Tire questions...

[AdrianR]

Okay you guyz...the more I ride this bike, especially in hot weather the more I am weary of the tires...

I've had a few slips..and I am at the point of really losing confidence in riding this bike the way it can be ridden..

Maybe I am overreacting...but in estimation Honda should be very ashamed of themselves putting tires like these on a bike that begs to be ridden like a sport bike...

I am at the point of almost getting rid of the bike...it's simply not safe...

What tire pressures are you guyz running with these tires? I am currently at the max cold pressure..41psi...and their slippery as hell...almost feeling like the have grease on them.... Would it be wise to knock down the pressure several pounds in an attempt to get more grip??

I'm seriously bummed out that NO ONE..makes a front tire for this machine...other then the stock OEM crap!

[_Sheffjs_]

Dang there is some one more ADHD than me   

I am running the recommended 36# F and 42# back and so far no problems and it is ridden as a matter of fact found air at 114 on both tires a couple of weeks ago, freaked the rider out behind me. However the Florida heat might be a sticky factor here.    Are you having trouble in the front or rear tire?   

[thork86]

Okay you guyz...the more I ride this bike, especially in hot weather the more I am weary of the tires...

I've had a few slips..and I am at the point of really losing confidence in riding this bike the way it can be ridden..

Maybe I am overreacting...but in estimation Honda should be very ashamed of themselves putting tires like these on a bike that begs to be ridden like a sport bike...

I am at the point of almost getting rid of the bike...it's simply not safe...

What tire pressures are you guyz running with these tires? I am currently at the max cold pressure..41psi...and their slippery as hell...almost feeling like the have grease on them.... Would it be wise to knock down the pressure several pounds in an attempt to get more grip??

I'm seriously bummed out that NO ONE..makes a front tire for this machine...other then the stock OEM crap!

I think the bike handles fantastically for what it is (750lbs power cruiser). But when you say it "begs to be ridden like a sport bike", maybe it's time to realize what it is not (a 400lbs sport bike).

Not saying you can't throw the bike around QUITE a bit in the twisties, but it is not going to handle (lean/grip) to anywhere near the same limit as a sport bike.

Sorry you're feeling down about the handling, though.  

Hope you find a happy medium!

edit: FWIW, I'm just sticking to the recommended pressures in the owner's manual.

[Robert]

No problems here either I have a Micheline GT 4 waiting in the wings for the rear dont know what I will do for the front.  I thought these tires were pretty good actually been through the tar, rain and any other thing you would normally encounter and did not have a problem. The 15 I rode at the dealer did have a problem but it had 0 miles on it and there was a  light rain. If you have lost confidence in the tire either shake it or change the rear tire. Without confidence every mile is torture. 

[Bighead]

WOW the biggest advocate yet of the 1800 Goldwing Valk not happy with tires that someone else made

[goldstar903]

Wow, st2sam! Sounds like you better lose some weight in that left leg!

[goldstar903]

To tell you the truth I haven't had any problems with the OE tires. My other ride is a ZX-10R and I ride fairly aggressive. My style is no different with the Valk. I was pretty surprised that it could be ridden in this manner. I don't like that there isn't much out there as far as tire choices, but I can live with the OE.
Adrian, I'm wondering if there is a manufacturing problem with your tire?  

[Bamaburt62]

I haven't seen any problems in the twisties and I ride the hell out of this bike.  I do have a problem with only getting about 5,000 out of the back tires.  Pressure is spot on and checked every gas stop and still only 5000 miles out of first two.

[AdrianR]

WOW the biggest advocate yet of the 1800 Goldwing Valk not happy with tires that someone else made

Niceeee...

[bradrcfii]

I ride my Valk like a sport bike, but I keep in mind it's a WAY over weight sport bike with limited ground clearance. (my peg feelers are almost gone)



Yesterday I ordered a set of Michelin radials, should be here next week.

What tires did you order and is it for a 1800 Valk?  I did not know you could get a non OEM tire for the front.

[AdrianR]

I ride my Valk like a sport bike, but I keep in mind it's a WAY over weight sport bike with limited ground clearance. (my peg feelers are almost gone)



Yesterday I ordered a set of Michelin radials, should be here next week.

What tires did you order and is it for a 1800 Valk?  I did not know you could get a non OEM tire for the front.

Right..my sentiment as well....could fine quite a few rear tires but zero for the front other then some bias ply thing...Please enlighten us all if you can!

[AdrianR]

Front tire size is different...


120?

Will this work?

[ledany]

I hate the OEM tires. I changed the front one for a Dunlop 408 F (the one they get on HD) and it's better now. But the rear tire (21 500 km) is 

Today, winter time (cold and heavy rain  ) in Paris, the bike slipped twice when I used both brakes. As you can see, the rear tire is still good and the mileage I've got shows that I drive quite peacefully  . The bike slipped from the back and the ABS didn't work (I was slow, braking softly).

