"65" Series Darkside Tire

[luv2valk]

I know this subject has gone round and round but I'm about to bring it up again, sorry! My Avon is just about done and I'm ready to make the change but I'd like some input on to which tire I should go with.

I want to go with a "65" height tire because 90% of my riding is to work and home which is over 60 miles total, mostly highway and I want to drop my RPMs down a bit. I know the Michelin Hydroedge has been mentioned in the past and I'm leaning toward that one but before I do I'd like to hear pros and cons about this one and others.

Thanks in advance!

[Pistolchamp]

I've been running this tire for about 10,000 miles and I love it.

I ran a Cooper SLE in the same size and it was okay, but, nothing like the Michelin.

Many others run other brands and styles, but, this one really works well on my 2003 standard.

I also make long runs on the highway and the interstate.  Yesterday over 200 miles on back roads in east Texas which includes a good bit of twisties and it just handled it all in stride... including a blast to over 110 to pass a long line of logging trucks... solid as a rock!

[luv2valk]

Thanks Pistolchamp! I thought it was you that had the Hydroedge but wasn't for sure. That's the tire I'm most likely to go with unless someone else can convince me otherwise.

Have you had any clearance problems? Mostly it's just me riding to work and home but when time allows the wife and I will get a ride in and thats when I'd be concerned with rubbing.

[Pistolchamp]

I did the nut cage mod, but, only after riding over 12,000 miles without it... that was with my Cooper tire.  The Michelin is just a tiny bit smaller in width and I might not have needed the mod.  Either way the mod gave me more clearance and I don't get any rub with or without a passenger.

I eliminated the married thing and don't have to worry about the two-up part anymore.

The Michelin is a great tire and I really like it.  A couple of other guys will vote for the Goodyear Tripletred... I have not ridden on one so have no opinion.

[luv2valk]

Thanks for the info. Pistolchamp! Sounds like I'll be going with the Hydroedge, especially since I'm not getting other suggestions. I do like the Yokohama Advan 408 as it most resembles a bike tire but unfortunately it only comes in a 55 and I really don't want to increase RPMs at highway speed.

[luv2valk]

Hey Pistolchamp,
Just letting you know that I just ordered my Hydro-Edge! It should be here Thursday or Friday. I'll be sure to give a report after I get it mounted. Thanks again!

[Valker]

..Hydroedge that is. I have about 6000 on mine so far. I like it a lot.

[luv2valk]

Thanks Valker! That makes me feel even better about my decision about going with this tire.

[2qmedic]

I want to go with a "65" height tire

Does any one know the rpm difference between the stock and "65" tire at highway speed?

[ossiningvalkyrie]

http://www.rattlebars.com/valkfaq/RPMandSPEED.html

you can go on the tirerack.com site and look up rpm

for instance a 205/65/16 tire hydroedge is 791 revolutions per mile as follows

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Spec.jsp?make=Michelin&model=HydroEdge&tirePageLocQty=


hope that confuses you like it confused me

[2qmedic]

OK - its 4:00 am, too much math for now.
interesting info tho:o

[luv2valk]

Hey everybody. I got the tire mounted and back on the bike this evening. I then went for a short ride through the state park near the house, I must say it's going to take some getting used to.

When I pulled out of the garge onto the gravel driveway I immediately put my feet down because it felt so different. Riding through the park at around 30 to 35 wasn't bad but it just takes more effort to get it to lean and it wants to stand back up real easy.

I then got out onto the highway, first doing around 60 and it felt good so I bumped it up to 70 and it still felt good and solid. I noticed that the taller tire knocked off approximately 200 rpms at 70 which is what I expected.

After getting home and looking over everything I noticed that the right side of the tire is VERY close to the swingarm, probably within a 16th of an inch or so and it appears that the tire rubbed just slightly at some point. I'm guessing it happened on a downhill sweeper with a bumpy bridge at the bottom as I remember hear a different noise, I guess you could call it a sqeak. Should I be concerned with the clearance or is that what everyone has?

I also wanted to ask about tire pressure. Currently I have it at 40psi but I'm wondering if thats too high. Would a lower tire pressure reduce the width of the tire at the side wall where it rubbed?

Hopefully this all makes sense. After a long day at work and then putting the bike together this afternoon in the 100 plus heat kinda zapped me!

[TJMac]

I just switched to a Goodyear Triple Tread, and I have about the same clearance on the right side between the swing arm.  I'll be curious to what replies you get.

I started with 36 lbs, and right now, just barely notice the difference in handling, other than the bike seems to want to drift a bit by itself as I go down the road, I assume, following the grooves in the road.  I find myself unconsciously correcting for it, so it's no biggie.

I'll know after a couple days, and a few hundred miles how well I like it exactly.  I did notice one thing, its quite a bit quieter than the Avon Venom was!

Yall ride safe...
TJ

[storm]

I have been running a CT on my 1800 for the summer (14K so far) and just love it - I also run the much better bias ply on the front as the radials are just plain hard.
My Valk just shipped yesterday so I won't have it until next week however the first thing I will be replacing is the rear tire - 195X55X16 running 28psi max.
The key on the car radials is to run no more than 28psi or the handling, ride and life decreases accordingly.

[Merce Thornberry]

It seems most Darkside Valkyrie owners suggest the 205/55R16 (ease of fit) or 205/60R16 (accurate speed).  However, many Darksiders on the Goldwing boards use a 195/55R16 Run Flat.  They feel the Run Flat feature with lower tire pressure makes for better ride and better handling not to mention safety.  Any comments on using this tire on the Valkyrie?