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rudymsmith
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« on: May 06, 2017, 03:56:22 PM » |
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I own a few motorcycles - my 2015 F6B and a 2014 Valkyrie are my favorites - this thread is about the stock OEM front tire on the 2014 Valk. Tire pressure is correct and wheel is balanced.
I've noticed the OEM stock front tire on the Valk tends to drift / walk a wee bit almost like it wants to find it's own sweet spot in the road? It is totally manageable and after a while you hardly notice the sensation but it definitely walks with the road a bit. I had some other smaller bikes with smaller front tires that did this also.
This is my second 2014 Valk and I remember the first one did this dance also.
Anybody else notice this?
Incidentally My 2015 F6B doesn't do this, but the B has smaller fatter OEM tire in the front
I wonder would a wee bit fatter tire like the F6B has on the front change this?
I am aware that the F6C has a more narrow front fender.
thoughts?
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Be careful what you wish for.
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Dragunslayer
Member
Posts: 236
"AN APEX IS A TERRIBLE THING TO WASTE"
Robertsville, MO
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« Reply #1 on: May 07, 2017, 06:43:16 AM » |
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I own a few motorcycles - my 2015 F6B and a 2014 Valkyrie are my favorites - this thread is about the stock OEM front tire on the 2014 Valk. Tire pressure is correct and wheel is balanced.
I've noticed the OEM stock front tire on the Valk tends to drift / walk a wee bit almost like it wants to find it's own sweet spot in the road? It is totally manageable and after a while you hardly notice the sensation but it definitely walks with the road a bit. I had some other smaller bikes with smaller front tires that did this also.
This is my second 2014 Valk and I remember the first one did this dance also.
Anybody else notice this?
Incidentally My 2015 F6B doesn't do this, but the B has smaller fatter OEM tire in the front
I wonder would a wee bit fatter tire like the F6B has on the front change this?
I am aware that the F6C has a more narrow front fender.
thoughts?
If memory serves me the stock Dunlop has a straight groove in the center of the tire like a touring car tire which is most likely the cause of this. At least that is my opinion. The F6B most likely cam with Birdgesatones which have a similar tread design as far as that groove is considered but it actually has a jog in it for aa lack of better term that keeps them from acting in the same manner. |
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Kevin Reinhold AKA Dragunslayer
Robertsville, Mo
1999 Honda Valkyrie Tourer
2015 Kawasaki Concours 14
2016 Suzuki GSXS-1000F
"AN APEX IS A TERRIBLE THING TO WASTE"
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ledany
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« Reply #2 on: May 07, 2017, 10:51:14 AM » |
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What I know is that with the OEM Dunlop tires on the F6c, I couldn't go faster than 68 mls/h or 70 mls/h on wet highways and I thought this was weird because going faster would have been dangerous, obviously  . When a R1200 RT passed me riding at 93 mls/h, I knew something was wrong with these OEM Dunlop tires. So I bought other brands and my problem was solved.  This happened in autumn 2014, with the Dunlops I was so upset I thought of buying back a BMW for winter time  |
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rudymsmith
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« Reply #3 on: May 08, 2017, 04:28:43 AM » |
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thanks - I think 2 replies was all I needed to realize it was THE TIRE not the bike.
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Be careful what you wish for.
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Adirondack Bill
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« Reply #4 on: May 08, 2017, 11:14:12 AM » |
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I still have the factory tires, and I can take both hands off the the bars and the bike holds its line just fine?
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AdrianR
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« Reply #5 on: May 08, 2017, 06:44:02 PM » |
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The stock tires blow. This is pretty common knowledge for most of us Valkyrie riders. I am surprised Dragunslayer dude didn't recommend a change!
I will, Michelin Pilot 4 for the rear, and a Michelin TR4 for the front. The front tire will not match exactly, but it is close, close enough to not matter. These tires will transform the bike into an entirely different machine ride/handling wise. Well worth the investment.
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Just a guy who likes to ride and rock...
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barney fife
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« Reply #6 on: May 08, 2017, 09:07:21 PM » |
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Stock Dunlops were fine with me except for having to go thru Honda to get them and pay a ridiculos price. Was not willing to do that.
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21 Tenere 700
18 CB1000R Neo Cafe
16 Super Tenere
16 R3 Endurance Race Bike
14 Valkyrie
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Robert
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« Reply #7 on: May 09, 2017, 06:33:29 AM » |
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Got rid of the stock tires as soon as I could since even on the road test the rear slid.
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“Some people see things that are and ask, Why? Some people dream of things that never were and ask, Why not? Some people have to go to work and don’t have time for all that.”
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rudymsmith
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« Reply #8 on: May 20, 2017, 08:36:14 AM » |
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The stock tires blow. This is pretty common knowledge for most of us Valkyrie riders. I am surprised Dragunslayer dude didn't recommend a change!
I will, Michelin Pilot 4 for the rear, and a Michelin TR4 for the front. The front tire will not match exactly, but it is close, close enough to not matter. These tires will transform the bike into an entirely different machine ride/handling wise. Well worth the investment.
Where did you buy yours? Cost? Bike Bandit? When you say the "TR4 isn't an exact match" what are you implying? I'm not tire savy but I DO like a sweet ride. |
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Be careful what you wish for.
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Dragunslayer
Member
Posts: 236
"AN APEX IS A TERRIBLE THING TO WASTE"
Robertsville, MO
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« Reply #9 on: May 20, 2017, 09:39:21 AM » |
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The stock tires blow. This is pretty common knowledge for most of us Valkyrie riders. I am surprised Dragunslayer dude didn't recommend a change!
I will, Michelin Pilot 4 for the rear, and a Michelin TR4 for the front. The front tire will not match exactly, but it is close, close enough to not matter. These tires will transform the bike into an entirely different machine ride/handling wise. Well worth the investment.
Where did you buy yours? Cost? Bike Bandit? When you say the "TR4 isn't an exact match" what are you implying? I'm not tire savy but I DO like a sweet ride. Rudy, The front PR4T is actually intended for a dual purpose bike like a V Storm or something but works just fine on the Valkyrie. For the best price with free shipping you can go here: http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/ |
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Kevin Reinhold AKA Dragunslayer
Robertsville, Mo
1999 Honda Valkyrie Tourer
2015 Kawasaki Concours 14
2016 Suzuki GSXS-1000F
"AN APEX IS A TERRIBLE THING TO WASTE"
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allhans4
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« Reply #10 on: May 20, 2017, 05:02:37 PM » |
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Thanks for the website. You just saved me $50.
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2014 Honda Valkyrie
Blue Metallic
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rudymsmith
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« Reply #11 on: May 21, 2017, 04:10:00 AM » |
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Thanks for the website. You just saved me $50.
me TOO - thanks Dragonslayer |
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Be careful what you wish for.
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Dragunslayer
Member
Posts: 236
"AN APEX IS A TERRIBLE THING TO WASTE"
Robertsville, MO
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« Reply #12 on: May 21, 2017, 04:21:55 AM » |
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Thanks for the website. You just saved me $50.
No problem that's what I do as a so called tire guy LOL |
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Kevin Reinhold AKA Dragunslayer
Robertsville, Mo
1999 Honda Valkyrie Tourer
2015 Kawasaki Concours 14
2016 Suzuki GSXS-1000F
"AN APEX IS A TERRIBLE THING TO WASTE"
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