1800 tires

[mraven]

What are the best tires for an 04 1800? I have Dunlop D250's now with the "goldwing wobble" as I call it.. I like E3's, had them on a 1500.

[jinx]

I ran Dunlop E3s for about 150,000 miles and liked them alot. My last xcounty trip I ran Bridgestone G709/4s.
On that trip I encountered three rain storms , the one that washed out I15 in Nv. had entered I15 just below the area that was being washed out, also rode thru the hurricane that hit the east cost on the same trip. Rode on washed out roads in the Mojave desert and many many hwy miles. I never felt unsure of the tires thru all that and never once stopped because the conditions were too much for the tires.
I now have 14,000 miles on them and will get another 2 or 3 more. I have a second set in the basement waiting to be put on.
There is no definite answer to your question and others are going to give you different opinions.
As far as the wobble I have had that come and go. I have the traxxion upgrade and I still have the wobble at times.

[Steve F]

I used to have Dunflops and they cupped severely and the rear tire would howl in the turns. Went to Bridgestones and the cupping went away and I had good milage on those. I agree agout the wet grip, and yet they're not too soft of a compound to wear prematurely. Later I went "Darkside", and I now enjoy even GREATER milage, quiet and smooth ride with uneaqualed traction wet or dry. That's uneaqualed traction

[Viking]

I like the D250s, but the nicest riding tire I have had on this bike is the Avons. The back tire slipped the belts though. They have reformulated the rear tires to handle more weight so that could make all the difference. I went back to D250s.

[pgfireman]

I have a 2007 'wing and run Shinko Journeys on her. Last set gave me 22000km before I changed them with no issues, a new set cost (yes front and rear) $ 300 Canadian delivered to my door, my Honda guys will install for 1 hour labour. The tires do not cup and ride well for the full use of the tread, no problems wet or dry and great on the curvey bits. No wobble, I have 132000 km on this bike.

[NKYWinger]

I went 'Darkside' and put an Michelin Alpin run flat on the back and a BattlAX BT45 on the front - best decision ever! Smooth riding, long wearing and I have the safety of a run-flat on the back.
Lots on here will disagree, no doubt, on the wisdom of going to the Darkside, but I am another one sold on the principle.

[mraven]

How does it corner with a car tire?

[NKYWinger]

With the Alpin on the back, there is, quite naturally, a really BIG tire patch. It only took me an hour or so to get used to the difference in feel.
I run about 28 psi on the flats and 34 psi in the twisties. Tire mileage should be about double the E3 that was on it. Plus there is a higher load rating and GREAT tread for the rainy days.

I'll never go back.

[waituntilthebeep]

With the Alpin on the back, there is, quite naturally, a really BIG tire patch. It only took me an hour or so to get used to the difference in feel.
I run about 28 psi on the flats and 34 psi in the twisties. Tire mileage should be about double the E3 that was on it. Plus there is a higher load rating and GREAT tread for the rainy days.

I'll never go back.

What size is your Alpin (Primacy?) run flat? I was looking on Amazon. Not sure what size to get. That is going to be my next purchase for the bike. Got new tires with the new bike but am rapidly coming up on replacement time. For that matter, what size is the BT? And did you run it in forward orientation or not? I have heard both directions.

[Steve F]

I'm running the Alpin Primacy 195/55-16

[NKYWinger]

195/55R-16 Michelin Primacy Alpin PA3 ZP Run Flat ($145 at Tire Rack)
130/70H Bridgestone Battlax BT-45 Sport Touring rear tire ($111.87 at motorcycle superstore)

BT-45 mounted normal direction. I am sold on 'Double Dark'; other will argue against, I know. Quite a hot button topic, but it's the way to go.

[Steve F]

NKYWinger......I like your trailer!

[NKYWinger]

Steve-
Back at ya!

[Fatwing Chris]

195/55R-16 Michelin Primacy Alpin PA3 ZP Run Flat ($145 at Tire Rack)
130/70H Bridgestone Battlax BT-45 Sport Touring rear tire ($111.87 at motorcycle superstore)

BT-45 mounted normal direction. I am sold on 'Double Dark'; other will argue against, I know. Quite a hot button topic, but it's the way to go.

I'm with you!
Double Dark is the way to go.I installed my BT45 in the forward direction.

[Metal Mangler]

I just replaced a rear tire on my 2012 wing at 13885. I knew it was getting close but they sure sneak up on you. I have thought about a car tire. But needing one ASAP and having not done the research I went with a E3. It sure rides better with a new tire. The front will still last a while. with my 1500 I would get two rear tires to one front tire is this still the case?

