newbie needs info on purchasing a car tire

[cajundood]

hi all. new to the forum down here in the swamps of lousiana. (yes, we even have pcs)
bought my 98 valk about two years ago and from the amount of miles i put on it plus the fact taht the tires were already 40% worn, its time for some new shoes. i have already purchased a front tire off of ebay for around $130 which i don't think i did too bad on...really nice tire. purchased fork seals as well to get everything taken care of at once when i do switch........

is there a question in here somewhere?....

Actually yes.....the rear tire. i've read tons talked with other valk owners and most everyone says to replace the rear tire with a car tire....ok
v rating, h rating....sizes....bah....(hey remember where i'm from)
what i need is input on people that have switched over to the darkside and what size and type they used. one of the obvious reasons is cost. ive read dozens of posts about some tires being spongier than others. i also know that it will certainly take some getting used to, but everyone says they'll never go back to a regular tire. so...
any input would be much appreciated that will help me with this winter project.

i also have two iron in the fire......i am currently constructing a trailer to pull behind the bike and will post pics of the progress soon...(its gonna be a pirates chest)
thanks all

[Skinhead]

Any P205/60R16 will fit, may have to do the nut cage mod.

Good info here:
http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/CarTire/home.htm

http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/cartirenutcages.htm

[Fudd]

Any P205/70R16 will fit, may have to do the nut cage mod.

Good info here:
http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/CarTire/home.htm

http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/cartirenutcages.htm

That may be a type-o

You need a 205/60/16, and yes, you should do the "nut cage mod."  I'd look into getting a General Altimax HP.  There are other good symeterical tread tires out there, also.  The General will run about $100 at Walmart.

Where in La are you?  If you are near Baton Rouge, I can hook you up with a friend that has a tire machine for mounting it.

Are you familiar with the service that needs to be preformed on the rear end while the wheels off?

[dwreefs]

I put a Bridgestone Potenza 205/60/16 v rated. I only put a couple thousand on this year but I like it and it looks good. It even dropped the rpm's a bit so probably got a tad better mileage but who worries about that.
The nutcage mod is the easy part and I am also gonna do the bearing mod (should have done it at the same time)

[Fudd]

Hey cajundood

Are you pretty good at twisting a wrench?

If so, I show you where to find step-by-step video instructions on how to change that fork seal, if you want them.

Oh, and....Welcome to the VRCC, your 1 stop shop for anything related to the VALKYRIE.

[cajundood]

hi
not sure what a nutcage mod was so i read the link.
since i wont be doing the switch anyways since i lack the mechanical skills i'll justleave it up to my mechanic. i am from plaquemine area and met someone at the BR rally with a valk from denham springs thats on here.
is there a tire size that i could go to without having to worry about doing mods?
i have a spare rear whell to do the mount on. my mechanic said that everything would be lubed with new grease........would it be a good idea to replace the bearings when i do the swap? the bike has 64,000 miles on it.

[Fudd]

Sounds like me you were talking to.

Are you the dude (dood) with the foward controls?  I met to several Valk riders there.

The nut cage mod is pretty simple to do.  The trick is to have a bolt the right legnth to not pertrude through the nut (flush or no more than one extra thread is OK) OR turn the bolt around backwards and let the threads point OUT through the fender.

The 205/60 is an excellent match for the Valkyrie, so don't let the mod scare you into a smaller tire on that regard.

I don't necessarly believe in changing bearings until you feel a roughness on inspection.  Do you know how many miles is on the "spare rim?"  It seems like I've heard someone say, they change them every 80k miles, whether it's needed or not.  It seems to me, more of how it was ridden than how far.......

Does your mechanic know to change the 3 rear end o-rings?  I have extras around here that you can have.

If you need help with any of it, I'll send you my phone number.

[Skinhead]

Any P205/70R16 will fit, may have to do the nut cage mod.

