cwhite123174 Posted August 26, 2015 Share #1 Posted August 26, 2015 Just curious what you are all using for a front tire on your 2nd Gen? I have priced many but as we all know, some are just not meant for touring bikes. I have heard a lot about Metezler having a really good touring tire for our bikes. Since the tire is so "wide" compared to what I have been use to buying, I thought I would get some advice before moving forward. I have a new Michelin rear tire but from what I can find, they don't make a front tire in the size I have on my bike. Any and all advice/suggestions /recommendations is appreciated. Thanks Sent from my SM-N900R4 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bog13 Posted August 27, 2015 Share #2 Posted August 27, 2015 I just spent all the money I have to put on Metzs, wow then the install price, Hope these last a while.... Bog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
douglasp.burdick Posted August 27, 2015 Share #3 Posted August 27, 2015 I just ordered a Michelin 130/90/16 for my '05. After Riding RMAR's bike with that same tire upfront, I couldn't get over how much lighter and responsive his bike was compared to mine which has a Metezler 880 150/80/16. He also has about 1 1/2" risers that improve leverage more than you would think they would. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bert2006 Posted August 27, 2015 Share #4 Posted August 27, 2015 I put Commander IIs back and front with a 130 up front that improves handling at lower speeds tremendusly. Do a search using tire as a key word as there has already been multiple threads on the topic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djh3 Posted August 27, 2015 Share #5 Posted August 27, 2015 I had a 130 michelin commander 2 on the front for over 17k. I really like the feel of the 130 and will go back to it next change. Currently have a shinko in the OEM size. I think Shinko makes the 777 in the 130 size in the right weight rating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwhite123174 Posted August 27, 2015 Author Share #6 Posted August 27, 2015 Thanks for the suggestions all. Our local bike shop, Harley Shop, is very surprised my bike has a 150/80 16 71H tire on the front. He said to me.. "holy crap that's a wide tire! I install that size on Harley's all the time but I put it on the rear"! Kinda caught me off guard and didn't know what to say about that! So what I am getting from what a few of you are saying is that a smaller 130 tire in the front handles better? I like the look of the wide tire in the front though. I can only assume it's wide for the "touring" side of life. Sent from my SM-N900R4 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XV1100SE Posted August 27, 2015 Share #7 Posted August 27, 2015 E3's front and back in stock sizes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gramps69 Posted August 27, 2015 Share #8 Posted August 27, 2015 The Commander II will make a big difference in handling and it still looks very big compared to a lot of other bikes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwhite123174 Posted August 27, 2015 Author Share #9 Posted August 27, 2015 (edited) E3's front and back in stock sizes E3's? Explain please? Edited August 27, 2015 by cwhite123174 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwhite123174 Posted August 27, 2015 Author Share #10 Posted August 27, 2015 The Commander II will make a big difference in handling and it still looks very big compared to a lot of other bikes. Gramps69, what size are you running on your Venture? I too really like Michelin tires but they don't offer a 150 series for the front of a second gen Venture. Are you running a 130? They do offer those. Sent from my SM-N900R4 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace Posted August 27, 2015 Share #11 Posted August 27, 2015 E3's? Explain please? Dunlop Elite 3. They are usually referred to as E3's. They are a great tire for an RSV, front comes in a stock size, rear is reinforced tire rated for heavy loads and last forever. With the profile of these tires really make the bike stable on the highway, I have rode RSV's for 130,000+ miles and they are the most stable tires I've run and I've tried quite a few different ones. Only negative to the E3's is they start to get noisy when they are wearing out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwhite123174 Posted August 27, 2015 Author Share #12 Posted August 27, 2015 Funny you say that. I had a Dunlop front tire on my Honda Sabre and it got noisy as it wore out as well! I would come to a curve in the road and it would make its sound most prevalent then! I sort of figured E3 was for the Dunlop Elite (Google E3 motorcycle tire!) but I was making sure. Thanks again! Sent from my SM-N900R4 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rmar Posted August 27, 2015 Share #13 Posted August 27, 2015 I am running a commander ll 130 90 16 on the front now. Had 130 90 16 shinko 777 cupped real bad and made lots of noise wore out in 10000 miles. Very pleased with the handling improvements and also helps the vertically challenged somewhat as it lowers the front of the bike some. Ricky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gramps69 Posted August 27, 2015 Share #14 Posted August 27, 2015 cwhite I have the 