18" Front Wheel / Tire

[farm1810]

I got a used Stratoliner 18" front wheel with a used tire on it with maybe 30% tread left. It is all silver and I don't know that I like that look so may end up painting it to match the back wheel i.e. black spokes, aluminum polished wheel hub. What does everyone use in the way of a tire? I am more thinking about load rating that is appropriate for our heavy bikes.

[RSTDdog]

Keep in mind the 130/70 18 tire size on the Roadliner/Stratoliner wheel is the same size used on the Goldwing. All the available tires in that size have a lower load index rating than the stock size.

 

Stock load index is 71H for the 150/90-16.

 

The Avon Venom in 130/70-18 has the highest load rating I have found at 69H. I am running that currently with Avon rear but have also noticed some very light cracking starting on the sidewall and its a 2011 production date.

 

All the Dunlops in 130/70-18 including reinforced models spec'd for the wing are rated 63H. Even 63H is something like 630 lbs, (too lazy to look it up), which is more than two thirds of the dry weight of the RSTD (787lbs) and still half of the total loaded weight at Capacity (max load capacity for an RSTD/RSV is something like 440lbs, so 1200lbs total going down the road should be max depending on how you load the bike).

 

I ran mine for a while with the BS radial that was on it and liked it. Like it better than the Avon for overall feel. Michelin Commander II is what I wanted to run, but htey don't make the 18" tire size for the front. A combo I considered using was the Michelin Commander II rear tire with an Avon Cobra Radial front tire since they have similar tread pattern/design.

 

Tire selection here is somewhat uncharted territory. Avon Venom was the closest I found in Load index and matching set front rear but cracking still seems to be an issue. You canget Dunlop E3 inthe appropriate sizes, but with a lower load index in the front. Since total loaded weight on a goldwing and Venture/RSV are likely to be similar, probably not an issue. as they say YMMV.

 

RSTDdog