Car tire on rear???

[KillrBAT]

I'm sure this is something that has been discussed here before but since this is my first Valkyrie I have to ask; how common is it to have a car tire on the rear? I bought mine with a brand new Dunlop 195/60R16 SP Sport 5000 on the rear. My mechanic said it would last forever. I don't know about that but I was concerned about cornering, especially in wet conditions. Any advice on avoiding any problems?

[Daniel Meyer]

I'm sure this is something that has been discussed here before but since this is my first Valkyrie I have to ask; how common is it to have a car tire on the rear? I bought mine with a brand new Dunlop 195/60R16 SP Sport 5000 on the rear. My mechanic said it would last forever. I don't know about that but I was concerned about cornering, especially in wet conditions. Any advice on avoiding any problems?

Pretty common. A lot of us run them. It's sort of like asking about oil though...or poking  a hornet's nest
Older article, but some reading here:
http://lifeisaroad.com/stories/2004/10/27/theDarkSide.html

Short of it is, if you know what counter-steering is, choose your lines around corners, and basically pilot your machine instead of just going along for the ride, you'll have no issues.

[BF]

It's very common.  Lot's of folks love their car tire.  Some have tried it and didn't like it so much and went back to a motorcycle tire. 

Different strokes for different folks. 

Some will tell you you'll die a flaming car tire of death if you put a car tire on your Valk. 

[KillrBAT]

Very informative reading. Thanks for sharing.

[Hox]

My mechanics say that you will burn out final drives due to the uneven/added pressure of cornering with the flatter surface of the car tire...  but, others would argue not... for me, a motorcycle is safest when equipped with the motorcycle tires it was designed to have... 

[Jabba]

My mechanics say that you will burn out final drives due to the uneven/added pressure of cornering with the flatter surface of the car tire...  but, others would argue not... for me, a motorcycle is safest when equipped with the motorcycle tires it was designed to have... 

I think you could make the argument that it could be hard on BEARINGS. but not final drives. I have had 1 set of bearings go bad, on 2 Valks with about 35K miles combined on non motorcycle specific tires on them. They are NOT car tires. They are mounted on a motorcycle, and are therefore a motorcycle tire. They were not built specifically for motorcycles though, and are therefore a NMST (Non Motorcycle Specific Tire).

Jabba

[BF]

My mechanics say that you will burn out final drives due to the uneven/added pressure of cornering with the flatter surface of the car tire...  but, others would argue not... for me, a motorcycle is safest when equipped with the motorcycle tires it was designed to have... 

Awwwh hell.  You done stepped in it now.    

[Serk]

As far as how many, here's a highly scientific poll of the users of this forum and what tire they choose to run:

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,40980.0.html

[LandElephant]

I believe there is a sub category for the discussion of car tires. It's called "The Darkside". You will find a treasure trove of information about car tires.

If you like it ride it. If you don't change it. IMHO, I wouldn't ride without one. I believe my run flat NSMT saved myself and my grandson in June on our way to Inzane.

Charlie Morse
And Elephant

[cma1]

I recommend everyone watch dags video take from under his valk with a car tire. made me throw my car tire away and go to elite 3's, then I triked it and don't matter now.

[BF]

I recommend everyone watch dags video take from under his valk with a car tire. made me throw my car tire away and go to elite 3's, then I triked it and don't matter now.

VALKYRIE DARKSIDE VIDEO

Valkyrie MC Tire

[Willow]

I'm sure this is something that has been discussed here before but since this is my first Valkyrie I have to ask; how common is it to have a car tire on the rear? I bought mine with a brand new Dunlop 195/60R16 SP Sport 5000 on the rear. My mechanic said it would last forever. I don't know about that but I was concerned about cornering, especially in wet conditions. Any advice on avoiding any problems? 

In answer to the titular question, definitely yes.  Any car tire used should be on the rear.  Very few of us have tried one on the front.

As to your mechanic's observation I can assure you that there is no tire that will last forever on a Valkyrie.

Tires designed specifically for automobiles vary widely on how the will perform on a Valkyrie.  Find one that has been used by someone else.  Test ride it yourself for the feel.  If you like it, put one on yours.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I recommend everyone watch dags video take from under his valk with a car tire. made me throw my car tire away and go to elite 3's, then I triked it and don't matter now.

I don't see what made you throw away your car tire ?

[Otus]

I recommend everyone watch dags video take from under his valk with a car tire. made me throw my car tire away and go to elite 3's, then I triked it and don't matter now.

I don't see what made you throw away your car tire ?

exactly,  I thought it looked like it  handled beautifully.  he was running it at 40 p.s.i., from what I've read most of you run a lower tire pressure.

[Clark]

I recommend everyone watch dags video take from under his valk with a car tire. made me throw my car tire away and go to elite 3's, then I triked it and don't matter now.

I don't see what made you throw away your car tire ?