This is one of the things I really don't like about this bike, because the idea of a trip anytime anywhere is impossible or requires the scrutiny of the weather forecast 

(and the other things I don't like : no heated grips, no sync brakes, no gear indicator, no temp). But I like the engine, the attitude, the reliability, the economy (42.7 mpg these days more often 32.6 on trips) and the fact that I've NEVER seen any other Valk in Paris !   

I'll change this slippery rear tire for a Pirelli Angel GT when the bike is 25 000 km, pretty soon 

[hubcapsc]

I hate the OEM tires...

... I'll change this slippery rear tire for a Pirelli Angel GT when the bike is 25 000 km, pretty soon 

A friend of mine, has a Pirelli Angel GT on the back of this thing, he suggested one for my Valkyrie.



I have a Michelin Pilot of some sort on the back now, it is lasting well and
I don't have any complaints about it. I'm glad to know you think the HD front
is better than ours, even though it is bias...

-Mike

[goldstar903]

Mike, did you say Bias or BS?

[AdrianR]

I hate the OEM tires.

I hear ya...Some of the earlier issues I had were mostly corrected by having the exact tire pressures in the tires as listed in the user's manual...but all in all I think the tires are crap...

They are decent on clean pavement...snappy...and roll easy...but man ANY road obstructions namely loose gravel; even the smallest amount, can cause the bike to slip...IT SUCKS....

I go back and fourth with this bike liking it and then not....The tires first of all HAVE to be replaced...and I called Honda and told them this...

The seat is rock freakin' hard...  and it seems as if my throttle hand gets numb on occasion (haven't figured that out yet)...The bike is sort of between realms...not quite a sport touring bike, and not quite a cruiser... it doesn't really do either exceedingly well...  The motor is wound to tight for a relaxing ride....and the position of the pegs is more sport bike like...but then the tires blow so you really have to be careful riding it like a sport/touring bike...

BUT the drive train is GOD like...and the looks are killer..not to mention the sound of the bike...

I'm hoping that some better tires choices will be available soon...I really hate those tires...

[goldstar903]

Come on Adrian, tell us how you really feel! 

[AdrianR]

Come on Adrian, tell us how you really feel!  

I'm just trying to be as honest as possible!  You know I really liked my last bike...although it wasn't perfect...I just sort of hate the thought that I might have made a mistake trading it in on this new bike....

New/different design tires...will go A LONG way in making this bike better....Once I put a set of Metzlers on my last bike it was totally different...I can only assume that this would be the case with this bike as well...

[goldstar903]

I seem to remember that st2sam bought some Michelins. I believe he had to go down one size in the front. 120/70-19. Hit him up for more info?

[AdrianR]

I seem to remember that st2sam bought some Michelins. I believe he had to go down one size in the front. 120/70-19. Hit him up for more info?

Yeah, I saw a pic posted and then it was gone...not sure what happened.   But I did see that he did go down in size on the front tire...  To me though this would be the wrong thing to do.  10mm is approaching .5inch in diameter...definitely do not want to get a skinnier from tire!  If anything....5inch wider..to get some more rubber on the pavement...maybe pay a penalty in handling...but for better traction in more adverse road conditions it'd be a payment I'd be will to pay!

Unfortunately a 140 tire would probably not fit within the front fender even if one was available.

[Dragunslayer]

Okay you guyz...the more I ride this bike, especially in hot weather the more I am weary of the tires...

I've had a few slips..and I am at the point of really losing confidence in riding this bike the way it can be ridden..

Maybe I am overreacting...but in estimation Honda should be very ashamed of themselves putting tires like these on a bike that begs to be ridden like a sport bike...

I am at the point of almost getting rid of the bike...it's simply not safe...

What tire pressures are you guyz running with these tires? I am currently at the max cold pressure..41psi...and their slippery as hell...almost feeling like the have grease on them.... Would it be wise to knock down the pressure several pounds in an attempt to get more grip??

I'm seriously bummed out that NO ONE..makes a front tire for this machine...other then the stock OEM crap!

I think the bike handles fantastically for what it is (750lbs power cruiser). But when you say it "begs to be ridden like a sport bike", maybe it's time to realize what it is not (a 400lbs sport bike).

Not saying you can't throw the bike around QUITE a bit in the twisties, but it is not going to handle (lean/grip) to anywhere near the same limit as a sport bike.

Sorry you're feeling down about the handling, though.  

Hope you find a happy medium!

edit: FWIW, I'm just sticking to the recommended pressures in the owner's manual.

Lol,
     Don't tell my local sport touring buddies that since they sometime count on me to lead a spirited ride. I honestly do not see what the issue with the tires are.  I can say running MAX pressure is not the answer though. If I was sliding I would drop it a bit. I currently am running 36 front and 40 rear.

[goldstar903]

I'm with you, friend. I ride mostly with Goldwings, and I stay far in the back so I can hit the twisties with much more aggression. I have 3/16" chicken strips and I have never slid the tire. For OEM tires these babies stick! Now would some Super Sport tires make a difference? Hell yes, and I'm looking forward to mounting them! I bought (2) Avon 3D Ultra Sport AV80 tires from Motorcycle Superstore, $75 each, regular $185! Look out summer!