Tire brands

[bob109]

I have run E-3s (bias) on another brand bike with good results for years. I'm now running Avon Cobras on my F6B and I like them for the short time I've had them. E-4s were to be my choice if I had not found a really good price on the Avons. Several people here run the Dunlops and like them. What I don't understand is that over on a GL board they hate Dunlop both 3 and 4s. Say they are terrible in wet weather. That feeling vrs what I read here is confusing. What is up with the differing opinions? I understand that the Bridgestones are good and may now be my second best choice due to all the bad talk about the Dunnies. I don't consider Michelin (bias) due to a local friend hating them on wet pavement. Metzeler is not an option due to all the reports of cracking. Ran Pirelli and they have a very short tread life, Shinko is garbage the one time I tried one. What will be my next tire? Please understand that a CT is not an option so please don't turn this into a darkside thread. I am interested in your opinions on motorcycle tire brands.

A standard Gold Wing has a "Curb Weight" between 904 lb. and 933 lb. depending on its "option package"! The F6B tips the scales, in stock form, at 844 lb. That's a 60/89 lb. difference which may contribute to the decreased tire wear on the E-3/E-4 tires. Throw in a rider and passenger, as most full Wings carry, and you have substantial additional weight thrown into the mix. That, IMHO, would definitely impact overall tire mile, regardless the brand/manufacture!

Trying to find a cycle tire for a "heavy cruiser" which delivers good overall mileage is like trying to find the "Holy Grail". Many improvements and claims of "duel compound" threads are advertised/touted, but fail to deliver great/respectable mileage/wear and can be tricky in wet conditions

[2wheelsforme]

I agree with what you say Bob. Do you think Dunlops attempt to make a high mileage tire by using a harder center compound results in a tire that delivers less wet road traction to go along with the higher tread life?

[bob109]

I agree with what you say Bob. Do you think Dunlops attempt to make a high mileage tire by using a harder center compound results in a tire that delivers less wet road traction to go along with the higher tread life?

Not a tire engineer by any means, I'll take a stab at your question and guess that "tire siping" and "compound softness/composition play a major role in "wet traction". If you "Google" pictures of motorcycle racing tires you'll find some great pics of "wet" and "dry" tire thread characteristics. I'm sure you'll find it enlightening. The "new thing" in cycle tire manufacturing is, of course, "duel compound". I can personally attest to the Bridgestone Battle Ax BT-45 having a extremely hard center compound with softer compound both sides off center. I have some pics of the worn Ax but unfortunately can't post them! I'm a "Double Dark Sider" and use the Ax on the front of my 6. The tire is a rear tire hence its hard center! 20K plus miles and the tire exhibits cupping in the soft off center rubber yet the center has plenty of "good rubber" So goes my "unscientific experimentation".

I would think the bottom line is for each of us to try a brand specific tire and closely observe its performance and longevity! As we each have our own distinct riding styles and encounter different road surfaces, depending where we live and ride, there are many variables which will effect wear and performance. That said, two different riders with the same bike and tires could have remarkably different results!

Ride Safe

bob109

[Brasco]

Posted on a similar thread a couple weeks ago but this issue. I had to put a Michelin Commander II on the rear due to need to make an emergency replacement while on a road trip. I got some great input on that thread and did a lot of research -- including reading those poor wet traction reviews for the Dunny Elite 4 on the GL1800 forum. Despite generally positive reviews for the E4s on this forum (which I agree is kinda confusing given some pretty negative comments from full Wing riders) I decided to go back to the Stone OEMs both front and back. For me the decider was much better price point for the Stones and the fact they do their job just fine on the F6B.

Sure, I'm not going to get the same tread life out of them but for the price savings that's not a huge deal when you consider price of E4s or other dual compound makes. By the time this new set of Stones of mine is worn out I figure enough time will have passed that there should be a clear opinion on whether the E4s can get the job done long term (he says hopefully!). Not saying tire choice should be a decision based exclusively on price, but they sure ain't giving dual compound makes away so you want to make sure it's going to be worth it from a $$ standpoint when compared to OEMs.