BIG COUNTRY 23321
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Posts: 142
Me & My Death Horse
Chesapeake, Virginia
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« on: March 20, 2012, 11:53:58 AM » |
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Hey there...... I am looking for those who are running the Austone Taxi tire on your Valks. What is your front tire setup like? Running just a Front Motorcycle Tire? Running a Rear Motorcycle Tire on the Front and if so is it mounted Backwards Rotation? Looking for a great setup so tell me what setups you have and how many miles you have on your tires and any other information you care to divulge. Thank you and always ride safe my friends
BigCountry23321
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Farther
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« Reply #1 on: July 02, 2013, 02:50:28 PM » |
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I wanted to bump this back to the top rather than starting a new thread. Any current information on the Austone Taxi tire? You DSers like to brag on your tires, let's hear it!!
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Thanks, ~Farther
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N8171S
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« Reply #2 on: July 02, 2013, 03:31:04 PM » |
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I recently went from a bridgestone potenza to the taxi tire. As the bridgestone got old- 37'000 miles it started to be a hand full to handle on all but the super slabs. I have two valks. The taxi tire feels just like the metzler that is on the rear of valk # 2. I am running Kenda 671 rear tires on the front of both bikes. One is reversed and one is not. the one that is not has over 5000 miles on it but you do notice a slight rumble at low speed hard turns. The reversed one is quiet, so I would recommend reversing it. The Kenda is a lower profile than stock so it adds a little to the alreade inaccurate speedometer. I love the kenda/taxi tire combination so far and will do it again.
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Valkorado
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Posts: 10503
VRCC DS 0242
Gunnison, Colorado (7,703') Here there be twisties.
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« Reply #3 on: July 02, 2013, 05:54:03 PM » |
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I recently went from a bridgestone potenza to the taxi tire. As the bridgestone got old- 37'000 miles it started to be a hand full to handle on all but the super slabs. I have two valks. The taxi tire feels just like the metzler that is on the rear of valk # 2. I am running Kenda 671 rear tires on the front of both bikes. One is reversed and one is not. the one that is not has over 5000 miles on it but you do notice a slight rumble at low speed hard turns. The reversed one is quiet, so I would recommend reversing it. The Kenda is a lower profile than stock so it adds a little to the alreade inaccurate speedometer. I love the kenda/taxi tire combination so far and will do it again.
I also love the Taxi Tire's handling and plan to stick with it. At about 5,250 miles it is wearing great, even on the chip seal roads I am forced to ride. I really like the feel of the Austone in combination with an Avon Cobra in front, but the chip seal kills the Avons at about 10k. Just ordered a new Cobra, but may try something cheaper like a Kenda in the future.
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Have you ever noticed when you're feeling really good, there's always a pigeon that'll come sh!t on your hood? - John Prine 97 Tourer "Silver Bullet" 01 Interstate "Ruby" 
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N0tac0p
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« Reply #4 on: July 03, 2013, 07:32:23 AM » |
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will shops mount a tire in reverse? how would you direct them if orientataion was not evident for wheel mouting?
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GOOSE
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Posts: 704
D.S. #: 1643
Southwest Virginia
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« Reply #5 on: July 03, 2013, 03:32:20 PM » |
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SURE THEY WILL MOUNT THEM IN REVERSE .... JUST TELL THEM THAT IT IS A REAR TIRE GOING ON THE BACK, AND TELL THEM THE WRONG SIDE WAS MOUNTED ON THE OLD TIRE.
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kyllini
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« Reply #6 on: July 03, 2013, 04:36:25 PM » |
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And will a motorcycle shop install a truck tire "Austone taxi" on a motorcycle rim?
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Grumpy
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« Reply #7 on: July 03, 2013, 07:06:00 PM » |
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Running the Austone tire, have over 8,000 miles on it. Running an Avon on the front. I love it great grip. Ran the Dragon coming back from the Corbin ride, raining and slick. Back never gave a hint of slipping.
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 Life is like a hot bath. It feels good while you’re in it, but the longer you stay in, the more wrinkled you get.
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Hook#3287
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« Reply #8 on: July 03, 2013, 07:58:43 PM » |
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I too am running a Avon on the front, with a Taxi tire on the rear. It's on the bike I use for 2 up and have around 4K on it.
The tire has performed flawlessly so far. It handles differently than a bike tire, not bad, just different.
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Brian
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« Reply #9 on: July 04, 2013, 03:21:57 AM » |
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will shops mount a tire in reverse? how would you direct them if orientataion was not evident for wheel mouting?
The dealer I use will mount any tire you want. They will ask you sign a waiver.
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stude31
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« Reply #10 on: July 06, 2013, 07:16:22 PM » |
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What's this "taxi tire" business. I had gone to bed on the tech board for some time (sorry). But I have four falkens in the basement and will run those out first but can someone give a link? I'd like to see what the talk is about. Thanks guys and sounds like you found a great tire to put on. Stude31 
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Farther
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« Reply #11 on: July 06, 2013, 10:44:49 PM » |
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Thanks, ~Farther
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cantom
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« Reply #12 on: August 31, 2013, 06:05:17 AM » |
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The Austone sounds like a great tire.
But the downside is, it raises the rear of your bike an inch and a bit over a stock m/c tire. When holding the bike at a light, your feet will have that much less on the road to hold it. (for those with a shorter inseam length)
And, the bike will lean over more on the side stand, so you would be advised to carry a sidestand pad to make up the difference.
Those are the only downsides I've heard...and people tend to love them it seems as most say they'll keep running them.
I like the width...less of a clearance issue.
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jdp
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« Reply #13 on: September 01, 2013, 12:27:59 PM » |
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Why do they call it a taxi tire and where can you get one?
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Farther
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« Reply #14 on: September 01, 2013, 04:05:12 PM » |
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Thanks, ~Farther
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Grumpy
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« Reply #15 on: September 02, 2013, 06:09:54 AM » |
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Running an Austone on the rear, little over 8,000 miles on it now. Running Avon on the front. Love the tire, if I ever wear it out, will get another one. Handles great.
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 Life is like a hot bath. It feels good while you’re in it, but the longer you stay in, the more wrinkled you get.
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Hook#3287
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« Reply #16 on: September 02, 2013, 05:25:03 PM » |
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Today I swapped out my front Avon for a D404 rear reversed. So now I'm running the D404 with an Austone. Took it for a short ride and with the lower pressure (34psi) the bike handles great and the ride is softer. I'm going to like this combo. 
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MMCP
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« Reply #17 on: September 16, 2013, 02:56:07 PM » |
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Hey guys I am running the Dunlop E3 on the front 42 psi and the Austone Taxi tire on the rear 65psi I had to keep adding psi to make it stop wandering. Now I am good up to 85mph before it starts wandering. It feals like the rearend wants to come around.. I hate the set up.. Love the taller tire but hate everything else about it.. it has 3000 miles on it and I would gladly trade it off..
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Skinhead
Member
    
