So in my latest adventure.. i discovered i need a new rear. Unbeknownst to me i put a radial on the front when i switched to a 21. I've ran a bias rear and radial front for the past 6k miles.. which if you believe everything you read is a death sentence. I've had no issues with this setup but it's time to replace the rear so I need a radial option.

I see a lot of 180 60 16's but no 180 65 16 radials. anyone ran into this? I've read about people running the metzler radials? what size? I have a dunlop elite 3 on the front and wanted the matching rear, but again only 180 60 16 available.. which i'm sure will be fine if thats what i decide, reviews reveal alot of goldwing guys running that tire.

 

There's a 180/70R-16 as well in the Dunlop Elite 3 lineup.

Load rating is very similar to the MU, 77 vs 78.

Not sure what impact the increased curvature of the tire will have on ride and handling from mounting on a skinnier than recommended rim.

In the end, you went 6,000 miles without incident with the rear being bias ply. No reason to think that will suddenly change.

 

You're obviously dead, so this isn't a real question! What brand and model is your current front tyre?

 

120 70 21 Dunlop Elite 3. Radial. came with the rim. never even crossed my mind about bias/radial, but i have a slow leak thats developed in my rear. Currently running a 180 65b16 Dunlop American Elite. Dunlop makes a 180 60 16 Elite 3, which to my understanding works out to about a half inch in height shorter overall.

the difference should be negligible really other than my speedo off a bit but i was curious if anyone has any insight into other available radial rears.

 

I'm running a radial and a bias on my KLR right now. The KLR has way more lean angle than my TK. It hasn't killed me yet!

 

lol, i'm aware.. its just everything you read says do not put a bias on the rear and a radial up front, essentially every other combination of the two is considered fine and HD even ships some bikes with a radial rear and bias front, but not the opposite..

 

I have a bias front and radial rear on my ole Glide, which as you say is the convention. Looks like the Elite 3 radial rear would be a suitable match, in 180/60.

 

to hell with it.. ordered a set of commander II's rather than trying the unknown. they seem to be one of the most talked about tires on here. i would of went to american elites all the way around if they made a 21 in my size. oh well, 350 to my door from Dennis Kirk for the Michelins. beat J&P and Revzilla by a decent amount.

 

I put those commander II's on my bike this year as well. Great tires but go easy the first 50 miles or so because they are just a tiny bit slippery at first until the road breaks them in .