Aging sport bike rider here, bought my first cruiser a while back (2012 Yamaha Road Star Silverado S). It needs a front tire. Currently has a 130/90B16 Bridgestone Exedra Max. They're ok.

I don't know cruiser tires, what brand/model do you recommend? Online reviews vary wildly.

Is the old rule about not mixing bias and radials still a thing?

Thanks

Revzilla has good reviews of motorcycle items.

To fit in with this forum’s obsession with “what do we like?” and “what are you running?” I offer Michelin Pilot Sport CT2. Maybe available in your size.

I run Elite Dunlop on my Honda Goldwing

I use Pirelli Night Dragons. They are not long lived but stick like glue even in driving rain.

I've put a lot of miles on Dunlops. A couple of my friends started the year on Dunlop Elites, and are happy with them.. Soft for a good grip when leaned over, hard in the center for good mileage..

I always ran Dunlops and still do on the Road King but I’m also happy with the Avons I put on the Fat Boy a couple years ago when they were recommended by someone I trust. Both are good tires and you wouldn’t go wrong with either.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: P210,

Dunlop elite 3

You have a heavier cruiser (not the heaviest but not light either) so shy away from budget tires like Shinko (they wont last on heavier bikes). I always did well with Michelin Commander II on metric cruisers (Harleys as well). They have Commander III now but the II should be fine.

Another vote for the Dunlop Elite 3’s

I would only consider Avon or Metzler. Far superior to Dunlop.

Big Michelin fan, Pilot Road series. Had the threes, running fours now. I see there's a new 5 this year.
They grip in all conditions, dry, wet, cold, hot, etc.

quote:

Originally posted by Excam_Man:
Big Michelin fan, Pilot Road series. Had the threes, running fours now. I see there's a new 5 this year.
They grip in all conditions, dry, wet, cold, hot, etc.

This is what my dad runs on his 'sport' cruiser (Kawasaki Vulcan S)

The Scout in my garage has a mix on it at the moment
F: Dunlop D404F
R: Metzeler ME880 Marathon

At my more casual pace & the ~1 year I've been putting some miles on it, it's handled pretty well, IMO.

I have always like Metzlers.

I've got Dunlops on my Road King and Ultra, been happy with them.

Metzler 880's were my favorite until I had a tread separation. Next time I went with the Pirelli Night Dragons, they were ok early on. Last time I went with Michelin Commander II's.

Bike is a 2002 Electra Glide with Progressive Suspension component upgrades

Hello!

I always ran Metzler 880s on my cruisers - HD, Kawasaki, Honda, and Yamaha bikes - they performed very well.

Jim

I'm happy with the Pilot Road 4 and 5's I have/had on my BMW K16GTLE. Good traction in all road conditions as well as good longevity. I think I got a little over 9k miles on my last set of PR 4's. I could have squeezed another 1000+ miles out of them but ran over something that slashed the tire.

Michelin Commanders are what I buy when I replace the factory Dunlops.

Dunlops on mine, good mileage, stick well in wet or dry.

I have run Avons on a Heritage, similar size and weight to yours, only got about 8K max out of them and sometimes 5K, too soft a compound, Ride great, handle great but short life.

Metzler, Michelin, Continental, Dunlop all good manufacturing companies, as stated stay away from the no name brands.

I ran Dunlop 440's on my Yamaha V-Star 1100 when I was still riding. They stuck like glue in the rain and never hydroplaned in very heavy rain showers and handled well in the corners. I felt safe with them.

Jim