R3T Tire Replacement

[mport]

That's about all I ever got on the Excedra Max . Try a Michelin Commander II and you will double that. Michelins are all that the guys I ride with run because we were tired of changing tires 2or3 times a year. I had around 19000 miles on my last one. Most of those were on 2 lane winding roads. I run the 180/65/16.

 

[TriumPhil]

I believe that most of the raves are for the 240 series tire for non-Tourers, not so much for the 180.

Also, after much experimentation, I will be returning to the Michelin Commander II 140/75 17 over the Ex Max 130 series, as I find the 130 to be a bit too light and skittish for my more than occasionally, aggressive riding style. The Michelin provides better wear, more stability and superior traction, IMO.

As 1olbull stated above, a 130 series tire should never be fitted to an R3 equipped with ABS brakes as it will render the system inoperable. He claims that he also experienced a ground clearance issue that contributed to an accident, a condition that I could neither replicate nor confirm on my older, 2007 Standard model, but it is aan older, different model having slightly different ergos than Steve's ride

 

[BillB]

I've come to this thread because it is time for ANOTHER rear tire on my R3T. After looking through the threads last year, I decided to try the Excedra Max, 7,300 miles on it and it is toast. I maintain the tire pressure, I am 245#, and ride a lot with my wife or daughter on the back, never felt like the tire was not handling well, just can't believe it is worn out already after all the rave reviews!?!

I would be doing the Snoopy dance to see 7300 out of a rear tire on mine. I rode the last one until it was almost a racing slick and that was in 6K. I might try @Fingers setup with the bias ply Michelin commanders. Bottom line for me is I have mine producing twice the HP and TQ of the HD I got rid of to buy the Rocket so I really can't grouch around much about getting 1/2 the tire life.

 

[1K9]

I'm sorry if I'm going off topic . . . But it's a similar question

The oem tyre size is close to impossible to find in singapore. Is there some sort of tyre calculator that can recommend alternate size tyres for touring? I recently changed my front and was forced to use a rear shinko (150/70 R16) mounted in the opposite direction.

I run a Shinko in the front of my Valkirie. How do you like it on your Rocket?

 

[mac304dutch]

That's about all I ever got on the Excedra Max . Try a Michelin Commander II and you will double that. Michelins are all that the guys I ride with run because we were tired of changing tires 2or3 times a year. I had around 19000 miles on my last one. Most of those were on 2 lane winding roads. I run the 180/65/16.

Thanks, I have heard of a few others using the Michelin Commanders, maybe I'll give them a shot!

 

[mac304dutch]

I would be doing the Snoopy dance to see 7300 out of a rear tire on mine. I rode the last one until it was almost a racing slick and that was in 6K. I might try @Fingers setup with the bias ply Michelin commanders. Bottom line for me is I have mine producing twice the HP and TQ of the HD I got rid of to buy the Rocket so I really can't grouch around much about getting 1/2 the tire life.

Unless you're using that extra HP and Torque to punish the tires (burnouts and skids) it shouldn't make a difference?? Perhaps I'm expecting too much?

 

[mac304dutch]

I believe that most of the raves are for the 240 series tire for non-Tourers, not so much for the 180.

Also, after much experimentation, I will be returning to the Michelin Commander II 140/75 17 over the Ex Max 130 series, as I find the 130 to be a bit too light and skittish for my more than occasionally, aggressive riding style. The Michelin provides better wear, more stability and superior traction, IMO.

As 1olbull stated above, a 130 series tire should never be fitted to an R3 equipped with ABS brakes as it will render the system inoperable. He claims that he also experienced a ground clearance issue that contributed to an accident, a condition that I could neither replicate nor confirm on my older, 2007 Standard model, but it is aan older, different model having slightly different ergos than Steve's ride

Perhaps I dod not pay careful enough attention to that, thanks!

 

[jake shaw]

I have put a Michelin Commander 2 on the rear of my touring. it is paired with an Avon on the front. Rear is bias ply, front is radial. I cannot detect any problems with this setup. I'm hoping to get some decent mileage from the rear. The ABS still works as it should.

 

[jtanc39]

I run a Shinko in the front of my Valkirie. How do you like it on your Rocket?

Honestly I'm very new to the bike so my comments would probably be useless. In any case, I definitely feel that it grips better than the stock Metz.

 

[BillB]

Unless you're using that extra HP and Torque to punish the tires (burnouts and skids) it shouldn't make a difference?? Perhaps I'm expecting too much?

Don't do burn outs but I ride just about every day. At least once a ride it gets a full throttle romp from rolling start to the end of speedo . (Okay sometimes 2 or 3 romps and the occasional flogging of some buddies that still are still on HD ). That has to be hard on the rear tire. I just can't see having all that fun on tap go to waste though .