Good info here:
http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/CarTire/home.htm

http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/cartirenutcages.htm

That may be a type-o

You need a 205/60/16, and yes, you should do the "nut cage mod."  I'd look into getting a General Altimax HP.  There are other good symeterical tread tires out there, also.  The General will run about $100 at Walmart.

Where in La are you?  If you are near Baton Rouge, I can hook you up with a friend that has a tire machine for mounting it.

Are you familiar with the service that needs to be preformed on the rear end while the wheels off?

Sorry, didn't proof read my response.  Thanks for catching it, I've modified my post.

[olddog1946]

I am running a 205/55R16 without the nutcage mod..have had no problems with over 18k on the tire...which is a Federal directional V rated..running 41 psi

[cajundood]

Sounds like me you were talking to.

Are you the dude (dood) with the foward controls?  I met to several Valk riders there.

The nut cage mod is pretty simple to do.  The trick is to have a bolt the right legnth to not pertrude through the nut (flush or no more than one extra thread is OK) OR turn the bolt around backwards and let the threads point OUT through the fender.

The 205/60 is an excellent match for the Valkyrie, so don't let the mod scare you into a smaller tire on that regard.

I don't necessarly believe in changing bearings until you feel a roughness on inspection.  Do you know how many miles is on the "spare rim?"  It seems like I've heard someone say, they change them every 80k miles, whether it's needed or not.  It seems to me, more of how it was ridden than how far.......

Does your mechanic know to change the 3 rear end o-rings?  I have extras around here that you can have.

If you need help with any of it, I'll send you my phone number.

yes i have the forward controls on my bike. and you had the green and white valk?
my mechanic knows all the things to change (although he's expensive)
to change a tire on my first bike (650 shadow) he charged $65 to change front tire.....and i provided the tire. i kinda found that expensive. i hate to see what he will charge me to change the front tire and fork seals on the valk.
don't even want to think about the rear..
if you know of someone less expensive.....i'd gladly make a trip to denham...(need a reason to visit my brother)

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I prefer directional with a low rated number.I ran the Cooper Zeon 2XS for years its rated 280  . I now run a Fuzion ZRi its rated 320.Both are 205/55/16 and lower the number softer the compound. I love the twisties and like knowing my bike will still be under me when I come out of a curve. With the lower rated directional tire you WILL NOT be getting 20,000 plus miles out of them. I got around 10,000 miles with the Cooper and around 12,000 miles with the Fuzion. That's twice what I was getting out of rear Avon's. I get close to 12,000 miles out of the Avon front so its perfect for me to run the lower # rated tires I can put new meat on front and rear at the same time and do the maintence on splines and pinion cup.

[Fudd]

You're close thinking green and white.

I'm actually riding a Jade and Black Valk.

Pull the wheel and my tire man mounts and balances for $20.

I have a m/c jack.

Also, have a Honda shop mechanic that does projects at home.

I clicked to post and saw that Joe had some alternative tire choises.  Everything he says is correct, and he is the resident expert here on car tires.  The tires he runs is what I'd use also if I had "the tail of the dragon" next door to me.  I personally don't need tires bubble gum soft.  I ride a longer milage tire that Joe would call a "grammaw's buick" tire.  That's OK, I pull my rear wheel off every 15k for service, I just get to put the same tire back on for another go.

I sent you a couple of emails with my contact info.

[Paxton]

cajundood; 

Although the cage-mod is a very simple thing to do, per my research, a 205/55/16 car tire, (not my preference)
would not require the "cage mod."

The person swapping the wheels and tires can remove the "cages" while the tire is off. The removal of these
two rear "cages" (Size: 1.2" x 1.8"), is essentially a fifteen-minute job. True, especially if you bring the correct size
carriage bolts, which would be pointing towards the outside.

NOTE: I showed W/-the incorrect carriage bolts and it made the procedure less enjoyable.

