Darkside encouragement

[valknomad]

You don't know until you  try... so ordered the Altima HP 205/60-16 today, should arrive Friday.  So I have 3 or 4 days to second guess my self. (yes/no..yes/no).   I'm fully aware there will be some trade-offs, but whether it's a 60-40 or 40-60 is to be seen.  I often ride 2-up and occassional pull a Kwick Kamp MC tent trailer.   Mostly concerned with the cornering (not necessarily "grip"), but the counter-steer pressure.   Wish me luck or right it off as a $125 expirement.    Vinnie N. Idaho. 

[old2soon]

What you ordered i have on my I/S. Liking it a lot. Have a Metz 880 on the front. It's different. Not bad different-just different. Easy to get used to. I just ride now-not worried about the counter steer. Not an issue. I see NO reason to go back to a motorcycle specific tire on the rear. Paid $99.00 for mine delivered to the house. Hope it works out for you. RIDE SAFE. P S ya gotta buy yer own durn cookie.

[Fudd]

Two thumbs up on the General Altimax HP.  It's arguably the best DS tire for the money.

[Moonshot_1]

I'm sure you've done the research and thoughtfully contemplated the move to the C/T.

I'm running a GY Triple Tred. 24+K right now and still looking good.
Had my mech. do the spline maintenance after 10k on the tire. Will have him go through it again at the start of the next spring.

Concerns to cornering.
The difference will likely be the most severe at the start. As the tire breaks in, and you get the feel of the difference it gets easier. It's not so much that it is harder to steer, it's not really, but you are actively steering it throughout the curve.
You just can't lean into the curve and have the bike follow. The bike wants to right itself through out the curve so you are constantly applying the countersteering pressure. With experience, this quickly becomes second nature. For most folks at least.

For me, it handles better when riding 2 up. And the test for me was through the Bad Lands and Iron Mountain Road in the Black Hills. It did just fine. More than fine.  So cornering isn't an issue.

Ultimately you have to have confidence in your ride. If you can't get past the differences in handling after an honest try, get a M/C tire back on there.

Here is your cookie

Cookie.
(Some assembly required)

Ingredients
•   1 cup butter, softened
•   1 cup white sugar
•   1 cup packed brown sugar
•   2 eggs
•   2 teaspoons vanilla extract
•   3 cups all-purpose flour
•   1 teaspoon baking soda
•   2 teaspoons hot water
•   1/2 teaspoon salt
•   2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
•   1 cup chopped walnuts
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Cream together the butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla.

Dissolve baking soda in hot water.

Add to batter along with salt. Stir in flour, chocolate chips, and nuts. Drop by large spoonfuls onto ungreased pans.

Bake for about 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until edges are nicely browned.

[GOOSE]

vinnie....you are really going to love this tire...i have it on two of my valks...i run 38-40 lbs. of air in mine.  it will take you several hundred miles to get used to the tire, but when you do you will love it.  i ride the big road, and the mountains here in sw va...not a problem one.   it is different, but not so much as you think.  good luck....when you get it on and running, give a post and let us know what you think.

[valknomad]

Thanks for the encouragement (and cookie recipe),   I also ride a 2003 Kawasaki Vulcan Nomad 1500 (with MC tires),  it will be kinda weird switching between bikes.   Working on the fender nut cage mod this evening in prep. for the CT.   Thanks for the thumbs up on the Altima HP (V-rated).... Vinnie

[rangernight]

I have been riding with CT for 9 years now, couldn't afford the MC tires riding in SC, all the great roads. The only training you need is in your slow riding and uneven pavement, concrete, curbs etc. They will try to hurt you---just pay attention and you will be fine-----Had 38,000 on my last CT and already have 15,000 on my faulken.

[fudgie]

Do what ya feel is right. My 1st ride on it I was disappointed. I could not find a differance between it and my 200 metz. To me it seems like it falls in the corners. Offset road level are noticable but not much. To me it has more pros then cons. The cons are just minor stuff.

