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anyone put radials on their kingpin?

11K views 39 replies 13 participants last post by  Motorbikerx 
#1 ·
Technically, I don't see why this is a problem. if the hammer chassis is built for it, the kingpin should be able to handle superior tires too...

that all said, I can't for the life of me find 18" 180 section rear radials. But metzeler does make a 200 section. Has anyone checked fitment on this? Will this tire rub the belt?

Just toying with ideas at the moment...
 
#2 ·
There are several radial options available, BUT with the lighter rear spring on the KP tends to create a wobble issue at speed. Having tried pretty much all of the available options. I will now stick with the HD SE Glide tires from Dunlop[D407 Rear, D408 front] best lasting, and most stabel tires I have put on thus far
 
#3 ·
I intend to get a works or progressive shock with higher ride height and more controlled damping anyway. Would this address the wobble? Sounds like a resonance issue to me.

On another note, what improvements do folks report with the setup you've got, over stock?

Thanks!
 
#4 ·
Have 2007 Kingpin Tour,with a little over 42K mileage, have ran radials since having to replace OEM rear tire(Bias), IMO-Avons (Cobras/Venoms)work well, handles great sticks in the corners can push the tire,good traction in the rain, etc./mileage not so good. 7-8k. Have tried Bridgestone, caused wobble at speed 65 Mph and up, under acceleration, lighter rear spring possible issue, have increased preload on spring for two up riding without belt rubbing issues, currently running Pirelli Night dragon rear, only have about 750 miles on the Night Dragon, but it seems to handle well, rode the dragon several times, (rte. 129) TN/NC border, with it a couple Sundays ago, tire felt good/reassuring. hope to get some decent mileage from the Night Dragon. Haven't tried the D407/D408 combo but will give it consideration when time comes. I like the way the radials feel, especially in wet weather. my .02
 
#5 ·
lucky, thanks for responding. that's great info there. glad to hear people have had success with radials, as I'd rather run tires that have that performance edge.

in sampling all those tires, were you using the oem size on the rear?

also, the wobbling issue was only experienced with which bridgestone models?
 
#7 ·
Radials

I purchased an 04 Kingpin in the spring of 2010. I really like the bike but found after getting it home that over 70mph it started to crawl much like a bike can do in road groves. I checked the air pressure and found the tires low. I aired the tires and it helped but still didn't feel like it should. This spring I took it out and stretched her legs, when it hit 80 she started to crawl back and forth and at 90 I backed out of it as control was getting difficult. I checked the air pressure and started looking at the tires. It has a Metzler Marathon on the back and a Dunlop on the front. After closer inspection I found the rear is a radial and the front is bias ply. Not a good combination. I order another Metsler yesterday for the front.
 
#8 ·
the KP does not like radial tires

For whatever reason, a lot of people have issues with radial tires on the Kingpin platform, myself included. Whether it be the infamous wobble at speeds above 80mph, or while laid over at 65+mph in sweepers.... they are just too inconsistent on this bike, period. I have tried them all, Avons, Metzerlers, Bridgestones.... and NONE, not one of these, can touch the D407's I now use. The 407 is hands down the most consistent and stable tire I have ever had on my KP, whether wet or dry. I also got over 18k miles out of my last 407. The 407 is a dual compound tire, harder down the center, and stickier everywhere else. It is the best tire I have found for handling speeds upwards of 120mph, as well as scraping floorboards at 60mph....

BTW, you will not find a single motorcycle tire manufacturer that will recommend their radials for our bikes. They have tried them out and found them to be unsuitable.
 
#11 ·
Did a search and found this tire is offered in bias ply as well as radial.:)
I believe it ONLY comes in bias ply in a 180/55 18. Also has a higher load rating than any other tire in that size.
 
#12 ·
how is the turn-in of the D407/408 combo? One of the complaints I have with the stock tires is the profile results in vague and inconsistent turn-in.
 
#14 ·
Thanks Kevin. Would you say it's an improvement over stock rubber in that department?
 
#15 ·
Noticeable improvement! And I agree with Kevin's assesment. I'm on my 2nd D407 (after 18k miles on the first), and my first 408F. I had an E3 on the front with the first 407 rear, and turn in was more sluggish, but hwy stability was slightly better. However, sweepers were a problem with the E3 on the front, and not with the new 408. Then again, could be the difference between a worn tire, and a new tire.
 
#17 ·
Spug's results are not what I expected. My used Kingpin came with brand-new Metzeler 880 Marathons front and rear. The high-speed wobble begins at 73mph and is increasingly dangerous the faster you try to go. I have a Victory mid-sized windshield, Victory rigid leather saddlebags in case this makes a difference. I have experimented with tire air pressure and the wobble is always there. I am setting up a service appointment to get rid of those darn Metzelers. I was going to get Dunlop D407/408 combo based on this thread, but Dunlop's web site does not shows those, it now recommends D417 rear and Elite 3 bias or 491 Elite II for the front. I hope these will work.
 
#18 ·
Dunlop web site does still show the D407/D408 under the "Harley Davidson" section, sounds like those tires work great on Kingpin per this thread, but they do not show up when you use Dunlop's online fitment guide for 04-08 Kingpin, that may have more to do with some marketing agreement that Dunlop has with H-D.
 
#19 ·
Exactly! You must go to an HD dealer (either locally or via the internet) to get the D407 / D408f tires. Do yourself a favor and don't pursue any other tire combo but this one.
 
#20 ·
I am one of the folks who is considering the gamble of radials, but I'm still intrigued by the overwhelmingly favorable reports of the HD dunlops.

