Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Best tyre choice for our bikes?

Guys, I'm after some advice on some of the better tyres available for our bikes at the moment. My rear rubber is getting due for replacement and rather than just putting up with the slim pickings local motorcycle dealers have on the racks, I'd rather put the time into tracking down something a little better.
I'm not a hard rider so I would rather place higher mileage and puncture resistance ahead of stickiness.
Seeking your experience and top recommendations.
Thanks
John Quinnell

Think you just opened a can o' worms.

Originally I had the Metz 880 lasted about 10k miles Great all arounfd tire, many swear by them.
Next up was the Bridgestone Splitfire S-11 same milage, I felt like it had better wet handleing but maybe thats just me.
After that tried a Shinko, THEY SUCK BIG HAIRY _________!!!! only about 4k.
Put on a Michelin Commander II about 2 weeks ago only about 600 miles so far so can't give a honest review, they are advertized to get twice the milage of their competitor, but thats yet to be seen by me.
You may also want to ask what oil is best, and what color is fastest, and what underwear are most comfortable, LOL.

I really like the Avon Venom for handling and wet riding. Lots of Metzler lovers out there as well as Michelin devotees as I'm sure you'll soon see.

Thanks for the advice so far guys. I hope it's not so much a can of worms I open but rather some first hand and much appreciated experiences from our members instead of a blurb I expect to receive from my local bike shop in the hope they can off-load a bit of un-used & unpopular tyre stock on me.
I've been looking around the more popular bike tyre sites and both the Avon Venom & Michelin Commander II come up but I couldn't find my front wheel sizing of 100/90-18 on the Michelin tyre site?

I like the IRC Wild Flare wet, dry doesn't matter just handles well and holds the road.

Ian didn't you recently try out the Commander? If so how many miles so far and you opinion.

Don't get too hide bound by the original tire spec, a 110/90 will fit without drama. Just use the formula the tire folks give you to see if their tire will fit: first number=width; second number is height expressed as a percentage of the width, i.e. 110/90 is 99mm tall, 100/90 is 90mm tall, etc.

More info in the vault: http://www.bonnevilleamerica.com/forums/...age=0#Post89206

Currently running avon venom and will say I feel that it handles better then metzler I replaced.For what its worth.

I think this is a great thread.
Definitely some info I need with both tires that are over 10 years old but with only 6,000 miles.
Both tires look good but the front tire has tiny cracks in the side wall.
I am really interested in some white walls, and to safely go as large as I can on both the front and rear without mods.

I've been using the Kenda Kruz tires for several years now.
I like the fatter 130/70 front & standard 170/80 rear.
They've had plenty of rain miles put on them here in Florida w/no problems.
I'm known for being hard on tires, I get 5000mi out of a Kenda.
It's the same mileage I get from a Metzler Marathon, but much cheaper.
I've found Amazon.com to have the best prices.

2000 miles on my new commander 2 and so far very happy. Seems much more sticky than the metzeler.