Darkside List: Which tires fit which model Goldwing

[WingAdmin]

There's been a request for a centralized list of which tires fit which models of Goldwing. I figured a topic dedicated to this can't hurt.

If you have a car tire on your Goldwing, and it fits and works well, please list it here for others to refer to. Include the size of tire, and any notes about it.

I'll start, with the ubiquitous Austone Taxi Tire for all models GL1500. It's size is 175R16, which gives it a diameter slightly larger than stock. Because of this, you can encounter a bit of rubbing on the inner fender at full suspension travel. I modified my fender by warming it with a heat gun and pushing it upwards a very slight amount, which gave the clearance needed for the tire.

Goldwing: All GL1500's
Tire: Austone Taxi Tire
Size: 175R16
Air pressure used: 47psi
Notes: May need slight modification to inner fender for fit

The Austone version of this taxi tire (itself a clone of the original Dunlop) is no longer available in the US, but there are other Dunlop Taxi Tire clones available:

Maxxis Taxi Tire:
https://www.universaltire.com/maxxis-ti ... kwall.html

[FM-USA]

This tire fits 1500 but probably rubs more than the Austone. It's 27.2 diam. vs Austone 26.8 diam..
It might do good for sidecars.
ODYKING 175R16 - $53 - 6 ply (stiffer than Austone) and stocked in the USA.
I looked and inquired for tread depth (for possible tread shaving) none found.

[minimac]

The Austone (IIRC) had a 6ply sidewall. Mine never rubbed anywhere, not even that little 'flap'. I found the sweet spot for me @48 psi.

[Andy Cote]

GL1800

Bridgestone Driveguard Runflat 195/55-16 at 30psig is a commonly used version.

[Andy Cote]

GL1500

Before the Taxi Tire became the popular choice, the Vredestein was often used. It went away for a while but looks like it may be back:

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.js ... &tab=Specs

[blupupher]

GL1500

Before the Taxi Tire became the popular choice, the Vredestein was often used. It went away for a while but looks like it may be back:

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.js ... &tab=Specs

$291/tire is kind of high, especially compared to the Maxxis Blackwell Taxi tire @ ~$200, but not that much higher compared to something like a Dunlop Elite 4 @ $260.
If mileage on the Vredestein has mileage similar to the Taxi tire, it makes it more attractive.
It does look like the Vredestein is a little taller than the Maxxis (27.5" vs 26.9" listed on sites), which would make it even more likely to rub on most 1500's.
I know several have also said that with the Taxi tire the rear tire is just touching the ground on the center stand. For me, I have < 1/4 inch between the tire and the ground while on the center stand.
It is easier to get on the center stand with the taller tire though (I can actually do it while sitting on the bike.

[Sassy]

I installed a Westlake RP18 195/60-16 in May of 2021 on an '89 gl and put ~3000 miles on it.
It rubbed a spot on the inner fender a bit so just used a heat gun to strech the area a bit and no more contact.
The sidewall of this tire is probably 2 ply
(didnt look). Under general riding if was ok but once I spirited up the riding the tire complained, aggressively!
I upped the pressure from the stated max of 44psi to 50 psi and that settled it quite a bit. It still complains in aggressive cornering. To me it feels like a low tire so the sidewalls are flexing too much.
Ill probably use this tire till it wears out because it's not that bad but will look for a tire with more sidewall plies next to compare.
Fred

[FM-USA]

FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH...
I tried to order 4 (minimum amount) of Austone tires from china. 'Chat' said there's restrictions our Gov. placed on imported tires.
Further checking with the import restrictions, found any tire imported MUST be DOT certified or it will be confiscated.
Most of us know anything confiscated is eventually sold at US Gov auctions then that buyer can resell or use 'X' in the States. Talk about 'Mob Racketeering'.
Also, found a 'broker' is highly suggested to import this purchase since they take care of all the paperwork & fees, which only adds to the overall cost.
So now I can understand somewhat the high cost of Austone's at Universal Tire. Still with all the extra fees, U.T. is still about100bucks over their cost.

.

.

[mach1970]

Any ideas of a car tire that works on a 1978 GL1000? I have a sidecar on this bike and don't really need to be able to corner anyway, and it wears out the motorcycle tires to quickly.

Thanks
Rob

[jerryd15]

Did not see any listings for GL1800 2005. I would go to the darkside but need more info.

[Andy Cote]

Did not see any listings for GL1800 2005. I would go to the darkside but need more info.

Post #4 for GL1800.

[Andy Cote]

Any ideas of a car tire that works on a 1978 GL1000? I have a sidecar on this bike and don't really need to be able to corner anyway, and it wears out the motorcycle tires to quickly.

Thanks
Rob

There are more difficulties with a 15" MC wheel. If you swap to a 16" wheel, e.g., GL1500, then it becomes very doable.

[Andy Cote]

GL1800

Pirelli P1 run flat
Pirelli Snow Control run flat
Yokohama Avid Envigor run flat
Hankook Optimo H426

[Sassy]

Andy, what size on those tires?

