Tires

[The Dawg]

I've been using the recommended Dunlop bias ply tires on my Valk, but I'm only getting about 7,000 to 8,000 miles on them.  That gets expensive.  A buddy of mine has a Goldwing Interstate and he is using a radial Dunlop.  He is getting 25,000 miles on his tires.

Does anyone use radial tires, or can you recommend something with longer wear?

Thanks

Dawg

[Michvalk]

Almost any touring tire will give you better mileage, but, the Valk is not noted for tire mileage. That is the reason so many have gone to a car tire on the back. I used Avon Cobra front and rear for several sets, and still only got about 12,000 on the rear. The front about 17,000. I went to a car tire rear, and did much better. You can search the tech page and find tons of threads about tires, and peoples preferences, and make up your own mind. Just go to the main tech page and type tires into the search box at the top of the page. Prepare for hours of reading

[Ricky-D]

Well, you're wrong about a bias tire being the recommended tire for the Valkyrie.

The correct tire for the Valkyrie is a radial tire.

The original OEM tire was the Dunlop D206

Later on the OEM tire became the Dunlop Elite.

Now it's the Dunlop Elite III, but not OEM because they stopped manufacturing the Valkyrie.

The OEM tires give better mileage when the are pumped up hard, report some forum members.

***

[The Dawg]

Sorry, had the radial and bias ply reversed in my post.

Thanks for the info.  I'll continue to investigate.

[Hoser]

I've been using the recommended Dunlop bias ply tires on my Valk, but I'm only getting about 7,000 to 8,000 miles on them.  That gets expensive.  A buddy of mine has a Goldwing Interstate and he is using a radial Dunlop.  He is getting 25,000 miles on his tires.

Does anyone use radial tires, or can you recommend something with longer wear?

Thanks

Dawg

The last set of Dunlop E-3s I had were Radials, the OEM it came with were trash,  I did not know they were still available.  The E-3's were good for 10 to 15 thousand miles.  I'm on Shinkos  right now, they are doing surprisingly  well. Hoser

[Ricky-D]

I had to look around to find an Elite III. (front tire)

Got it from Motorcycle Superstore.

It has a manufacture date of (2313), so I'm good with that.

I am tired of the small tire on the front - (using a m/c rear)

***

[Rio Wil]

The Dunlop D404F is a good front tire, don't know (and don't care) whether its a radial or bias, at 42 psi your bike won't care either. Lasts about 15-17K.

[Bone]

My previous 5 fronts have been the D404F with a CT on the rear.

[Ricky-D]

Yes, the Dunlop D404F is a good tire.

Just as difficult finding a 150-80-17 in stock anywhere.

The Elite III and the D404 have different tread patterns and

one is a radial and the other a bias ply.

Not much difference in price.

Mainly just a personal preference of the purchaser.

I think they are both good tires, although I've had a few

Dunlop's that were terrible.  I hope my new tire is good.

***

[twdurdentwd]

Darkside

[sandy]

Avon Cobras F/R. Run 42F and 46R all the time. Consistently get over 20K on the F and my last R got 26,970 miles.

[Pappy!]

By the way "The Dawg".........Welcome to the forums!
Think you will find most of us are pretty good to deal with around here and there is definitely a wealth of information.
Don't be a stranger and again, welcome to the addiction!

[PhredValk]

On my second darkside rear, a Toyo something (not Envigor). Nicely round and feels like a MT. Second D404 bias rear tire up front. I got 22k miles out of the first one. I guess we have better roads up here...
Fred.