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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Sorry to bother you all with this but I'm on the look out for a bargin rear E3 180/60-16 Radial. Most of the places online is around the same $209-$217 plus shipping. I'll call the dealer tomorrow to see what they have (suzuki). I'll take a $190 with free shipping, but if the dealer is close with the other offers I'll go with them this time. I'm starting early, but still have a couple thousand miles to go on it, but I might be riding to Kentucky in about a month so I want to be ready. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1632
Jasper, MO | If you would be interested in going to a Bridgestone Excedra G704, you can get them for around $160-$170. I got tired of the Dunlop howl and tried Bridgestones this time. Honda is using them as OEM on the Goldwing now, so there is the economy of scale in favor of the Bridgestones. So far, I like them on my Vision.
Chapparal has them on sale for $168.88 shipped. http://www.chaparral-racing.com/Product/bridgestone-g704-oem-replac...
I would give your dealer a chance. They can probably get close to the online prices. Mine did.
Ronnie |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | What's the running mileage on them. Thanks!
Edited by varyder 2012-04-26 10:23 PM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 612
| 74h load rating on the stones.... hmmm... |
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Visionary
Posts: 1632
Jasper, MO | varyder - 2012-04-26 10:22 PM
What's the running mileage on them. Thanks!
I haven't worn them out yet. I've got about 6000 miles on the rear one and it's wearing at least as good as the Dunlop so far. No cupping yet, either. A search on the Goldwing forums reveals that folks generally get comparable mileage to the Dunlops. We'll see.
I put the Bridgestone rear on with the Dunlop still on the front, and noticed no difference in the handling. When I got the front Dunlop worn out, I replaced it with a Bridgestone and noticed immediately that the handling was much quicker/sharper. This is okay, preferable even, except when coming up to a stop. The bike isn't as stable when slowly rolling up to a stop. The Dunlops would probably win the slow speed riding contests. The Bridgestones would probably win the race through the "Dragon". I may use the rear Bridgestone / front Dunlop combination again in the furure. My Goldwing riding buddy noticed exactly the same results on his GL1800.
The load rating on the 'Stones is 74H, which allows for 827 pounds load on the rear tire. Unless you're riding wheelies all the time, I would think that should handle the rear tire's share of the weight of a loaded GW or Vision without much problem. Honda apparently thought so, as they use them as OEM now.
Ronnie |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Okay, thanks rd. One thing to consider is that any new tire will feel better than the old tire you took off. I usually start to feel the degradation on the front around 15,000 miles and around 9,000 on the rear. I would change the tires around that time frame, however, I wouldn't be able to keep up, so I appreacte those few thousand more miles, even if it feels a little looser. I love when I put on front and rear at the same time, I think twice thus far. After the first 100 miles or so I'm pushing it, at least for me.
Just spoke to the dealer, $249.95. I guess it'll be coming from bike bandit or ron ayers. I might even get a harbor freight tire changer and do it myself this time. |
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Tourer
Posts: 520
Simi Valley, CA | Just bought tires today from Dennis Kirk, $237 for rear, $177 for front. I changed my first set at 12k, the second at 24k. I like doing them both at the same time. I am at 36k on the bike now, and have a 2k ride in a couple of week. It looks like I can get that ride in before changing them out for the long summertime ride.
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Visionary
Posts: 2027
Brighton, TN | http://www.jakewilson.com/t/56/-/347/1173/-/-/-/5550/77/-/-/-/0/All... is $210 and free shipping. Cheapest I have found. However, I take this information to my dealer and see if he wants to get close. Normally within $20 bucks and he mounts and balances for that price.
Just bought the front for $187 otd from the Victory Dealer.
http://www.jakewilson.com/p/56/88/347/1173/8539/16939/Dunlop-Elite-... which is $163 and free shipping.
For just $24, It pays for the taxes and the mount and balance. He wants $35 if I order online and bring the tire and rim to him. I think there is a tire shop that will mount and balance for $25. But I still make out seeing my dealer and perusing the floor and maybe even taking a test drive. |
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Visionary
Posts: 2027
Brighton, TN | varyder, how would you balance, using the dynabeads, I've heard of. I have thought about it many times about buying a tire changer. I don't know if I could spoon that tire on or break the bead and I don't know anyone that has done it by hand. where's my lottery money so I don't have to worry about this and I could outfit my shop with all the pieces I need and a mechanic that I trust. Oh the dreams! |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | I've got a friend who has a hitch mounded tire changer and has some extra tools that works well with the E3s, very stiff sidewalls. The harbor freight may make me grunt a little more, but I think I can do it with big enough spoons and a lot of little wooden blocks. The thing is, do I want to grunt for 2 hours or take it to this suzuki dealer and pay 50 bucks and he does in an hour. As far as balancing goes, pinch me. I haven't had a weight on my rear wheel for about the last four tire changes or more, and I've never had a vibration or unusual tire wear. Don't ask me, this dealer says that you don't have to balance the tire, and I can't find an arguement. He lines the little dot on the tire opposite the valve stem, (think that the way it is) and he says it's balanced. He's got few tire changes under his belt, and I have had over 60 miles of smooth sailing, so.... |
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Tourer
Posts: 520
Simi Valley, CA | pollolittle - 2012-04-27 10:03 AM
I need and a mechanic that I trust. Oh the dreams!
The first time I took my Vision to the local HD/Vic dealer to change out my rear tire, the mechanic tried to remove the saddle bags to change the tire..... with the custom paint job on them I had to educate him quickly... |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Cometman - 2012-04-27 1:36 PM....I had to educate him quickly... Thus is why I pull my own tire, even when we had the Vic dealer in town. I used to find mysterious little nicks and scratches, almost always after a visit to the dealer. Not so much so when I do things myself, though I have contributed my share. However, I know them personally, each and every nick, scratch or missing screw... |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 38
| I always have the best luck with Dennis kirk or Jake Wilson. I run an E3 250/40VR18 on my M109R. |
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Dunlop E3 Rear Tire prices
