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Replacement Tires

5K views 22 replies 12 participants last post by  bgambriz 
#1 ·
I have been quoted a price to replace the Bridgestone tires on my 06 Vulcan 1600 with exact replacements of over $400.00 installed. They don't recommend using a different size tire and Bridgestone makes the only exact size that came on the bike. What are you guys using?
Rear = 170/70-B16 M/c 75H
Front = 130/90 -16 M/C 67H

Scootworks in Zebulon NC gave me the price.
 
#4 ·
First Bridgestone is a Firestone product. Second, $400 buck's for a set on line is a lot. Check locally at independent shops, they can usually match any on line price and include mounting and balancing. I did a little looking and on line prices for prem brands like the Metzler 880 and Dunlop are about $250 for both front and rear.http://www.affordablemotorcycletires.com/displayResultsX.php
 
#5 ·
snwflk, what do you mean by "first Bridgestone is a Firestone product"???
If it is meant to say that Bridgestone is an inferior product because of it's association with Firestone, it's totally wrong...
Bridgestone is NOT a Firestone product...Bridgestone Americas Holding,
the Nashville, Tennessee-based company was formed in 1990 when Bridgestone U.S.A. merged with The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company...
Bridgestone tires, including their motorcycle tires, are among the best in the world...
 
#6 ·
snwflk303 said:
First Bridgestone is a Firestone product. Second, $400 buck's for a set on line is a lot. Check locally at independent shops, they can usually match any on line price and include mounting and balancing. I did a little looking and on line prices for prem brands like the Metzler 880 and Dunlop are about $250 for both front and rear.http://www.affordablemotorcycletires.com/displayResultsX.php

This is not online, and that is the installed price. Scootworks is about 30 min from my house. Also, at 9400 miles they have lasted as good as any cruiser tire I have heard of. Just wondering if there were less expensive tires that last as long.
 
#10 ·
anrfknm said:
what model of bridgrstone? i run the s-11 on my 1500 and get 13k +, good handling and good rain stablity.

Bridgestone Exedra is the only made exact fit. I can go a bit wider but am advised against going down in width. So a 180/70 - 16 would work on the rear, but probably not a 160. I have never talked to anyone that got 13,000 + on a big cruiser on a rear tire but there is always the first time.
 
#11 ·
You can increase the wear and handling of the tires by keeping the air pressure at 40 psi front and back. Many of us do this and are very happy with the results.

Do a google for MAW and check prices there.
 
#12 ·
2WheelFun said:
You can increase the wear and handling of the tires by keeping the air pressure at 40 psi front and back. Many of us do this and are very happy with the results.

Do a google for MAW and check prices there.
Stick with the recommended pressure for best overall tire life. Thats what many of us do.
 
#13 ·
PETEPO, I'm not implying anything bad about Firestone or Bridgestone. As I read my posting again I found no such implication. As for Nashville, I just spent last week there ath the Sheraton Downtown and found the drivers to be some of the most polite anywhere I've been. Now lets not get started on Jacks BBQ or all the great live music venues. Told the wife she must go with me next time. Jiffyjam and PETEBO, sorry if I uspset you.
 
#14 ·
Jiffyjam and PETEBO, sorry if I uspset you.[/QUOTE]


No offense taken here. I am not a "brand loyal" guy and will simply buy what I think is the best deal. I know lots of motorcycle riders who use MANY different type tires on their cruisers. Bottom line is we all get close to the same life from them and not one has "fallen apart" yet. Now maybe true sport bike riders can tell a big difference in sticking power, rear traction ect.. but thats a different story.;)
 
#15 ·
I recently put Bridgestones on the meanie and im very impressed with the way they stick to the road even in the wet I do give them a thrashing and am frequently scraping the meanies foot pegs I have done about 4000 kms on them and i think they would be about a little over half worn so i hope to get about 7000kms I will cetainly buy another set
I dont care what they cost as long as they keep my bike safely on her two wheels they are worth what i pay for them
 
#17 ·
I've run the stock Bridgestones, Dunlop 491's and now have Metzeler ME880's on my 1500 Classic. Of the three I prefer the Dunlop for ride quality and overall handling. I'm not pleased with the ME880's as they are a noisy tire and though they cost more than the Dunlops, they don't seem to offer any improvement in handling though maybe a little improvement in wear. I'm practically religious about checking air pressure so I have to conclude the ME880's are just noisy and more prone to cupping. The Metzelers will end up lasting as long or possibly a little longer than the Dunlops so I'm not disatisfied with them. It's just that as much as they cost, I'm a little disappointed.
 
#19 ·
jiffyjam said:
Bridgestone Exedra is the only made exact fit. I can go a bit wider but am advised against going down in width. So a 180/70 - 16 would work on the rear, but probably not a 160. I have never talked to anyone that got 13,000 + on a big cruiser on a rear tire but there is always the first time.
the first rear bridgestone s-11 i put on lasted 14178 miles and the second lasted 13426 miles. i ride all types of roads, but most of my riding is on freeways and i keep the speed down to 70-75 mph. the front s-11 lasted 24697 miles. after running the me880 met's twice i went back to the s-11s. they are a hard compound sport touring tire, which i like and i keep about 40-41 lbs front and rear.
 
#20 ·
Classic said:
I've run the stock Bridgestones, Dunlop 491's and now have Metzeler ME880's on my 1500 Classic. Of the three I prefer the Dunlop for ride quality and overall handling. I'm not pleased with the ME880's as they are a noisy tire and though they cost more than the Dunlops, they don't seem to offer any improvement in handling though maybe a little improvement in wear. I'm practically religious about checking air pressure so I have to conclude the ME880's are just noisy and more prone to cupping. The Metzelers will end up lasting as long or possibly a little longer than the Dunlops so I'm not disatisfied with them. It's just that as much as they cost, I'm a little disappointed.

My HD buddy said his stock Dunlop 402 outlasted the Metzler 880's he replaced them with. He also said cupping was a problem.
 
#21 ·
anrfknm said:
the first rear bridgestone s-11 i put on lasted 14178 miles and the second lasted 13426 miles. i ride all types of roads, but most of my riding is on freeways and i keep the speed down to 70-75 mph. the front s-11 lasted 24697 miles. after running the me880 met's twice i went back to the s-11s. they are a hard compound sport touring tire, which i like and i keep about 40-41 lbs front and rear.

I read up on the s-11 and it seems as though it would be a long lasting tire. Nothing in my size for the rear tire though.
 
#22 ·
Bridgestone Exedra is the only made exact fit. I can go a bit wider but am advised against going down in width. So a 180/70 - 16 would work on the rear, but probably not a 160. I have never talked to anyone that got 13,000 + on a big cruiser on a rear tire but there is always the first time.
I'm having the same problem choosing tires,because I want to buy whitewalls but cant find not one for my rear tire.I have a 2003 1600 Classic with Bridgestones blackwall.So your saying I can put a 180/70-16 on my rear? If so can anyone recommend what brand I should look for? Thanks
 
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