Re: Everybody love a good deal -- Wyzard's Kawaski Voyager Forum

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Date Posted: Thu October 03, 2013 11:42:57PM
Author: Craig O
Subject: Re: Everybody love a good deal
In reply to: Donald Stanley 's message, "Re: Everybody love a good deal" on Wed June 19, 2013 3:49:23PM

Hi everyone. Imagine my surprise to see this old thread at the top of the list! Donald Stanley wanted an update, so here it is.

I put on the Duro's at around 8000 miles to replace the factory 404's that were shot. The rear was cupped real bad, and the front wasn't worn, but the bike wandered and seemed to hunt on certain types of pavement. I read somewhere that the crappy front 404 could cause this, so I replaced it at the same time. For the price of $100 for both tires, why not?

I don't ride as much as I would like since we have had to hire a babysitter just to go for a ride 2-up. Therefore, I haven't accumulated a lot of miles the last several years. Most of our rides are 2-up, with several 5 day trips 2-up with max load; saddlebags packed tight, top trunk loaded, and even a duffle on the tour rack. I weigh 190, da wife about 170. The two 5 day trips in the last 4 years have taken us from Michigan down to the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Tail of the Dragon, West Virginia, Smokey Mountains, etc. Lots of mountain riding, in the rain at times, fully loaded. The tires have been nothing short of amazing in all conditions and loads that we have put the bike through in this time period. The front tire is still on with just under 25,000 miles, and the rear was replaced at 23,000 miles.

The Duro front tire shows very little wear. This tire did solve the wandering and hunting problem of the Dunlop 404, and it still tracks like new with 17,000 miles on it so far. The rear was replaced at 15,000 miles, but it showed lots of tread left. The problem was cupping that made noise any time the bike cornered; not sure if the max load that this tire is constantly subjected to did this, or if the tire pressure was too low. For the price of the tire I just replaced it with another Duro that I had purchased while they were on sale a couple of years ago. (Before anyone hollers, the tire was stored shrink wrapped from Jake Wilson in dark plastic, on a shelf, in our basement fruit cellar, protected from sunlight, heat, or dry conditions). Like I said in one the original posts, for the price of the tires, who cares if you have to lever a new one on every 15,000 miles? I have the tools to mount and balance my own tires, so all it cost me is my time to replace.

So, would I put another set of Duro's on the bike? Absolutely for the right price. But if the price has crept up into Avon or Elite territory, then I would consider the more popular brands. I am not sure what the current prices are for the tires that our XII need. I think that longer wear and/or life is available in competitive rear tires. When it is time to replace that front Duro however, I would definitely consider using the same tire since it tracks, handles, and wears extremely well.

I will post again when it is time to replace the front Duro for the first time and let everyone know.

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Replies:

Answer to Don Stanley's question -- Craig O, Tue October 29, 2013 6:31:44PM
- Re: Answer to Don Stanley's question -- doug of no fl, Wed October 30, 2013 1:04:45PM
  - Re: Answer to Don Stanley's question -- Don Stanley, Fri February 21, 2014 9:12:23PM
    - Re: Answer to Don Stanley's question -- Don Stanley, Fri February 21, 2014 10:13:51PM
      - additional comment to Don Stanley's question -- Donald Stanley, Sat February 22, 2014 3:05:20PM
        Re: additional comment to Don Stanley's question -- doug of no fl, Sat February 22, 2014 4:57:52PM
        Re: additional comment to Don Stanley's question -- Randy, Fri February 28, 2014 10:50:37AM
        Re: additional comment to Don Stanley's question -- larry, Fri February 28, 2014 10:56:19AM
        Re: additional comment to Don Stanley's question -- Kelly Bush, Mon March 31, 2014 7:57:03AM