Car tire report....

[Valker]

Some of you have asked. I now have about 2000 miles on my 205/55/16 car tire on the Valk. I have been told (like others) that the "Flaming Death" is coming. For the first few hundred miles, I thought the tire was "OK". I liked it on the highway more than on curves. Well, I just got back from a ride to Sipapu and the area (some of you remember those roads) and absolutely LOVE the car tire now. I don't know if the gradual change has been due to me getting used to it or if the tire is broken in now. I had absolutely no trouble scraping the pegs in the tight curves, and it felt at least as stable as with the bike tire. Highway 64 from Angel Fire to Taos was so much fun that I stayed up with Micah (mostly) on his new V-Max. I was riding two -up (Josiah) and loaded. I WILL run these from now on. I paid about $100, it looks like it will run 40K miles, and I now like the handling at least as much as the other tires I've run. This works for me, but YMMV.
This post was for informational purposes only. I do NOT recommend others change to car tires. If you do, the "Flaming Death" may visit you.

[RevRider]

the dark side is all about?  

RevRider

[Valker]

The dark side is addictive

[Big Mac]

So, exactly what brand of car tire are you using? I hope your reply isn't: "I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you"

Mac

[Valker]

This is what I bought: http://www.discounttire.com/dtc/findTireDetail.do?rd=16&rc=TXNINT&pc=43603&cs=205&ar=55&sw=false

[ossiningvalkyrie]

Valker
enquiring minds wanna know
did you choose the tire based on the center tread, side tread or recommendation from a darksider?
Ive seen some pics of tires with the double channels in the middle, (maybe it was the cooper?) which I recall was either for the oustanding rain handling or eliminating that flat center spot we get on our motorcycle tires around 10k or so
evan

[Valker]

Originally posted by ossiningvalkyrie
Valker
enquiring minds wanna know
did you choose the tire based on the center tread, side tread or recommendation from a darksider?
Ive seen some pics of tires with the double channels in the middle, (maybe it was the cooper?) which I recall was either for the oustanding rain handling or eliminating that flat center spot we get on our motorcycle tires around 10k or so
evan

I picked this one as it was "A" rated on traction, had a high mileage rating (400 I think), I liked the looks, and I thought the solid looking center section would be good for about 95% of the riding I do. It seems like a really good choice, but I think others would be also. The first 1000 miles seemed "iffy" to me but it now feels fantastic in the curves of New Mexico. I don't know why it is better after a few miles.

[Valker]

Originally posted by RumpStun
So how about for the front..
What size and what brand???

Only the rear is a car tire. The front is a standard Metz 880 front.

If you scrape the pegs with this tyre as you claim you did, I would be an astronaut!!

[ossiningvalkyrie]

eric
I figured you would only go for the A temp and traction rating and the high treadwear so I dint bother to ask about it
and im sure the tire can handle sustained 100+riding speeds, even two up
I was more interested in the tread pattern of the tires
I only have 4k on my metz 880s in back and may look at a car tire before embarking cross country next summer - dont wanna have to change tires in mid trip. Seems it would make pulling my bushtec even smoother
The universal claim of greatly improved wet traction and gravel and dirt road traction from the vrcc board (Daniel Mayer and others)are hard to ignore and will make me more secure on those national park potholeladen roads and 50000 miles per tire- wow
Now with professor valker chiming in I too may happily go over to the dark side one day:cool:
Let us know how it likes hurricane ivan conditions
ride safe good buddy
evan

[Valker]

Let me try again. It is a Yokahama YK420 I think. I am trying a link.
Click here

It worked on Preview.

[Valker]

Originally posted by Unregistered
If you scrape the pegs with this tyre as you claim you did, I would be an astronaut!!

WOW, I am from Amarillo where Rick Husband learned to fly. I'd love to meet another astronaut. You are more than welcome to follow me through the twistie mountain roads of NM and CO. Well, you are welcome to try.
My pegs are a little harder to drag than a stock Valk's since I stiffened the rear shocks a lot to add some more ground clearance.

[Valker]

The narrowest tire ina 17" that I could find was a 205. I don't think this will fit on the front of a Valk without modifying at LEAST the fender. It may not even fit between the forks. Some accurate measuring would be inorder here. The ONLY time I would put a car tire on the front is if it was a full time dedicated sidecar rig or trike.Click here
This place has some. Search by only selecting 17" diameter. There are a lot of companies that sell these tires.
Good luck.

[ossiningvalkyrie]

Just got my DSL for work here so I can see stuff when its not 11 at night online. What a pleasure.
RUmpstun man, I am no expert, but from what Ive read car tire is only for the back.  We need the front tire nice and round so it can lean and turn for us, the back wheel doesnt turn (like the handlebar can turn the front) so it can be a car tire
I havent seen any car t ires in front tire on any sites so far but that doesnt mean no one had tried one (tempting the flaming death) Check that VRCC site for articles and you will see some on cartires on valks
and Valker I got the tire site to work, very nice bargain.
Happy New Year to all!! time to go home now for the holiday

[Valker]

Before sundown hits, I'd like to wish you and yours a Happy Rosh Hashana 5765!
L'Chaim