bridgestone bias ply tires changing rear tire.

[bob1665]

I just pulled the rear tire if my 87 1200 voyager and am going to have it replaced. It is currently a bridgestone on there now with a bridgestone on the front as well. Front was changed not that long ago and is in good shape. They are both bias ply and I am wondering what my options are to replace the rear. Do I have to stick with bridgstone on the back or can I change out to a different manufacturer. Bike handled great the last 5000 miles and I don't want to compromise that. Also the brake pads that are on there don't have much pad on them there is a line thru the center I am assuming that that is a wear indicator there is still about a sixteenth of an inch left. Is that a recommended replacement item as well? Thanks in advance.

[Mr Jensee]

Bob you must not check here regularly on the tire issue. The tire for the most mileage you can get is the Dunlop E3 bias ply. Other tires are stickier if you are a canyon carver but the E3 is the king for road mileage. Expect to get at least 20,000 miles.

[Relics]

I run Bridgestone GF7093 and G703 whitewalls on my Voyager and love them. Not a Dunlop fan. I think everyone is hyped over them just like everyone is hyped over the Goldwing; but the Voyager is a better bike. ( I have had both).

[Mr Jensee]

Well whether or not you are a fan of Dunlop, you wont find anywhere a tire that gives you the most mileage. I was a fan of Bridgestone and always shod my Kawasaki ZRX1100 with them. Good tires. But my Voyager came with Dunlop 404 tires and they were in a word, terrible. Only with the encouragement of others on here did I switch to the Dunlop E3s and I have to say it was a great recommendation. One Dunlop tire will last longer than 3 Bridgestones. If that isn't enough reason then continue with your whitewall Bridgestones. Only your wallet will know the difference.

[Relics]

Well said. But opinions;l everybody has them. I am a recreational rider. I only put 2,000 to 3,000 miles a year on my motorcycle. As in ANY other aspect of life you have to pay to play and I don't mind paying for what I want. I WANT whitewall tires that give me performance. When its time to replace ; I replace. (In my case every 3 years, no matter what.) I had Dunlop 404s on my old Goldwing and will NEVER run another Dunlop on ANY motorcycle that I own. Just my opinion.

[Mr Jensee]

Because 404s were terrible tires. They are nothing like the Elite 3 tires. Not an opinion, fact. I had 404s on the bike when I bought it. I almost didn't buy the bike after the test drive. Once the new tires were on there it was an entirely different bike.

[Relics]

I guess its possible for the same manufacturer to produce different results on different items. But NOT for me.

[bob1665]

Thanks guys I went with the recommended Dunlop and will change out the front at a later date. I did replace the rear pads as well and changed the brake fluid. I always had a weak break in the back and wanted to take a closer look at it myself. I had a shop look at it last year and no amount of bleeding made a difference until I took the caliper bolts out and tilted the caliper so that the bleed port was right on top and bled again. 2 small air bubbles came out right away and now brakes are as they should be. I also did this while it was on the side stand so leaned over a bit.

[Mr Jensee]

bob if you order some speed bleeders, little one way valves that replace the standard bleeders you can easily change out your fluid without hassle and mess. you can find their website by googling it. About $7.50 a piece but worth it.