My LAST tire post..LOL..All Groovy...

[AdrianR]

Just got back from a ride.  Took the bike to the dealer and the tech inspect it.  Tires were 'OK'...he set the pressures at 41psi...front and back..

Bike is now kick ass....

Rode it pretty hard...and it handled it with ease...

What an amazing machine!

Tires pressures,the correct ones..are paramount with this bike.

Oh and it likes the cooler temps too...

[Bighead]

Tires pressures,the correct ones..are paramount with this bike.

Paramount on ANY machine

[AdrianR]

Tires pressures,the correct ones..are paramount with this bike.

Paramount on ANY machine

NEIN!  Not on my last bike dude....I could be within several PSI (no more then 3psi or so) and it really had no noticeable difference..that I could feel anyway.   This bike is entirely different...

[Bighead]

With correct tire pressure on ANY vehicle it will handle better,tires will last longer and better fuel mileage. A 2or 3 lb difference you may not notice much but it is there.

[AdrianR]

A 2or 3 lb difference you may not notice much but it is there.

My point exactly...at least for my last bike...but this new Valk..HELL NO..lol...you gotta be balls on man...

You should check one out man...their amazing!

[goldstar903]

Adrian, you are getting a little out there. I think you need to see a tire therapist! All this time complaining and you could have just played with the tire pressure? Handling 101. Well, at least you're happy now!?

[Bighead]

A 2or 3 lb difference you may not notice much but it is there.

My point exactly...at least for my last bike...but this new Valk..HELL NO..lol...you gotta be balls on man...

You should check one out man...their amazing!

I may if my 97 ever lays down on me (doubtful she will) 

[AdrianR]

Adrian, you are getting a little out there. I think you need to see a tire therapist! All this time complaining and you could have just played with the tire pressure? Handling 101. Well, at least you're happy now!?

I know, I know man...what can I say, I'm a passionate guy...  I did play around with tire pressures...but never above 40 psi...this '41 psi' seems to be the ticket..

The frickin' bike rocks man...

[Bighead]

In your thread titled check out my front tire you stated that you pressure ranged from 36 to 41psi is 41 not above 40?
If you don't like what you are riding dont blame the tire sell it and buy what makes you happy. With only 3k miles on your bike you have very little clue whether you will like it In The long run or not. I rode over 2200 miles last week(and still managed to work over 40 hrs). So ride it for a while and see if it is what you are looking for in a bike if not sell it if so ride it and love it.

[AdrianR]

In your thread titled check out my front tire you stated that you pressure ranged from 36 to 41psi is 41 not above 40?
If you don't like what you are riding dont blame the tire sell it and buy what makes you happy. With only 3k miles on your bike you have very little clue whether you will like it In The long run or not. I rode over 2200 miles last week(and still managed to work over 40 hrs). So ride it for a while and see if it is what you are looking for in a bike if not sell it if so ride it and love it.

Ow, that hurts!

[Bighead]

I am not trying to be an ass or trying to discourage you passion for the Valkyrie but seems you are searching for something that you haven't found.

[AdrianR]

I am not trying to be an ass or trying to discourage you passion for the Valkyrie but seems you are searching for something that you haven't found.

No dude, I was simply making observations based on experience...nothing more...but it's all good man...I have very personal like relationships with my bikes...I am just striving to learn about this one...

[havoc]

glad to hear that you've found a big improvement with the tire pressure change. I'm running mine around the same, she's a little sketchy in rain - but that is a given seeing that the rubber compound is harder than a Michelin Pilot...and by sketchy i mean i had to slow down to the speed limit 

[ledany]

Good news today ! I drove under a heavy rain on the highway with my new Michelin PR4 on the rear (Dunlop 408 F on the front). Everything was back to normal, the way you have to be careful with a bike under a heavy rain, no more 

[_Sheffjs_]

Thanks for the report LED 

[Robert]

Wow its going to get pretty quiet here without any complaining about tires,  So what the best tire pressure to run in your tires. 

[AdrianR]

Wow its going to get pretty quiet here without any complaining about tires,  So what the best tire pressure to run in your tires. 

Hey I still think they kinda blow on wet surfaces....Sunday at a Pat Travers show...the rear tire spun out in a little patch of water....  ..but all in all it's at least rolling and cornering the way it used to when I first got it...

41psi front and rear..

We're all hoping the God of bike tires is listening...and fabricates a set or two...

[goldstar903]

Pat Travers is the coolest thing you've said! Heat in the Street and Putting it Straight!

[goldstar903]

Hey, those albums are your solution to the tire problems!

[Bighead]

Wow its going to get pretty quiet here without any complaining about tires,  So what the best tire pressure to run in your tires. 

Hey I still think they kinda blow on wet surfaces....Sunday at a Pat Travers show...the rear tire spun out in a little patch of water....  ..but all in all it's at least rolling and cornering the way it used to when I first got it...

