Hey there. I have a 2008 Road King CVO and has Pirelli Night Dragons on it which handled great in the mountains but on the California freeway the front wheel really wanders. I just put on some Avon's today (AV65 and AV71) and jumped on the freeway and it's still the same. The stock tires didn't seem to be as bad...but I'm wondering if I'm missing something?

It's pretty bad. The Avon's haven't broken in yet but I don't know if it will change.

Thanks in advance!!!

 

There are bolt on frame stiffeners that can help with that. $300-$500 if I remember right.

 

Any chance your front tire is over-inflated? A bad front profile will cause the tire to track. The rain grooves are pretty aggressive in CA!!

 

Check Avon's website for correct pressures. I've used them for many years and pressures are often higher than for stock tyres. Within reason try slightly different pressures, to see if that helps. If you are heavy, or ride 2-up often, add extra air to compensate. New tyres do require a couple of hundred miles to bed in on the rims and wear off the moulded surface before they give their best.

 

I've got the same bike riding on the stock Dunlops. It does ok with rain grooves and any lines in the road except for tar snakes...certain ones make it feel like I'm riding on marbles. Maybe check steering head bearing and swing arm bushings,also check to the wheels to see if they're aligned. Good luck

 

Grooved pavement sucks, it just is what it is. If you're sure the tires are inflated correctly and the rest of the bike is within spec just roll with it.

 

Also wheel bearings and tire pressure.

 

Tar snakes sucked. Installed Avon’s and ohlins. Tar snakes unnoticeable. Rain grooves .... haven’t figured that one out yet.

 

Get rid of that stock front tire or both. I had the same issues, I call them "seam seekers."

 

I have had real positive experiences with Dunlop Elite 3s on my '07 RK including on LA freeways. Much better than the original Dunlops.