130, it feels like it takes off a 100 lbs from the front end, I also lowered the front shocks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_wells Posted August 27, 2015 Share #15 Posted August 27, 2015 I have been running Metzler tires for some time and getting some high mileage from them. Metzler tires have never given me any problems and have averaged between 14,000 and 19,000 miles per tire Last night I put on an Avon Cobra . They had good reviews and a mileage warranty of 15,000 miles. You need to register the purchase. I figured for $128.00 I may as well try it out out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yammer Dan Posted August 27, 2015 Share #16 Posted August 27, 2015 I had just switched from a Avon because of cracking to a Metzler on the rear when I went down the last time. I still think that thing should have stopped better than it did. Maybe the Metzler?? It just seemed like it was on ice. I guess when I finally grabbed that front brake with the E-3 it had plenty of stopping power??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
videoarizona Posted August 27, 2015 Share #17 Posted August 27, 2015 I'm running the standard 150 front width. Pirelli's. When they wear out, I'll keep the 150 on the front and go with white walls. Really like that fat look. As far as handling, the 150 doesn't give me any problems now that I lowered the front end 3/4 inch. With tire pressures at 38 front and 42 rear, the scoot feels like it has power steering now that the front has been lowered, the front tire replaced and air pressures up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vzuden Posted August 27, 2015 Share #18 Posted August 27, 2015 Last Bike - 2007 with E3's, stock size, and rear end raised 1 inch.- handled great. Current bike - 2012 model - raised rear and original front with Avon in rear but only because I had a flat and it was all that was available. Will switch to E3's as these wear out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwhite123174 Posted August 27, 2015 Author Share #19 Posted August 27, 2015 I'm running the standard 150 front width. Pirelli's. When they wear out, I'll keep the 150 on the front and go with white walls. Really like that fat look. As far as handling, the 150 doesn't give me any problems now that I lowered the front end 3/4 inch. With tire pressures at 38 front and 42 rear, the scoot feels like it has power steering now that the front has been lowered, the front tire replaced and air pressures up. How hard is it to lower the front of these bikes? What does it take to get it done? Just curious. Sent from my SM-N900R4 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
videoarizona Posted August 27, 2015 Share #20 Posted August 27, 2015 How hard is it to lower the front of these bikes? What does it take to get it done? Just curious. Sent from my SM-N900R4 using Tapatalk Relatively easy on my 05. I sweated doing it...then said..."just do it"! Take outer fairing and windshield off. Take off the 4 nuts/bolts that holds inner fairing to frame. Pull inner fairing forward and stuff towel in there to keep it away from steering area. Cover tank. Remove handlebars and lay down on tank. Remove large silver nut. Remove two more bolts in front of triple tree. Etc.. Heck...go here and read all about it... http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?939-Lowering-the-Front-End http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?22482-lowering-front-end Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwhite123174 Posted August 27, 2015 Author Share #21 Posted August 27, 2015 FYI... I promise I use the search button all the time but it doesn't work the same on the mobile app as it does on a regular laptop or desktop. I don't own either of those. My phone is nearly as big as a tablet anyway.. Lol! Just don't want anyone thinking I don't use the search button. My phone is my work and my life so I use it for everything! Thanks for the links! I will check them out. Sent from my SM-N900R4 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
videoarizona Posted August 28, 2015 Share #22 Posted August 28, 2015 No problem. Understand! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YamahaLarry Posted August 28, 2015 Share #23 Posted August 28, 2015 Shinko 130, and I may never go back to a 150. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bongobobny Posted August 28, 2015 Share #24 Posted August 28, 2015 E3's? Explain please?E3 is a model number for Dunlop. They have one of the highest tread wear rating of all tires... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwhite123174 Posted September 4, 2015 Author Share #25 Posted September 4, 2015 Wow! You guys were not joking when you said the Dunlop E3 is a good tire! I had mine replaced this morning before leaving on a bigger ride North. Simply put, I cannot believe the difference in the handling of the bike. Night and day! Apparently my Avon was much worse than I thought! I was fighting a battle from the day of purchase I guess. I just figured it was the handling characteristics of a heavier, full dressed bike. Boy was I wrong! Thanks for all the advice guys. Really paid off! Sent from my SM-N900R4 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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