Greetings,


I realize tire threads and like oil threads and opinions will vary greatly, but I'm on a Switchback and it is becoming time for a tire change. I have just under 11k on the stockers and they are showing small cracks in the sidewall. While I'm not down to the wearbars or having the rear totally flat and treadles, the sidewall cracks disturb me. I ride hard and want to feel confident in the tires.


10 years ago or so, I was riding a Yamaha Roadstar and had bought Metzler 880's, which were one of the "hotness" choices of the time. I did like the tire very much. It gripped well and did pretty decently in rain. I didn't keep the bike to see how long the rear would last, but overall, I liked the tire.


The Switchback has a 130/70B18 63H front tire designation. I see lots of options for 130/70R18's, but not so much of "B" dimensions (which I'm assuming is BiasPly vs. Radial). Can an "R" tire be used, or do I have to stick with BiasPly?
Of the current choices I see, Michellin Commander II's, Pirelli Dragon, Avon Cobras, Meltzer 888's and Dunlop Elite 3's seem to be pretty popular. Yet not all have the option of the front tire dimensions in BiasPly?
Of the options listed, only the Michellin Commander II's and Dunlop Elite 3's are available in the "B" configuration for my tire size.


For the rear tire, I don't see Dunlop Elite 3's available in my tire size (160/70B17 73H). Are the Commander II's the best option for me?


Edited to add: Came across the Dunlop American Elite's since they fit my bike. Thoughts between this and the Michellins?

 

11k is very good for a rear tire that you have a lot of experience with. IMO - Replace with same for the same experience.

Change it up and you may be changing tires again in a few hundred miles like I did when i tried the Michelin Commander II's

Tire traction / grip is directly proportional to tire life. Want more miles put a harder tire on it at the expense of grip. You only have a small contact patch on each tire, wjhats your **** worth?

 

Shinkos!

 

They don't make a matched set of any tires in the size that I need.

 

Good info. I'd rather trade a smidge of tire life for grip.

 

Yeah I think tire wear is very different for everyone. Because I have the Michelin Scorchers on my 14 Wide Glide that I got in August and I am just over 9000 miles and mines look fairly good. I think I could get another 1000 miles and possibly 2000. And I think that they are good tires they have never let me down. But the reviews I have read about them are mostly all negative. So I would say to each's own when it comes to tires.

 

I have the Scorchers on my Street Bob for a little longer. (New rear Shinko is delivered today)

I liked them and they performed decent to me. They did slip once in a corner in the rain. Maybe I was pushing them a bit much at that time though. Overall I felt they were a good tire.

 

I've had two Scorcher 31s on my Street Bob and it has a little over 22k on it now. Never had an issue with grip and they wear pretty good. The one on it now is almost done and it will be replaced with another Scorcher. I like the ideal of knowing what to expect.

 

x METZELER ME880 MARATHON 170/60R-17 M/C 78V, REAR
$197.16
1 x METZELER ME880 MARATHON 110/90-19 M/C 62H, FRONT
$126.14
1 x BRIDGESTONE 150/60R-17 TO 160/70R-17, CNTR MTL VLV (RADIAL TUBE)
$20.36
My favorites, just reinstalled ready for the summer.
Metzeler tires are great all around tires. I get a bit wider than stock front and rear,
Same tread pattern on both but the front is Bias and rear radial. Good combo.
I have run Metz tires for years and consistently great tires..

 

I love my Night Dragons and they make them in your size for Bias (just checked RevZilla - $169).