Better Rear tires for Tri.

[PosseRider]

I know there has been some discussion about softer sidewall tires here. Goodyear comfort tread, being one. Has anyone tried any? Or any other tires that give a better ride & good on wet roads. TIA

[Firewrench22]

Goodyear Assurance at 22psi. Ride feels better to me than the OE tires

[trikermutha]

I ran the comfort tread and was happy with the tire and handling. Couldn't stand the TRIGLIDE for long rides tho.

[consitter]

I ran the comfort tread and was happy with the tire and handling. Couldn't stand the TRIGLIDE for long rides tho.

Was those long rides on rough road, or any type of road? I don't like even short rides on rough road with my TG.

On the super slab, I don't have a problem though.

[trikermutha]

Was those long rides on rough road, or any type of road? I don't like even short rides on rough road with my TG.

On the super slab, I don't have a problem though.

Any Road. But there were other factors that make me get rid of the TRI

The Comfort Treads did make the ride less harsh. I have them on my car too. They absorb I believe 20% more that regular tires.

I still have them sitting in my basement mounted on chrome wheels with baby moons.

[GARYD]

I ride 12K ~ 15K miles a year on a stock TG at 73 years old and I don't have one single problem doing so. What's wrong with you young whippersnappers - getting soft? Sheesch!

Soft seat, soft shocks, soft tires, soft roads. Are there any REAL BIKERS here that ride hardtails?

[trikermutha]

My Arthritic body wont let me be a hard ass anymore. So yeah the Cadillac has to come out..

[rhino 2]

Far from me to defend the Spyder...But it does ride better than the Tri...And whether or not anyone cares to admit it the Tri doe's ride like crap, Thats why the after market and sponsors are doing a lively business selling softer tires and better shocks for the Tri...That said i still love my Tri...For the feel of a rough and tumble Machine...Its an intangible that can't be duplicated on a Spyder or Honda...It has nothing to do with who's stronger than who...

..

[mirider]

whether or not anyone cares to admit it the Tri does ride like crap.

Interesting statement! Can't speak for anyone else but my Tri rides fine. Maybe the newer models were an improvement.

[Gideon]

Interesting statement! Can't speak for anyone else but my Tri rides fine. Maybe the newer models were an improvement.

Let's get back to "Tires"

I replaced both rear tires with Cooper Trendsetter SE Tires (205/70R/14) from Tire Central & Service. This is a quiet-running tire with excellent traction.

[PosseRider]

Let's get back to "Tires"

I replaced both rear tires with Cooper Trendsetter SE Tires (205/70R/14) from Tire Central & Service. This is a quiet-running tire with excellent traction.



Sign out

Thanks Gideon. I am also 73 & ride the same as that other guy. I still want the best ride I can get on my Tri & don't give a rat's a** about a sewing machine. I really was hoping to hear from people who have tried other tires, not a debate about the Tri . By the way, nice pic of the bike.

[jc1300]

I know there has been some discussion about softer sidewall tires here. Goodyear comfort tread, being one. Has anyone tried any? Or any other tires that give a better ride & good on wet roads. TIA

I've been going over the same here. My problem with soft sidewall rating is deflection. As we all know the TriGlide is tight on it's Tire/Rim clearance. I changed my shocks early on and them messed with tire pressure. I've found my sweet spot {with both rider / Passenger}. I believe I could get a softer ride that would then fail in a large bump/hole, and deflect too much under pushing it thru the turns or evasive moves. I find the ride very comfortable 90% of the time. More than I could say about most of my other bikes over the years. It ain't a car.....jc

[GARYD]

Far from me to defend the Spyder...But it does ride better than the Tri...And whether or not anyone cares to admit it the Tri doe's ride like crap, Thats why the after market and sponsors are doing a lively business selling softer tires and better shocks for the Tri...That said i still love my Tri...For the feel of a rough and tumble Machine...Its an intangible that can't be duplicated on a Spyder or Honda...It has nothing to do with who's stronger than who...

..

That's true, but the aftermarket also sells shocks and tires to UJM's. Go figure. Are they bad too??

I disagree about the TG's ride. I like the rough feel of the Harley, that'd why I bought it. I said it before, If I rode a Goldwing or the like, I'd definitely fall asleep. Harley's keep me awake.

