best tires for voyager

[JosephToulouse]

Hello fellow riders again!!

I figure this might open a can of worms, But any favorite tire brands for this Bike??

Also..........What are they like in heavy rain?? (Kingman, Arizona is not exactly tropical).

One last request..........favorite brands of rain gear??

As always, Much thanks!!!!

Joseph

[Wahrsuul]

I believe the PR3s are the popular favorites.

Not sure how they are in the rain as yet...

Frogg Toggs for me.

[debron]

On this forum, just like other forums, tires have been greatly discussed and debated. The (almost) consensus for the XII is the Dunlop Elite 3. There's another favorite, Avon Venom X (I think) that are very popular, and a more distant third runner up is the Metzler ME880, though mileage (longevity) is not as good. Though one person here claims 20k on the Metz, most get only 10k - 12k. Getting 20k on the E3s is easy unless you are a really aggressive rider. Wet and dry traction of the E2s are very good. A few now and then chime in with other favorites but overall, you can't go wrong with the E3. Make sure they are bias ply, not radials.

Two tires to absolutely avoid are any Shinko and the Dunlop D-404. The 404 is OEM for many touring bikes but handling and longevity (10k) on the XII just don't cut it.

[Bill O]

Hello fellow riders again!!

I figure this might open a can of worms, But any favorite tire brands for this Bike??

Also..........What are they like in heavy rain?? (Kingman, Arizona is not exactly tropical).

One last request..........favorite brands of rain gear??

As always, Much thanks!!!!

Joseph

As for tires, I ride Darkside on my '03 and Avons on my '94. As for rain gear.....Frogg Toggs forever!

Bill O

[Wahrsuul]

Dang, I knew PR3 didn't sound right...Elite 3....I think the PRs are what I used on the Concours.

[Relics]

I have Bridgestone G702 and G703 whitewalls on mine and flat out love them. I don't like Dunflats (Dunlops), or Avons, or Shimkos. My next choice would be Metzler.

[SgtSlag]

+2 for Frog Toggs for rain gear -- they breath so you do not get wet from your own perspiration, while keeping the rain out.

For tires. I run Pirelli MT66 Route tires: bias ply; glued to the road in a downpour, riding two-up, with full bags and trunk (firsthand experiences, over a period of four years, and 12k miles)... Mileage is only around 12k, but the traction is unsurpassed, IMO. YMMV. Only thing I will run on. Cheers!

[ghostler]

Agree with the Pirelli MT66 Routes. I've got about 11k miles on them now, still have life left figure I'll get about 15 or 16k on them, some of that was trailer miles. They have excellent stick and good wet weather traction, came in handy last September with a week of solid rain, 2-1/2 hours on the way to Ruidoso from Clovis NM and 3 hours returning.

[voyager55]

Rain in NM? My brother is in Las Cruces and gets a few drips a year

[Me Again]

You could easily open a can of worms with that question.
Most of us prefer the Dunlop E3 front and rear.
A few have gone to the dark side ,but there are only a few good choices for this.
Metzlers run next with everything else following that .

[chevyman1]

The Michelin Commander II seems to be a good tire also.
I had a voyager I sold with them on and was impressed with the ride and stability.

[Dave]

I haven't owned a Voyager for quite some time but when I did (three Voyagers, 180k miles), my favorite tire was the Metxeler 880. I tried several others but the Metzelers handled the best of any of them (wet or dry).

[richardb, austin]

Well what's the best oil for a Voyager?

[ghostler]

Rain in NM? My brother is in Las Cruces and gets a few drips a year

Perhaps sounds far fetched but last year NM rains were wierd. I've never seen it rain every day for long periods of time since leaving Okinawa 7 years ago. It rained on the way to Ruidoso, every day during the rally, and on the way back, too. I chugged past a whole group of riders on Harleys from Roswell to Portales. Pirelli MT66 Routes did their job and the old 2001 XII ran like she was made for rain. Fairing and windshield plus heated grips along with good riding gear made the ride comfortable.

I think the promoters of Golden Aspen Rally really took a hit as attendance was way down due to the rains.

[Lumpy Rider]

Michelin Commander IIs here. Very stable tire. No wandering. Tread water very well. Not the cheapest, but I got a good price on the pair buying from a dealer - got mounts for free.

[Bulldogx11]

I'm looking to buy some Dunlop e3 for my 1994 voyager as recommended on the forum. I've looked around and found the front tire no problem but the back tire is suppose to be a 150-90-15, but all I can find is a 5v85hb-15 which is a 150-80-b-15 .Is this the tire everyone is using even tho its not the right size or am not finding the right tire? Also where are you finding best deals on tires ? thanks

[debron]

I'm looking to buy some Dunlop e3 for my 1994 voyager as recommended on the forum. I've looked around and found the front tire no problem but the back tire is suppose to be a 150-90-15, but all I can find is a 5v85hb-15 which is a 150-80-b-15 .Is this the tire everyone is using even tho its not the right size or am not finding the right tire?

The rear Elite 3 tire for the XII is MV85B-15.

[Bulldogx11]

I screw up typing size I meant MV85HB -15 ,when I translate that it is a 150-80 -15. The bike calls for a 150-90-15 on rear, so being a little smaller (shorter) no one has noticed any big difference? And are u guys running the Dunlop e3 touring tire ? thanks for your advice

[ghostler]

Based on personal observation and casual inputs from others, and not stating this to be "gospel". Theoretical tire size and reality sometimes don't match.

Previous bike, LS650 Savage used a 140/80-15 tire. I thought a 130/90-15 would be slightly taller as the numbers suggest, but it was about the same dimensionally (Bridgestone versus Pirelli). Only difference was a slightly reduced load rating, which was very minor and size was more common, helping with finding a favorable price with a good brand of tire.

Then on the other hand, 100/90-19 Kenda front was larger in diameter than the Bridgestone in same, rubbed fender bad enough I replaced with a Pirelli MT66 Route, which was vastly superior.

Hard Kenda rubber is high mileage, but spooky when wet. I'd be interested in knowing how well this E-3 tire in that size matches up in size.

[cushman eagle]

I screw up typing size I meant MV85HB -15 ,when I translate that it is a 150-80 -15. The bike calls for a 150-90-15 on rear, so being a little smaller (shorter) no one has noticed any big difference? And are u guys running the Dunlop e3 touring tire ? thanks for your advice

Yes ,I have run the Dunlop E3 for three years.I have 16000 miles on them and expect,based on the wear, to get about 4000 more.