Michelin Scorcher 11

[Thor32]

Any thoughts on these tires for the Valk?
Front n/a in OEM size but rather 120/70R19

[AdrianR]

It's the same size the Trail 4 tire is and it works excellently.

Little different at first....when you are use to the stock size...but once you get use to it...I like it better!  Turns quicker..

[Roger]

hi, I just order the Scortcher for the front and the Pilot Road 4 GT for the rear ; always waiting...
I'll tell you.
By the way, my Valk's got a Torq Loops (no cat) and 2 Mufflers espacially made for the bike from an
English made.
Regard

[Robert]

I was looking into them also for the Valk before I settled on the Pilot 4's. The main reason I did not select the 11's was I did not want to run a tire that says Harley on the side on my Valk. Since they are intended as a OE tire for Harley's they are branded Harley on the side clearly and in rather large letters. Just looked at a side wall shot at Dennis Kirk of the 120/70/19 and it clearly says Harley Davidson in letters about 8 inches along the sidewall. Just thought I would tell you since you may not know.

Just curious what made you settle for that tire rather than the Pilot 4 trail that we have been running?

[goldstar903]

By the way, my Valk's got a Torq Loops (no cat) and 2 Mufflers espacially made for the bike from an English made.

Roger, the pipes were made by an English Maid, or were they English Made? 
All kidding aside, what is the name of the manufacturer? Thanks!

[Thor32]

I wasn't aware they were branded Harley! Thanks for the input.

[hubcapsc]

I wasn't aware they were branded Harley! Thanks for the input.

I have the correctly-sized (if you can call that whacky size Honda chose
for our bikes "correct") Harley Bias Ply Dunflop on the front of mine... I've only had it a couple of
thousand miles, so I can't say much about how it will ultimately wear, but I like it.

I like the handlebar input you get from the heavier wider tire, so it might not
be for everyone. The 150 on the front of the regular Valkyries suits me fine 

Being on gravel is not unusual for me, plowing through gravel on a skinny bicycle
tire is no fun...



-Mike

[AdrianR]

I have the correctly-sized (if you can call that whacky size Honda chose
for our bikes "correct") Harley Bias Ply Dunflop on the front of mine... I've only had it a couple of
thousand miles, so I can't say much about how it will ultimately wear, but I like it.

I like the handlebar input you get from the heavier wider tire, so it might not
be for everyone. The 150 on the front of the regular Valkyries suits me fine 

Being on gravel is not unusual for me, plowing through gravel on a skinny bicycle
tire is no fun...



-Mike
[/quote]

I thought of this option, that is mixing a bias ply tire with a rear mounted radial, and decided against it thinking this would be more of an impediment then the slightly taller, more narrow tire.

And you are right about a differing 'handlebar input'.  With the Trail 4 it's lighter...making easier to turn... At first this almost felt squirrely...but now that I have gotten used to it I love it!  Moving the bars at parking lot speeds is easier..and it makes the bike turn faster...  making it even more nimble.

[Robert]

130/70-18 is the Goldwing front tire size
                                               130/70/18                120/70/19
Diameter inches (mm)                   25.17 (639.2)         25.61  (650.6)    0.45 (11.4) 1.8%
Width inches (mm)                   5.12 (130)                 4.72    (120)           -0.39 (-10) -7.7%
Circum. inches (mm)                   79.06 (2008.11)         80.47  (2043.92)    1.41 (35.81) 1.8%
Sidewall Height inches (mm)          3.58 (91)                  3.31    (84)           -0.28 (-7) -7.7%
Revolutions per mile (km)           801.42 (497.98)        787.38 (489.25)     -14.04 (-8.73) -1.8%

One of the things I find interesting is the Wing tire is an 18 inch and the Valk is 19 yet the outer diameter difference is .45 hardly anything to speak of.

The actual number comparisons between the wing and the Pilot4 for the Valk are pretty close. So if they have no problem on the wing with the tires that have been down many roads then why would the Valk have problems? I don't know why they choose that size for the Valk but the wing has always had good road manners and handled well for a much heavier bike with more bulk. So I am really not sure if width is the the factor that plays to a heavier steering or some other factor. in choosing the 120/70/19 tires they are pretty close to Wing tires so much so I would have to say that they are closer to the Wing than to the Valk OEM tires.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/tirecalc?tires=130-70r18-120-70r19

Harley does run a radial in back and a bias ply in front from the factory on some bikes.

This was also another consideration in choosing the Michelin, knowing it could be done but wanting to stay with the radial all around. Technically the rear Pilot 4 GT is a bais by the way since it has both radial and bias plies in the tire.

[Thor32]

I was hoping for a radial matching set that fit the bike and even though the Pilot's are Michelins (which I like) one is Trail and one is G4 (or something like that!). I was curious if anyone has tried the set to see if they are a good addition. I may tolerate the branding if the handling keeps me on the road with a better ride! I don't hate the Dunlops, but I'm at 7500 miles and they are showing wear down the middle. I still undecided!

[Robert]

I understand about the matched set, after doing much research on the tires and them using them on the BMW's I felt that it would be a good selection for the Valk. The real differences on the tires are the tread compound and placement on the tire.

[Roger]

By the way, my Valk's got a Torq Loops (no cat) and 2 Mufflers espacially made for the bike from an English made.

Roger, the pipes were made by an English Maid, or were they English Made? 
All kidding aside, what is the name of the manufacturer? Thanks!

hi, the made's BIRSHILL AUTOMOTIVE on m bike but you could find some beautiful products on Tailgunner Exhaust or Von Braun Exhaust...
Good luck

[goldstar903]

Thanks, Roger!