I've got a flat rear stock IRC tire, with a little tread depth remaining. I'm probably going to put new tires on and did a little digging on this forum. Here's what I came up with as popular options. (darkside isn't an option, I'm too chicken)

Tire	Size	MS	BB	RM	RZ
Shinko 712 Rear Tire	140/90H-15	$65	$67	N/A	$70
Duro HF296C Motorcycle Tire	140/90H-15	N/A	$86	N/A	N/A
Pirelli MT66 Route Cruiser Rear Tire	140/90H-15	$98	$95	$89	$103
Dunlop D404 Metric Cruiser Rear Tire	140/90H-15	$106	$102	$95	$107
Michelin Commander II Cruiser Rear Tire	140/90HB-15	$118	$111	$111	$113
Dunlop K555 OEM Replacement Rear Tire	140/80HB-15	$119	N/A	$107	$126
Metzeler ME 880 Marathon Touring Rear Tire	140/80HB-15	$154	$151	$146	$144

MS - http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/
BB - http://www.bikebandit.com/
RM - http://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/
RZ - http://www.revzilla.com/


Prices don't include shipping, taxes, or other fees.

Other items to buy: rim strip, tube with 90 degree valve stem

Is that a reasonable summary?
Anything I missed?

-D. Dwarf

Don't overlook Duro tires. Last i got was about 85 bucks. Wear good and good wet weather traction.

http://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/

is another good online store to price match with and they give free 3-day shipping over $99 or flat $7 shipping for anything under that.

I just picked up a shinko 712 for $59 that I am testing out for the milage test and thier metzler and dunlop prices are competitive.

I'm guessing your having a shop mount the tire for you, otherwise you need think about balancing the tire.

Updated original post with additional tire options and prices.

Is it a good idea to replace my front tire too?

I'll pull the tires, but then I'll either have a shop mount/balance or I'll have a co-worker do it.

-D. Dwarf

i would go with the Pirelli or Metzeler, have had both and liked them. I also had the Dunlop 555 and 404 on my VTX, I didn't realize how bad they were till I swapped them.

Steampowered Boy wrote on 09/19/12 at 20:03:42:


Captured.

-D. Dwarf

DrunkenDwarf wrote on 09/16/12 at 22:00:17:


May I also suggest the Pirelli Phantom



I find it an excellent all-weather tire, and in the rain it will provide better traction than some "semi-slicks" available, even if it may cost a tad more.

My previous tires were Avon Venoms; literally zero treadwear, wonderful in the dry, and deadly in the wet...

Oldfeller,
I updated the spreadsheet.

I didn't include the cost of a new front wheel.  
I did include the tube, rim strip, and shipping. It was self mounted, so I didn't include the cost of that.

Tread depth measured at 7.0mm (0.275") average with a deepest measurement of 7.5mm (0.295").

-D. Dwarf


OF  We always measure at the same spot (next to the valve stem) as variation around the tire is so much it makes accurate mileage predictions impossible.   If you use the butt drop method with a caliper AT THE SAME SPOT you can get +/- a couple of thousandths accurate on tread depth measurements which is good enough for predictions to work OK.