+1

[The emperor has no clothes]

I recommend everyone watch dags video take from under his valk with a car tire. made me throw my car tire away and go to elite 3's, then I triked it and don't matter now.

I don't see what made you throw away your car tire ?

exactly,  I thought it looked like it  handled beautifully.  he was running it at 40 p.s.i., from what I've read most of you run a lower tire pressure.

Yeah I've been at 32. But everyone has their own sweet spot.

[Bob E.]

I run the Altimax too and it seems like that particular tire likes higher pressure. I tried the low pressure that others claim and that tire squirmed and wiggled all over the road. I found about 42psi works good for me.

[Serk]

It is interesting how different people can look at the exact same thing and come to totally opposite conclusions...

Dag's videos are what convinced me to try going Dark Side...

(And 20,000 miles later, I see no reason to go back to a motorcycle specific tire.)

But... I fear Darkside tire discussions are quickly approaching the overly emotional level of dissing someone's Ford truck, so that's all I'll say about this one... 

[The emperor has no clothes]

It is interesting how different people can look at the exact same thing and come to totally opposite conclusions...

Dag's videos are what convinced me to try going Dark Side...

(And 20,000 miles later, I see no reason to go back to a motorcycle specific tire.)

But... I fear Darkside tire discussions are quickly approaching the overly emotional level of dissing someone's Ford truck, so that's all I'll say about this one... 

Oh you big chicken 

[KillrBAT]

Well, I must confess. After having ridden my bike for 20 days and watching the videos, I believe that I must give in to the Dark Side. I might even call my Valk the "Death Star". I wouldn't want to upset her, though, because her real name is "Valeria"

[lacon]

Several years ago at the Honda Hoot, I got a demo ride on a new Victory with the huge rear wheel.  I did not like the way it felt on curves.  I always shyed away from a car tire, thinking one might feel the same way.   Read good things about the Austone Taxi tire & thought it was time for me to try it.  
It went on with less effort than the previous Avon  (no changing machine).  Had to use the strap trick to get the beads  close enough to the rim to get it to take air.  The beads seated easily.  
About 25 miles on good pavement, with maybe 10 on some twisty back roads.  45 psi, with 40 in the front Avon.  Might have noticed a little difference when leaving home, but if I did it was not much & didn't notice anything after a few miles.  Could have been just trying to feel a difference.  No problems  - smooth & no weird feelings to me.  Did not find any significant ruts or grooves to check out.  I know this tread pattern will be much more sensitive to such.  I did balance the tire, but held up on putting in some Ride-On I have until an initial test ride was done.   I needed the new circumference to reset my bicycle computer (pick-up on rear wheel) & noticed a measured 5% increase in circumference from what the old Avon was when it was new.  The stock mechanical speedometer has always read a little fast, so this should fix that too.  (EDIT:  Just for the record that was a really dumb comment - My stock Standard's speedometer is  driven from the FRONT wheel) 
Thinking I will like it.

[Oss]

I am one of those who went darkside and returned 1st to Avon Cobra then a 200/60 Battleaxe
now on my 2nd 200-60 Excedra Bridgestone MC tire

I had a Toyo Proxes just couldnt wrap my head around it
so after a year (which included a ride to the Flight 93 site)
I gave it to BigD who ran the snot out of it

Thinking of returning with my spare wheel to the darkside either on that taxi tire
or another of the rounded ones in 60 size

Just because I can

But I do love the Excedra at 150.00 shipped to my door,
get at least 11-12000 out of it barring nails and metal rods in it
best of all the ones I have tried so far YMMV

[Momz]

The real question is: how many have died a "flaming death" after using a car tire?

[mrider]

I will be going to a car tire on one of my valks in a couple of monthes, it will be my 3rd tire this year and the cost warrents it. I will install on the valk i ride to work on a daily basis 18 miles of curvy roads round trip and 100+ straight line riding don't think i'll have any issues.......or at least hope not!

[Jabba]

I think different Valks handle NMST's differently. I have 2 Valks. Both are darkside. They currently both have the same model tire. I did not like it when I put it on the IS and it tool quite a while to "break it in". Both NMST's I have had on my Standard, including the one I didn't like on the IS it took without a hiccup. As soon as I mounted it, it felt right.

My unscientific conclusion... my STD likes NMST's. My IS is not so easy to please, but eventually succumbed to it.

Jabba

[Michvalk]

If you are having issues with a rear car tire, wait until they start talking about a rear motorcycle tire on the front

[The emperor has no clothes]

The real question is: how many have died a "flaming death" after using a car tire?

4.75, but one was "born again" so it doesn't really count.

[Willow]

The real question is: how many have died a "flaming death" after using a car tire? 

I have actually never heard that brought up except by the people who were riding on "car tires".

[Momz]

The real question is: how many have died a "flaming death" after using a car tire?  

I have actually never heard that brought up except by the people who were riding on "car tires".

I'm putting Continental Sport Touring radial tires on my 2K I/S and removing the rear CT in hopes to make a an "easier handling" bagger.