One of my biggest complaints about the stock bias plys is their horrible bump compliance. Bias plys are known for that, and radials are known for being a more integrated part of the suspension. This could also be why some radials don't work well on kingpins in that they naturally will squirm more.

That all said, would like to hear about the bump compliance comparison. Thanks in advance.
 
#22 ·
American Elite on Kingpin

This thread is a few years old now. Starting 2015 we have a new tire option for the Kingpin that I have high hopes for. Dunlop American Elite bias ply 180/55B18 rear and 130/70B18 front. The rear has Dunlop's MultiTread technology. I bought a set of these on americanmototire.com for around $310. Much better price than the OEM tires from Victory or the HD D407/D408F that also work well on the Kingpin. I have tried radials from Metzeler, Bridgestone Exedra, and my buddy has tried Avon Cobra but the all cause the wobble to some extent. I think the wobble was reduced after I installed a Progressive Suspension rear shock while I had the Bridgestone Exedras. I have not mounted or tested these American Elites but I have high hopes for them. I talked to the Dunlop tire rep at the MPLS IMS show and he believes they will be good on Kingpin. Dunlop's 2016 Motorcycle Tires brochure also shows that American Elites are OEM tires on most of the Indian bikes and one HD, but those are mostly 17" or 16" wheels.
 
#23 ·
This thread is a few years old now. Starting 2015 we have a new tire option for the Kingpin that I have high hopes for. Dunlop American Elite bias ply 180/55B18 rear and 130/70B18 front. The rear has Dunlop's MultiTread technology. I bought a set of these on americanmototire.com for around $310. Much better price than the OEM tires from Victory or the HD D407/D408F that also work well on the Kingpin. I have tried radials from Metzeler, Bridgestone Exedra, and my buddy has tried Avon Cobra but the all cause the wobble to some extent. I think the wobble was reduced after I installed a Progressive Suspension rear shock while I had the Bridgestone Exedras. I have not mounted or tested these American Elites but I have high hopes for them. I talked to the Dunlop tire rep at the MPLS IMS show and he believes they will be good on Kingpin. Dunlop's 2016 Motorcycle Tires brochure also shows that American Elites are OEM tires on most of the Indian bikes and one HD, but those are mostly 17" or 16" wheels.
what do the guys on TCVR say. They could tell you of a shop to mount the tires if you can take them off
 
#24 ·
#25 ·
there is no steel frame bike made from any factory that runs radials. There iel handling with wobbling protenshional.
You can run radial on the real but not on the front. There is too much flex in a radial tire for a steel frame bike
 
#26 · (Edited)
I reckon you're the expert on protenshional for instability and all... but...
You should ride this thing at a buck forty. It's rock solid. Here's a quick 120, Oh my, look how unstable...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gdPqswin0E

Damn those Night Dragons! Liked to kilt me!

Been running radials since 2007... Dunlop (V-Rod rear and VTX 1800F front), Bridgestone, and now Pirelli. I appreciate your concern for my safety and all, but I assure you, radials work just fine on a Kingpin.

Instability has been reported. Usually it is caused by the way the bike is loaded (Bags and big windshields) and the fact that people don't have their suspension set up right. Another thing people don't realize is that radials like pressure 38 front and 40 rear. Personally, 3 different brands and never an issue.
 
#27 ·
Steel frame '13 here
Nightdragon front & M880 on the rear

Burst's of top speed / no wobble

MUCH BETTER THEN THE DUNLOP'S

. maybe next time try Pirrelly
 
#29 ·
Thanks kevinx and HC gonna see price and availability on both the Dunlops and G850/851
Now I'm running the 130/70/18 front I'm very tempted to stick with it over the 21" which I've come to the conclusion is all about looks.
 
#30 ·
The "high speed wobble" issue when running radials on Kingpin I believe affects every rider/bike differently, and for some riders/bikes does not happen. Probably depends on weight of rider, rear suspension setup, position and size of windshield, etc. For me and my Kingpin it starts around 70mph and I found that the wobble went away entirely if I removed my OE windshield and went without one, or installed a very small windshield (bullet style? or whatever it is called) that came off a Hammer. Tire pressure in the radials would not resolve the wobble with radials for me. I could find ways to avoid the wobble problem but I'd rather not (OEM Dunlop bias ply, or no windshield). With the new American Elite 180/55B18 rear tire I think we finally have a bias ply rear tire in the right size available at a reasonable price. I'll post up on how it performs after I test it but being from Minnesota it's gonna be a while. If someone beats me to it, I'd like to hear how it works for you.
 
#31 ·
Used to run Metzellers with no problem. Now on 2011 Pin and run Night Dragons with no problems. BUT....... I run radial rear and biased on the front (BEWARE: THE OTHER WAY AROUND IS DEADY COMBO...). Never had any issues. I also run DynaBeads. Recommend them highly !!!
 
#32 ·
I just put the American Elite on the back of my 04 Pin. I have only put about 100 miles on it since installing it but so far I love it. I agree, about time there was an available everywhere Bias Ply tire in our size.

Side note, I tried the Metzler 880 and thought it would kill me on the highway from the wobble. I then did the Bridgestone and the belts came through in under 7000 miles.
 
#34 ·
Glad to hear you tried and liked the American Elite bias on the rear of a Kingpin, you are the first one I know of to try it! When we get rid of the snow and salt I will join you, I have the tires ready to go. Your experience with the Metzeler 880 and Bridgestone Exedra match mine exactly! Is your Metzeler wobble experience also with a tall/medium windshield?
 
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