[Arizona Shadow Rider]

So I really wanted to put a pair on my bike. Unfortunately, the rear does not come in the size that I need (160/80x15). I can get it in x16, but my local moto place said I should stick with the OEM size of x15.

In fact, none of the Avon's come in 160/80x15.

I really like the reputation (sticks like glue in all riding conditions, long life) of Avon tires and was wondering if anyone knows of another brand that comes close to the same reputation.

 

[big poppa pump]

Go with a 170/80-15

 

[Furball Zen]

^^^^Yup, what i did.

 

[adlowe]

So I really wanted to put a pair on my bike. Unfortunately, the rear does not come in the size that I need (160/80x15). I can get it in x16, but my local moto place said I should stick with the OEM size of x15.

Yeah. Because unless you change the rim that tire won't hold air!

Go with a 170/80-15

Or a 150/90-15.

Each will provide a slightly reduced diameter (16mm for the 170, 18mm for the 150) that will increase speedometer overstatement by about 2.5% but that's not any big deal.

 

[big poppa pump]

Most if not all honda bikes have their speedometers off by about 5% from the factory. The 170/80 will actually correct your speedometer inaccuracy and get it down to >= 1%. And yes, the slightly bigger tire will no issues clearing your fender or the swingarm.

 

[h13man]

^^^^^

170/80-15 = 25.710 in. in diameter. 160/80-15 = 25.08 in. in diameter.

 

[jpr1968]

Most if not all honda bikes have their speedometers off by about 5% from the factory. The 170/80 will actually correct your speedometer inaccuracy and get it down to >= 1%. And yes, the slightly bigger tire will no issues clearing your fender or the swingarm.

Most Honda speedo's are driven off the front wheel, not the rear.

 

[big poppa pump]

Most Honda speedo's are driven off the front wheel, not the rear.

Yeah, I know that, I own a̶ ̶V̶a̶l̶k̶y̶r̶i̶e̶...2 Valkyries !!

However, my post in this case is related to the OP's bike. OP has a '05 aero and the speedometer on Aero 750's are electronic. The sensor is mounted by the output shaft behind the left side crankcase cover. It senses shaft rotation, so changing the rear tire diameter will affect the accuracy of the speedometer on these bikes.

 

[Coop]

Most Honda speedo's are driven off the front wheel, not the rear.

Not all are tho. Vtx aint.

Sent from Motorcycle.com Free App

 

[JP.]

...

 

[Furball Zen]

The Avon Venom aint that great in the wet. Shinko's are much better dry & wet and cheaper.
I wore three sets of Venoms on my Shadow before I switched to Shinko.
Shinko isn't available any more over here in Holland so I switched to Dunlop D404 front and rear.

Arent great in wet? How the heck you figure that? Bad driver? Only twice could i get the rear to break loose. One time i had to MAKE it by revving and popping the clutch, the other time i was in a turn going onto a main road and it slipped ever so slightly.

My front tire went over 20k and i only went 26k on the bike the whole time.

 

[jpr1968]

The Avon Venom aint that great in the wet. Shinko's are much better dry & wet and cheaper.
I wore three sets of Venoms on my Shadow before I switched to Shinko.
Shinko isn't available any more over here in Holland so I switched to Dunlop D404 front and rear.

You do realize that you bought what probably is the worst tires available.

 

[big poppa pump]

You do realize that you bought what probably is the worst tires available.

What he said. I wouldn't touch a Dunlop with a 20 ft pole. Can't say much on the Venoms but I have the Avon Cobra as my front tire and it handles like a champ on wet roads.

There's also a reason why the Shinkos are cheap. You'll be lucky if you get 8k miles on these tires.

 

[JP.]

...

 

[RaiderBill]

I like the Pirelli Route 60s I put on my bike and the reputation is good from what I read, so far they have been riding real well

 

[John Hopkins]

Avon venoms are great in all weather but so are Michelin Commander ll's

John.

 

[Furball Zen]

A wise man some day told me, tires that last long have a hard compound, meaning less grip.
Tires that wont last long have a soft compound, more grip.
I like more grip. That's the reason I liked the Shinko. They even are favourite on dragbikes in the street legal class in Europe.
And in a colder climate a softer compound is preferred.

Have nothing against Avon as I have them and like them on my race car ( CR500 tire ).
About experienced biker....... drive it daily weather or no weather, 11 months a year, average 9000 miles/year.
My tires wear round on the back ( side to side ) and not square. Thats in my opinion how to recognise a true biker. If he can corner it.

Avon Venom grips when warmed up on a longer journey. In a colder climate and 15 mile trips they have no time to warm up ( even confirmed by Avon tech ).

Drag bikes...? Who gives a rats ass about going in a straight line and the grip you get doing it?

Also, your assertion that they suck based on your climate is idiotic at best.

All i know is, i cant lean over further cause my pegs grind... 170 on a 4.5" rim

 

[Lonnie_Mac]

Drag bikes...? Who gives a rats ass about going in a straight line and the grip you get doing it?

Also, your assertion that they suck based on your climate is idiotic at best.

All i know is, i cant lean over further cause my pegs grind... 170 on a 4.5" rim

Dang Furball. I see at least a quarter inch of chicken stripe left on that tire. You aren't doing it right! LOL!

To JP, as to my opinion of how to recognise a true biker, is wind in his face and a smile. Been riding all my life and still never scraped a peg.

Due to age, think I need to change my tires this summer. Thinking about them new fangled Pirelli's.

...

 

[Scared]

Never really seen a back tire that wears totally round. That means you are cornering just as much as you are going straight. Mine has somewhat of a chicken strip, about like Furball's and I'm always dragging pegs.

 

[Arizona Shadow Rider]

Thank you - Everyone - For your advice and feedback. You have definitely help me decide which way to go.