40 psi front and rear and you'll...

[AdrianR]

GET YOUR ASS IN GEAR!!!!!!!!

Experimented with two pounds more in both the front and rear with the new Michys...

It's the ticket....you can drag your pegs if you want....

Learning to work the power band/gearing...pick your line, and GO FOR IT!  The bike turns so fast and accurate now...

I know I'm a broken record..sorry fellas....but this bike kicks serious ass!

Awesome ride today.

[Kidd]

I have NEVER dragged a peg , I am not that brave , scares me to try

More power to ya , though
Kidd

[dinosnake]

Thanks for the report, I look forward to trying the Michelins soon.  I've wanted to try dragging the pegs but the stock Dunlops, as you well know, do not really inspire confidence at the highest lean angles, just feeling too slick.  It's also nice that, as big as the Valk is, she has quite generous ground clearance making peg dragging something that you usually have to go out of your way to find, rather than hitting off of it in general.

I still find it a crime that, in general, American motojournalist have given the new Valkyrie rather short thrift in reviews and praise (as opposed to European testers, who like it a lot excepting the price).  I've taken it as a final sign that our motojournalists really do not represent our best interests any more: if it doesn't wheelie at the drop of a hat, the 16-year olds pretending to be "adults" who write the reviews pretty much won't give a hoot about a new bike.  Note the "Bleh!" response from the general public for the new Victory Octane...and how the media is full of burnouts and overhype, trying to get people interested.

[Robert]

Yup Michelin feel good no worries about the lean.

[TallRider]

Running 40 lbs depending on outside temp you are actually driving with 43 to 45 lbs after warm up. I installed tire pressure monitors on my bike and started out on cold days at 36 and after about 4-5 miles tire pressure increases to 40-41 lbs. I have not run it yet during our hot season to see how it fluxuates during the intense hot asphalt. The monitor also will show tire temp. Have a visible monitor mounted on handle bar. It actuates when bike starts to move and stays active and shuts off after a period of time if bike does not move. Pretty cool

[goldstar903]

I know I'm a broken record..sorry fellas....but this bike kicks serious ass!

What did you say? What did you say? What did you say? What did you say? What did you say? 

[Dragunslayer]

Yes it will respond much quicker but the trade off will be traction or lack of contact patch at the limit.

Track guys which we are not do not increase pressure lightly. A properly inflated tire will only increase in pressure 2-3 psi.

[AdrianR]

Yes it will respond much quicker but the trade off will be traction or lack of contact patch at the limit.

Track guys which we are not do not increase pressure lightly. A properly inflated tire will only increase in pressure 2-3 psi.

Yes, agreed. Much of this depends on road/ambient air temperature too.   But I will say that the Michelin tires feature a more complex rubber composition that within reason, allow better 'stiction' AND handling...but then they are not cheap tires either.  Thus far I can already tell by a wide margin that I have gained BOTH better handling/turning/comfort and traction over the stock tires in all conditions.  Even remarkably in gravel...they are better...plus the way you can 'snap' the bike into different lines on the road is amazing...and with little handle bar input...  You just shift your weight...and the bike picks up almost instantly a new line...*ucking awesome!

I must though list a disclaimer, I have very little experience on a true sport bike.  Logic tells me that what I'm experiencing on the Valk is very common on any true sport bike.  The thing that I like about the Valk is it's longer wheel base...makes for greater stability...not having to worry to much about the front wheel coming up in hard acceleration...yet, again, remarkably...turns pretty tightly and quickly. Plus the low speed ease of balance...*ucking awesome bike!