Rear tire

sarge990 · 11-08-2016, 03:17 PM

Sarge here in Dallas. Need to replace the tires on my 14 Nomad and trying to get info as to putting a 180 series tire on the rear the rear instead of the 170. Has anyone done this mod or is it best to stay with stock size.

**JD Hog** · 11-08-2016, 03:34 PM

If you stay with the stock size you are limited with choices. A lot of us have installed the Michelin Commander II tires with great results. Here is a link with the comparison of the stock rear tire to the Commander II rear tire:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/tirecalc...0r16-180-65r16

sarge990 · 11-08-2016, 03:41 PM

Thanks. Do you have a 170 or 180 on yours

**JD Hog** · 11-08-2016, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarge990

Thanks. Do you have a 170 or 180 on yours

I have the 180/65/B-16 Commander II on the rear and the 130/90/B-16 Commander II on the front on my 2015 Voyager.

sarge990 · 11-08-2016, 03:50 PM

Thank you for the info

**Diggles** · 11-08-2016, 04:03 PM

Got the 180/65 on my 2012 Nomad in March this year. Wearing a lot better than the oem Bridgestone- very happy.

Gypsy Dragon · 11-08-2016, 04:11 PM

180/65-16 Metzler 888. I have tried the Commander IIs, the Avon Cobras, the stock Bridgestones, the Pirelli Night Dragons, and have run many Dunlops on Harleys. I am very picky about tires, and firmly believe the 888s are the best tires in this class. They have the best feel and feedback, the stiffest sidewalls, and the best wet weather traction. I do not believe the few extra miles gained by running the Commander IIs is worth the loss of grip, and the lack of wet weather performance.

Many people here will disagree with me, but my opinions are formed based on my riding style, which is aggressive, and the fact that I ride every day, regardless of the weather.

MET-RICK · 11-08-2016, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gypsy Dragon

180/65-16 Metzler 888. I have tried the Commander IIs, the Avon Cobras, the stock Bridgestones, the Pirelli Night Dragons, and have run many Dunlops on Harleys. I am very picky about tires, and firmly believe the 888s are the best tires in this class. They have the best feel and feedback, the stiffest sidewalls, and the best wet weather traction. I do not believe the few extra miles gained by running the Commander IIs is worth the loss of grip, and the lack of wet weather performance.

Many people here will disagree with me, but my opinions are formed based on my riding style, which is aggressive, and the fact that I ride every day, regardless of the weather.

*** Thanks for this info. GD. Last time I went with the MC 2's which I really like, but I'm going to go with the Metzler 888s next time around. I like the idea of better handling in the wet stuff and I think I'd like a stiffer sidewall (maybe Viagra 888s is the way to go

). Cheers.

**Kawalski Rider** · 11-08-2016, 05:52 PM

Not so much a different than stock size tire, I would agree with Gypsy Dragon on the wet weather grip form the Metzler 888. I run them on my 2002 Nomad and have been very happy with them.

I like the idea of moving up the next size wider. I'll look into that next tire change

tonik · 11-08-2016, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gypsy Dragon

180/65-16 Metzler 888. I have tried the Commander IIs, the Avon Cobras, the stock Bridgestones, the Pirelli Night Dragons, and have run many Dunlops on Harleys. I am very picky about tires, and firmly believe the 888s are the best tires in this class. They have the best feel and feedback, the stiffest sidewalls, and the best wet weather traction. I do not believe the few extra miles gained by running the Commander IIs is worth the loss of grip, and the lack of wet weather performance.

Many people here will disagree with me, but my opinions are formed based on my riding style, which is aggressive, and the fact that I ride every day, regardless of the weather.

I am ditching the MC II's, for the same reason. Wet grip is scary as hell and the sidewall's are too weak. But like you I am a very aggressive rider. I mostly roll with sport bikers. Not that I am as fast as them, but they don't mind waiting and don't have to wait long. If they are rolling along at a medium pace I am right with them.

I am going to give them a try, what kind of miles are you getting from a rear? Not that it matters much, grip is more important to me. Just curious.

woodthumb · 11-08-2016, 07:31 PM

just remember the harder the compound the harder the ride with less grip but better wear....stay with the oem bridgestone... you;ll get less miles out of it but much smoother and safer roll in my opinion

farmertk · 11-09-2016, 07:30 AM

Not to start an argument, but I went with darkside on my voyager. Got tired of buying rear tires, The wife and I just did a 4k,mile ride and I really couldn't tell it was on there. The grip level is ALOT better than the stock Bridgestones that I always ran before. One thing I did notice is the floor boards do not hit as easy as they used to, the bike kinda rolls up on the tire now. The floor boards would drag on every curve before but I do ride aggressively, Just my two cents

**Rookie13** · 11-10-2016, 09:46 PM

All a matter of preference according to riding style. I went to a 180/65 after finding out the same as others- your options are limited for stock size. After ditching the Bridgestones, I went back to Dunlop. Have always run Dunlop on all previous and current bikes, and had great luck. Switched to radials (E3 series) on the Vaq and love 'em. Currently 12K on the front, and still lots of life left.

H8BUGZ · 11-11-2016, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gypsy Dragon

180/65-16 Metzler 888. I have tried the Commander IIs, the Avon Cobras, the stock Bridgestones, the Pirelli Night Dragons, and have run many Dunlops on Harleys. I am very picky about tires, and firmly believe the 888s are the best tires in this class. They have the best feel and feedback, the stiffest sidewalls, and the best wet weather traction. I do not believe the few extra miles gained by running the Commander IIs is worth the loss of grip, and the lack of wet weather performance.

Many people here will disagree with me, but my opinions are formed based on my riding style, which is aggressive, and the fact that I ride every day, regardless of the weather.