The first 30 years of my life, I rode UJM's - great bikes - but I wanted something original/American = a motorcycle!!! Not an ATV minus a wheel or some other smooth/quiet bike. That's just me and I'm glad we have the choice to ride different forms of bikes.

It's the wind in your face that matters.

[gfaltersack]

I did a lot of research on the two brands above and the Goodyear Comfort Tread won hands down. I followed Lehman Trike's advice and dropped the pressure to 20# (still within the tire's engineered squat for the loads applied with entire width on the ground) and love the ride. Harley and the service depts. by rule have to send the trikes out with 26# by policy and the Federal rule on tire pressures. On Dunlops that equates to a bouncing basketball for light weights like myself and my wife. The Dunlops are a great tire and wear very very well but the sidewalls are stiff as hell! I encourage others to do their own testing of tires.

[Peter A.]

I ride 12K ~ 15K miles a year on a stock TG at 73 years old and I don't have one single problem doing so. What's wrong with you young whippersnappers - getting soft? Sheesch!

Soft seat, soft shocks, soft tires, soft roads. Are there any REAL BIKERS here that ride hardtails?

Well GaryD........I too ride a few miles at 74 yrs., just turned 92 thou. on the trike

and 275 thou. On my 1988 2-wheeler......HOPE TO RIDE M A N Y more years (sorry the ‘88

does have SHOCKS, ha)

EVERYBODY ride SAFE out there

[DK Custom Products]

I have about 4000 miles now on the Goodyear Comfortred tires. They are definitely a softer ride than the OEM tires (which I've ridden about 100,000 miles on.

Have not ridden the Comfortred in the snow yet, nor any really heavy rain.

But on dry and light rain, they handle as good, or better, than the OEM tires, AND are more comfortable.

I will mention, I ran the OEM tires at 20-21 psi, that was their sweet spot. But when I tried running the Comfortred at that low of a PSI they really wallowed, felt like jello. Got them at 27 psi now and they are good.

Kevin

[MDO]

I have about 4000 miles now on the Goodyear Comfortred tires. They are definitely a softer ride than the OEM tires (which I've ridden about 100,000 miles on.

Have not ridden the Comfortred in the snow yet, nor any really heavy rain.

But on dry and light rain, they handle as good, or better, than the OEM tires, AND are more comfortable.

I will mention, I ran the OEM tires at 20-21 psi, that was their sweet spot. But when I tried running the Comfortred at that low of a PSI they really wallowed, felt like jello. Got them at 27 psi now and they are good.

Kevin

Good to hear Kevin, Are you still running your new Avon front tire at 41psi & are you happy with it overall?

[DK Custom Products]

Good to hear Kevin, Are you still running your new Avon front tire at 41psi & are you happy with it overall?

Yesterday we had quite a bit of new experience with the new tires!

We rode in rain, then hail, then more rain, then in heavy snow...Really heavy...for about 30 minutes, crossing Homestake Pass. The front tire and the rear tires did very well.

I am completely happy with all three tires. The front tire has even better traction than the rear reversed tire I was running previously. It also is fairly impervious to following lines, grooves etc. on the road. Although I did get a little bit of follow on some tar snakes, but less than other tires.

All that said, I discovered yesterday one of the reasons why HD uses the tires they do. In extreme circumstances, such as these:

80 mph speed limit

Heavy head winds and cross winds

Curving roads

Tall Recurve windshield

When all four of these were combined yesterday, the trike felt a little squirelly at 80 mph in a curve, especially with a cross wind. It wasn't unstable, or unsafe, but it could feel like it was. HD, I'm sure, wants the trikes to feel as solid and planted as possible.

With the tires they use, they have far less sidewall flex in the rear, and the front, while it does not have as good traction as the Avon, it feels more planted.

The faster you go, the less planted the Avon feels....BUT it is a trick, it is actually has quite a bit more traction than the stock tire that "feels" more planted. I think part of the reason the Avon has this feel is the higher PSI and rounder profile (smaller contact patch).

My conclusion is that I REALLY like them both, better traction, better quality ride. I have realized that in certain circumstance they do not feel as stable, but, in fact, are more secure.

BUT, someone that is not 100% comfortable with their trike, might get a bit concerned in extreme circumstances.

Kevin

[Jack Klarich]

Very good write up on the tires coming from many miles on branded tires, Thanks Kevin Be safe out there