2006 VTX1800S - Tire Recommendations?

I need to get new tires for my 2006 VXT 1800S (Retro with spoke rims). What are the recommdeded sizes and brands for front and back? How does the car tire affect the ride? Thanks!

All you ask can be found in zillions of threads in this forum. Take a look around. Putting a CT on a spoked rim is a real pain, requiring crazy pressure to get the bead to seat, if it ever does. This is even if the spokes are sealed so you can be tubeless. Do not know how many have been successful doing it with a tube, but probably not a lot. I do not think that there are all that many CTs for a 15" rim. There are quite a few for the 16" cast though. The ride of a CT has been discussed to the Nth degree, again look through the forum.

I tossed the spokes on my Retro 1800S and went cast. To do so you will need another rear rotor as the cast and spoke rotor are different. All else fits. I liked Avons when I ran spokes, others like Metzelers. Replacing with the same stock Dunlops is done by some, but not a lot.

Good luck

My Harley seated at 70 lbs. - not too bad. I may seal the spokes next time though, so I can repair flats on the road. Not that I've ever had flats.

i have an 1800s. i went with a michelen HE 205/70/15. I tried every trick i have read on any forum i could find to get the tire to bead with a tube but couldn't. i finally sealed the the spokes 3m 5200 and got the tire to bead. if I were you I would skip the tube and seal the spokes. you might also look at the 1300 forum as well.if you have not changed the shock bushings lately plan on it, the wider contact patch highlights the bushings weakness. if you ride in the rain you are going to love the darkside I know I do. The difference is night and day.

I HAVE A 02 1800S & ON MY SECOND CT, USED
A 2


0565VR15 BF GOODRICH TRACTION TA THE FIRST TIME, I USE REGULAR MOTORCYCLE TUBES, NOT GOING TO SEAL SPOKES, HAVE ALREADY HAD TO HAVE RIM ALIGNED & SPOKES TIGHTENED DUE TO INCREASED TRACTION & MY STYLE OF RIDING, THE GOODRICH SEATED AT APROX 85 PSI WITH ARMOR ALL AS LUBE, THE GOODRICH HAD SOFT SIDEWALLS & GAVE SOME
A BIT OF A SQUISHY FEELING, GOT 14000 MILES OUT OF IT, IT WORE QUICK IN THE MIDDLE, WENT TO A CONTINENTAL EXTREME CONTACT IN THE SAME SIZE & GETTING MUCH BETTER RESULTS, HAD TO GO TO OVER 100 PSI SEAT WITH NO PROBLEMS WITH THE TUBE, TRIED A TOYO PROXY & BLEW UP A TUBE TRING TO GET IT TO SEAT, THE TOYO HAS A REINFORCED BEAD, HAD TO MOUNT IT ON MY MOTHER IN LAWS CAR,
WENT TO A V RATED HAVE A PROBLEM WITH A NEED FOR SPEED OCCASIONALY, WILL EVENTUALLY GO TO CAST , HAVE PICKED UP NAILS & LIKE THE CONVENICE OF TUBLESS, HOPE THIS HELPS, ALSO HAVEA FRIEND WHO GOT A LAZER ALIGNMENT & IS NOW GETTING OVER 30000 MILES OUT OF A CT

I mounted a Michelin HE 205/65/15 on my 1800S with the tube from my Metz 880
(The tire shop ordered the wrong tube, had to re-use old one)
Had to use a LOT of soap and 120# to get the bead to seat fully

No rubbing on the swing arm, speedo error is same as before.
Rides great, more stable feeling going down the road. Better ride comfort on back according to Mama, which is VERY important.

Static balance worked just fine, but I have used Dynabeads in the past (another bike) with good success.