Tire Suggestions:

[Skycat01]

Folks,

 I am new on the scene. I just bought a 2000 F6C Standard with 18K miles and cobra custom pipes. The tires are shot.  I see some people put car tires on these bikes.  I bought this bike for the longer cruise with my CMA chapter.  I want a good riding high mileage tire. This is going to be strictly at least a 500 miler every time I get on it.  I have a GSXR 1100 and a KLR 650 when I want to act a fool.

 What kind of tires would you recommend.  Do car tires on the rear kill the handling of this beautiful machine?

Skycat01 - Texas

[Rams]

Oh My Goodness, you really do know how to start something.

Tires and Oil are two of the biggest debated issues on this forum besides politics.

I run darkside, I run an Austone Taxi tire.   I love it.  

You're going to have to make your own decision on this one.  

Edited:  Oh yeah, welcome to a wonderful forum.   

[Jess from VA]

What kind of tires would you recommend.

Round ones.

Avon Cobra, Metzler 880, Bridgestone Excedra, Dunlop E3 (highest miles, hardest compound, some think they're slippery in the wet, some don't).  Run them all hard, at least 42psi.

I run car tires in back, but it wouldn't hurt to run at least one bike tire first.

Do car tires on the rear kill the handling of this beautiful machine?

Not if you're good at it.

Put in a search for Best Tires.  Come back in three weeks after you've read all the threads with any questions.

[Hooter]

   Go into "shop talk" and read all about the DS. This is close enough, don't ask these guys about oil.    Then the slick spot will really hit the manure spreader. Welcome to the house of many good people.

[RainMaker]

Welcome!  The Valk will eat up those 500 mile trips with ease.  You may have to stop for gas a little sooner than your riding buds, but 2 hours of riding is a good time to stop, drink some water and fuel up.

There are multiple opinions about tires you will find on this forum.  I preface this response with - this is my opinion, based upon my experiences and may not be the same as others.

I've run Avon Cobras on front, now riding a Bridgestone Excedra.  Like them both.  The Metzler 880 is pretty popular as well.  On the rear, have also run Avons but on my 3rd car tire now (Falken 512).  Handling is different but you get used to it and I can handle twisty roads with no issue.  Took about 30 miles to get used to a car tire at first and after that, don't even think about it.

If you do all your own maintenance, including the mounting and dismounting of the tires and spline maintenance, then the car tire is easy (that is what I do).  If you have the tires changed by the tire seller or someone else, you'll need to find someone who will mount a car tire on the Valk wheel.  Many places won't due to liability issues, religion, your political party affiliation or some other reason.  If you are traveling out of town a lot, you may want to go with a motorcycle tire just because it's easier to get a replacement mounted when you are traveling.  That has never been a concern for me as I change tires if I think that my trip+2000 miles will exceed the life of the tire.  It's not worth it to run a tire to the cords to save a few bucks.

With the motorcycle tire, you will take the wheel off every 8000-10000 miles to change it, which gives you the perfect time to grease the drive splines and pinion cup, change out the 3 o-rings, etc.  if you do go with a car tire, you still should perform the spline maintenance every 10,000 miles.  If you have shops performing this service, make sure they know what they are doing - many riders have had drive train issues because the shop wasn't familiar with the Valkyrie (Honda dealers included in this commentary).

Almost every procedure you will need to keep your Valkyrie running for half a million miles or more is on this forum and in shop talk http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/

Again, welcome!

[DarkSideR]

Nogrey recently asked the same question and took a poll on the most popular tires. Here is the link. Hope this helps.

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,80474.msg789332.html#msg789332

[flash2002]

Oh My Goodness, you really do know how to start something.

Tires and Oil are two of the biggest debated issues on this forum besides politics.

I run darkside, I run an Austone Taxi tire.   I love it.  

You're going to have to make your own decision on this one.  

Edited:  Oh yeah, welcome to a wonderful forum.   

Hi Rams, I was looking at this tire for a while, how is it on bad roads. I see it's 6 ply, makes a stiff tire. Need more info on the way it  rides. thanks

[DarkSideR]

There have been numerous long.. I won't call them discussions, more like arguments on this topic. I am on my 3rd "None Specific Motorcycle Tire" (car tire). I have had a terrible one, a great one, and a really good one.

In the link in the post above the Poll taken was on the most popular tires being used right now. Popular because the tires listed all handle well. That list should be a great starting point.

What you are looking for is a "Rounded Shouldered" Tire. Though some swear by it the Good Year Triple Tread is a "Square Shouldered" Tire, and was the worst handling tire I have used.

Within the last month I spent a huge amount of time deciding which tire would be my next tire. The Austone Taxi Tire was voted the best tire, and it is. I personally went with the Hankook Optima because it was half the cost of the Austone.

