GL1800C Valkyrie Front Tire - we need to pressure the manufacturers

[AdrianR]

Sounds good..I hope you are right!  I'd rather be WAY wrong!  I want to have good confidence in my bike knowing that *within* reason I can handle most conditions without to much problem..

My last bike was like that....

[barney fife]

I also am thinking about trying a 120/70 on front.  This being a common size for sportbikes, I am sure it would be alright on the Valk.  My only concern is ride height but after looking at Florida Jim's chart link that he posted, I think I will try it.  Total BS by Honda and Dunlop on this deal.

[dinosnake]

Pay attention to the load rating, the Valk is heavy compared to the standard fitment those tires normally see.

[havoc]

IMO, if anything, the bike needs WIDER tires based on the bike's weight...

yup, totally agree - i would not be crying if a 140/60R19 front tire was available from Metzeler/Michelin/Pirelli ...too bad it just doesn't appear like it's gonna happen anytime soon if ever. I also agree with dinosnake that tread compound is a MAJOR factor as well. Hard rubber lasts, but sucks for grip.

That being said, i've been riding in the rain and in gravel - haven't had issues but definitely at a slower pace then what i know she is capable of..

[barney fife]

Pay attention to the load rating, the Valk is heavy compared to the standard fitment those tires normally see.

Good point.

[hubcapsc]

Pay attention to the load rating, the Valk is heavy compared to the standard fitment those tires normally see.

Good point.

Paying attention to the load rating might have helped the dealership that put
the original tire on Chewie (I wore it out in 2000 miles).

But there's some low-profile-tire-zoom-zoom bikes out there that are as
heavy as ours...



I've had real good luck with my rear Michelin, and Jim uses Pirelli Angel GTs on
the Concourse with good results.

-Mike

[Robert]

Will pitting on a different sized tire on the front send the computer into a tizzy???

Actually it may, until you are sure what the results are from a different tire size I would be a bit careful. More than likely nothing will happen but ABS does know the comparative rotational speed of the tires front and rear and it will change with a different tire size, but depending on how they programmed the ABS it may do nothing or occasionally you may feel a bump or it may send an error code. I don't know the tolerance that they have programmed into the unit. Just wanted to let you know that sometimes changing tire size on an ABS vehicle can have problems.