Looking for bias front - HEY STORM!!!

[MarkT]

I've read all the darkside posts, here and on tech / general.  I've decided to jump in & see if I can live with it.  But I have special needs.  I need lotsa tread, having dropped both Deerslayer and BlewByU (GL1800) several times in mud at low speeds.  We're on a clay/sand road out here - when it rains, the pucker factor is off the scale.  I want to minimize the turning & camber follow effects of the square tire in back.  I'm thinking a TT 205/60/16 run at some lower pressure, maybe 34, would be a good place to start.  The TT is top rated in CR, and I put a set on the Civic.  I need a tire with lotsa tread for the front.  I saw Storm posting about bias ply front tires.  Storm and anybody else, how about a discussion of front tires with aggressive tread, like bike tires used to have decades ago.  Maybe pics if you have them - or just leads if need be, I can find them on the web.

[ossvalk]

no comment on the tires just welcome back !!

[Cycho]

 
  Welcome back Mark.......  The only bias ply tire that is the correct size 150/80-17 (that I know of), is a Dunlop 404.  Has a fairly aggressive tread pattern but may be a little squirrelly on steel bridge decks.

Dan

[jimmmr]

Mark,
I run the 404 Dunlop on the front and it tracks straight for me, even on uneven surfaces. E3 on the rear.

BTW: like your sig pic  ;)

[Fla. Jim]

K491 Elite II rear tire on front report

Posted By: Fla. Jim
Date: 8/10/2007 at 06:10:11

Well, at the sedate amount of miles I am currently driving it may be awhile for the wear report.(only 800 miles) The last K491 Elite II Rear MT90B17, front lasted 30k with dismal air pressure most of the time on my 98 standard.(I ride a 97 tourer now with a better front tire casting) I am just overwhelmed with just what a great front tire this is!! The grip is simply pheonominal, And the handling is the best I have ever had on my current ride or my previous one, using the original Dunlop 206 and the Avon Venom. It rides/cushins better due to 10/32's of tread and goes thru corners (such as we have here) at speed as if on rails! The last time I ran this tire on the front(2000-2003?), I ran the first 3500 miles or so with the direction arrow going the normal direction. I also was doing some fast cornering and severe braking to the point of locking it up for testing. But if this tire is an indicator...that may somewhat have impacted the ride. I found out at that time, when using a rear tire on the front, due to the severe braking forces of the front, you could cause delamination. You need to turn the rotation backwards. This tire from day one after the original finish wore off, has simply impressed me more and more with each ride. Unlike the last two Avon Venom's I wore out, there is no head shake at around 35 mph. (on two different Valks. Oh did I mention the grip? There is simply no comparison to the other tires I have run...With almost impunity I am able to ride in the wet and the loose. In situations that would have sent fear thru my being with the Avon's I confidently just motor on thru...Simply amazing. I am able to go from pavement to sandy soil with impunity...seems to track almost as well in the dirt as the asphalt. What else can I say? This is just a great front tire,for this particular bike. Great handling and wear...No downside I can see. I would love to get to the mountains to try this baby out!
writups at. http://www.angelfire.com/nj3/terminalvalkocity/reversetire.htm
http://www.rattlebars.com/valkfaq/#TIRES

[Fla. Jim]

http://vrcc.photostash.com/vrcc_166/Tire%20front.jpg
http://vrcc.photostash.com/vrcc_166/New%20tires%203-19-08.jpg

Last one at 30k+, still had 5/32's of tread in the high spots
http://vrcc.photostash.com/vrcc_166/Bias+tire.jpg

[j2x]

Thanks, Jim, I can't wait to try this as soon as my current front (avon, I think) needs replacing.  Considering how many miles my Valk and I see on dirt and gravel, I'd love to have as much confidence in my front as I do in my Goodyear Advantage Triple Tread 206/60/16 on the rear.

[MarkT]

Thanks that info on the K491 bias rear on the front looks just like what I'm looking for!  Thanks for all the other comments too.  I'm thinkin that tire on the front & a TT 205/60-16 at 34lbs on the back will get me where I want to be, dealing with this dam mud!

[Fla. Jim]

Just motored right on thru! ( - =