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Dublflush
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« on: November 30, 2015, 08:40:32 AM » |
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Howdy all! I'm a new Valkyrie owner in the Denver metro area.
I swore I wouldn't buy one of these bikes till there were some decent tires available it.
But at 57 y.o. I still let my emotions get the best of me when It comes to motorcycles! That , and a very low price made it impossible not to purchase one.( it was almost free honey! )
So far , i have only put about 300 miles on it . I love this bike already!!!
Yes the tires are so so , and I hope there will be more options soon. I went through this with my Rocket 3 in 2006. Only metzler made tires for it the first year, then avon and a couple others got on board.
I have had lots of bikes over the years of different makes and models, and have learned they are all a compromise to an extent. Im willing to except this bikes short comings. SHES A KEEPER!!!!!
Also wanted to thank the members of this site, as i have been using lots of valuable info from these pages.
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brew1brew
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« Reply #1 on: November 30, 2015, 08:59:02 AM » |
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Every one keeps saying that the tires are crap, I don't agree. I've put 25k miles on my 2014 and I'm on my 4th back tire and 3rd front tire. The front is now the new OEM Dunlop and it currently has 9k miles on it and looks like it's only 1/4 to 1/2 worn.
I've ran the OEM back tire, a Michelin pilot road 3, then a crappy Conti, now the Michelin Pilot road 4. So far the OEM back tire when the longest at 12k miles.
As to grip, well the front tires ride great in all weather, never slip, the OEM back and Pilot road tires you can't tell a difference wet or dry. So in my opinion there are no issues with performance of the OEM or Michelin tires.
my $0.02
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Les 2014 Valkyrie GL1800 C Blue  |
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brew1brew
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« Reply #2 on: November 30, 2015, 09:00:02 AM » |
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oh, GRATZ on the new ride! You are going to love it!
(sorry for the rant)
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Les 2014 Valkyrie GL1800 C Blue |
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havoc
Member
Posts: 289
VRCC #36861
Calgary, Alberta CA
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« Reply #3 on: November 30, 2015, 12:34:19 PM » |
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welcome and congrats!
PM AdrianR and he will tell you how his experience has been with the Michelin Pilots. A half dozen other riders have done the same thing and have been blown away by the performance increase. basically the Michelin Pilot Road 4 GT comes in our size in the rear.
then to make the front work, go with Pilot 4 trail 120 70R19. there were concerns about load tolerance and it is only about 5-10 KG below the junk dunlop
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"Not all those who wander are lost" - J. R. R. Tolkien
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Dublflush
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« Reply #4 on: November 30, 2015, 01:29:06 PM » |
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Thanks for the welcomes, and advice on the tires.
On my last bike, i tried the pilot 3's and the 4's. Both really good with the dual compounds.
I have already slid the front a couple times with the stock dunlops on the valk, but road temps were pretty cold.
The dunlops do seam like a really hard compound touring tire designed for long life on heavy bikes.
There is no doubt in my mind that a dual compound tire will be an improvement to the valk.
I actually like the pirrelli angel gt more than the pilot 4. Too bad none of them will fit the valk.
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bradrcfii
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« Reply #5 on: December 01, 2015, 04:13:41 AM » |
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What is the load rating of the stock Dunlop OEM front tire? The Michelin Pilot 4 Trial is 58 and I thougt that was within specs.
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hubcapsc
Member
Posts: 16769
upstate
South Carolina
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« Reply #6 on: December 01, 2015, 05:22:02 AM » |
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I've got a rear Pirelli Angel GT "spec A" on hand and one of those stiff aluminum sears jacks. "spec A" is apparently important for our bikes, if it doesn't say that, then it is for a lighter bike than ours. I've got an idea for an adapter, soon I hope to be able to easily and safely lift the bike high enough to drop the wheel out from within the saddlebags. Looking forward to getting the wheel off with just the lugnuts, yay single-sided swingarm   I took this picture on that same road yesterday  I have an awesome ride to and from work...  -Mike |
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texrider
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« Reply #7 on: December 01, 2015, 08:00:13 PM » |
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The 1800 Valk already handles well, and could only benefit from better rubber.
