205/65 - Who's riding one? Personal recommendations? NOT 205/60 OR 205/55

[Disco]

What do you like about it?  What do you not like about it?  Would you get another of the same or try something different?  TIA

[PhredValk]

About 12K miles on my Falken Ziex ZE-512 205/65R-16 and no problems except it rubs a bit on the right side (I never feel or smell it, just looks like scuffed rubber on the sidewall's equator. I think it touches when cornering, but 12,000 miles and the lettering is still intact so it's minor and I don't worry about it anymore).

I like the look and the ride is quiet and smooth, sticks well in the rain. Still looks like new. Did the nut cage mod, I'm using Dynabeads for balancing and run it at 38PSI.

Yes, I'd buy another one, if they were not discontinued. I can see looking around at other models, and makes; maybe a Goodyear Assurance Triple Tread next. I'll probably stay with the 65, as it brings the RPMs down slightly and I think helps with gas mileage on the hiway. Even if that's psychological, it makes me feel better.

Photo is when first installed, zero miles.

Yes, it's dirty. It didn't stay that way 
Fred.

[Disco]

Yes, I'd buy another one, if they were not discontinued.

Thanks for the input, PhredValk.  I know that feeling.  I'm currently (>25,000 miles) on a discontinued Continental Vanco 195/65.  It's not symmetrically siped, but is so neutral it doesn't really matter, and it requires much less steering input than the GYTTs I've ridden on friends' bikes.  I'm not in a big hurry - it looks like I've got at least another 5,000 miles left - but I want to have the next one here ready to go when I need it. 

[Tropic traveler]

Not "riding" one now but I was running a 205/65 Michelin HydroEdge. I replaced it with an Avon for several reasons.
My experiences, others may differ.
Nut cage mod a must if you ever want to ride 2 up. The HE had to run at 28psi just to get to rotten low speed handling, up from the horrible low speed handling it had a 36, 38, 40 psi. That's the main reason I replaced it with the Avon when it took a nail. Felt great at 25 mph+, no difference from the MC tire.
What I did like about it was the great rear braking & the wet weather feel it gave me. The fact that it was taller than the stock 180/70 MC tire was an added bonus!


I bought the bike with the HE already on it & kept it on for over 5K miles before it caught the nail & replaced it so I did not get to pick out the brand. I have been told by others that the HE is a very "squared off" tire & maybe isn't the best choice 65 series to put on a bike. I will agree with that!
One of my very few complaints with a Valkyrie is the unnecessarily high cruising RPM that the Valk has so anytime you can go taller with the rear tire it helps a bit. A 205/65 tire does that. These flat 6's should be around 2400 RPM at 70 mph instead of the 3100 that they are stock. Oh well, I can't have everything. 
Added bonus, the Valk looks awesome with a CT on the back! 


BTW, I'll be watching Dubs posts about the Austone Taxi tire very closely! That tire may get me back to the "Darkside".     

[art]

I have a 195-55 an like it .It's easer handling than a 205.I get about 25000 miles out of a ct

[X Ring]

I'm running a Toyo Proxes TPT in 205/65R16 on my Tourer.  There's a couple hundred rpm decrease in engine speed at 70.  I agree with everything Phredvalk said.  On my I/S, I'm running a Falken 512 in 205/60.  I would have gone with a 65 series but didn't cause of the heavier weight.  I thought it would be more apt to rub.

Marty

[5_19]

Dave I am running a 205/65 also. Mine is a Toyo Proxes TPT . When I found out that is was being discontinued I bought the last 3 that where available. I have one new tire left. The most mileage I get out off these tires is about 20k and if I could I would buy another. I think (that's a personal opinion and you know what those are like) the extra height makes the handling just a little better.

The last time I looked for 205/65 tires with a symmetrical tread design and rated for high speed, I couldn't find any, did you? Every time I had this tire mounted it didn't need any balancing weights. They where build in Japan.

[Paxton]

I run a NEXEN N5000 205/65/16. I paid $89 delivered to the shop. I had to do the cage mod. A very easy mod. I run mine at 28 PSI. 

I love it!

[Fla. Jim]

I have been running a 205/65 Michelin HydroEdge for several years. It wears like iron and if you run the preasure at around 21 to 24 you will love the ride. I have about 25k on it with very minimal wear. The wear rating on this tire is 800 I believe. In the beginning I tried to air it up like our MC tires and was jerked around a lot by the stiff hard tire on bumby roads. The lower preasure allows the side walls to flex a lot more and keeps more rubber on the road for much improved braking and handeling. Also before with a MC tire the back would break free easily and get the bike sideways! Not so with this tire. If you do happen to lock it up it will slide but in a straight line, much better control. It is wearing the same across the tread at the lower psi. This size also alows for a more relaxed cruising rpm also .
The below pic was when first installed at 42 psi. See how high the edge is?, it now almost touches the ground at 21 psi when on it's stand. I know you just asked about which tire, but I think many that try and go back to MC tires have been running too much preasure. Now the front, that's  at 42 psi .

