Valkyrie Front Tire ?

[Joe Mac]

Thanks guys (and gals) for sharing that info. I put MUCH more weight in your input than I do a dealers. As I saaid earlier, my biggest issue is hard steering. I have standard rake and I dont want to lower the front end. In fact Id like to raise it a bit. Im thinking of getting a triple tree on ebay and machining it myself for a 4 1/2 deg rake. In the interim though, I will take your advise and do as you suggest

 

[Lady Triker]

70 80 90 are % of hight to width. If you could find a 160 70 17 it would be the same size. I went from a 130 70 to a 130 80 on my wing and it raised the front of the bike up 2 inches . This worked out well because now the bike turns easier because the circumference is larger, also it corrected my 2 MPH error. now You using a smaller tire it would seem just the reverse. Check other brands .

After some research I did find a Michelin (160/70 17). It's a Macadam rear tire that is actually made for Harleys.
Check out the Michelin site, under motorcycle tires.
I'm going to do more sniffing around. I'm just concerned that the size isn't exactly the same and I'd hate to spend the money and then it's not suitable.
I'm going to talk to my Honda dealer here when I get a chance. They're really good and they don't BS me as I spend way too much money there for them to piss me off.

 

[Buzzard]

After some research I did find a Michelin (160/70 17). It's a Macadam rear tire that is actually made for Harleys.
Check out the Michelin site, under motorcycle tires.
I'm going to do more sniffing around. I'm just concerned that the size isn't exactly the same and I'd hate to spend the money and then it's not suitable.
I'm going to talk to my Honda dealer here when I get a chance. They're really good and they don't BS me as I spend way too much money there for them to piss me off.

Lady Triker, I like your style.

For future reference the following site has with it, direct links to the manufacturer's web sites. I particularly like the Bridgestone site and their search menu.

Motorcycle Tires - Brands

I hope this helps those who wish to find a larger or smaller tire application.

 

[North of 49]

Valk Tire Update

I called Michelin and they sent me their Fitment Guide for motorcycle tires. I found they list both a "static" diameter, and an "in use". The "in use" size for the 150/70/17 is over .5" larger than the static size. This brought me closer to my original tire size, so I ordered the Michelin Pilot Activ, and had it installed yesterday. The fit is good, no handling problems, my speedo is only slightly out, so all is well. And the performance is great. Hope this sizing discussion will help out other Valk owners.

 

[Lady Triker]

North of 49,

Do you mean that it's .5 inch fatter?
Like the old muscle cars that had 50 series on them that were fatter than the say, 70 series.
I can picture this, if that's what you mean.

I guess they fit the rim OK?

We just got back from a 3000 km trip and now the front tire on the Valk really needs to be replaced.

Next question, do you get it mounted with the treads reversed?

Thanks for following up with all of us.

 

[Lady Triker]

Finally got the MPA installed on the Valk and are going on a long trip next week. I'll report on the tire when we get back.

 

[North of 49]

Lady Triker...sorry for the lack of response, we just got back from Sturgis trip. It sounds like you already have your tire on, but to clarify, the .5" difference in the "diameter" means the height of the tire. I mounted mine in the usual way, not reversed. I had no problems with handling, etc and it performed very well on our trip. I really don't think there is a wrong way to mount it, but maybe I'll do the next one in reverse.

 

[Lady Triker]

Just to update on the new front tire for the Valk. mounted in normal rotation

This info is from my husband. A big thumbs up on all aspects of handling, except it is noisier than the OEM.

 

[BLACK DRAGON]

Hi Lady Triker,
Could you give me info for model and size on MPA tire you put on your Valk.
I have an 01 Valk Trike and after all the helpful reading on this site I think that is the tire I will try too.
Thanks Terry.

 

[BLACK DRAGON]

Hi North of 49,
Thanks from the Island guy for yours and Lady Trikers info / research on Valk front tires.
Now I can draw on your experience and testing. I hope I can return info some time!
Terry

 

[North of 49]

Black Dragon......I am assuming your Interstate has the same size original size tire as my Tourer had....150-80-R17. In the thread you will find I put on the closest size available, an MPA 150-70-17 (rear tire), and I really like it. Many times you make changes with insignificant results. This tire works great. If you still have a radial on the front, make the change.
Good to know there are other Valk trikes around. Feel free to ask questions.
And thanks for sending your wet weather this way...wet snow forecast for Manitoba tommorrow!

 

[JimEd]

I put the Michelin Pilot on my Valkyrie I/S,,,love the way it handles,,very smooth also.
As others have said, speedometer is a little slow when it's showing 80 MPH actually only going 75 MPH. I can live with that....

 

[DPK]

This is a great thread re: Valk front tire selection as of 2011. Also, for whatever reason it does not show on searches unless "north of 49" is used in the advanced search option.My question is have there been any substantial advances in Valk front tire technology and / or fitment since this thread went inactive in 2011?I think that I recently read somewhere that one of the major tire manifacturers was soon going to release a trike specific front tire but I cannot find anything on it I acknowledge other more recent threads somewhat inclusive of this question, but nothing specific on recent advances. Also, it would be good if tags could be added to enable this thread to come up on an ordinary search.