Motorcycle tire review and fitment for Kawasaki VN 1500 Drifter 1999-2003

Motorcycle tire review and specification for Kawasaki VN 1500 Drifter 1999-2003
#	Motorcycle tire review and specification	Tire tube type	We recommend	Image (click to enlarge)	Ad
1	Front Tire: 130/90-16 67H	Tubed Tire(TT)	Dunlop D404F P Road bias Custom Touring
	Rear Tire: 150/80B16 71H	Tubeless(TL)	Dunlop D404 J Road bias Custom Touring

Motorcycle tire review and tips especially for Kawasaki VN 1500 Drifter 1999-2003 tires

• Soap It Up: Most tire manufacturers recommend that the only substance used to keep rubber shiny should be good old soap and water. Many alleged protectants actually promote premature cracking and finish deterioration. Make sure you wipe off any lube, brake fluid or gas promptly, too.


• Eyeballing tires for under inflation or over inflation is not a good idea, particularly on a motorcycle. A bike on a center stand and with no riders on it could be missing half the weight or more the tires will end up supporting. In addition, it is necessary to get down and examine tires under the fender to see if there is any tire damage. With only a few small inches supporting the load on two tires versus a much larger contact patch on 4 tires it’s a much riskier proposition taking a chance with motorcycle tires. Check also for cracking on the sidewalls, in the grooves, stones or cuts.


• They are the only thing between you and the road surface. Proper care and inspection is critical for safe operation of the motorcycle. It is important to check not only the tire pressure routinely, but also the entire tire surface for cuts, nails and other items such as cracks, splits and bulges, before each ride. Tire pressure is important for various reasons including life of the tire in terms of mileage and ride quality. Please refer to your Owners Manual for the tire inflation pressures for your model of bike.


• Motorcycle tires work in much more brutal environment then car tires. Because of many factors such as load carried, horsepower and torque produced, and this being applied to a contact surface that is very small by comparison, one can understand why the tires are not only expensive but also work in a much more demanding environment. Therefore keeping the tire pressure correct and routine tire inspection is critical.


• Tubes should always be replaced as these will wear just like the tire itself. When installing tubes be sure to locate the valve stem retaining nut all the way to the top of the valve stem so that it touches the cap. This way if the tube spins inside the tire you can see this by the tilt of the stem before the stem is torn from the tube itself. On tubeless tires always inspect the valve stem for cracks and dried out rubber, since these can crack over time and leak air. This thinking applies to car valve stems as well.

>> OK, but what do these numbers and letters mean? <<
:: Help me identifying the motorbike tire codes! ::