2007 kingpin hard to steer at low speeds

[Half_Crazy]

You can do a radial rear and bias front, but never the other way around. I wouldn't mix them at all.

I use these:
http://www.bridgestone.com/products/motorcycle_tires/products/exedra/index.html#anc01

G850 rear -- 180/55ZR18







G851 front -- 130/70ZR18





$231/pair
http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=33_82_91





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[diamonbird]

You are correct HC.......Sorry about the wrong information, that could be very dangerous.
 I ran both on my bike and you couldn't tell the difference.

[wolfer]

the 07 kingpin came from the factory with radial on front, bias on rear..... the replacement bias ply rear tire reads on sidewall " manufactured exclusively for fitment on victory motorcycles"..  also i called several dealerships inquiring about replacement tires and everyone came back with the radial on front and bias rear.   the vegas is the same way

[06victory]

I see that 2007 Kingpin came with Dunlop Elite II on the front and a D417 on the rear. I think the Elite II are bias ply the Elite III you can get  raidal or bias ply.  but I would say your tire mix is the cause of your problem. Switch out one of your tires to the same save the othe and your next set match it up. But do note if you go to radials you won't like bias plys on your bike.

[Half_Crazy]

the 07 kingpin came from the factory with radial on front, bias on rear..... the replacement bias ply rear tire reads on sidewall " manufactured exclusively for fitment on victory motorcycles"..  also i called several dealerships inquiring about replacement tires and everyone came back with the radial on front and bias rear.   the vegas is the same way

Front tire is not a radial. Look at the sidewall. If it's a radial it will say 130/70 R 18. The OEM tires on the Kingpin are both bias ply tires. Some bikes come OEM with a radial rear and a bias front but NEVER the other way around.

http://www.dunlopmotorcycle.com/fitment-guide/search?type=fitment&make=26&model=805&year=901&submit=

130/70 B 18.... no R... NOT a radial tire.

Reading the sidewall: 130/70 ZR 18 M/C (63W) TL
 130: tire section nominal width [mm]
 70: tire aspect ratio [sidewall is 70% as high as the tread is wide]
 ZR: tire construction type [high speed rated radial]
 18: rim diameter [inches]
 M/C: tire for motorcycle only
 63: load index code
 W: speed index code
 TL: tubeless tire



As for the made for Victory thing.... BULLSH!T
Dunlop made those tires before Victory made motorcycles. The tires on the KP don't even match (one has raised letters, one does not). In fact, the recommended rims for these tires are 3.5" and 5.5" , while the KP rims were 3" and 5" before the 'Stingray' wheels.

Victory and Dunlop have signed a "PROPRIETARY AGREEMENT". In other words, these tires will only be sold to Victory and cannot be purchased directly from Dunlop "OEM ONLY". That way the dealer can phuck you senseless on what you pay for tires. $240 for a rear tire... hell, I get a PAIR of high-speed radials for less than that.


There you have it. All of this information is readily available to you. Never simply believe what you're told and never speculate. FIND OUT.



.

[Half_Crazy]

Oh... one more thing... The manufacturers shoot for the best compromise of tread life and traction when they select the OEM tires for a motorcycle.

The OEM tires are almost never the best tire you can get, because everything is a compromise. Tires that stick don't last and tires that last don't stick. This is the reality of tires.

Just like any service you pay for, be it having a roof put on your house or having you car serviced...  you want three things:

LOW COST--------FAST SERVICE-------QUALITY WORKMANSHIP

Pick two. You can't have all three. Cheap work, done fast, will not be high quality. Quality work, done fast, will not be cheap. Cheap work, with excellent quality, will not be fast. That's just the way it is....