Lastly, one more thing that you may want to consider. The closest size to the stock tire is a 205/60/R16. With none specific motorcycle tires you have other options. I ride a ton of miles, and quite a bit on the interstate. I went with a 205/65/R16 tire. The 65 Series is a larger diameter tire, and brings the RPM's down at highway speeds. Though it's only a 300 RPM drop @ 75mph, it does make a big difference. Heads up! The Austone Taxi Tire is a 75 Series tire (even taller). If you are shorter in stature and are already on your toes at a stop the Austone will make that situation worse.

Good luck. Hope we all help you make a well informed decision.

[Rams]

Oh My Goodness, you really do know how to start something.

Tires and Oil are two of the biggest debated issues on this forum besides politics.

I run darkside, I run an Austone Taxi tire.   I love it.  

You're going to have to make your own decision on this one.  

Edited:  Oh yeah, welcome to a wonderful forum.  

Hi Rams, I was looking at this tire for a while, how is it on bad roads. I see it's 6 ply, makes a stiff tire. Need more info on the way it  rides. thanks

Flash,
Just stating my opinion on this.   I really like the Austone Taxi Tire.   It rides (IMHO) just like the Metzler it replaced.   It has a semi rounded edge that (again, IMHO) does not cause issues while corning or leaning into a curve.   No fighting the bike to get her to lean in a curve.   I run mine with 40 to 42 psi, less than 36 psi and (to me) it doesn't handle higher speeds as well.      Handles every road/surface I have taken it on just like a motorcycle tire.   Yes, I'll do another when it's worn out.    I fully expect to get at least 60K miles out of it.   I could be wrong but only time and miles will tell.

The other reason I chose the Taxi Tire is because it's about an inch larger circumference.   That larger circumference lowers the rpm on the engine about 200-250 rpm at 70 mph.   I like that and the fat lady has enough torque, she doesn't care either.  

As with any thing else, your mileage may vary.

[flash2002]

Oh My Goodness, you really do know how to start something.

Tires and Oil are two of the biggest debated issues on this forum besides politics.

I run darkside, I run an Austone Taxi tire.   I love it.  

You're going to have to make your own decision on this one.  

Edited:  Oh yeah, welcome to a wonderful forum.  

Hi Rams, I was looking at this tire for a while, how is it on bad roads. I see it's 6 ply, makes a stiff tire. Need more info on the way it  rides. thanks

Flash,
Just stating my opinion on this.   I really like the Austone Taxi Tire.   It rides (IMHO) just like the Metzler it replaced.   It has a semi rounded edge that (again, IMHO) does not cause issues while corning or leaning into a curve.   No fighting the bike to get her to lean in a curve.   I run mine with 40 to 42 psi, less than 36 psi and (to me) it doesn't handle higher speeds as well.      Handles every road/surface I have taken it on just like a motorcycle tire.   Yes, I'll do another when it's worn out.    I fully expect to get at least 60K miles out of it.   I could be wrong but only time and miles will tell.

The other reason I chose the Taxi Tire is because it's about an inch larger circumference.   That larger circumference lowers the rpm on the engine about 200-250 rpm at 70 mph.   I like that and the fat lady has enough torque, she doesn't care either.  

As with any thing else, your mileage may vary.

Ok, thanks Rams

[..]

Whatever make of tire you opt to use DO NOT skimp on the spline maintenance.

If you have a gentle right hand on the throttle and a rear tire will last 20,000 miles please still do the maintenance at about 10,000 miles.

It will save you time and money down the road. 

[Flat6Valk]

AVON, AVON, AVON.  40 IN FRONT AND 42 IN REAR.  THAT WORKS FOR ME.  235 POUNDS OF  VALKYRIE OWNER.

WELCOME TO THE GROUP.

GREG
FLAT6VALK

[old2soon]

Tires and oil OR oil and tires!  Big mournful sigh inserted here!  Currently on the Austone Taxi tire and When and IF I wear it out there WILL be another A T T on MY Phatt Ghurl.  On my trip to I-15 I hit rain-LOTSA rain-going to I-15 and then from I-15 to my brothers place in the Northwest burbs of Chicago and then again on my return to my Lacasa.  The A T T was NEVER a concern in the toad drowners or cow floaters I found myself riding in.  BUT as others have stated-YOUR results may/can/will be different.  I practically stole the A T T I have as the P O DID NOT like nor care how it felt on his machine-his loss my gain.  IF YOU find the A TT for less than $175.00 please let ALL of us know. You no ask but I will tell you-I'm currently on the Shinko 777 W/W tire. This is the 3d Shinko I've had on the front-the other 2 getting over 14000 miles out of each one. Lotsa folks here swear at them-I swear by them.  AGAIN-read the material ask questions-you notice NO ONE wants to talk bout tires-then form a opinion from what you may have learned. You may have noticed tire selection here is VERY subjective!  RIDE SAFE.