Tires

[bstig60]

I have a Avon Cobra radial on the rear of my GL1800. It has good tread left on it after about 10K miles, but it has a slow leak in it that I can't find. I bought a spare rear wheel a couple of months ago that has a Dunlop E3 on it with a lot of tread, but the code on it says its 10 years old. Code 2108! There are no signs of weather cracks or other signs of age on the tire. My question is, would it be safe to run it for a while or am I taking my life in my hands?

[AZgl1800]

that particular E3 is not safe to use, junk it.

the slow leak might be fixable if you can use some soapy water to go around the rim, and prove that it is not a bead leak, or a valve stem problem.

if all is okay, put in some of the soopy stuff that is advertised to prevent leaks, and no, don't use Slime.

I can't recall the name right now, "Ride ON" ?? yes
get some of that, it is safe, and if the leak is in the tread area, it should solve the problem.

https://www.ride-on.com/

if the leak is in the sidewall, a new tire is the only solution

[M61A1MECH]

Ride on is a great product, but I would visit their website before using it on a Goldwing that has TPMS.
Here is a Copy Paste from the motorcycle section on the Ride On website.

Possible problems with Honda motorcycles

It has recently come to our attention that the TPMS sensors on late model Honda Goldwings (2009, 2010, 2012) are not sealed with an epoxy coating. Just using your hands, you can snap open these sensors. This leaves the sensor’s innards (battery and electronics) particularly vulnerable to any moisture/vapor or liquid. Therefore, we recommend that all of our dealers and customers refrain from installing Ride-On in late model Honda Goldwings (2009, 2010, 2012, and newer) until further testing proves our product’s compatibility. Also, certain KTM 1190 and 1290 Adventures may have unsealed (non-potted) electronics and therefore should avoid the use of our sealants.

Unless you own a late model Honda Goldwing, you should have no problems using Ride-On in conjunction with your TPMS equipped vehicle(s). However, should a TPMS sensor fail, as they do from time to time, we recommend that you take your motorcycle to a Ride-On dealer for servicing. Ride-On washes out easily and leaves no residues. When requesting a warranty claim on your sensors, there is no need to volunteer that there was ever any substance in your tires.

[bstig60]

That was my opinion as well, So I will junk the old tire. But I use Dyna Beads for tire balance, so I can't use any kind of stuff inside the tire. I also have TMPS on my Zumo 390, so that rules Ride On out....
May go ahead and get a new tire for the rear. Has anyone had any experience with the Dunlop E4's? Also, I want to step up one size to correct my speedometer. I understand people have been going to 180/70 instead of the stock 180/60... Is that true?

[AZgl1800]

. Has anyone had any experience with the Dunlop E4's?

I can only report that a lot of folks are pleased with them, reporting mileage numbers in the 11-14 thousand mile range.

the comments that have read are good in the wet, no cupping ( at 44 psi ) and using balance beads.

[Viking]

If you got 10K miles on an Avon, you are doing fantastic. Mine self destructed at about 6K Kms, which would be about 4K miles or a bit less. It had good tread when it went bad, but the belts seperated.

[bstig60]

Thanks for the input. I have run Avon's on both of my 1500's and never had a problem with them. On my 88, the rear Cobra was worn out at about 7 thousand miles. So I went with Kenda Kruz and ran them nearly 20K miles. Unfortunately, they don't make the size for the 1800 or I would use them instead. At $250 for the Dunlop, I will definitely do some looking around before I buy.

[Snowmoer]

Thanks for the input. I have run Avon's on both of my 1500's and never had a problem with them. On my 88, the rear Cobra was worn out at about 7 thousand miles. So I went with Kenda Kruz and ran them nearly 20K miles. Unfortunately, they don't make the size for the 1800 or I would use them instead. At $250 for the Dunlop, I will definitely do some looking around before I buy.

Your 1500 used bias ply tires, your 1800 uses radials. Totaly different tires even though both are Avon Cobras. I also had a tire seperation with a Cobra at about 8K miles. The tire was only half worn out. The dealer that I was towed to put on a E 3 and I got 14K out of it. I would have gone to a E4 but went with a car tire for even better milage.

[bstig60]

Thanks for the input. I have run Avon's on both of my 1500's and never had a problem with them. On my 88, the rear Cobra was worn out at about 7 thousand miles. So I went with Kenda Kruz and ran them nearly 20K miles. Unfortunately, they don't make the size for the 1800 or I would use them instead. At $250 for the Dunlop, I will definitely do some looking around before I buy.

Your 1500 used bias ply tires, your 1800 uses radials. Totaly different tires even though both are Avon Cobras. I also had a tire seperation with a Cobra at about 8K miles. The tire was only half worn out. The dealer that I was towed to put on a E 3 and I got 14K out of it. I would have gone to a E4 but went with a car tire for even better milage.

No car tires for me! You have fun with them though! My 99 had Avon Venom's (bias) which got pretty good mileage. My 88 had Avon Cobra's (Radial) which got lousy mileage.. Same tires that are on my 1800.