[Steve F]

If you go "Darkside", you may find the replacement ratio will be about 1:1 or better. At least that's my finding.

[harvey01]

I have used the Dunlop E3's for most of the 120,000 on my 04 GL1800. I have tried both Metzler and Avons but the tires did not last. I have more miles in the rain than I like to remember.

[Fatwing Chris]

I have used the Dunlop E3's for most of the 120,000 on my 04 GL1800. I have tried both Metzler and Avons but the tires did not last. I have more miles in the rain than I like to remember.

I couldn't get the E3's off of my 04 fast enough.Big fan of the Bias E3's on my 1200's and 1500,but hated the E3 Radials on the 1800.Plain scary at times,wet or dry.

[Dave Crook]

195/55R-16 Michelin Primacy Alpin PA3 ZP Run Flat ($145 at Tire Rack)
130/70H Bridgestone Battlax BT-45 Sport Touring rear tire ($111.87 at motorcycle superstore)

BT-45 mounted normal direction. I am sold on 'Double Dark'; other will argue against, I know. Quite a hot button topic, but it's the way to go.

Hello John,
What is the benefit of using the battlax on the front vs the Bridgestone G709?
Thanks!
Dave

[NKYWinger]

Dave-
I went with the BT-45 for increased tire mileage. I spent a lot of time reading about the pros/cons of going 'double dark' before I bought the new tires. I'm about 5,000 miles in now, and I doubt I'll go back. Especially on the rear -the extra tread and the run flat safety aspect has me sold.
There are about 40-50 active members in our local GWRRA Chapter (KY-G) and only 3 or 4 of us have gone to the 'Darkside" Dunno if it's a coincidence or not, but the Darksiders are all IBA members......

Be well.

[PastoT]

I run E-03 radials on my 1800. Pressures at 41 & 44 psi front & back with balancing beads. I get 19-20k miles a set and haul a trailer on trips and almost every weekend. I've only had tire slip on black ice (I ride year round) and on some very oily black top in 125 degree heat (that was a brief thrill). It is common to have cupping and feathering occur as they age but I'm finding running the higher PSI and balancing beads has nearly eliminated it for me and my current set is over 11k miles on them with only a small amount of feathering on the rear. Any front tire will wear left of the center tread because we make faster longer left turns, but that will cause handling issues if too far worn, maybe enough for a wobble (it changes rigidity and side to side symmetry of the tire. As for the wobble any I have had vanished with fresh tread, but you should also check your fork bearings for torque and any play in wheel and suspension bearings. Anything front to rear that is loose could be a culprit. On my last bike I had a little wobble that was induced by the weight and suspension of gear on my handlebars (a CB mounted was a bit to far fore or aft and created a resonant vibration). Adjusting the rear preset may also impact the wobble; its worth playing with.

[waituntilthebeep]

The front will still last a while. with my 1500 I would get two rear tires to one front tire is this still the case?

I am at 16500 on the first set of tires, OEM Dunlops of course and they are both ready to be changed. Front is on/into the bar and the rear is right at the bar. This is all mileage since last August when I purchased the bike off the showroom floor.

Just ordered a Primacy for the rear and a BT for the front. Will get those on in the next week or two. Looking forward to it.

[waituntilthebeep]

This is specifically for NKYWinger and Fatwing Chris but anyone can chime in. Putting this under this thread instead of a PM because I couldn't find a good answer elsewhere. Anyone can chime in of course!

I am running the Primacy and BT combo. LOVE IT but have a question... What do you run for air pressures? The CT is rated at 35 but the TPMS system gets all pissed off if running lower than 38psi. I had dealer put the tires on and they would not take the TPMS senders out of the tires. Am thinking about opening up the dash and removing the bulb from the TPMS light instead. Am sure I am running over spec for what the Primacy should be run at. BT is at 40.

[NKYWinger]

I have the Alpin run flat on back; I run around 28 psi. I have the BattleAx BT45 on front and run about 39 psi
I frequently drag the pegs and have not had any issues...

Anyone else?

[collinsa]

I run Bridgestone Battleax front and rear through all evolutions of the product since 2004 and have never had problems with scalloping etc
I get an average of 22,000Km from a set and run 36 front and 42 psi rear
Bike is my sole means of transport all year round and the Bridgestone tyres have never given me cause for concern.