Installing carriage bolts is a good thing. If need to for other reasons, it would allow for the removal of the fender tail
without having to hassle with the front of the fender.

REQUIRES "CAGE MOD:"

A 205/60/16 car tire on a Valk would require the cage mod.  Arguably, the 55 series would
increase your RPM 'bout 250 @75 MPH, while the 205/60 would keep your RPM about the same as OEM.
Moreover, the 205/65 would lower your RPM 'bout 250 @ 75 MPH.

My preference is the 205/65/16. It is a taller tire, so the ride is somewhat smoother. Indeed, because I purchased
the least expensive tire that I could find ($89 out the door), the tire is softer and more flexible... and yes, the RPM is now lower.

BTW, two weeks ago I went DARKSIDE on my VTX1800. On this one I installed a $130 c/t 205/60/16.
The ride is not as smooth and the turning at low speed is more challenging.

IMHO, this is one instance where I'll stick with the inexpensive tire. I "reason" that ANY tire on the market must meet certain standards...
like the ability to support the weight of a car and stand its G-Forces.  ???

Warning: If you ride 100 + MPH frequently for hours on end, then most folks would say that you better be concerned
about the tire ratings they reference. True.

I usually ride 75-90 MPH on the open road and I feel as secure as the Dukes of Hazard! 

Consider all sides of this issue. Good luck in choosing.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I clicked to post and saw that Joe had some alternative tire choises.  Everything he says is correct, and he is the resident expert here on car tires.  The tires he runs is what I'd use also if I had "the tail of the dragon" next door to me.  I personally don't need tires bubble gum soft.  I ride a longer milage tire that Joe would call a "grammaw's buick" tire. 

Far from a expert just giving my opinion on what works for me and my style of riding    Some of those high rated # tires that some on here use...I would'nt ride to the mailbox with them  ???

[HayHauler]

In my experience, the 205/55/16 tire (Good Year Triple Tread) was about 1/2 inch wider than the same GYTT 205/60/16 version.  The 55 series tire rubbed the front fender bolt (nut cage already removed) so I bought a 60 series tire and it didn't rub at all.  

I went ahead and got me a GRADE 8 bolt, shaved off helf of the head, and inserted it through the fender from the inside.  I put a nut on the outside, after the bushings/trailer hitch/2nd bushing and ground off the excess bolt/threads.

This held perfectly until I was rear ended in Chyenne WY.  I still have the bolt and it is in perfect condition.

YMMV,
Hay 
Jimmyt

[Jess from VA]

The 55 is wider than a 60.... but I don't think it's a half inch wider.

[cajundood]

well...even though the bike has a tail of the dragon sticker and the floorboards are rubbed thin from the previous owner, i will not be doing that type of riding. i enjoy the slower speeds 50 - 75 max. occasionaly i kick it to 85....ooo.. so i agree on the speed rating issue. i dont think i would not a high speed tire. fudd, i will be getting in touch with you soon. got this lil food poisoning bug that i've been dealing with for last 6 days. (its a great diet tho  )

[cajundood]

oh....and i do have a lift that i recently purchased. havent used it yet since i cant locat any frame down there. i assume the flat spot on the bottom of the motor will suffice.

[Fudd]

oh....and i do have a lift that i recently purchased. havent used it yet since i cant locat any frame down there. i assume the flat spot on the bottom of the motor will suffice.

You really should use a lift adapter for the valk.  They can even be made of wood.  The kind I bought stays bolted on the bike.  They are relatively inexpensive on fleabay.

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

You need to log onto the La. board and introduce yourself to some great people. There are plenty of valk riders in the cajun country to help you with all your questions and you'll meet some fine people.
      I'm in the houston area and we make several trips a year to lake charles to pick up boudain. We would love to meet up with you and eat and kick some tires (darkside for over 9 yrs and 100 thousand mies myself). I like high speed ratings and lower wear numbers running a bridgestone  now but have ran many different CTs.