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Oh No - Not Tires

I am on the 3rd set of tires on mine.
The original Dunlops weren't bad. I wasn't thrilled with the bike losing grip in turns over tar strips, a rather scary feeling, which led me to try different brands.
My next set were Metzeler 888 Marathon Ultras. I wouldn't recommend these, mainly because the front tire is too wide for this bike, rubs the fender mounting bracket (can be corrected with some modification), even though the stated size is correct. These tires also seemed to handle worse as they neared their end of life. I think this was due to the center of the tread, particularly the rear tire, becoming flat as it wore down.
I just installed a set of Shinko 777s. I like the price, and have seen at least one review that described them as very sticky. I've had the bike over 100 mph on these tires, very smooth, no vibration. I just did an 8 hour roundtrip ride this past Saturday, no adverse handling issues at any speed. Traction on tar strips seems to have improved, but hasn't disappeared entirely. There are a couple of downsides to these tires. First, they're not show quality. The whitewall doesn't extend to the tire bead as it does on the other two brands. That wouldn't be a big deal, except that this area isn't exactly black, either. It looks like crinkled black/white, which is the best that I can describe it.Shinko Whitewall.webp Another item is that it took a lot of weight to balance the tires, another visual issue.Front Wheel Weights.webp Rear Wheel Weights.webp The texture of the whitewalls seems different than the other two, you have to rub a bit harder to clean them, not a big deal. So far, I like the Shinkos as the best of the three.
 
John L said:
Avon Cobra Chrome, on my 3rd pair, love 'em.
Click to expand...
I've looked all over the internet and cannot find the whitewalls as a set for the Eldo. I can buy blackwall but that kind of defeats the purpose of the look of the Eldo IMO.
Thanks for the reply!
 
wasacruzer said:
I've looked all over the internet and cannot find the whitewalls as a set for the Eldo. I can buy blackwall but that kind of defeats the purpose of the look of the Eldo IMO.
Thanks for the reply!
Click to expand...

If you google Avon Cobra Chrome white wall it will come up, I can't post a link on here.
 
John L said:
If you google Avon Cobra Chrome white wall it will come up, I can't post a link on here.
Click to expand...
Yes sir you are correct and I have done so. I can find the front but not the rear in whitewall. Thanks very much!
 
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FrankZ said:
I am on the 3rd set of tires on mine.
The original Dunlops weren't bad. I wasn't thrilled with the bike losing grip in turns over tar strips, a rather scary feeling, which led me to try different brands.
My next set were Metzeler 888 Marathon Ultras. I wouldn't recommend these, mainly because the front tire is too wide for this bike, rubs the fender mounting bracket (can be corrected with some modification), even though the stated size is correct. These tires also seemed to handle worse as they neared their end of life. I think this was due to the center of the tread, particularly the rear tire, becoming flat as it wore down.
I just installed a set of Shinko 777s. I like the price, and have seen at least one review that described them as very sticky. I've had the bike over 100 mph on these tires, very smooth, no vibration. I just did an 8 hour roundtrip ride this past Saturday, no adverse handling issues at any speed. Traction on tar strips seems to have improved, but hasn't disappeared entirely. There are a couple of downsides to these tires. First, they're not show quality. The whitewall doesn't extend to the tire bead as it does on the other two brands. That wouldn't be a big deal, except that this area isn't exactly black, either. It looks like crinkled black/white, which is the best that I can describe it.View attachment 22850 Another item is that it took a lot of weight to balance the tires, another visual issue.View attachment 22848 View attachment 22849 The texture of the whitewalls seems different than the other two, you have to rub a bit harder to clean them, not a big deal. So far, I like the Shinkos as the best of the three.
Click to expand...
That's a lot of weights! I bought a set of Shinkos for my V11 Rossa Mandello but haven't put them on yet. I'm looking forward to trying them out.
 
wasacruzer said:
That's a lot of weights! I bought a set of Shinkos for my V11 Rossa Mandello but haven't put them on yet. I'm looking forward to trying them out.
Click to expand...

That is a lot of weights! Good thing I can't see them as I roll down the road. A friend of mine commented on them, said another guy uses beads in his tires and swears by them. I'm too much of a traditionalist (so far) to try something like that.
 
Shinko makes excellent tires. I have them onn4 of my 7.

I wouldn’t call 1.5 oz or 2 oz “a lot of weight”. However, that could most likely have been reduced by changing the alignment of the tire on the rim.