[Andy Cote]

GL1800

Bridgestone Driveguard Runflat 195/55-16 at 30psig is a commonly used version.

GL1800

Pirelli P1 run flat
Pirelli Snow Control run flat
Yokohama Avid Envigor run flat
Hankook Optimo H426

Andy, what size on those tires?

For the GL1800, 195/55-16 is the most common and a good start for your experiment. Some have used the 60 series and some have used the 205.

As noted above, 30psig is a common starting point for run flat while more like 40psig seems to be liked on other tires. Many riders talk about their pressure to a tenth but honestly, most of our personal use gauges aren't calibrated or even repeatable and your pressure can vary by a couple psi just sitting in a heated garage. This is a very individual preference and my numbers are just a suggested starting point.

[billball]

I have heard so many negative things about car tires on a street bike but after this video I'm willing to try it. I'm sure cornering will be different but whose in a hurry any ways

[cycledoc2016]

here is my personal experience, I am currently running a 185/75R16 duraturn van tire 8 ply on my 89 wing yes it will scrub the fender a little when you hit the big G outs with a trailer and two people with the bags loaded,,,but hey I got 20,000 mi on it and still looks great and for 97 bucks cant complain...

[Can68]

I'd love to switch to a run flat like I have on our accessible van. I saw mention of a runflat for a GL1800, but does anyone know if I can get a runflat for a GL1500 and if so what brand/size?

Thanks.

[Rambozo]

There was a Dunlop Run flat Wintersport 175x65, but it seems to have been discontinued. Maybe some still on the shelf somewhere?

[blupupher]

There was a Dunlop Run flat Wintersport 175x65, but it seems to have been discontinued. Maybe some still on the shelf somewhere?

Oddly enough, the 175/60/16 is showing in stock at Walmart.com right now ship to store, which surprises me since I have not seen it in stock anywhere in this size for over a year. That was going to be the tire I used, but could not find one so I went with the Maxxis Taxi tire instead.
Link to tire on Walmart site

[Can68]

There was a Dunlop Run flat Wintersport 175x65, but it seems to have been discontinued. Maybe some still on the shelf somewhere?

Oddly enough, the 175/60/16 is showing in stock at Walmart.com right now ship to store, which surprises me since I have not seen it in stock anywhere in this size for over a year. That was going to be the tire I used, but could not find one so I went with the Maxxis Taxi tire instead.
Link to tire on Walmart site

k

Checked Walmart in Canada and its not available, but I think I can order the 175/65/16 from Canadian tire. How would a "Wintersport" tire run on a GL1500 in the summer? It likely has a little more agressive tread than a summer tire and usually winter tires wear a lot quicker above 45 deg F.

[Rambozo]

With the Dunlop brands being split across a few companies, it's hard to be sure what is what. As near as I can tell there are no more Winter Sport Run Flat tires in the correct size. However, there may be non run flat versions with the same Winter Sport name. Some are 3D, 4D, and/or DSST.
It is clear that the tire market has cut way back on the ease of information access. If you don't have a car model to enter, searching by size is a real pain, and even when you can find something the search will accept, the return is typically "No results found"
Someday maybe there will be run flat motorcycle tires, but I'm not holding my breath. If anything there are a lot more reasons for those to be on bikes before cars, as bikes don't typically carry spares.

[WRDave]

GL1800

Pirelli P1 run flat
Pirelli Snow Control run flat
Yokohama Avid Envigor run flat
Hankook Optimo H426

I haven't used the Pirelli's or the Yokohama tire, but found the Hankook to be too squirmy and not really confidence inspiring. I am cheap so I rode it 30,000 km's anyway and went back to my difficult to find, absolute favorite the Dunlop SP5000 asymetric tire. It is a high performance tire and really feels great in the corners, the tire life is great for a high performance grippy tire and wet traction is incredible. Just my 2 cents worth
WR Dave

[kwthom]

I haven't used the Pirelli's or the Yokohama tire, but found the Hankook to be too squirmy and not really confidence inspiring. I am cheap so I rode it 30,000 km's anyway<...>

Y'know, you're the second person that has mentioned that about the Hankook.

I have ~3500miles/ ~5600km on the tire, with all of those miles touring miles to date. I might have felt the squirm a time or two, but nothing a few pounds of pressure shouldn't solve. My issue is that I'm using my Yoko pressure value, and I'm thinking that might not be enough.

The three I've used before that have been the Yokohama. I get ~13000 miles / ~21000km out of the tire fairly reliably. My next will be a Yoko - or the Pirelli.

[Sassy]

Ive been running a 195/60 on my '89 1500 and it has done ok. Ive wanted to try a run flat but a 195/55 is about $400Cdn in my garage. Ive been looking on ebay and found a used one for $120 all in so decidec to grab it cause I dont even know if it'll fit. The 195/60 is real close to the swing arm so any change could cause contact. It will be a while before it is installed but I will update.
The tire is a Bridgestone Taranza 195/55 Run Flat.