General Altimax HP replaces Michelin Hydroedge

[MP]

I just test drove the Altimax in 60 series yesterday on my 97 standard. They do not make a 65 series.

 Replaced the Hydroedge in 65 series.  I had about 12,000 miles on the Hydroedge.

I REALLY like the Altimax.  Much more like a mc tire.  Very little moving around on ruts. My mc tire would also jump around on those ruts some, so hard to tell if more or not.  That was on dirt/mud getting to the highway.  On the pavement, in town, and on a poor paved road I took on purpose to test, did not notice it jumping AT ALL. My Hydroedge would have some.

About the only difference I noted between it and a mc tire, is that is still takes more input when cornering.  But, I would say it is 1/2 or less of the input needed for the Hydroedge.

Nice.  I believe I have found a winner.  Took it up to 115 indicated, and running good. Scraped pegs in town before I realized I was going to. Nice.

MP

[NITRO]

Why'd you go with the General Altimax versus the Good Year Assurance Triple Tread that so many use?

[Valker]

Sounds good, MP. I may try one of those if my HydroEdge ever wears out. I suspect it will, but probably not this year.

[Bob E.]

I'm running the Altimax in 60 series also.  It's the only car tire I've run, so I cann't compare it.  But I like it.

[MP]

Why'd you go with the General Altimax versus the Good Year Assurance Triple Tread that so many use?

Just go to be different, you know!  I have had good experience with General tires in the past.  I think the GTT is excellent too. When I hooped on Clint's bike in WV last summer, to get some parts, I got downtown thinking the mc tire was nice, before I remembered he had a GTT on it!

MP

[madjack]

I've been running the Altimax 55, i think for just about a year now and love it, might do the nut mod and try the 60 when this one wears out.I thought they had a 65???

[MP]

I did not see one, but at my advanced age, might not have seen it.

MP

[MP]

Just checked tirerack.com.  they show 50, 55, 60 V rating, and 60 H rating.  No 65 series.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=General&tireModel=Altimax+HP

MP

[oldman]

When I decided to go DS last summer, I also was looking for the 65 series Altimax.  Tire folks said they didn't make one.  I ended up with the HydroEdge.  So far it has over 6K miles on still looks brand new.
I probably will go with the 60 series Altimax if/when the HydroEdge wears out.

[MP]

Oh yeah, I got 12,000+ on the Hydroedge.   Looks new.  For me though, the Altimax, and I think the GY, handle better.  Seems like less bouncing around in rutted areas.  Less input turning too.

MP

[don07tncav]

The Altimax is the best car tire on Drakkar so far. Closest to a bike tire too.

[timk519]

My Michelin Primacy is doing pretty good as well - it's got ~18K miles on it and I can see there's wear in that the tread isn't as deep as it used to be, however there's still plenty of rubber left.

[MP]

Did I say I really liked the General Altimax?  I thought so!

Went on a 300 mile ride today with about 35 other bikes. In honor of Armed Forces Day.  We stopped at several cemeteries, and paid our respects to some fallen heroes we knew.  God Bless them all!

 This is a sweet tire!  VERY hard to tell from a MC tire.

I LOVE IT!

MP

[Nogrey]

I've been running the Altimax 55, i think for just about a year now and love it, might do the nut mod and try the 60 when this one wears out.I thought they had a 65???

I have also been running this same tire for nearly 2 years now. I'm really starting to hate it. I have it on my '01 interstate. Last year I bought an '01 Valkyrie standard. It had fairly new Dunlop E-3's front and back. It was like night and day difference. It handled so amazing and never followed the ruts/bumps etc. I've tried adjusting the Altimax pressure till I'm blue in the face. I've adjusted the suspension as well. Just not sure what, if anything, I can do to improve the handling. I like it on the straights on a good road, especially when it's raining. But in the curves, especially at speeds below 45 it really gives me a hard time.
Any suggestions?

Update! Update! Update! I Just replaced my old Avon Cobra front tire that had 20k miles on it. Turns out that was the issue all along! NOT the CT. So I guess this is my way of saying to myself, and anybody else out there that may be experiencing similar issues to not immediately blame the CT for it. Might just be the front tire. New Metzeler 880 make the bike stear and ride like new again!

[MP]

I've been running the Altimax 55, i think for just about a year now and love it, might do the nut mod and try the 60 when this one wears out.I thought they had a 65???

I have also been running this same tire for nearly 2 years now. I'm really starting to hate it. I have it on my '01 interstate. Last year I bought an '01 Valkyrie standard. It had fairly new Dunlop E-3's front and back. It was like night and day difference. It handled so amazing and never followed the ruts/bumps etc. I've tried adjusting the Altimax pressure till I'm blue in the face. I've adjusted the suspension as well. Just not sure what, if anything, I can do to improve the handling. I like it on the straights on a good road, especially when it's raining. But in the curves, especially at speeds below 45 it really gives me a hard time.
Any suggestions?

Update! Update! Update! I Just replaced my old Avon Cobra front tire that had 20k miles on it. Turns out that was the issue all along! NOT the CT. So I guess this is my way of saying to myself, and anybody else out there that may be experiencing similar issues to not immediately blame the CT for it. Might just be the front tire. New Metzeler 880 make the bike stear and ride like new again!

Great update!  Thanks.  I too believe there are so many factors out there, it is hard to point to just one.

I have heard riders say they want to try out the darkside, but did not want to waste money, so they put the cheapest POS CT on that they could find, then said ALL CT's were no good!

MP