro wear on the rear is awful.
I got more miles out of sport/performance tires on my old sport bikes!

I guess Im hoping the Storm IIIs are on the way soon, as that or the dual compound Azaro is probably what Id go with next, to be completely honest. 

I wish there were more radial choices in the stock sizes, but there arent, and its not likely there will be.  I have seen a few new cruiser types with this same size rear, but I dont think most of them are radials.

[medicevans]

Shinko SE890 Journey tires are not available yet...

Shinko also makes the SR733/SR734  bias-ply tires in GL1500 sizes...just checked motorcycle superstore...$164 for a set!

I started a thread about this very set of tires. No one had anything to say about them. I am interested in them too. However the SE890s have me intrigued.

[Roadhound]

I started a thread about this very set of tires. No one had anything to say about them. I am interested in them too. However the SE890s have me intrigued.

Keep in mind that 130/70/18 front radial requires a wider rim than you have on your Concours.