41psi front and rear..

We're all hoping the God of bike tires is listening...and fabricates a set or two...

It is called power VS friction. Gonna have to learn to lay off the right wrist a bit in certain situations.

[AdrianR]

Pat Travers is the coolest thing you've said! Heat in the Street and Putting it Straight!

Hey Dude..Travers ROCKED...powerful sound...great riffs....but he STILL is no Michael Schenker!

[maddoggie501]

I just installed the Michelin Pilot Road 4 trail on the front of the Valk.  My Dunlop front was at the wear bar with around 4500 miles.  I always ran the Dunlop at factory 36 psi.  I put the Michelin at 36 and took a test ride this evening.  Feels great and no problems whatsoever.  Tomorrow morning I'll run my favorite tire scrubbing road and see how it handles. 

[goldstar903]

Hey Dude..Travers ROCKED...powerful sound...great riffs....but he STILL is no Michael Schenker! coolsmiley

Ah yes, Scorpions!

[R J]

I just installed the Michelin Pilot Road 4 trail on the front of the Valk.  My Dunlop front was at the wear bar with around 4500 miles.  I always ran the Dunlop at factory 36 psi.  I put the Michelin at 36 and took a test ride this evening.  Feels great and no problems whatsoever.  Tomorrow morning I'll run my favorite tire scrubbing road and see how it handles. 

Every tire I had on MGM in front carried at least 42# and normally 44#.    Never  lower than 40#.   In over 242K I went through many tires, front & rear..

[Robert]

I just installed the Michelin Pilot Road 4 trail on the front of the Valk.  My Dunlop front was at the wear bar with around 4500 miles.  I always ran the Dunlop at factory 36 psi.  I put the Michelin at 36 and took a test ride this evening.  Feels great and no problems whatsoever.  Tomorrow morning I'll run my favorite tire scrubbing road and see how it handles. 

Every tire I had on MGM in front carried at least 42# and normally 44#.    Never  lower than 40#.   In over 242K I went through many tires, front & rear..

I agree with raising the pressures tire life as well as handling are improved. The dealer did that for Adrian when he brought the bike to them.

[maddoggie501]

RJ, I guess tire pressures is a whole other debate.  The heavy BMW K1600 GTL and mostly all BMW's are 36 front, 42 rear.  Honda Valk says 36 front, 41 rear.  My Pilot 4 trail says its a 60 load rating (551 lbs), only 16 less than the Dunlop.  It also has a V speed rating (149 mph) vs the Dunlops H (130 mph).  It says the maximum load rating of 551 is when inflated to the maximum cold tire pressure of  42 psi.  I never, ever, ran any tire at the maximum cold tire pressure.  I have always run the manufactures recommended cold tire pressure, front and back.  I have never had a tire failure in all my years of riding, and I am quite the aggressive rider.  However, at 64 years old I'm never to old to learn some new tricks.  However, I'll keep my front at 36 psi for now.

[maddoggie501]

  Oh by the way, this is what Michelin says, please note the last sentence.

WHAT PRESSURES SHOULD I PUT IN MY TIRES FOR NORMAL ROAD USE?
For use on the road, it's essential to use the tire pressures recommended by the manufacturer of your motorbike.
You'll find it in the bike's handbook or on the machine itself.

The inflation pressure stated in these documents is the pressure when the tires are cold.

NB: The maximum pressure indicated on the tire is never to be considered for road use. This is the pressure corresponding to the tire's load index.

[Robert]

  Oh by the way, this is what Michelin says, please note the last sentence.

NB: The maximum pressure indicated on the tire is never to be considered for road use. This is the pressure corresponding to the tire’s load index.

This is the important sentence, the load index of the non oem tire is less than the oem tire, the oem rates at its recommended tire pressure at the tires load index, so how much air do you put into the tire to compensate for the lower load capacity of the tire since the index is less to bring it back to the recommended load/psi? I find that just as the dealer did for Adrian the oem tire pressure is low, just a thought to consider when changing tires to non oem and wanting to adhere to strict oem tire pressures. Tire pressure will rise 2 to 3 psi hot compared to cold so the tire would have to stand going to max inflation pressure when cold and over inflation when hot when put to max psi cold rating.

[maddoggie501]

Adrain you raise a good point.   I'm not a tire manufacturer engineer, so I don't know if the 16 lbs load difference matters at all.  If it does I would like to know if there's a chart out there telling how much more air pressure is needed to compensate for the lower load rating.  For now I'll stick with the 36.  Tomorrow I'll be riding on a 1000 mile trip, mostly curves and highway speeds at 85 mph with the occasional 100 plus passing cars.  I totally agree that putting the cold maximum air pressure in a tire and then running it at highway speed, thus increasing tire pressure, is insane.  Its a free country let each rider do whatever makes him or her sleep better.  While working at BMW we would put the factory recommended pressures in all tires.  If a customer wants more, have at it.  Due to liability issues, we would not put more air in.  I'll have a report on the tire when I return Saturday night.
Oh by the way, coming from a road racing background, we put less air in the tires for better adhesion and handling, not more.  More air is a guaranteed low slide.  We strove for a 10% pressure difference in the tires once up to speed and warmed up, vs starting pressure..  You varied pressure based on the 10% rule.  If the tire pressure went up more than 10% you added some air and vice versa.

