I found a new set of Avon Cobra tires for an extremely good price on the Internet so I ordered them for the Goldwing. I decided to put a 180/70/16 tire on the back. This is a bit larger than the stock size of 180/60/16. The larger tire has a bit higher load rating which should be a good thing. It also has a bit larger contact patch which should also be a good thing. And lastly another good thing; it should also help to correct a bit of the speedometer error common on these bikes. On the minus side is that the bike will stand just bit taller but, but I can reach the ground pretty well now, so it shouldn’t make too much of a difference.

I had planned on paying to have this set of tires mounted so I called down to a dealership that I use for the Zipsicle and they quoted $160.00 to mount and balance the new tires since I didn’t buy the tires at the dealership! I called a Honda dealership and they wanted $200.00. Outrageous, in my opinion, so I went ahead and ordered the equipment I’ll need to mount and balance them myself. It will just about pay for the equipment with just one tire change and since I have two bikes it’s definitely going to save me some money and I can buy my tires on the web at a large savings over what the dealerships want to charge for new tires. I don’t mind the dealers making a profit and want them to stay in business but those prices are simply ridiculous and they have priced themselves out of getting my business for this part of the maintenance.

I’ve watched a couple of videos of the process of removing, balancing, and reinstalling the tires on the Goldwing and it looks pretty straightforward and I think even a mechanical klutz like me can get this one right. I’ll post some pictures after I receive the equipment and get set up for doing the tires. I imagine that the first set will take me longer than it might take a pro to do them but the money I save is going to be a very good thing.

Ride safe,

Zippo and Jax