Tires

[Banger Bob]

I havew had my Honda VTX 1800-Retro for 1 1/2 years. The tires have about 10,000 miles on them and are slick. I need recomendations on replacement tires. I can't really afford to spend that kind of money every year for tires.

Bob

[Jack G]

You've got a big bike that needs big braking and handling. Buy your tires at Hal's HDL. Its the best you can do. As for brands, everyone will tell theirs is the best.

[Coot]

I havew had my Honda VTX 1800-Retro for 1 1/2 years. The tires have about 10,000 miles on them and are slick. I need recomendations on replacement tires. I can't really afford to spend that kind of money every year for tires.

Bob

Bob,

This ain't much encouragement, but the best I've ever gotten on my ST1300 is 6,000 miles. Big cruisers rarely get over 10,000 and remain within the limits of safety.

Motorcycle tires are made of soft rubber compounds for traction. If they were made like my Dodge Ram's Michelins, I'd be slippin' and slidin'.

I think you did pretty well to get 10,000 out of them. I don't think there is an answer to the tire mileage problem, short of suicide on hard auto compounds.

If anybody knows how I can improve on 6,000, please let me know.

So much for the "cheap transportation" concept of motorcycle travel. But.....I'll cheerfully pay the price.

Coot

[ValkSmile]

I have a Valkyrie Interstate and the best tire I've found so far is the Avon Venom R. I got 16k miles on both of the Avon's I had on the rear of the bike and I got 32k miles on the front. I ride 2 up about 25% of the time.
The Avons also handle beautifully. I do not have any trouble leaning the Valk over and scraping the foot pegs with the Avons. I know several people with Avons on Valks and they all get pretty good mileage out of them. Weight plays a BIG role in tire wear. I've talked to many people about tire wear and the more weight on the bike the less mileage you get. The guys that ride 2 up get worse milage.

[2002BossHoss385HP]

On the smaller bikes (such as the Valk)...*LOL* the Avons may be fine, but on a Boss Hoss they are terrible. I went through two fronts in a heartbeat, but the Michelin Commander is holding great! The Avon fronts began cupping terribly, and had major vibrations from day one. I thought maybe I had a bad one first time around, so I bought another, with the same results. The Michelin Commander was half the price, seem to be lasting at least 1/3 again longer, rides smoother, with no vibrations. I vote for the Michelin Commander on the larger bikes. :D

[gemini]

have a 97 standard, changed the dunlops (oem) @12,000; replaced with metzlers (great tire for the rain).
some love avons, some hate em (quality control issue but they will replace bad ones)
tires are one of those issues (like oil and coolant) that will get you about a zillion opinions.
good luck with finding "the best tire out there" .