You could switch to a spoke weigh of which 1 single weight would do the job. Point to consider.

Granted, in my shop that’s an easy event.

Curious, how did you balance the wheel? Static stand?

I do like the look of whitewalls on cruiser motorcycles though. Classic.
 
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scottmastrocinque said:
Shink makes excellent tires. I have them onn4 of my 7.

I wouldn’t call 1.5 oz or 2 oz “a lot of weight”. However, that could most likely have been reduced by changing the alignment of the tire on the rim.

You could switch to a spoke weigh of which 1 single weight would do the job. Point to consider.

Granted, in my shop that’s an easy event.

Curious, how did you balance the wheel? Static stand?

I do like the look of whitewalls on cruiser motorcycles though. Classic.
Click to expand...

Spin balancer, at my local Cycle Gear store. I think the stick-on weights are their only offering. I guess it isn't that much weight when you think about it, but definitely more than what was used on other tires I used. Definitely no vibration, which is my main concern.

One of the employees at Cycle Gear told me that Shinkos are good tires, but I may only get about 2000 miles of life out of them. I hope he was exaggerating, jacking that bike up is a bit awkward. I gotta make one of those cradles that other posters here have. Maybe a Winter project.
 
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FrankZ said:
Spin balancer, at my local Cycle Gear store. I think the stick-on weights are their only offering. I guess it isn't that much weight when you think about it, but definitely more than what was used on other tires I used. Definitely no vibration, which is my main concern.

One of the employees at Cycle Gear told me that Shinkos are good tires, but I may only get about 2000 miles of life out of them. I hope he was exaggerating, jacking that bike up is a bit awkward. I gotta make one of those cradles that other posters here have. Maybe a Winter project.
Click to expand...

That guy is full of it. I put a lot of Shinko 777's on Full Dress Harley Davidsons. They last longer than the Harley Dunlops. Again though, it's rider dependent. Some riders are very hard on tires while others are very gentle.

There really are no bad tires anymore, except maybe a few Chinese brands that nobody really wants to put on any serious motorcycle anyway.
 
I bought my 2017 California 3 weeks ago, with 700 miles on it. I’ve ridden it 1500 miles, and the tires seem to perform fine, other than lots of noise from the rear. I haven’t checked the DOT date stamp, but I’m assuming the tires are at least 4 years old. Wondering if I should go ahead and replace them due to age, not mileage?
 
TravelinPawPaw said:
I bought my 2017 California 3 weeks ago, with 700 miles on it. I’ve ridden it 1500 miles, and the tires seem to perform fine, other than lots of noise from the rear. I haven’t checked the DOT date stamp, but I’m assuming the tires are at least 4 years old. Wondering if I should go ahead and replace them due to age, not mileage?
Click to expand...

Check the date, the bike may have been made several years earlier (and the tires before that) and left sitting in a showroom before 2017 (just guessing based on similar situations for other1400's). Personally, if a tire is less than 8 years old I ride it. I've read similar on other websites, but everyone takes their own risks. Obviously do a visual check as well.
 
PaulDavies said:
Check the date, the bike may have been made several years earlier (and the tires before that) and left sitting in a showroom before 2017 (just guessing based on similar situations for other1400's). Personally, if a tire is less than 8 years old I ride it. I've read similar on other websites, but everyone takes their own risks. Obviously do a visual check as well.
Click to expand...
The tire stamp date is 2016, so they’re 5 years old. I’m going to ride ‘em unless I get some weird wear pattern. Visually, they’re like new. Fortunately the bike was kept inside it’s entire life.
 
Going to be purchasing tires for my 2016 Eldorado soon
Not concerned with extended mileage. My preference is minimal break-in period
I'm fortunately not needing to keep costs down.

The candidates are:

Avon Cobra ### seems to be popular choice (and theres whitewalls)
Perelli Night Dragon ### these seem like where I'm looking . . (but no whitewalls..not that I require them but they do look retro cool)
Michelin commander 2 ## reading good things on Michelin
Michelin commander 3
Michelin Pilot 4

I know it's a personal choice but after reading a bit about the tires I've focused in on
I'm still undecided.

I have read thru this forum, but I'd be happy to hear any additional opinions.

thanks all
 
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I went with Bridgestone Excedra Max tires in stock size, front and rear on my C-14. 6,000 mi great tire. comparable to my commander 2 & 3s the feel seems to allow the bike to drop into the curves nicely for the sportier mindset. SKIP
 
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