Dark Side Tire Choice?

[Nordic Valk]

Has anyone used a Michelin Primacy MXV4 on a Valk? I have a 1999 Interstate and I found out today that my close to new Dunlap E3's are cupping . I have maybe 3500 miles on them and I am quite disapointed in the wear already. I know I'm a big guy ride two up and pull a trailer but 3500 miles isn't poo for a tire of this supposed quality.I like the General HP and the Triple Tread but the Michelin is rated very high in all of the Tire Racks survey results. What tire seems to give the best handling and ride on our bikes? By the way Valker what shocks are you using I can't find the info you gave me once, I know mine aren't the best we can get from progressive. I think mine are 412? I know you said you have yours set on 2 and have never bottomed out.
                                                                                          Mark

[Valker]

I am running a Michelin HydroEdge and Progressive 440s with the Heavy Duty springs.

[NITRO]

I run a GY Triple Tread with a Metzler front and the same shocks Valker has. I like the setup.

[Grizhead]

I'm running a Falken ZE512 205/65/15,   Treadwear 420,  Traction A, Temperature A. Currently at 28 lbs.

[MP]

Good to see you posting again, Griz.  How is the knee doing?  Riding again?

MP

[ValkThree]

I'm not to much in experimenting plus these CT's last so long one does not get to comment or change much.
I started using Kumho Solis K21 (NRF) tires seven years ago. I ran this tire on my 97 standard for the 20k miles I owned that bike and it was perfect. I sold the bike with what looked like a brand new rear tire.

I ran the Kumho on my GL1800 for 45k and put on a new tire just prior to a 5500 mile trip. As it turned out I think the old tire would have been fine but I didn't want to chance it. 50k is well within reason. I ran the same rear tire for 5 years as I average 10k per bike per year (3 bikes)

I am running three CT's on my Valk3 - Up front a pair of Federal tires and a Kumho on the rear. At 19k they look like new.

On the trike and two wheelers I run 26psi which seems to create a proper profile and to me the ride/handling is transparent to what one would achieve on a MT.

I guess my thinking is - if it works just stick with it. 

[ossvalk]

first thing where did you get the dunlop?

If you check the air pressure before each day's ride and it was over 40lbs then you are entitled to a replacement tire

When a metzler cupped before 6k I got a replacement for free  I had bought the tire at americade just had to find my receipt and send metzler an email. They made sure the dealer forwarded the tire I mailed them for a new tire

I am running the Bridgestone Battleaxe 200 series tire and really liking it  171 bux

It will wear out when time to check the splines 10-12k also use ride-on which extends the tire life
in my experience anyway by 3-4k  I run 44 rear

find someone near you with a car tire and ride the snot out of it  you may like it you may not

what part of the country be you in ?

[ValkThree]

I agree if your a peg scraping guy a CT setup for normal riding will probably not feel right. If your normal then most car tires are like mc tires. All brands are good and bad depending on who you ask.

For me the Kumho works but others work just as well. If you want the tire to last and ride well for normal use then just keep the pressure at 26psi and you can expect 50k or more. Run it at 40 and cut that in a third. Yes it makes that much difference.
I don't run ROF tires and probably never will so these figures are for standard ct's - ROF tires do not fair as well.

On a side note - I check the tires but never balance as they are true from the factory. I believe it's been over 9 years since I balanced any tire.

I don't do sand or frisbees at most I would use a lead weight but in general they are good as is. I think that is testimony to how good the Kumho tires are built. I have read in many posts where the more name brand tires are not as true as these made in China tires. Most other are made in Japan as if it matters.

[Smokinjoe]

Fuzion ZRi .....Directional ....Stick like baby s**t on a white blanket.

[TrickyD]

Hey Joe, who makes the FuzionZR1 directional and also what dealers stock them? Also what size? Thanks also for posting the terrific pics of your trip. Very inspiring for those of us who live in the frozen tundra of Wisconsin!

[timk519]

Has anyone used a Michelin Primacy MXV4 on a Valk?

I have a v-rated Primacy on my bike (not sure the exact model), and pull a trailer - the tire feels fine at around 30-32 psi, and after ~20K miles it's still going strong.

[Nogrey]

I agree if your a peg scraping guy a CT setup for normal riding will probably not feel right. If your normal then most car tires are like mc tires. All brands are good and bad depending on who you ask.

I scrape pedals so often running the curves on me General Ultimax HP's running at 26psi that I don't give it a second thought. Is it the same as a MC tire? No, definitely not. It changes the bikes handling. Not in a bad way, just different. I like the feel and handling of a MC tire better but am in no way inclined to change back. I'm also not ready to give up the (proven) increased contact patch (at any angle) or the extreme wet weather handling. The bike never breaks traction taking off from a stop like it used to (actually kind of miss that :-)

[oldman]

I, like Valker, am running a HydroEdge  (205/65).   Have close to 15K on it now.  Very little wear on it.   I, like some others around here, don't find it necessary to rub my pegs on the curves. Though do run 15/20 mph over the posted recommend speed for curves.   Did enough of that when I was younger.  Kind of a "smell the roses" kind of guy.  But that being said, the traction is great, a little more effort in the counter steering around corners.

I found the HydroEdge tire wider than the GyTT or Altimax, so wouldn't be surprised if the Primacy MXV4  was also wider.  I have to take the punkin off to get the tire in.  Of course that lets me check the all the parts of rear end.

[honda*mann]

Hi,

I also run a General Altimax HP.
I like it and I am glad I went over to it. The only thing I would have done differently is go for the larger diameter size. Bring the RPM down a little on top end.
I believe this to have been one of the cheaper of the "recomended" tires. I think at around $90 shipped from the tire rack. It was not all that bad to mount it myself either.

Honda*mann and his $.02

[don07tncav]

Plus one on the General Altimax. Been on them for over 60,000+ miles and happy with them. Tried Smokin's Fuzion and was happy on that one too!