1300R Metzler (bias vs. radial)

[ledbetter80]

Everyone,
John,

For those of you 1300R riders who've upgraded your front and rear tires,
i've got a little bit of a deilemma....

WANTED: Metzler radial
the Dunny E-3 would be acceptable....

PROBLEM:
The bike's OEM tire sizes are: (with bias ply tires)
FRONT = 140/80-17
REAR = 170/80-15

The Metzler ME 880 front tire with correct size of:
FRONT = 140/80-17M/CTL 69H ME880F is only offered in BIAS PLY.
REAR = 170/80B15M/CTL 77H ME880 is also only a BIAS PLY.

The ONLY Metz RADIALis the:
FRONT = 130/70R17M/CTL 62V ME880F ---- which is a smaller than stock
REAR = not available

Furthermore...
the Dunny Elite 3 has different tire sized entirely for the front

Radial front only, bias in back :
FRONT = 150/80R17 72H (a little wider)
REAR = no radial avail, bias = MV85B15 77H

So.................
Here's the deal i'm inquiring about..

Has anyone installed the SMALLER Metzler on the 1300R, or the LARGER Dunlop E-3 on the FRONT?
Also, what are folks using for their Metz or D E-3 REAR tire?

Personally, I would prefer a radial on both, but would accept one on just the front. However I don't want to go too far out of the reccomended size, and curious if folks have already headed that path.
Tired old Tires....

Finally, John, Anyone,
Does it really make a difference between Bias Ply, and Radial with handling?
Thanks for any input if you got it.

--Nate

[Rib-Bone]

Not a good idea to run 2 diffrerent tires on your bike
2 bias or 2 radials not 1 of each

[Dickf123]

what a hassle, I don't needum yet so will be interested in the answers

[Jon's1800VTXC]

IMO, Radial are the best riding tires. IMO, I would not mix Radial and Bias. All that being said, you ride a big cruiser. If you want Radials you're going to have to do the Foots mod (rear wheel, caliper and bracket from any 1800) As far as the front I would go to the bigger size 150 :wink:

i have a mets 150-80r 17 on the front of my 1300r. works and fits good. radial ct on rear. i read r in rear, bias front ok. lots of people do this with no problem.

[Shooter Jones]

I woudn't mix different types or manufactures tires. Alittle size differance might be ok.

Certainly would not run a bias with a radial.

[dizzydean_61]

Had the same problem with my 1800S. I used the 200 metz 880 for the back and the 140 for the front.

[dizzydean_61]

Forgot to add it has the same sizes as yours.

[NDAna]

What pigbristles said :!: 8)

Maybe another darksider in the ranks?

[ledbetter80]

Everyone,

Thanks for the great input.
I can now make an educated well-informed decision.

This is EXACTLY why I love this board

John, perhaps when the rear wears out, i'll do the rear wheel change-over.
Untill then...


--Nate