Tires

[Voyager12-2003]

Currently have Elite III's with 8000 miles with some cracking in the thread. The tires are 6 years old. I think it is time to change. Previous owner got 24000 miles on the Elite II's. My '98' Voyager got 26,000 miles on the Elite II's. I'm thinking of getting the II's again. Or is there a better tire out there?

[SgtSlag]

Check the manufacture date code on any tire you purchase... They could be a couple of years old when you receive them, having sat on a shelf somewhere waiting to be purchased -- your tires could be more than six years old!

Aside from that, I look for more than just longevity, and mileage in a tire. I want wet traction, and a tire which ignores cracks, and tar snakes. I am willing to pay extra for those features (in other words, lower mileage...). I run only Pirelli MT66 Route tires: glued to the road in the rain; ignore most road anomalies, until well worn; 12,000 out of the rear, 15,000 and counting, on the front (will need to be replaced after this riding season, though). We ride two-up, 99% of the time, and we tour. Traction is the most critical thing we need, in all conditions. The Pirelli's meet our requirements. YMMV. Cheers!

[voyager55]

Try the new Elite 4

[HMB Don]

All tires are going to have cracking at that age. You might get a little more carcass life if you store the motorcycle in a very controlled environment. But 5 years of carcass life is what all tire manufactures will warranty.

What I do is check the manufacture date on the sidewall of the tire. It will read 1620, which would be that the tire was manufactured in 2016 on the 20th week. Now that I'm retired and ride lots I use up or wear out a set of tires per year. Even then I don't except tires that are older then 26 weeks.

The new E4 doesn't make a size for the rear for the Voyager 1200 or 1700 yet. The E3 Dunlop is the tire I like on the Voyagers because of the hard sidewall. The rear Dunlop E3 is a dual compound tire, the center of the tire is made of harder long lasting rubber compound. While the sides of the tire is made of softer rubber compound for better cornering traction.

[voyager55]

cvc

[Lumpy Rider]

Went with Michelin Commander II's a couple years back. Excellent handling under all conditions and no wear showing after 6k miles .

[ekap1200]

Went with Michelin Commander II's a couple years back. Excellent handling under all conditions and no wear showing after 6k miles .

Give that tire to Don Medina for a test, that man has been known to do 6,000 miles in a week. Man does he travel....

He must order a tire when they install a new one, and when it comes in he's ready for a tire change. Does that 1700 engine ever cool down ?

[Lumpy Rider]

Kudos to Don! Been a rough and ride deprived couple of years.

[duckman]

Yes sir,
I'm sure there are other good brands available but Dunlop E3 is the way to go. I'm working on over 19K on my first set. Although a lot of folks don't like them for the lack of smooth ride, my original set of D404 had 20k on them. They don't make them anymore but my Dad actually found one (after a road hazard flat) last week and was glad to get it regardless of Mfr date. There was nothing else readily available.
As a side note he has ran a lot of Metzlers and had poor luck with them lasting very long.
My $.02

[Neal]

Surely you Jest ! ? ! ? ! ? ! ? ! ? ! ? ! ? ? ! ? ! ? !

[duckman]

Nope, I keep a log and that's the numbers for each of the brands.