I'm coming to the end of wear life on my 3rd Commander II. I totally agree about the Commanders wet traction and grip. Especially when they get thousands of miles on them. Even dry pavement with a coating of rubber from vehicles turning or painted lines can get your attention very quickly sometimes! What kind of mileage are you getting with the 888's ?

Lumberjack · 11-11-2016, 10:02 AM

I change my own tires with NoMar machine and will say MC2 has stiff sidewall and almost gave up. I have to use spoons as too tough for the bar to spin around. I would say it's stiffer than a Pirelli ND.

I did manage to get >15000 km's on mine. The last 3K was eaten up in NC and accounted for half the tire.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonik

I am ditching the MC II's, for the same reason. Wet grip is scary as hell and the sidewall's are too weak. But like you I am a very aggressive rider. I mostly roll with sport bikers. Not that I am as fast as them, but they don't mind waiting and don't have to wait long. If they are rolling along at a medium pace I am right with them.

I am going to give them a try, what kind of miles are you getting from a rear? Not that it matters much, grip is more important to me. Just curious.

11-08-2016, 03:17 PM	#1
sarge990 Jr. Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: North Texas Posts: 11	Rear tire Sarge here in Dallas. Need to replace the tires on my 14 Nomad and trying to get info as to putting a 180 series tire on the rear the rear instead of the 170. Has anyone done this mod or is it best to stay with stock size. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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11-08-2016, 03:34 PM	#2
JD Hog Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Placerville, CA Posts: 2,953	If you stay with the stock size you are limited with choices. A lot of us have installed the Michelin Commander II tires with great results. Here is a link with the comparison of the stock rear tire to the Commander II rear tire: https://www.tacomaworld.com/tirecalc...0r16-180-65r16 __________________ Jim Diebolt 2015 Vulcan 1700 Voyager ABS The Black Kaw 2005 Vulcan Nomad Sold 2006 Honda 1800 VTX (Freebie) Sold 2008 Harley Ultra Classic Sold 2001 Harley Ultra Classic Sold Hangtown, Kalifornia VBA #2625
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11-08-2016, 03:50 PM	#5
sarge990 Jr. Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: North Texas Posts: 11	Thank you for the info Login or Register to Remove Ads
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11-08-2016, 04:03 PM	#6
Diggles Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Western Australia Posts: 68	Got the 180/65 on my 2012 Nomad in March this year. Wearing a lot better than the oem Bridgestone- very happy. __________________ 2012 Nomad 1700 Ivanized(2) Vance & Hines slipons 2005 Classic 800(sold)
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11-08-2016, 04:11 PM	#7
Gypsy Dragon Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Round Rock, Tx. Posts: 493	180/65-16 Metzler 888. I have tried the Commander IIs, the Avon Cobras, the stock Bridgestones, the Pirelli Night Dragons, and have run many Dunlops on Harleys. I am very picky about tires, and firmly believe the 888s are the best tires in this class. They have the best feel and feedback, the stiffest sidewalls, and the best wet weather traction. I do not believe the few extra miles gained by running the Commander IIs is worth the loss of grip, and the lack of wet weather performance. Many people here will disagree with me, but my opinions are formed based on my riding style, which is aggressive, and the fact that I ride every day, regardless of the weather. __________________ 1997 KZ1000 Police 2003 Kawasaki Z1000 w/ 149k mi (sold) (un-sold!) 2013 Vaquero in Green (the fastest color) Thunder Mfg Prototype Hi Performance Kit Rev 2 109 cid Klockwerks Windshield Corbin Young Gun Throttle Mod Freedom Performance 2-1 Roarin Toyz Intake PCV with AutoTune Ivanized ECU
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11-08-2016, 03:41 PM	#3
sarge990 Jr. Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: North Texas Posts: 11	Thanks. Do you have a 170 or 180 on yours
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11-08-2016, 05:52 PM	#9
Kawalski Rider Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 305	Not so much a different than stock size tire, I would agree with Gypsy Dragon on the wet weather grip form the Metzler 888. I run them on my 2002 Nomad and have been very happy with them. I like the idea of moving up the next size wider. I'll look into that next tire change __________________ Cheers, David Baughan aka: Kawalski Rider VBA #03514 2002 Vulcan VN1500L Nomad fi Pearl Burnish Beige/Pearl Luster Beige
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11-08-2016, 07:31 PM	#11
woodthumb Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Florida east coast Posts: 67	just remember the harder the compound the harder the ride with less grip but better wear....stay with the oem bridgestone... you;ll get less miles out of it but much smoother and safer roll in my opinion __________________ 2013 black/titanium nomad 1970 3hp mini bike 1971 Honda CB 350 1978 Honda CX 500 1994 Honda CRF 230 2013 Kaw Nomad 1700
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11-09-2016, 07:30 AM	#12
farmertk Jr. Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: ohioself Posts: 23	Not to start an argument, but I went with darkside on my voyager. Got tired of buying rear tires, The wife and I just did a 4k,mile ride and I really couldn't tell it was on there. The grip level is ALOT better than the stock Bridgestones that I always ran before. One thing I did notice is the floor boards do not hit as easy as they used to, the bike kinda rolls up on the tire now. The floor boards would drag on every curve before but I do ride aggressively, Just my two cents
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11-10-2016, 09:46 PM	#13
Rookie13 Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Rochester, Minnesota Posts: 179	All a matter of preference according to riding style. I went to a 180/65 after finding out the same as others- your options are limited for stock size. After ditching the Bridgestones, I went back to Dunlop. Have always run Dunlop on all previous and current bikes, and had great luck. Switched to radials (E3 series) on the Vaq and love 'em. Currently 12K on the front, and still lots of life left.
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