TIRES

[nomaderwatiamriden]

HEY, I HAVE A QUICK QUESTION! WHAT ARE THE BEST TIRES & SIZE TO PUT ON WHEN I NEED NEW ONES AND ABOUT HOW MANY MILES BEFOR THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED? 08 NOMAD I ALLREADY HAVE 11000 MILES ON IT! THANKS.

[tazfl]

well I don't know about best sizes since I just bought my Nomad and haven't had to worry about tires yet. However, I can tell you on my last bike I ran Metzler 880's and absolutely loved them. I'm planning on running metzlers on my Nomad when the time comes unless they don't have them in the size required.

[jonsamson]

If you do a search on there there was a thread with lots of discussion on tires. I have a 2008 and bought a Dunlop Elite 3. I changed in it out at about 6500 miles it was down to 1 mm then. I bought it from the Motorcycle Super Store. I have about 2500 miles on it so far. I rode today in the rain 90 miles and it did really good for traction. The front has a little more life in it, I will be changing it to a Dunlop also. The Dunlop are Bias, the Metzlers are Radials. Kawasaki recommends a Bias ply something to do with how the bike was designed vs. a Radial but some on here haven't had a problem I understand with a Radial.
Jon

[nomaderwatiamriden]

I FOR GOT, THAT WAS MY OTHER QUESTION, BIAS OR RADIALS,WHAT TO DO?????

[schoeney]

I have a 1500. Just changed the rear tire from the OEM Brickstones (terrible tires) at 8500 miles. I mounted Dunlop Elite 3 on the rear (bias). Same as the Gold Wing uses 160/80/16. I only have about 200 miles on it and it seems like a new bike.
Much quieter, turning/leaning seems much more stable...no wobbles, and I feel much more confident in the twisties.

I am not going to make any silly statements like it is the best tire made because other than the Brickstone I don't have any first hand comparison...but I do know I am extremely happy so far! I followed several threads on here before deciding.

I know several others here have endorsed the Elite 3 as well as the Avon Cobras and the German made Metzler...not the Brazilian made.

I don't know if radial is any better because all I have had is biased.

If you do a search on this board you will find tons of threads and opinions on tires. I paid $158 for my new tire from local dealer.

Good Luck!

[Cajunrider]

I put an Avon Cobra AV-72 180/70-16R on the back wheel and love it so far. Really quiet and it seems like the bike is much more nimble with it over the stock Bridgestone. I rolled 10,500 on the stock Stone.

[kawahog]

I had to replace both of my tires 2 weeks ago and I also went with the Dunlop Elite 3 tires and I love them. Had to go to a 170/80/16 on the back because the Elite 3 doesn't have a 170/70/16. I love the tires. Smooth ride and the bike handles better. These tires are pricey but so far I think they are worth the cost. I didn't get but 9,000 miles out of the Bridgestones and the guy told me I should get at least twice that out of the Elite 3's. I also went with Nitrogen in the tires instead of air. Suppose to make the tires run cooler and keep a more stable pressure which equals more miles.

[nomad561]

I'm running a Bridgestone G850 radial on the back.It is a much better tire than the stocker,but when it wears out,I think I'm going to the "darkside".

[dank]

I've had two sets of Metzler 880's. (Radial rear and bias front) Great tire. Around 13,000 on both rear tires, 22,000 on the front. Currently have Elite 3 radial. Only have 3,000, so I don't know how long it will last. I give the Elite 3 the nod on cornering. It costs more, but if the mileage is comparable, I'll stick with the Elite 3. If I don't do at least as well on mileage, I'll go back to the 880's, since they we excellent also. 880's are noisy in corners. If you get them, be ready for the bike to hum a bit as you corner.

[psychocycle]

+1 for the Metzler 880's, that what my 1500 runs on and I love em. Built to handle the higher loads and handling characteristics of cruiser and touring bikes. Front tires feature rounded tread profile for smooth, neutral steering. Rear tires feature flatter tread profile and larger contact patch for better traction and mileage. Computer-designed tread pattern with offset groove alignment for uniform wear characteristics, low noise. Tread pattern has excellent water displacement ability and stability over rain grooves and under hard braking. Available in blackwall, wide white sidewalls (WWW) and narrow white sidewalls (NWS). H-rating is good for speeds up to 130 mph, V-rating is good for speeds up to 149mph, and Z-rating is good for speeds over 149mph

[phenrichs]

I got 10,500 out of the stock stones. Currently running the Avon Cobras (radials) front and rear. Don't know on mileage, have less than 1000 on them so far but the ride is incredible.

It seems that there are 3 popular choices, Metzeler ME880, Cunlop Elite3, Avon Cobra. But everyone seems to agree that radials do ride better on the Nomad

[nomaderwatiamriden]

well this is helping a bit, hopefully i can get some more input from everybody.

[pappy]

When it comes to tires, the more I read, the more confused I got. Most people are going with the ME880, Elite3 or Avon Cobra. I went with the ME880 radial on the rear and I still have the stock bias tire on the front. I'll have to replace it soon and I'll got with the ME880 there too. It handles better with this set up than it did when I bought it. No matter what you put on, remember to keep them air up properly and checked often. Be safe.

[dogdoc]

Replaced my stock stoners at about 10, 200 miles with Cobras. I love them way better. very nimble due to both be radials.

[socwkbiker]

Originally Posted by pappy

When it comes to tires, the more I read, the more confused I got. Most people are going with the ME880, Elite3 or Avon Cobra. I went with the ME880 radial on the rear and I still have the stock bias tire on the front. I'll have to replace it soon and I'll got with the ME880 there too. It handles better with this set up than it did when I bought it. No matter what you put on, remember to keep them air up properly and checked often. Be safe.

It's kind of like beer. Everyone has a different taste, everyone likes different types but, overall, they accomplish the desired purpose, just each person likes a different brand.