[MrBreeze]

Dave I am running a 205/65 also. Mine is a Toyo Proxes TPT . When I found out that is was being discontinued I bought the last 3 that where available. I have one new tire left. The most mileage I get out off these tires is about 20k and if I could I would buy another. I think (that's a personal opinion and you know what those are like) the extra height makes the handling just a little better.

The last time I looked for 205/65 tires with a symmetrical tread design and rated for high speed, I couldn't find any, did you? Every time I had this tire mounted it didn't need any balancing weights. They where build in Japan.

5_19, I ordered a Toyo Proxes TPT 205/65 from this sight after reading ur post, purchase went thru now to see if they arrive at my door. I've run Toyo's on my cars & get great wear are amazing in the rain.
http://www.discount-tires-2go.com/Page.cfm

[5_19]

Dave I am running a 205/65 also. Mine is a Toyo Proxes TPT . When I found out that is was being discontinued I bought the last 3 that where available. I have one new tire left. The most mileage I get out off these tires is about 20k and if I could I would buy another. I think (that's a personal opinion and you know what those are like) the extra height makes the handling just a little better.

The last time I looked for 205/65 tires with a symmetrical tread design and rated for high speed, I couldn't find any, did you? Every time I had this tire mounted it didn't need any balancing weights. They where build in Japan.

5_19, I ordered a Toyo Proxes TPT 205/65 from this sight after reading ur post, purchase went thru now to see if they arrive at my door. I've run Toyo's on my cars & get great wear are amazing in the rain.
http://www.discount-tires-2go.com/Page.cfm

Thanks MrBreeze for the website. They weren't available for a while. That Michelin hydroedge is also a good looking tire.

Sooo........ Dave if you want to try a 205/65/16 tire you know how to find me. You need to try for yourself and form your own opinion.

[MrBreeze]

Dave I am running a 205/65 also. Mine is a Toyo Proxes TPT . When I found out that is was being discontinued I bought the last 3 that where available. I have one new tire left. The most mileage I get out off these tires is about 20k and if I could I would buy another. I think (that's a personal opinion and you know what those are like) the extra height makes the handling just a little better.

The last time I looked for 205/65 tires with a symmetrical tread design and rated for high speed, I couldn't find any, did you? Every time I had this tire mounted it didn't need any balancing weights. They where build in Japan.

5_19, I ordered a Toyo Proxes TPT 205/65 from this sight after reading ur post, purchase went thru now to see if they arrive at my door. I've run Toyo's on my cars & get great wear are amazing in the rain.
http://www.discount-tires-2go.com/Page.cfm

Thanks MrBreeze for the website. They weren't available for a while. That Michelin hydroedge is also a good looking tire.

Sooo........ Dave if you want to try a 205/65/16 tire you know how to find me. You need to try for yourself and form your own opinion.

Well scratch that, just got email of complications with order. Either on b/o or no longer available. Checking out the Hydro Edge now.

[pistolchamp]

I run the Michelin Hydroedge in 206/65R16 and love it.  I have ordered a new one to replace the one on the ground right now with over 52,000 miles on it and still looking pretty good.  The Discount Tire store thought I made a mistake when I ordered just one, then I told them where it would go and now they want to see the bike with the tire on it.

I've had NO issued with this tire... it just goes and goes and goes.

[PhredValk]

Pistolchamp, what pressure are you running ?
Fred.

[Disco]

Thanks Tropic Traveler & Fla Jim.  I like the tread design of the HydroEdge, but haven't noticed it listed on the usual sites.  I've seen the Michelin X-Ice.  Superceded?  No UTQG tread wear rating, but with a warranty of 40,000 miles, it can't be too hard.  I'm aiming for something lower than the HydroEdge's UTQG rating or 800, or so.  BTW, I didn't have to do the nutcage mod on my bike for the 195/65 until I added a full load + passenger. 

Thanks, Art.  I'd love to find a something taller than the 195/65 I'm on now - even if I have to go wider to get there. 

Thanks, Marty & TJ.  I knew TJ was a fan of the Toyo.  Great to get another data point.  Too bad that the are gone, eh MrBreeze... 

So Marty, do you like the Falken?  I wouldn't worry about a 65 series rubbing.  Have you seen the auxiliary fuel tank on 5-19's bike???  Talk about extra weight...   

Paxton, I felt like it was my birthday or something when I went to the Nexen website.  (plus, I like palindromes)  Look at all those symmetrical tread designs.  Thank you very much.  I wish they made the N2000 in 205/65, but the N5000 is now a candidate.   http://www.nexentireusa.com/tireoverview19-1/HighPerformance

To Tropic Traveler, Fla Jim, and pistolchamp:  Have you ever gotten into a situation where the relatively hard tire compound compromised your handling? 

Thanks again.

[cutter]

Been running the yokohama's and no complaints here.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Yokohama&tireModel=AVID+ENVigor+%28H%26V%29

[MrBreeze]

Been running the yokohama's and no complaints here.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Yokohama&tireModel=AVID+ENVigor+%28H%26V%29

Thx Cutter! Just placed order.  I think 205/60 may be better anyway with riding 2 up & bags.

[Disco]

Thanks, Cutter.  That's a good-looking tire, but I don't see it in 205/65.