When the time comes, I plan on going with the PR4 Trail up front, and I have a Shinko Verge 2x in 200/50zr17 to try on the rear. It's a dual compound designed for the wet, very similar to the PR4. Looks like it should clear the driveshaft. Anyone here try a 200 rear yet?
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2014 GL1800C Blue
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st2sam
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« Reply #8 on: December 01, 2015, 09:08:42 PM » |
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The 1800 Valk already handles well, and could only benefit from better rubber.
When the time comes, I plan on going with the PR4 Trail up front, and I have a Shinko Verge 2x in 200/50zr17 to try on the rear. It's a dual compound designed for the wet, very similar to the PR4. Looks like it should clear the driveshaft. Anyone here try a 200 rear yet?
The rim is to narrow for a 200. It might fit, but might not seat or wear correctly. Give it a try if you so desire, it'll be interesting seeing the end results... |
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AdrianR
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« Reply #9 on: December 02, 2015, 01:41:20 PM » |
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Every one keeps saying that the tires are crap, I don't agree. I've put 25k miles on my 2014 and I'm on my 4th back tire and 3rd front tire. The front is now the new OEM Dunlop and it currently has 9k miles on it and looks like it's only 1/4 to 1/2 worn.
I've ran the OEM back tire, a Michelin pilot road 3, then a crappy Conti, now the Michelin Pilot road 4. So far the OEM back tire when the longest at 12k miles.
As to grip, well the front tires ride great in all weather, never slip, the OEM back and Pilot road tires you can't tell a difference wet or dry. So in my opinion there are no issues with performance of the OEM or Michelin tires.
my $0.02
I thought the stock tires totally sucked...Their pressure window was really small...either to hard or to soft... The Michelins transformed the bike completely...aside from the far better handling...they also *ride* better imo...translating into a smoother, softer, yet better controlling ride.. No comparison imo... |
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Just a guy who likes to ride and rock...
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havoc
Member
Posts: 289
VRCC #36861
Calgary, Alberta CA
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« Reply #10 on: December 03, 2015, 05:14:14 AM » |
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i don't like the stock tires either. fine on dry pavement. scary as hell on wet roads.
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"Not all those who wander are lost" - J. R. R. Tolkien
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AdrianR
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« Reply #11 on: December 03, 2015, 05:41:26 AM » |
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i don't like the stock tires either. fine on dry pavement. scary as hell on wet roads.
I hear ya man...you know it has taken me nearly 4-500 riding miles to get over the Dunlop hangover!  And I STILL ma not totally over it yet. Aside from a few slippages and odd feeling while riding... I had one close call that scared the hell out of me...and I am now just getting into riding it like my old bike in where I would just throw into my corners without thinking to much about it. The stock tires destroyed my confidence in this bike... |
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Just a guy who likes to ride and rock...
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tx blue
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« Reply #12 on: December 03, 2015, 08:45:01 AM » |
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I have also had issues with the ass end being loose with stock tires. And that is not even riding it hard.
Phil
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bradrcfii
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« Reply #13 on: December 03, 2015, 10:29:23 AM » |
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The same with me. Have the Michy's now and have not had the rear end slip away from me since I chnaged tires. It sure is scary for a new rider.
Brad
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texrider
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« Reply #14 on: December 04, 2015, 06:33:34 PM » |
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The 1800 Valk already handles well, and could only benefit from better rubber.
When the time comes, I plan on going with the PR4 Trail up front, and I have a Shinko Verge 2x in 200/50zr17 to try on the rear. It's a dual compound designed for the wet, very similar to the PR4. Looks like it should clear the driveshaft. Anyone here try a 200 rear yet?
The rim is to narrow for a 200. It might fit, but might not seat or wear correctly. Give it a try if you so desire, it'll be interesting seeing the end results... Since measuring the tire and rim, I don't believe I'll be trying the 200. It would be a bear to wrestle onto the stock wheel. |
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2014 GL1800C Blue
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