[hubcapsc]

I hope your PR4 trail on front works well, please let us know.

I submitted to ordering an OEM front today... the one with the new
part number...

-Mike

[maddoggie501]

hubcapsc, I just scrubbed the tire in on my favorite road prior to tomorrows ride.  Wow, is all I can say.  Instead of the 550 lb turd I had, it now feels like a sport tourer.  Handled amazingly, was confident inspiring, neutral steering, didn't just fall over, and I expected nothing less.   I have always used the Michelins on my previous heavy sport touring bikes with great success.  I'll do the 10% temperature check tomorrow after I heat them up at highway speed.

[goldstar903]

It's very doubtful that tires will blow by overshooting the cold max pressure by a few pounds. Almost everything manufactured has a Cover their A**, max rating. Example: I buy a ladder rated at 250lb. and I weigh 300lb. It doesn't mean that the ladder will collapse if I use it. It would probably take 350+ lb. The rating has a built in safety cushion. It's a liability issue. 

[hubcapsc]

hubcapsc, I just scrubbed the tire in on my favorite road prior to tomorrows ride.  Wow, is all I can say.  Instead of the 550 lb turd I had, it now feels like a sport tourer.  Handled amazingly, was confident inspiring, neutral steering, didn't just fall over, and I expected nothing less.   I have always used the Michelins on my previous heavy sport touring bikes with great success.  I'll do the 10% temperature check tomorrow after I heat them up at highway speed.

keep us updated, how long it lasts and stuff... I guess I'll wear this one out in
5 or 6 thousand miles and be ready to go again...

-Mike

[maddoggie501]

hubcapsc, I just rode it again, to make sure I wasn't dreaming.  High speed highway and back to my favorite curvey road.  Wow, it really handles so much better.  It use to go wide on every turn and I had to work like hell to try and keep my line.  No more of that crap.  Lean it over and it holds the line.  I checked the tire pressure after the ride.  It was 39 psi.  3 lbs higher than when I left, right within the 10% rule.  Tire temperatures were 136 front and 140 rear.  Honda should be ashamed of itself for putting those Dunlop on these bikes.  What an improvement.   

[AdrianR]

hubcapsc, I just rode it again, to make sure I wasn't dreaming.  High speed highway and back to my favorite curvey road.  Wow, it really handles so much better.  It use to go wide on every turn and I had to work like hell to try and keep my line.  No more of that crap.  Lean it over and it holds the line.  I checked the tire pressure after the ride.  It was 39 psi.  3 lbs higher than when I left, right within the 10% rule.  Tire temperatures were 136 front and 140 rear.  Honda should be ashamed of itself for putting those Dunlop on these bikes.  What an improvement.   

Hey..

           That is great news man!  Please again tell us what exact tires you put on the bike...  I kind of expected that I would hear something like this....On my last bike I swapped on the stock Bridgestones with Metzler ME880s...and the result was incredible...a COMPLETELY different bike...I even ran with the boyz on the Dragon in Tn..with the new rubber...and this was on a V-Twin cruiser....

Very promising news...

Hey Maddoggie...could you possibly show us a photo of what the front tire looks like mounted on the rim...I really would love to see how it compares size wise to the stock front tire...

THANKS!

[goldstar903]

Honda put on adequate tires for a cruiser bike. Next everybody will be complaining that the rear shock is crap, and why didn't Honda put on a Ohlins. Or the brakes suck and Honda should have put on Brembo's! The seat hurts my bottom. Shame on Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha and others! The bike manufacturers can't keep everyone happy. They do just enough to keep the price down. Check out the conpanies (Ducati, Aprilia and MV Augusta) that do offer those parts and you're paying a premium. Your bike is your bike. Change whatever needs to be changed and quit complaining.  I have no problem with the tires or the seat. That doesn't mean that you don't. The Valkyrie is a platform, build upon that. 
Rant off!    

[goldstar903]

I am not singling out anybody in particular!

[rusty]

well said goldstar, where can you find such a fine bike for the price!!

[AdrianR]

well said goldstar, where can you find such a fine bike for the price!!

**Right on, it just needs  better tires... **

[havoc]

this is awesome... i think i will put the Michelin Pilot Road 4 GT on the rear - which comes in 180/55ZR17 73H and that Pilot Road 4 TRAIL on the front - closest match for size is 120/70R19 60V

Maddoggie - i'm pretty sure your front tire size is the 120/70R19, right?