Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Tire suggestions?

I just noticed some cracks in the side walls of the front tire close to the rim on my 04 America and checking the DOT date code it was 2807 so this tire is 16 years old and is also about worn out. The rear tire is dated 1811 so it is 12 years old but has decent tread and no cracks in the side wall. Both are Metzeler ME 880 Marathon tires; front 110/90-18, rear 170/80 B 15.

I see the ME888 front tire for $191 at Dennis Kitk and Revzilla and for $200 on Amazon. Would it be bad to mix tire brands or are there any suggestions for a supplier of the Metzeler ME888 if it is? I have Dunlops on my 90 Honda Pacific Coast and like them and I see Dunlops in that size on Amazon from $76 (D404) to $162 (F20).

I am conservative rider at 80 years of age and with 6 road bikes in the stable none will see a lot of miles, so the ability to age well is paramount over tire wear.

Quite a bit depends on personal preference. Most tires are comparable these days as far as quality goes. Metzler you are just paying extra for the name. Pay more attention to the compound, the softer the tire the better it grips the goad but the faster it wears. I have liked the Dunlops I have run and have actually had that D404 on my bike and it worked well and wore OK. I run the IRC Wild Flare on the back with mixed results. I like the tire but I did have one blow out on me, that being said it was worn past time to replace.

Thanks, Dog33, That was helpful. I have IRC tires on an 89 Pacific Coast and it seems a bit more staid than the 90 PC with Dunlops which feels freer. I actually have another 90 PC800 I just bought with just 5250 miles on it and it also has Dunlops but they are the original 1989 Dunlops that came on it so I have not pushed it, but they have no side wall cracks that I've found and they ride pretty much like the newer Dunlops.

I just might try the D404 on my Triumph America, then.

I was just about to order a D404 on Amazon for $76 along with a new Tube for $25 and a new rim strip for $7 and my local Indian/Triumph Service center said they would work with me and mount and balance it for $40 if I bring in the tire and wheel, so about $150 total.

However, I am having second thoughts about throwing in another $120 for a Metzeler 888. Am I over thinking this since I will not put a lot of miles on The Triumph, I ride solo so I don't need the weight capacity, and the D404 is the only tire Dunlop recommends for our Americas on its web site?

When buying Metzlers you just throwing money away for a name. They are good tires but no better than 99% of the rest. I have Metzlers on my antique BMW but only because it is an old German bike.

PS: maybe I should mention I managed a tire and lube for 5 years.

OK, got it I'll go with the Dunlop D404 recommendation. One shop suggested a Dunlop Sportmax Roadsmart III, but these are apparently radial tires and I've read that it is not wise to mix radial and bias ply tires.

However, I wonder how a pair of these Dunlop Sportmax Roadsmart III radial tires would work on my 1990 Honda PC800 Pacific Coast that came to me still wearing its original 1989 Dunlop K555 tires. It weighs about 100 pounds more than the Triumph.

I am not pushing the 404 just saying it isn't a must to buy expensive because in most cases you only paying extra for the name not better quality.

Received a 10% off code from J&P Cycles today so I ordered the Dunlop D404 plus tube and rim strip for $95. Had to call them when the code did not work and the nice fellow said not all of their suppliers were participating but he applied it for me and $9 is $9 so it worked out. I had been going to use Amazon but Amazon kept applying a Prime membership which I do not want, so the J&P email was a happy coincidence.

Now another question about windshields. I posted in the accessories forum that I need a replacement for my broken one and I posted photos in the Gallery of mine before I stupidly shattered it. It fit so well that I thought it was a Triumph accessory, but the PO says he did not buy it from Triumph and looked long and hard before he found one that looked good and fit well, but he can not locate his paperwork to show where he bought it.

Anyone recognize this windshield? I looked at the Clearview site but saw none that look like it and I am hoping to re-use the hardware and just replace the plastic. The plastic is .180" thick, but it shattered into many pieces. I'd appreciate any suggestions for windshields that fit around our 8" headlights.

Update on the windsheild:

I think I've located the windshield supplier at https://memphisshades.com/collectio...r-universal-handlebar-mount-windshield.. Check them out if you need a sport or larger windshield. The other models are 18" tall from headlight to top so I think I'll stick with the shooter at 14 inches tall. Their answering machine was full so I emailed to ask if I can purchase the plastic without the hardware and I checked with Hagerty and I think the windshield replacement is covered under my insurance policy. Now to check on the dent in the right fork cover; not a big deal just cosmetic, but if it is covered I'll ask at the Triumph dealer about replacement.