Rear Tires.

[felixpirozzi]

How many of you have changed your rear tires? If so what did you replace them with?
I have a 09 gl1800 with a motor trike adventure kit. It came with T/A radials. They are down to the wear bars so it is time for a new set.
I am looking to see what some of you replaced yours with and how you like them.

Thanks.

 

[Gold Rush]

How many of you have changed your rear tires? If so what did you replace them with?
I have a 09 gl1800 with a motor trike adventure kit. It came with T/A radials. They are down to the wear bars so it is time for a new set.
I am looking to see what some of you replaced yours with and how you like them.

Thanks.

I could spend an hour minimum telling you about the long road I traveled deciding which tire to replace my OEM Motor Trike Adventure tires with but it would simply muddy the water.

Based on a ton of research regarding tire design and vibration issues affected by those designs I asked a very trusted local tire dealership owner for advice. At the time he did not know which tire I had on the trike and we discussed several options. We then went out to the trike and he notice the T/A Radials. He explained to me the history and design benefits of the T/A series tire and he then suggested I stay with that tire but go to a 205/65/15 instead of staying with the OEM tire. Funny thing is this guy doesn't even sell BF Goodrich tires.

Long story shortened.... I followed his recommendation and have been SUPER satisfied every since.

My honest recommendation is to do exactly as I did. Also get the tires Road Force balanced then add 3 ounces of Dyna Beads to each tire. It cost a bit more but the ride difference is worth every dime. :xszpv: :xszpv:

 

[JaysGone]

He explained to me the history and design benefits of the T/A series tire and he then suggested I stay with that tire but go to a 205/65/15 instead of staying with the OEM tire. :xszpv:

Jerry as Im here with the same setup as you started out with.
What has been the advantage of going with a 65 series??
Its a slightly taller tire. Same sectional width.
Larger diameter so in theory the speedo should be off a tick.
Depending on where the GW speed sensor is anyway which I don't happen to know.

I guess what Im asking you is what is the benefit besides a few less rpm??

 

[Gold Rush]

Jerry as Im here with the same setup as you started out with.
What has been the advantage of going with a 65 series??
Its a slightly taller tire. Same sectional width.
Larger diameter so in theory the speedo should be off a tick.
Depending on where the GW speed sensor is anyway which I don't happen to know.

I guess what Im asking you is what is the benefit besides a few less rpm??

While exploring the Dyna Bead application (end goal to reduce vibration) I discovered a condition called "lateral imbalance" which manifests more in tires wider then 65 series. I then visited with the owner of the local tire shop I mentioned earlier. He explained to me that the tire Motor Trike installed is actually very well suited to the trike. The BF Goodrich Radial T/A has a wide sidewall reinforcement band which reduces side roll and there-by helps lateral control issues (aka sidewall flex).

Armed with all this new found tire smarts I determined the BF Goodrich Advantage T/A in 205/65-R15 to be the best replacement option. Several guys have been installing 215/65-R15 HydroEdge, Defender, and others but that tire is almost half an inch taller then the OEM tire while the 205/65-R15 is actually about one eighth of an inch shorter (205/65-R15 25.492 inches in diameter / 225/60-R15 25.630 inches in diameter.) OH, my speedometer is dead on in agreement with my Garmin 660.... :xszpv: :xszpv:

 

[CyberVet65]

Trike had Cooper 205 70R 15.
Went to local tire store and asked for two tires in that size. Got Firestones. Tires are tires for the back end. I am a little pickier for the front.

 

[JaysGone]

Thanks Jerry for your reasoning.
Which incidentally is exactly why on my Yamaha I use a light truck tire on the rear.
Stiffer sidewall less chance of what we call the "wobbles" same as your lateral forces explanation and there is a lot of truth to it.

 

[John Luciano]

Thanks Jerry for your reasoning.
Which incidentally is exactly why on my Yamaha I use a light truck tire on the rear.
Stiffer sidewall less chance of what we call the "wobbles" same as your lateral forces explanation and there is a lot of truth to it.

I have these have not a chance to try them in deep water ( May never ) but quiet and I think I see a slight MPG increase.

http://www.townfairtire.com/brand/tires/goodyear/assurance-fuel-max/

 

[retdpd]

I just replaced mine with Dunlap Signature II very smooth quiet tire. 205/70r/15. they cost about $95 each mounted and balanced they are made by goodyear. I didn't tell them it was for a trike I told them it was for a custom vehicle. I just didn't want the hassle. I went to a mom and pop dealer.

very happy with the choice.

 

[JaysGone]

I have these have not a chance to try them in deep water ( May never ) but quiet and I think I see a slight MPG increase.

http://www.townfairtire.com/brand/tires/goodyear/assurance-fuel-max/

I don't know enough about those tires except to say.
Im sure you will be fine with them.
In all likelihood my next set of tires will probably be a house brand.
As long as I can get the size I want, Im not going to to be really picky about name brand.
Ive used a lot of different tires over the years top end name brand to house brand on all sorts of vehicles.
Ive never experienced a major problem related to branded vs non brand name car tire.
Bike tires plenty of differences, car tires not so much.

 

[Cycleguy]

I use these.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...&tireModel=AVID+ENVigor+(H-+or+V-Speed+Rated)

Well rated for both ride and wet traction. With the oversize lightly loaded rears, what you really need to focus on is avoiding hydroplaning. That could really mess things up.

 

[427dave]

I stayed with the original tire that came on my Harley trike. Dunlop Signature II 205 / 65 R15. I did not have any complaints and got the best price, $95 / tire mounted, balanced and installed on the trike. The original tires were Dunlop Signature and had 45,000 miles. The Goodyear store removed and installed on the trike, no questions.
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[felixpirozzi]

Thanks to all for your input. I may just stay with the OEM tires.
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[Gold Rush]

Thanks to all for your input. I may just stay with the OEM tires.
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Phil, I think the key to minimizing rear tire induce vibration is in the balancing. Get the new meats Road Force balanced then toss in three ounces of dyna beads per tire to fine tune the balance and take care of changes due to tire ware. I believe you'll be very happy with that combination. :xszpv::xszpv: