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Cruiser
Posts: 71
Opelika, AL | Anyone running these on their Vision yet?
Looking at the GL1800 forums, lots of people love these tires. About to pull the trigger and found a great price online...
Anyone? |
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Cruiser
Posts: 249
Montreal, QC Canada | Just changed ours and decided to stick with the Dunlops after asking in this forum. Had 17000 (s)miles on them and noticed a huge difference with the new rubber. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 71
Opelika, AL | This will be my 3rd rear, and although the front really does not need it, my 3rd front.
My front could go another 10K or so, but I will not mix and match brands.
Have the tires ordered, should receive them and have them installed in the next week, then will have a chance to try them out in a couple of weeks..
I was thinking someone had at least switched to these.. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Okay, in simple terms, what is the handling and wear response in comparison to the Dunlop E3? Same in handling and wear; better handling, faster/better wear; comparable handling, faster/better wear; not as good handling, faster/better wear? I'm slooooowwww and I've not caught on to what the benefit is to switch. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1117
Northeast Ohio | Are these bias ply tires? I kept seeing references to this in my google searches for the tire. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx. | autiger2 - 2009-05-26 8:57 PM
Anyone running these on their Vision yet?
Looking at the GL1800 forums, lots of people love these tires. About to pull the trigger and found a great price online...
Anyone?
The GL1800 came out with D-250 Dunlap tires which are a fine tire and most tire companies have matched this tire when making tires in the sizes of 130-70R-18 and 180-60R-16 which are the size on the Vision now. The tire on the Vision is as you know is the E3 Dunlap. The front tire is pretty much an exact match to most other manufactures tires, the rear is a little different in that Dunlap has raised the load rating from 74H to 80H, the E-3 has a load capacity on the rear tire of 992 lbs vs. 827 lbs for the Excedra and the Dunlap D-250. The Bridgestone tire is no doubt a good tire.
Edited by VisionTex 2009-05-27 12:37 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 71
Opelika, AL | ScoreBo - 2009-05-27 6:29 AM
Are these bias ply tires? I kept seeing references to this in my google searches for the tire.
No, these are radials.....
The GL1800 guys SAY that the Bridgestones run quieter (no roaring in corners), turn in easier than the Dunlops, and get a little better mileage from them.
The G704/709 combo was specifically designed for the Goldwing. Therefore, it should be a great touring tire and should handle quite well. The GL1800 is a heavier bike then the Vis, so the wear (you would think) would be better on the Vis.
Apparently there is a wobble problem in the GL1800 which the front Stone pretty much eliminates. The 'Wings also get less miles out of their front tires and have cupping issues, but not on the Stones.
All of the positives written in the GL1800 forum caused me to go ahead and order a set, even though I don't know anyone running them at this time.
This may be a brilliant move... and it may be a mistake... we'll have to see...
Also, the 'Wing guys were having issues with ME880 rear tires developing blisters in the tread or tread separations and subsequently a few blowouts. I do not know what would have caused this issue to arise in the 'Wing tires and not in others...
For now, though, I'll wait on the tires, have them replaced nxt week, and give a ride report after I get back from Helen, Ga.
The 'Wing riders also commented on how smooth the Stones ran... we'll see.. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | i had this same make of time on my kawasakis NEVER AGAIN.. im not saying these exact tires. but i will never own another bridgestone motorcycle tire again.. all my BS tires cupped sooo quick.. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx. | Are the Bridgestone tires made in the USA? |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 810
| Funny you should ask. We have a couple of wings in our riding club. On our Memorial Day ride, one of the wing guys had just installed a pair and was quoting the same thing you were about them. He is going on a 5,000 trip in a week, so I will ask him how they handle when he gets back. He has them on an '09 GL1800. Tim
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Cruiser
Posts: 71
Opelika, AL | VisionTex - 2009-05-27 9:13 PM
Are the Bridgestone tires made in the USA?
I do not know, but if I had one in front of me, I could look and see.. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 742
North Orange County CA | VisionTex - 2009-05-27 7:13 PM
Are the Bridgestone tires made in the USA?
According to the Dunlop website their Buffalo NY plant is the only manufacturing facility making MOTORCYCLE tires in the USA.
The "New American Motorcycle" also rides on American made rubber. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1117
Northeast Ohio | TimS, please keep us posted on this thread. I will be in the market for new rubber this year and would LOVE to get a quieter tire than the Dunlops. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 71
Opelika, AL | Should pick up the bike tomorrow... not sure if it will rain or not the 3.5 to 4 hours home... will post as soon as I can... |
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Visionary
Posts: 1340
Gainesville Fl Home of the Gators | Arkainzeye - 2009-05-27 8:27 PM
i had this same make of time on my kawasakis NEVER AGAIN.. im not saying these exact tires. but i will never own another bridgestone motorcycle tire again.. all my BS tires cupped sooo quick..
I have had great luck with Bridgestones in the past. They have so many different lines of tires it is hard to condemn the bunch over a couple of bad apples |
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Visionary
Posts: 1324
So Cal | My last two bikes, I have tried all kinds of tires, trying to get mor than 12k out of the rear. Considering automotive tires get anywhere from 30k to 50k, 12k is kind of hard to understand. But when your on only two wheels, grip is more important than wear. Im not sure if they still make it but Goodyear used to make a motorcycle tire that would easily go 20k. But you wouldnt want to be riding with it when it rains. Of all the tires I have tried, Dunlop has been the best compromize of grip and wear. If I was riding a sportbike, it wouldnt be my first choice, but on touring bikes, you cant beat them. Just my opinion. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 725
Reno County, KS | VisionTex - 2009-05-27 9:13 PM
Are the Bridgestone tires made in the USA?
Yes. They are a Japanese company that bought out Firestone but continue to make tires in the US. I'm not sure which state their motorcycle/RV tires are made but I know their passenger car/light truck tires are made in LaVergne, TN. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 235
Kincardine, Ontario, Canada |
Also, the 'Wing guys were having issues with ME880 rear tires developing blisters in the tread or tread separations and subsequently a few blowouts. I do not know what would have caused this issue to arise in the 'Wing tires and not in others...
3 ME880 rears in 3 yrs, all had problems as described. To my understanding this was a manufacturing issue in their Brazilian plant. If you had the German made Metz you were okay.
The Metz rep did absolutely nothing for me, more or less in denial, and claimed it was my fault for not keeping the air pressure at max rated on the side wall. I bought that the first year, and was very meticulous the next 2, but they still let me down. I will never go back because of their poor customer service.
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Cruiser
Posts: 71
Opelika, AL | Had the Stones installed last Wednesday... immediately rode home in 3 1/2 hours of rain varying from light to heavy downpour... the wet traction on these tires is great, not a single slip (most of the ride was on the slab, so no review of curvy road wet traction...
Went to Helen for the weekend and rode over 400 miles in the mountains.. these tires have plenty of grip, they turn in easily and never lost traction.. They ride smooth on the highway... I did find that they did not like tar snakes, but my E3's didn't like them either... buddy on E3's on same section had same issue I did with tar snakes...
If the mileage is there, these will most likely be my tire of choice from now on...
A visual comparison of the front tires between the E3 and the Stones shows the Stones have a more pronounced curve to them that end in a less pronounced edge of the tread (go look at your E3, the edge is very pronounced and stands out from the tire quite a bit) whereas the Stones curve in more... I had two people tell me the rear looked wider than the E3, but I did not have a way to measure to find out if it actually was....
For those that asked.. Made in Japan... which is a whole lot better than made in China... and before we get into the whole "buy American" debate... do your research... how much of your bike is made in USA? brakes?? tranny?? body pieces??... and how many times do you go into China's largest exporter, Wal Mart? |
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Visionary
Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx. | Looks like the Bridgestone tires will be a good fit for you. Let us know how the long term performance works out. On the buy American, I think it is important, so I will, that is just me. As for Walmart goes, they provide a service for a lot of people who need or feel they have to shop there. Oh, and I have had excellent performance from the Dunlap E3. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 71
Opelika, AL | One thing I think I left out...
I kept hitting grooves in the road to try to make the tires follow the grooves (from wheels cutting into the pavement, gouges, etc) and could not make them follow the grooves...
I have not been over a grated bridge, so not sure what they would do on those, but on the grooves I tried to catch, they wouldn't follow and kept straight and true..
My E3's never caught the grooves either... |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| Just thought I'd add that the GW's were having problems with the Avons doing the same as has been described happening to the Metz. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 71
Opelika, AL | Teach - 2009-06-11 7:55 PM
Just thought I'd add that the GW's were having problems with the Avons doing the same as has been described happening to the Metz.
Were they having probs with the new AVON? |
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Visionary
Posts: 1324
So Cal | VisionTex - 2009-06-09 5:26 AM
Looks like the Bridgestone tires will be a good fit for you. Let us know how the long term performance works out. On the buy American, I think it is important, so I will, that is just me. As for Walmart goes, they provide a service for a lot of people who need or feel they have to shop there. Oh, and I have had excellent performance from the Dunlap E3.
Buy American is gettimg harder to do. Union workers wives go to Walmart also. If the Bridgestones are available, I say go with it. We have many choices here in LA, MC tires are not one of them. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 64
Hot Springs Village, Arkansas | How is the roar from these new tires(I here every move required of the E3's) Thanks |
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Tourer
Posts: 495
Carrollton, TX | Regarding tires I have tried several brands and models on past bikes. I am with Chris in regards to my experience with Bridgestone’s. The Bridgestone’s that came on my Kawasaki were the worse tires I have ever ridden on but I agree with KevinX that a new model could be a different story. I also rode ME-880’s and they are a good tire but not as good as the Dunlop’s. I really like the Dunlop’s and have no reason to change yet. If you plan to tour on the Vision as it is designed to do you should think carefully about going to the Bridgestone’s as if you are traveling across the country and need a new tire you will probably have a hard time finding a dealer that has the new Bridgestone’s in stock but you will find almost every Honda shop will have the Dunlop Elite 3’s in stock as well as many other dealers. A friend of mine put the Avon’s on his Gold Wing and while on a trip the rear one got damaged and he needed a new tire and could not find a dealer within 200 miles that had the Avon in stock but everyone had the Dunlop in stock and you don’t want to mix manufacturer tires on the bike. |
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Bridgestone Excedra G704/G709