I have been searching endlessly for some alternative brand, style and tread patterns that will fit the Yamaha V-Star 1300, 2007. I am frustrated and irritated that the only ones I can find are the same ones that came on it. It seems the 16" rims are the rub here, but I do not want to have to buy new rims! It has to be some collusion between Bridgestone and Yamaha. It is starting to really anger me.

I was using Dunlops on my XVS650, till last week when I needed a new front tyre and couldn't get another of the same.

I've now got a Bridgestone, but I know a few 'star riders that run on Avons...

  Desmo1264 said:

I have been searching endlessly for some alternative brand, style and tread patterns that will fit the Yamaha V-Star 1300, 2007. I am frustrated and irritated that the only ones I can find are the same ones that came on it. It seems the 16" rims are the rub here, but I do not want to have to buy new rims! It has to be some collusion between Bridgestone and Yamaha. It is starting to really anger me.

I ran into similar problems trying to find a 15"rear/16" front tire combination to fit my '86 Fazer a couple weeks ago. Seems in the US if you don't run sportbike 17" wheels front and rear, tire choices (especially if you want radial tires) are nearly non existant. I ended up going with a set of Dunlop Elite3's (E3), which are still a bias tire construction, but use a tread design similar to a sport bike radial tire tread. So far they seem to be pretty good, traction has been ok wet, dry (even hit some black ice without totally losing control riding 2 up with the wife last Sun). The tires handle very good compared to the last set of bias tires I had on my Katana (Bridgestone Battle Axe BT-052's). Not sure what sizes you need for the V-Star, so I don't know if they make the E3's in your sizes or not. I had to go one size wider in the rear, and 2 sizes wider in the front just to get a matched set. Stock tires for the Fazer were a 140/90/15 rear and 110/90/16 front, which were also V speed rated from the factory. I couldn't find anything to fit that had the V speed rating anymore.

edit:

I did find this on Dunlops site for the V-Star 1300 http://www.dunlopmotorcycle.com/fitmentguide.asp

I ran Dunlop Touring Elites on my 750 Maxim.......16" rear & 19" front.....VERY well planted feel with 'em .....& they were reasonably priced.