Tires for the NOOB

[-AJ]

Metzeler or Avon would be my choices.

[LJ.Speedmaster]

Lastly you should not pressurize cruiser tires to the tire maker specs. You should pressurize the tires to the bike makers specs.

G.[/QUOTE]

Thats not entirely true. You can go with the bike makers specs but to get the best performance and mileage out of your tire, you should go with the tire makers specs. For example, metzeler is a high performance tire (great handling in dry or wet conditions, long lasting wear) and they require a higher pressure to function best.

[gdb069]

Originally Posted by LJ.Speedmaster

Lastly you should not pressurize cruiser tires to the tire maker specs. You should pressurize the tires to the bike makers specs.

G.

Thats not entirely true. You can go with the bike makers specs but to get the best performance and mileage out of your tire, you should go with the tire makers specs. For example, metzeler is a high performance tire (great handling in dry or wet conditions, long lasting wear) and they require a higher pressure to function best.

I am not sure that the tire maker knows exactly what you are riding ie the Metzler Marathon 880s fit on dozens of bikes of different weight and handling characteristics.

I have 2 bikes with the same rear tire size: 170/80 15
Metler doesn't knnow its 2 different bikes so specs 1 tire pressure of 38 PSI. Honda knows its 2 different bikes and specs 29 PSI for one and 33 PSI for the other. Metzler offers the disclaimer: "Always inflate tires to the correct pressure as indicated in the owner's manual" then goes on to offer their suggestions.

PS I am not ragging on Metzler that are great tires and I have a set but my cruisers have stock recommended tires: Dunlop and Bridgestone.

G.

[fibersport]

Glad someone else agrees with the bike mfg. and not the tire sidewall. I belonged to a Rebel forum and they pretty much agreed to air things up to the max, never made sense to me. Someone finally said the proper way would be to start out at the bike mfg recommendations then ride for a given distance and check the pressure, if it raised up within a certain range you were good, if it went up too much you were low. Been searching for the post but have not found it yet.

[kokopellioh]

I also had a PM that recommended Pirelli MT66. I have Shinko on the rear now, too new to be replaced, so I looked at them.. Price is good, but everything I've read screams "wears out quick".

[tcanthonyii]

I made it 5k on my shinko. Cheap yes but they run down the road great. That said I went with Avon's b/c of the longevity and the miles and type of riding I do, especially with the trailer.

As far as PSI in tires goes. The bike recommended is for stock tires. If you're running non stock dunlops then you gotta just go at it on your own and find out what works best. between that and the tire recommended psi. Every manufacturer uses a different compound so you gotta be somewhere in between.

as for me, b/c I'm a fat ass and pull a trailer I go to the max settings the bike is rated at. Ive found that it works the best for me.

[fibersport]

I to have Pirelli MT66 on mine, just put them on about a month ago but so far they are nice.

I found the artlicle on air pressure:

In summary, take the air pressure cold. Ride for about 15 minutes at highway speeds and check the pressure again. If it goes up 3 psi, you're good. If it goes up more than 3 PSI, your intitial pressure is too low. If it does not go up 3 psi, then your initial pressure is too high. The 3 psi number is to allow the tire to warm up correctly.

I suppose you could chase your pressure around forever based on the temperature when you start, however it is at least one good way to attempt to arrive at a pressure if you don't agree with the manufacturers.

[kokopellioh]

Just had another tire suggested: Kenda Kruz K673

Hmm ...

[jsalman93]

What's everyone's opinion on Shinko tires btw. I know that they are cheap and probably made out of pencil eraser rubber, but I'm thinking of getting a pair for my gf's scooter. I don't see her leaning over in turns or going past 60 on them anyway. If they are good tires I might even get a pair for my shadow, don't know if they beat Dunlop 404's though (not setting those standard too high lol)

[NickN72]

Originally Posted by kokopellioh

Just had another tire suggested: Kenda Kruz K673

Hmm ...

I like the Kenda Kruz. I put one on my last bike and was really happy with the traction and way it held up. I think they are a great value, I think I could get one on ebay for $82 shipped when i was looking at them earlier this year. The metzlers and avons are great, but I think its hard to beat Kenda for the money.