Car tire for the first time - darkside question

[Daro]

Hi everyone on the Darkside 
I am going to put car tire on my Valk for the first time. Searched Tech Board - 21 pages of threads.
I've read GL forum and Vulcan forum and I am confused. Please HELP 
Which tire - winter, summer or all season?
Some of the threads are old (2007, 2008) - which car tires are actually the best for Valk?
Which tire on front - Dunlop, Avon, Metzeler?
I've decided not to modify rear fender - is the 205/55/16 the only size?

[Hoser]

New meat, Darksiders!  Come an git it!  Get ready Daro    Hoser

[chip]

 Oh boy opening up that big a$$ can of worms ! But I'm listening this time my IS is due and I'm tired of buyng those expensive tires.

[Cliff]

Goodyear triple tread is one decent option

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I like a soft compound directional pattern...I use both a Copper Zeon 2XS rated 280 and a Fuzion ZRi rated 320 on my bikes. Both stick outstanding in the twisties and great on wet roads.

[waterman]

Had a Bridgestone on my Interstate for about 700 miles and could not feel confident, but then I don't have many flat straight roads around here.

[Thunderbolt]

I myself thought the guys running a car tire must be crazy.  But after buying several motorcycle tires that flattened out in the middle anyway, decided to give it a try.  Over 10000 miles on it now and it still looks like new and guess what, it's flat in the middle too.  Matter of fact, it's flat all the way across!!!!  When my wife rides on the back she says it rides better too.  I did the carriage bolts from the inside and the washer mod to pull the fender out on the right side a little.

[R J]

Hi everyone on the Darkside 
I am going to put car tire on my Valk for the first time. Searched Tech Board - 21 pages of threads.
I've read GL forum and Vulcan forum and I am confused. Please HELP 
Which tire - winter, summer or all season?
Some of the threads are old (2007, 2008) - which car tires are actually the best for Valk?
Which tire on front - Dunlop, Avon, Metzeler?
I've decided not to modify rear fender - is the 205/55/16 the only size?

Modify the fender now istead of having to pull it apart later to do it.

It don't take that long and then no worries about the tire rubbing.

[Daniel Meyer]

http://lifeisaroad.com/stories/2004/10/27/theDarkSide.html

[gordonv]

My research found that the 1st tire of choice was the Goodyear Assurance Triple Tread is the closest to stock MC size of 205/55R16. This is an all season tire. It has 3 tread patterns for 3 different conditions.

You can go up/down one size, 60 or 50. If you do this, your speedometer will no longer read correctly. If you go larger to the 60, then you'll almost always need to do the Nut Cage Mod.

I talked with one guy about this tire, and his recommendation was NOT to go this way, that because it has 3 zones, it also has 3 different handling zones.

After the 1st tire is tried, then the sky is the limit. I think most like a snow tire, because using it during the summer it grips the road better, being made of softer rubber.

I've already bought and installed my Goodyear TT to a spare rim. After I go through this tire, I'll just look for a good rain tire (maybe winter) that has a nice rounded edge.

[Daniel Meyer]

You can go up/down one size, 60 or 50. If you do this, your speedometer will no longer read correctly.

If we're talking Valks, this is not correct. Speedo reads the front wheel.

[gordonv]

You can go up/down one size, 60 or 50. If you do this, your speedometer will no longer read correctly.

If we're talking Valks, this is not correct. Speedo reads the front wheel.

Sorry, you are right. It was the RPM I should have referred too.

[JC]

You can go up/down one size, 60 or 50. If you do this, your speedometer will no longer read correctly.

If we're talking Valks, this is not correct. Speedo reads the front wheel.

Sorry, you are right. It was the RPM I should have referred too.

Eh??
If we're talking Valks, shouldn't have referred to RPM either, that reads engine speed......

[valkmc]

You can go up/down one size, 60 or 50. If you do this, your speedometer will no longer read correctly.

If we're talking Valks, this is not correct. Speedo reads the front wheel.

Sorry, you are right. It was the RPM I should have referred too.

Eh??
If we're talking Valks, shouldn't have referred to RPM either, that reads engine speed......

Changing the rear tire hieght will change the rpm at any particular speed, cruising at 80 mph will have slightly different rpms for a 55, 60, or 65 tire.

[Ken Tarver]

goodyear TT 205/60-16 ~ nut cage mod

the sixty profile is going to be the closest to stock tire diameter ~ nut cage mod is very easy, just go ahead and do it

[F6CTrider]

A big DITTO 
goodyear TT 205/60-16 and the nut cage mod

Went to the DARKSIDE 17000 miles ago, love the look and the smooth ride, handles just fine.

Next time I will be trying the taller "65" to "improve" the RPM/Speed/Mileage "thing".   Won't know until a few years go by, it looks like I will get 60K out of the Goodyear.  (And yes, the tire has been off, and the splines are well lubed)

[Daro]

I like a soft compound directional pattern...I use both a Copper Zeon 2XS rated 280 and a Fuzion ZRi rated 320 on my bikes. Both stick outstanding in the twisties and great on wet roads.

First of all thx for precise response.
I decided to buy Cooper. What PSI do you ride them? Are they 205/55 or 205/60 ?