Posts: 8727
J. A. B. O. A.
Troy, MI
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« Reply #18 on: September 16, 2013, 03:27:33 PM » |
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Hey guys I am running the Dunlop E3 on the front 42 psi and the Austone Taxi tire on the rear 65psi I had to keep adding psi to make it stop wandering. Now I am good up to 85mph before it starts wandering. It feals like the rearend wants to come around.. I hate the set up.. Love the taller tire but hate everything else about it.. it has 3000 miles on it and I would gladly trade it off..
65 psi sounds kinda high. I'm running 42 in mine and no wandering, I did notice a little very low speed wobble at first, but I'm either used to it or it is gone. You may want to check you shock bushings, etc for another source of the wandering, or the tire itself, maybe you got a bad one.
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 Troy, MI
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gordonv
Member
    
Posts: 5763
VRCC # 31419
Richmond BC
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« Reply #19 on: September 16, 2013, 05:57:48 PM » |
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Just recently read in the GW forum of a Valk owner who had his Austone at 38 psi, and was happy with it, along with another fellow rider of a Valk.
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1999 Black with custom paint IS  
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Grumpy
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« Reply #20 on: September 16, 2013, 09:13:25 PM » |
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If you are getting that much wandering, some thing is wrong, I only run 32 psi and is runs straight and true, have had it to 115 mph with no problems at all.
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 Life is like a hot bath. It feels good while you’re in it, but the longer you stay in, the more wrinkled you get.
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Valkorado
Member
    
Posts: 10503
VRCC DS 0242
Gunnison, Colorado (7,703') Here there be twisties.
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« Reply #21 on: September 17, 2013, 06:14:17 AM » |
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I have a little over 9,000 miles on my Austone. I keep it around 40psi solo, 42 two up. The tire handles great with 13" Progressive 440s.
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Have you ever noticed when you're feeling really good, there's always a pigeon that'll come sh!t on your hood? - John Prine 97 Tourer "Silver Bullet" 01 Interstate "Ruby" 
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cantom
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« Reply #22 on: September 17, 2013, 07:11:37 AM » |
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I'm glad you posted this, it's important that we see all sides, the Good, the Bad and the Ugly. I wonder what the speed rating of the Taxi Tires is? I can't imagine London England taxis go very fast... Hey guys I am running the Dunlop E3 on the front 42 psi and the Austone Taxi tire on the rear 65psi I had to keep adding psi to make it stop wandering. Now I am good up to 85mph before it starts wandering. It feals like the rearend wants to come around.. I hate the set up.. Love the taller tire but hate everything else about it.. it has 3000 miles on it and I would gladly trade it off..
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Skinhead
Member
    
Posts: 8727
J. A. B. O. A.
Troy, MI
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« Reply #24 on: September 17, 2013, 05:06:02 PM » |
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That speed rating is I believe at max load. We are no where near that when installed on the back of a Valk. (unless EricfromMD is running a ATT)
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 Troy, MI
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Andy Cote
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« Reply #25 on: September 19, 2013, 04:10:23 PM » |
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I have the Austone on my Wing. 14,000 miles and still looks great all the way across. Played with pressures but settled on 40psig from my cheap pencil gauge. Not sure how long it'll last but right now the plan would be to replace it with the same.
Battleax rear on front, mounted per arrows. Currently at 42psig. I was as high as 50. It also has 14,000 and is showing some cupping and sings fairly well. Tread should go another 7000 but I may give up on the singing and replace it early.
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« Last Edit: September 19, 2013, 04:20:16 PM by Andy Cote »
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2015 Goldwing, basic black
Previously: 2000 Valkyrie Interstate, 1997 Valkyrie Standard, 1988 GL1500, GL1200 Standard, GL1200 Interstate and many other Hondas
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MMCP
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« Reply #26 on: September 21, 2013, 08:34:55 PM » |
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Guys after checking my bike over everything is in great shape. I have forever bushings in the shocks and they are in great shape, I replaced the stem bearings last winter so I rechecked them for torque. No trouble. The axle bearings are great the swing arm bearings are great, I put the E3 back on it this morning and she is back to straight as an arrow at 100 + mph. I will miss the lower rpm's from the taxi tire but I will never do it again. I'm just happy to have the old girl back. Thanks guys.
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