Rear Tire Suggestions?

[a1bummer]

I need to put a new rear tire on my 84 1st. Gen. I currently have Avon Venom-x's on it. The front is good for quite a few more miles yet. The rear however, went way to fast. I'm an aggressive rider, (when I'm not two up anyway) but it should have lasted more than 7000 miles. Any suggestions on what to buy for a replacement? I figure I should be able to find a half way descent one for $125-$200. I need something that will last longer than the Avon did but still have plenty of grip for the high speed tail pipe scrapping curves. Any suggestions or warnings of what to stay away from?

[BOO]

I don't know if there is a size to fit the first gens but I am running a Dunlop E III on the rear and currently have around 18,000 miles on it.

I would have to say it is a hard tire though but I have never felt it slip either on the dry or wet pavement. When it comes time I will replace it with another E3.

Jerry

[muffinman]

Dunlop elite 2 is what I prefer I tried the 3 but it didnt feel comfortable enough in high speed curves for me. The elite 2 tire is what I was told to put on mine when I first came to this site and Right now I have them on my 83 and 84 VRs and have a 83 standard that has Brickstones on it and I dont like them I also tried a continetal on the back of my 83 and it was ok but I like the elite 2s for my style of riding.

Jeff

[Yammer Dan]

I like the Avons but milage sucks on them. Avon told me to keep them at max air. I will find out with next set. They do stick great and I am not looking forward to going down again any time soon.

[Al Bates]

If anyone can prove a tire has super grip and long ware please let me know.

If your looking for high mileage I'm sure there are tires out there that will last a lot longer then the soft ones, but if you are a aggressive rider a tire like that may end up costing way more after the bike go's down. My bike is not my car, with only two tires I want the best under me.

[Guest Popeye]

Dunlop elite 2 is what I prefer I tried the 3 but it didnt feel comfortable enough in high speed curves for me. The elite 2 tire is what I was told to put on mine when I first came to this site...... I like the elite 2s for my style of riding.

 

Jeff

 

I have to agree with muffinman. Too many of the big-bikes I ride with, mostly Wings, will only use the Dunlop Elite IIs & claim to get 25k out of them with zero handling problems. I just put another 'set' on mine last month.

I don't get froggy on wet pavement, but I've tried a little peg-scrapin' on occassion.

However, Ventures are touring bikes & E2s are well-proven touring tires.

 

Unfortunately, they can be very difficult to find lately.

[DragonRider]

I have close to 9000 miles on my Avons and they hardley look used at all, when it comes time to replace the V star tires, which are Dunlops, they will be Avons also..............

[a1bummer]

Thanks so far guys. I would assume you wouldn't want to mix radials and bias ply tires on a bike just the same as a car. Now how do I know what I have on there now? The front is an Avon Venom-X 120/90-18 71H and the ear is an Avon Venom-X 140/90B16 77H. Now what part of that tells me if it's a radial or bias ply? :think:Most car tire tell ya somewhere in plain sight.

[McBrush]

Venom X - Bias

Venom R - Radial

 

Also, sometimes there is a B in the size code (140/90B16 77H) for Bias Ply.

[a1bummer]

Ya, I figured that's what the "B" stood for. It wasn't on the front tire, so it made me wonder a bit. Thanks. Now wouldn't radials yield a better ride and handling? I've had bias tires on my trucks before and radials feel a whole lot beter.

[emsrider]

I use the Michellin Commanders on my 2005 RSV. Love them, I believe that they get the best "all" weather condition grip.

[Guest lorrie]

Thanks so far guys. I would assume you wouldn't want to mix radials and bias ply tires on a bike just the same as a car. Now how do I know what I have on there now? The front is an Avon Venom-X 120/90-18 71H and the ear is an Avon Venom-X 140/90B16 77H. Now what part of that tells me if it's a radial or bias ply? :think:Most car tire tell ya somewhere in plain sight.

hi dont bye a dunlop 404 .i got 6000 miles out of mine.im trying an avon this time good luck

[Guest lorrie]

keep an eye on your rear tire my seals were leaking oil.had them changed .a buddie burnt the rear end out of his bike .he dident notice the leak but he will notice the next one ...

[a1bummer]

Had a gift certificate for the local HD stealer that I won at a bike show I entered my bike in this summer, so I went and got a ME880 Metzler put on. It feels better than the Avon I had on there. Even when the Avon was brand new. I'm supposed to get some better mileage on this one. I'll keep ya guys posted.