Vredestein Sportrac 3 (you called it right Jess)

[pancho]

A couple of months ago, after three of four K miles, I was about ready to give up on my first experiment with a car tire. I was running a Vredestein Sportrac 3 at 37 psi, (recommended from another user) and just was not happy with the low speed performance. I had already bought an Avon Cobra and was about to change the wheels and ditch the Verdestein, and the idea of a car tire.... (figured all you darksiders were a bunch of nuts or I had a crappy tire to do it with)

Jess, you suggested I up the pressure,,,, well, I had already played around with the pressure, and it just seemed to make it worse,, 37 seemed about optimal, but still crap at slow speed in my opinion.  For a last shot I upped the pressure to 45 and suddenly the bike was handling perfectly at parking lot maneuvers ,,,, Woo Hoo ,,,,  thanks Jess.   Now after several K miles, I am happy with the tire and really don't see any reason to ever go back to a MC tire on the Valkyrie.  I have played around with the pressure and found that for me it works best overall at 42 to 43.   Now I probably don't weigh 150 soaking wet anymore,, so that may fit into the equation somewhere,, I don't know. 

BUT,, I now see that a car tire, tuned properly, can and does work on our bikes. Just a word for those thinking about, or having problems with a car tire on a Valkyrie.         Anyone need a polished wheel with a new Avon Cobra?

[Jess from VA]

My brain and memory fades with age, but I believe you are addressing me (and not Jess Tolbirt).

Glad to hear adding air helped you, it helped me.  

All CTs are not equal, and I have stuck with the one brand that works (and lasts) for me, but when I read of guys running 28-32lbs I shudder (ohh the horror  ).  Low pressure on my first test ride was almost my last ride on any CT.  It has been suggested that higher pressure may wear the center out prematurely (again, this MUST vary by tire), so keep an eye on that.  40-1 psi constant for me went 37K of very even and uniform wear on my first CT, and the other two are still below half life.  

BTW, I hope the MAX PSI printed on the sidewall allows 45psi.... a lot of car tires print MAX PSI at 42-44psi.  A pound or two over is probably fine, but what if it's not?

Also, I don't pick air pressure to help with low speed handling.  I pick air pressure that makes me feel safe at speed hauling ass leaned way over through a sweeper.  Then I live with what it gives me at slow speed.  But higher pressure is best in all conditions for me and my GATTs.

I might take the polished wheel, but don't want the Cobra.

PS:  I long for the days I was 150lbs.... playing HS football, and the gals I was dating were sweet things.    

[big poppa pump]

I run the Sportrac 3 on both my bikes at 38 PSI and I have absolutely no issues with low speed handling on either one of them.

[fudgie]

Same here. I'm at 38-40 I think and low speed is awesome. I like this tire.

[Bighead]

Want to sell that Avon for a good price ? 

[dconstruct55]

if that's a brand new AV72 200 60R 16, I would go 120 Pancho.... BH?

[pancho]

My brain and memory fades with age, but I believe you are addressing me (and not Jess Tolbirt).

Glad to hear adding air helped you, it helped me.  

All CTs are not equal, and I have stuck with the one brand that works (and lasts) for me, but when I read of guys running 28-32lbs I shudder (ohh the horror  ).  Low pressure on my first test ride was almost my last ride on any CT.  It has been suggested that higher pressure may wear the center out prematurely (again, this MUST vary by tire), so keep an eye on that.  40-1 psi constant for me went 37K of very even and uniform wear on my first CT, and the other two are still below half life.  

BTW, I hope the MAX PSI printed on the sidewall allows 45psi.... a lot of car tires print MAX PSI at 42-44psi.  A pound or two over is probably fine, but what if it's not?

Also, I don't pick air pressure to help with low speed handling.  I pick air pressure that makes me feel safe at speed hauling ass leaned way over through a sweeper.  Then I live with what it gives me at slow speed.  But higher pressure is best in all conditions for me and my GATTs.

I might take the polished wheel, but don't want the Cobra.

PS:  I long for the days I was 150lbs.... playing HS football, and the gals I was dating were sweet things.    

No worries about the tire being able to handle the pressure Jess,, the Vredestein is rated at 50 psi. so there is a bit of margin,, I will keep my eye on the wear pattern, so far perfectly even across the board.  I agree that all car tires are not equal.. and I have found what works right for me with this one, from slow speed maneuvering to feeling secure while making sparks in the twisties....   thanks again.  Yeah, 150 lbs do have some advantages,, but "lightweight" certainly applies!

Here is the wheel and tire....... 
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/191651774525?item=191651774525&viewitem=&vxp=mtr   

don't think I will need it anymore, as I am officially darkside.... and no flaming death

[MarkT]

I'm running a Vredestein Snowtrac at 34# - like it a lot.  I'm not a lightweight.  Maybe that's the difference.

[Jess from VA]

Pancho, that is a very sweet looking machine buddy!  

Days after I got my second bike, I rode it into the City to show my fellow riders at work.  One buddy looked it over carefully and said, dude look at that rear rim.  Sure enough, the City that taxes and spends everyone's money like water has lousy potholed roads, and I had a brand new big bend in my wheel.  It was bad enough, I could not believe it was still holding air.  Rode home carefully, pulled it, took it to my guy, he tried to straighten it on a hydraulic press and broke it.  So I needed a new rear wheel... which I got from Pinwall. (and it was sound, but really filthy and pitted and took a couple days of intensive labor to polish up)  

Moral of the story is, if I had a spare rear wheel, I'd hold onto it (esp since I have two valks).  Make rear tire changes a breeze; already having a spare wheel with tire mounted and balanced ready to go whenever needed.... though with a CT, that may take awhile.

[pancho]

Thanks Jess,,, just about got it in shape,,,,  next thing is to sand cast some custom floorboards. After years on an FLH, I now have something I can effortlessly travel on.

I understand what you are saying,,,,  I'm working at cleaning up, getting rid of things that are not being used, and getting lean and light right now,,,, but I won't complain a bit if no one takes that wheel off my hands.