[Willow]

The real question is: how many have died a "flaming death" after using a car tire?  

I have actually never heard that brought up except by the people who were riding on "car tires".

I'm putting Continental Sport Touring radial tires on my 2K I/S and removing the rear CT in hopes to make a an "easier handling" bagger.

I hope it works out for you, George.  I can assure you it will have no impact on the chances of "fiery death" one way or the other.   

Do what you need to do to stay in the wind.

[MarkT]

It very much matters which tire you pick.  As Willow said - go with those others have tried and approved.  The Austone is apparently one of the very best choices.  The GY Triple Tred - not so much.  Some say they like it, but the handling was too bad for me.  Looking at it, the corners are very square.  I could not find a pressure that would work, from 18 to around 40 IIRC.  Tried it for nearly 2000 miles (again, IIRC), gave up and sold it to another online and went back to Avons.  Then later a friend advised that a certain Yoko tire was well behaved, so I tried it. Turned out he was right.  And the big noticable difference was the corners were rounded.  I wore out that tire, then another 55 profile Yoko, but took it off to install a Vredestein which was 60 profile, for better mileage for a trip.  Currently still on that one.

I'd say the things to look for, besides other's advice, is rounded corners.  And wider is not really better except for looks.  Note the highly preferred Austone is fairly narrow (around 175mm IIRC) and is a taller profile, I think about 70 but it doesn't use that nomenclature. Looking at one, it's profile is very similar to a std bike tire. Not cheap, around $180 delivered and is available from only one source. It will lower your RPM for great mileage.  Folks report pretty much no change in handling from a bike tire.  But you get the great traction and longer life.

[Hooter]

I'm sure this is something that has been discussed here before but since this is my first Valkyrie I have to ask; how common is it to have a car tire on the rear? I bought mine with a brand new Dunlop 195/60R16 SP Sport 5000 on the rear. My mechanic said it would last forever. I don't know about that but I was concerned about cornering, especially in wet conditions. Any advice on avoiding any problems?

Pretty common. A lot of us run them. It's sort of like asking about oil though...or poking  a hornet's nest
Older article, but some reading here:
http://lifeisaroad.com/stories/2004/10/27/theDarkSide.html

Short of it is, if you know what counter-steering is, choose your lines around corners, and basically pilot your machine instead of just going along for the ride, you'll have no issues.

It's very obvious that you will die if you use a CT.     OIL, is there a discussion about oil?   

[Jack]

Lets see, bought this bike in '99 and went "Darkside" in 2001.  Number of flaming deaths= Zero.

I actually like this better than the wide motorcycle tire on the rear of my Rocket III.

[czuch]

Can we get back to politics and guns and oil.
All this motorcycle talk is making me uncomfortable.

[BF]

Can we get back to politics and guns and oil.
All this motorcycle talk is making me uncomfortable.

We could talk favorite truck brands.   

[DarkSideR]

 Be sure not to bring up the topic of servicing your forks before they leak so you dont have problems on the road.  Combine that with the fact that I run a car tire that behaves so well it feels like a motorcycle tire, and that I use a heavier weight oil, I wouldn't be surprised  if the were Bounty Hunters after me.

[KillrBAT]

[/quote]

We could talk favorite truck brands.   
[/quote]

Well, I believe for durability go with Dodge. Power belongs to Ford and Luxury is a Chevrolet. Put all three of them together and you have the perfect truck. How about that???

[jblvalk]

In this article, the author talks about getting only 13k on his first Car tire.  22k on another.  Frankly I would expect a car tire to last 40-50k and if it doesn't, I'm not sure I see the point???   

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

[RainMaker]

In this article, the author talks about getting only 13k on his first Car tire.  22k on another.  Frankly I would expect a car tire to last 40-50k and if it doesn't, I'm not sure I see the point???  

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

You don't know the author.  He Rides!

And in my experience, I only got about 8K on the Dunflops and 9K on the Avon rear tires, which cost twice as much as the car tire and gave me less rubber on the road.  On my 3rd darkside tire now.  This one, a Falken 512, cost $75.  Find a motorcycle tire you'd be confident to ride on for 22K miles for the same money.

[Daniel Meyer]

In this article, the author talks about getting only 13k on his first Car tire.  22k on another.  Frankly I would expect a car tire to last 40-50k and if it doesn't, I'm not sure I see the point???  

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

Wellll...the tire that lasted "only" 13k was eaten by my aggressive throttle hand and hundreds of miles of sharp gravel on the Alaskan Highway and surrounding roads. Could have lasted longer...but I had reached a good place to replace it and still had over 5000 miles to travel to get home so...



22k is about 4 times as much mileage as I can get out of a rear bike tire...and I changed it early too as I was headed out on a 5000+ mile trip and didn't want to fool with tires on it if possible.

I went through $1000 bucks worth of rear bike tires in a single summer the year I bought this machine...

(shrugs). They're not for everybody...but the controversy is overblown and unwarranted.