[SANDMAN5]

Be sure and get a couple hundred miles on it before you ride
2-up or pull a trailer. My wife says the ct rides much better
than mt. I'll never go back unless I have no choice. YMMV

[fudgie]

And the test for me was through the BadLands and Iron Mountain Road in the Black Hills. It did just fine. More than fine. 

That and Needles is the ultimate test. Definitly felt more stable then a mc tire on them roads.  Hell cant find better roads.

[bigfish_Oh]

I started riding after being off for 13 years. After putting 2K on my MT, I put the same tire on and love it. I like being in control. I may have not had years of MT experience influencing me, but when I was riding , I was pushing a '82 CBX(modded) to the limits. I used 5/16 SST carriage bolts on my fenders, doesn't matter what length because I have grab rails, hitch and bags.

   I did just notice while riding single I get a little sway/wobble in a curve. I assume it has to be tire pressure or shock setting because I am 180 #'s light ? may happen with all tires.

[Novavalker]

Start with a new MC front tire too. I use an Avon Cobra and prefer how it reacts with an HP Altimax.

[RainMaker]

I have the same tire on my I/S after wearing out a Goodyear TT.  I like the Altimax better and it rode just fine through the Tail of the Dragon on the way to Inzane.

But - to each his own.  If you ride it for about 500 miles and don't like it, go back to the MC tire and send the Altimax to me for a safe disposal at no charge.  I'll even pay the freight!

[valknomad]

Start with a new MC front tire too. I use an Avon Cobra and prefer who it reacts with an HP Altimax

Good suggestion..my front is due for replacement also!!!  (the money saved on a CT tire just about pays for a new MC on the front)

[valknomad]

Start with a new MC front tire too. I use an Avon Cobra and prefer who it reacts with an HP Altimax.

Good suggestion... my front tire is due for replacement...

[valknomad]

I have the same tire on my I/S after wearing out a Goodyear TT.  I like the Altimax better and it rode just fine through the Tail of the Dragon on the way to Inzane.

But - to each his own.  If you ride it for about 500 miles and don't like it, go back to the MC tire and send the Altimax to me for a safe disposal at no charge.  I'll even pay the freight!

RainMaker.... I'll keep that in mind for my plan B,  if plan "A" doesn't work out..

[F6CTrider]

Best advise in here is to ride it for several hundred miles and THEN judge for yourself.  That will allow for the tire sidewalls to "break in" and also for your learning curve / skills to kick in.

I have over 22K on a GYTT 205-60.  Tread looks to be good for 50K!  Some noticable but minimal wear on the edges due to LOTS of mountain riding.  Center tread is pristine.

PS: I got my cookies!  They arrived late, but were delicious!

[Tundra]

ValNomad, Please repost after you try this thing, I'm curious and think this will be my next rear tire, If I can ever wear out the GYTT.

[Jabba]

I have the Altimax on my IS. 

I don't LOVE it, but it's gotten better with time and miles.  I have about 10-11K on it now and it looks new still.

I still like the feel of the Falken better. 

I think my next one will be a Hankook, if I ever wear out either of the CT's I currently have.

Jabba

[F7daved]

Vinnie;   I have exact tire and have ridden 6,000 miles on it and love it, espically in the rain. I started out on my tourer with 42 psi. and ran it for 500 miles now riding with 36psi. Like several have said dont be to early to judge. Ride it at least a few hundred miles. Start with a higher pressure then drop a pound every so often and find your sweet spot for you. Just got back from a 2,000 mile ride in the mountains of west virginia, pennsylvania, and kentucky and my friends cant beleive how this tire handles. Again give it some time, your gonna love it. 

[Stitch_in_La]

I have this tire also well pleased.  If you don't change your front tire just remember not to blame a steady pull to one side or th other on the CT.  Had to ride the wifes sportster some recently, the transition from Mt to CT was not difficult

Stitch