Best front/rear tire for rocket touring

[1olbull]

As @ mport said in his post Michelin Commander ll's front 130/90/ 16 works well and bike handles better ,I presently have more than 20,000 mi.on one and still going .Have new waiting to go on.

FYI -
Pay attention to lean angle clearance with that little front tire. I had issues on my Roadster dragging.
I realize your rear tire is a 180/70R16 (opposed to a 240 on the Roadster).
So, IF you have ABS, perhaps ECU required circumference ratio will not fault,

 

[Fingers]

The 130 is a bit narrower but close to same circumference I've had in problems cornering.

 

[1olbull]

The 130 is a bit narrower but close to same circumference I've had in problems cornering.

Respectfully disagree . . .
A 130/70R17 versus a 140/75R17 is about a 3.5" difference in circumference, 1.1" in diameter
and produces a .55" lowering of your front axle.

 

[Fingers]

The tire size is 130/90/16

 

[mport]

I measured my old 150/80/16 Bridgestone before I changed to the 130/90/16 Michelin. The outside circumference was within 1/8 in.
The slight difference doesn't make any changes in handling except at low speed it feels lighter in the front.

 

[1olbull]

The tire size is 130/90/16

I measured my old 150/80/16 Bridgestone before I changed to the 130/90/16 Michelin. The outside circumference was within 1/8 in.
The slight difference doesn't make any changes in handling except at low speed it feels lighter in the front.

1 Ol Drongo here!
Spaced on the Touring being only a 16" wheel up front.
APOLOGIES!

 

[Tripps]

I run Avon Cobras front and rear, I like them.

 

[BIGMIKE 08TR3T]

I am Blessed to be riding (2) BEAST Mode Bikes:
(1) 2001 Honda VALK Interstate OEM FR 150/80R17 77H (currently a stock Dunlop tire) Will replace with the Shinko S3 890 Touring Radial (OEM size tire)
RR 180/70R16 77H (currently a 205/55R16 Triple Tred "car tire") for $120 + $100 (the Shinko)= $220 for tires

(2) 2008 R3T OEM FR 150/80R16 (currently the Shinko 777 Heavy Duty Cruiser( almost always a mc rear tire) for $90
RR 180/65R16 (currently a Dunlop Elite) I think $150 I will replacing it with a Triple Tred 205 or a 195 "car Tire" when the Dunlop starts showing wear though. The math works out for me, and the driving conditions work out even better.
In Tallahassee's infinite wisdom, they are now putting road paint down that is very slick when wet, making it that much harder for the tires to grab the already slick road surface of shells and asphalt when stopping, turning at high speeds, and traction when leav'in an area! I don't have an existing warranty on either bike which is a concern for YOU if you are thinking about putting CAR TIREs on your bike. You don't want to invalidate the warranty. You could do like fingers does, just change out the tire when you need to take the bike in. I'm into "riding", not making them go.

Fingers, I finally upgraded the Ram-Air on my R3T, and will probably put an alarm system in the "hole" under the seat.

Ride Safe gentlemen, and always remember who is in charge.
Blessings in 2016

 

[xlr8tion]

I am Blessed to be riding (2) BEAST Mode Bikes:
(1) 2001 Honda VALK Interstate OEM FR 150/80R17 77H (currently a stock Dunlop tire) Will replace with the Shinko S3 890 Touring Radial (OEM size tire)
RR 180/70R16 77H (currently a 205/55R16 Triple Tred "car tire") for $120 + $100 (the Shinko)= $220 for tires

(2) 2008 R3T OEM FR 150/80R16 (currently the Shinko 777 Heavy Duty Cruiser( almost always a mc rear tire) for $90
RR 180/65R16 (currently a Dunlop Elite) I think $150 I will replacing it with a Triple Tred 205 or a 195 "car Tire" when the Dunlop starts showing wear though. The math works out for me, and the driving conditions work out even better.
In Tallahassee's infinite wisdom, they are now putting road paint down that is very slick when wet, making it that much harder for the tires to grab the already slick road surface of shells and asphalt when stopping, turning at high speeds, and traction when leav'in an area! I don't have an existing warranty on either bike which is a concern for YOU if you are thinking about putting CAR TIREs on your bike. You don't want to invalidate the warranty. You could do like fingers does, just change out the tire when you need to take the bike in. I'm into "riding", not making them go.

Fingers, I finally upgraded the Ram-Air on my R3T, and will probably put an alarm system in the "hole" under the seat.

Ride Safe gentlemen, and always remember who is in charge.
Blessings in 2016

I am looking at the Michelin Commander II for the front in a 140/75/VR17 and the B-Stone 240/55VR16 for the rear....Hows that front tire going to measure up against the 180/50?

I am a little conerned as the rear tire aspect is changing to a 55 from 50 and the front is decreasing from 150/80 to 140/75......?

 

[TriumPhil]

What does a 180/50 have to do with your year and model???

The Ex Max 240 in the rear paired with the Michelin Commander II 140/75 in front is a hot set up with improved geometry, hence better handling. If you're concerned with it being a bit too "racy" for you, stick with a 150 up front. Either way you'll be better off than with the OEM set up.