[Daro]

goodyear TT 205/60-16 ~ nut cage mod

the sixty profile is going to be the closest to stock tire diameter ~ nut cage mod is very easy, just go ahead and do it

tried to find this tire on ebay...also onlinetires... nothing...zero 

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

goodyear TT 205/60-16 ~ nut cage mod

the sixty profile is going to be the closest to stock tire diameter ~ nut cage mod is very easy, just go ahead and do it

tried to find this tire on ebay...also onlinetires... nothing...zero 

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.jsp?width=205/&ratio=60&diameter=16&startIndex=0&search=true&pagelen=20&pagenum=1&pagemark=1&manufacturer=Goodyear&x=19&y=12

[Bone]

I'm on my 3 rd. CT with the last two being Goodyear TT 205/60-16 ~ nut cage mod
The CT fits my riding style and is a good ride going cross country. Handles wet conditions very well.

[Daro]

goodyear TT 205/60-16 ~ nut cage mod

the sixty profile is going to be the closest to stock tire diameter ~ nut cage mod is very easy, just go ahead and do it

tried to find this tire on ebay...also onlinetires... nothing...zero  :-

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.jsp?width=205/&ratio=60&diameter=16&startIndex=0&search=true&pagelen=20&pagenum=1&pagemark=1&manufacturer=Goodyear&x=19&y=12

Thanks.  My mistake  I was looking for " goodyear TT" not "triple tred"

[Ken Tarver]

 sorry Daro ~ I lead you astray with the abreviation TT

[us385south]

I spent years reading about this before I finally, "broke on through to the other side."

Goodyear Assurance Triple-Tread here.  I have a very detailed gallery that might interest you here:

http://www.culleynet.com/zen/1998-valkyrie-tourer/

Let me say a few things:

1. I can understand why this might not be good for everyone, I have to admit that it does feel a little squirrelly sometimes when I am pulling in and out of parking lots.  Nothing too hairy, but you have to watch yourself.  Or at least i do...

2.  It stops GOOD!

3.  Expect to spend time defending yourself from people who have never ridden on a CT.  It seems to me that folks who are most passionate about this are folks who have never ridden a Valk... or any bike with a car tire.  It's like taking to those Christians that knock on my door on Saturday mornings, they seem to "want" to convert me.  They seem to feel that I need to be "saved" from my own ignorance.  What's so funny about these people (in both cases) is that I usually end up outclassing them in hard knowledge and my observations based on 42 years of riding... and a lifetime of being raised Quaker.  ( I particularly like it when I have to help them find the verse they are trying to quote to me!  That always tickles me... )

4.  CT's are just different... I like mine!

[Daro]

I spent years reading about this before I finally, "broke on through to the other side."

Goodyear Assurance Triple-Tread here.  I have a very detailed gallery that might interest you here:

http://www.culleynet.com/zen/1998-valkyrie-tourer/

Let me say a few things:

1. I can understand why this might not be good for everyone, I have to admit that it does feel a little squirrelly sometimes when I am pulling in and out of parking lots.  Nothing too hairy, but you have to watch yourself.  Or at least i do...

2.  It stops GOOD!

3.  Expect to spend time defending yourself from people who have never ridden on a CT.  It seems to me that folks who are most passionate about this are folks who have never ridden a Valk... or any bike with a car tire.  It's like taking to those Christians that knock on my door on Saturday mornings, they seem to "want" to convert me.  They seem to feel that I need to be "saved" from my own ignorance.  What's so funny about these people (in both cases) is that I usually end up outclassing them in hard knowledge and my observations based on 42 years of riding... and a lifetime of being raised Quaker.  ( I particularly like it when I have to help them find the verse they are trying to quote to me!  That always tickles me... )

4.  CT's are just different... I like mine!

Big thanks ! Wise words! (about tires too) 

[F7daved]

I did the same thing multiple times, going back and forth. I finally decided to go with the General Ultimax Hp 205/60/16 I Did the nut cage as well, with the wheel of and a die grinder took 15 minutes. Quote me here I LOVE IT AND WILL NEVER GO BACK.  Been to the dragon 3 times and have no problems. I was told of all the tires listed this on had the best V shaped, though that was just a couple guys opinion here.  I have ridden my buddies with a good year and i personally think there is a small difference. I think also the most part is getting the correct pressure front and back. That makes a HUGH difference how the bike handles. I would not go with the 55 series at all due to the little bit difference in rpm and fuel consumption.  Just my 2cents 

[gordonv]

goodyear TT 205/60-16 ~ nut cage mod

the sixty profile is going to be the closest to stock tire diameter ~ nut cage mod is very easy, just go ahead and do it

Did I screw up on my recalection again? The 60 profile is the closest to stock, so one size up down, 55 and 65

[SPOFF]

If we're talking Valks, this is not correct. Speedo reads the front wheel.

And if we're talking Valks the speedometer doesn't read correctly anyway. As for RPMs, the tach follows the ignition. A different sized tire will change the RPM at any given speed, but the tach will be as accurate as it was (or wasn't) before the tire change.

[olddog1946]

I have a federal 535 tire on my bike...it has a directional tread, which to me makes the most sense..I would think a bi-directional tire would make the handling different going to right and left..may be wrong (frequently am,lol)...at any rate whatever tire chosen will require some experimentation on air pressures..I started at 32, moved up 2 psi at a time til I found my sweet spot..of 38 or 40 depending on ambient temperatures..

[Gangman036]

GYTT 205/60/16 w/ nutcage mod.................easy.