Dark Side Front Tire

[Rio Wil]

What has been the rear tire of choice a few brave souls are using on the front wheel.  I understand it is mounted against the rotation arrow because of the different stress on the tire from a front wheel perspective.

[Disco]

I don't know of anyone on a Valkyrie using a CT up front, but a buddy of mine is running a dual-compound battleax radial rear on the front of his 'wing.  He is running it with the arrow, has over 12,000 miles on it, and it looks virtually new.  He's thinking he'll get at least 20,000 out of it and might try a bias rear after that.

[vanagon40]

Like Dave in Frisco, I assume you are referring to using a rear motorcycle tire as a front tire.  Assuming that is the case, you can check out this thread: http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,975.0.html

As I stated in that thread, I have a Dunlop K491 Elite II MT90HB17 mounted in reverse on my bike.  I'm not sure if Dunlop started making these again (they were discontinued a few years ago).  This tire is the same size as a 130/90-17.  Fla.Jim has been using this tire for years.  I am not completely satisfied (again, as stated in the above-linked thread).

[Ricky-D]

The advantage of running a rear designated tire on the front is that you get more rubber to wear out. The tire lasts longer. The rubber compound may be different as well as the tread design but, this will have very little effect if you are a normally conservative bike rider.
There will be those naysayers screaming danger, danger but usually that comes from wannabe purists trying to project their own self image as the leading edge of the status quo.

Dunlop is in the midst of a problem with a recall of the 402 tire which is the same basic tire that's having bad ply separation problems. Till they get that straightened out I would suggest caution and give them some time for correction of the problems.

[Rio Wil]

I am looking for a tire that is a bit larger in diameter also, maybe fix some of the error in the speedo.

[Willow]

I am looking for a tire that is a bit larger in diameter also, maybe fix some of the error in the speedo.

You probably can't fix it with a tire size.  Your speedometer is most likely quite accurate at low speed and becomes increasingly inaccurate as speed, temperature, and air pressure change the diameter of the front tire.

[Rio Wil]

should be a straight forward ratio thing, the  larger the diameter of the front tire the slower the speedo will read.   

[Sludge]

agreed

[Rio Wil]

 .....i am going to have to start researching these things WAY before i need the tire. so, based on the fact that the 700 miles in the last three days wore off all the groove on the left side of the tire....i bought a e3 and will go standard for this change.  is the diameter of the e2 mt90 greater than a 150-80-17?

[Ricky-D]

The Dunlop MT90B-17 is meant to be mounted on a 3" rim. It has a 5.2" width, 10/32" tread and 26.18" overall diameter.

The Dunlop E-III 150-80-17 is for a 3-1/2" rim. It has a 6.16" width, 5/32" tread and 26.77" overall diameter.

This information is available on the Dunlop web site.    http://www.dunlopmotorcycle.com/tirecatalog.asp

[Rio Wil]

i like the idea of deeper tread, but the trade off for less width and height are not desirable.  making the speedo more inaccurate would probable drive me over the edge...

[vanagon40]

....  making the speedo more inaccurate would probable drive me over the edge...

It will change the speedometer less than 1 mph at 100 mph.  To me, this does not seem like a major factor in buying a tire.

The width and other factors are completely different considerations.

[Rio Wil]

yeah but it is already 5 mph slow at 60, i can't believe honda did that.  its just as easy to build ALL speedo's to read accurately as build them ALL to read slow

[Willow]

... i can't believe honda did that.  its just as easy to build ALL speedo's to read accurately as build them ALL to read slow

Your "can't believer" is working just fine.  Honda didn't.  Despite what you may have read here there's a lot of variation in the accuracy of Valkyrie speedometers.  As an example, mine is dead on up to seventy, yours, as you report(?), is five miles per hour off at sixty.

One of the problems with reading a board that requires no qualifications for posting is that you get opinions.  Some are truly expert and many are without the proverbial clue.  That includes what I post.  I've taught myself to read with a healthy portion of salt available and to learn the handful of truly knowledgeable posters that I trust.

Incidentally, it's my belief (remember about opinions) that a mechanical speedometer can't be built that will be dead on at all speeds.  There are just too many inputs that are changing as the speed and environment changes.

[DeathWishBikerDude]

I replaced my front tire with a smaller bias ply rear tire.
The tire is noticeably smaller up front.
My speedo now reads 10 mph fast at low speeds,and even more on the highway.
I can do 85 on the highway,and most drivers are still passing me.
I just drive 10 mph over the limit,wherever I go.
I have used the local law enforcement,mobile speed readers for confirmation.
I imagine as the tire wears,the small difference in circumfrence does make a difference in the speed reading.

I also agree,mechanical speedometers have some kind of error anyhow.

[asfltdncr]

I just put a Dunlop D404 on the front of my 99 I/S.I don't go triple digits but do ride quite aggressively and ride twisties more often than not.I have a Goodyear Triple Assurrance on the rear and run about 40psi in both front and back.Time will tell about tread separation and tread life but right now,my first impression is that I love it.Possibly due to tread compound and/or tread thickness, the ride seems much softer and quieter than the E-3 at 36psi.Traction and handling seem great and will keep a close eye on tread seperation and performance.

[Bone]

I'm also running the D404 frt. on the front with a Goodyear TT. This is my second D404. Getting good mileage and they fit my riding style. Just rode across the country & back. The 404 handled every surface I rode on.