750 miles past hitting the wear bars

[fly]

Deebs
Thank you much.
fly

[LAB3]

Note: I am running a Special rear 16" rim on my Standard along with the spacers and bracket that is needed to do so.

That's another mod I've yet to try. The biggest issue I face is not having an address to send shipments to on eBay purchases. There's a motorcycle scrap yard about an hour north of where I am now and they have what I need but the rim has been painted, horribly, with some kind of black spray paint.

Another project yet to happen is trying to see if an 82 XJ1100 ignition will work on my bike, don't see any reason why it won't. Already have the rotor, pickup plate and TCI or whatever the proper term is. Still need to get the vacuum advance sensor and set of 3 ohm coils, I'll probably just grab some Goldwing coils for that and I'll be able to put new spark plug wires on too.

[DEEBS11]

I might run this one in the future as it might be better quality and I might get some more mileage out of it. Pricey. Both these tires are for the antique car market. Note: I am running a Special rear 16" rim on my Standard along with the spacers and bracket that is needed to do so.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/181684428655

[DEEBS11]

This is the tire I am running now. I have not had any clearance issues in 7,000 miles. It uses a 16 inch tube.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/185778598015

[fly]

Deebs, in your 1-14 post you show a car tire for your sidecar. It appears to be a 5.oo/5.25-16. What brand is it, is it tube type or tubeless, where did you purchase it,
how much clearance is there with the swingarm ?
fly

[DEEBS11]

cajun31, in my opinion, the Valkyrie handles great. I can still easily scrape the footboards. Here is a video on the subject.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVjenurRaF0

[LAB3]

Here's the link for a dark side tire I've come across, looks like it's the one on the bike Deebs posted.

https://www.cokertire.com/tires/475-500-17-excelsior-blackwall-tire.html

[cajun31]

Maybe it's time to turn to the Darkside.

I would think if you are running a side car that tire would be the way to go. Don't have too much lean angle to be concerned about. When you hit the twisties on your Valkyrie do you take it slower because of the lack of a true motorcycle tire sidewall? I don't ride that aggressively to begin with but it seems those tires would be a concern.

[bikerphil]

FWIW, I've been running Shinko 230's on the rear for the last 10 years and would get about 7K on them. The last 2 I have run have got me from 9.5K-10K. I'm thinking that they changed the rubber formula. Has anyone else noticed anything like this, regardless of brand of tire?

[andreashweiss]

When I first started riding street bikes in the late 1970's I was young and bold and never really noticed tires. Only replaced them when they went flat or the shop said you need a new tire. Now that I am old and somewhat wiser I replace front and rear every 6000 miles regardless of wear. Always buy a S rated top of the line tire. Nothing beats a brand new set of feel goods.

[LAB3]

Here's my experience so far. Bought my bike with a set of Dunlop 404's already on it, they had some age on them and I don't know how many miles. Replaced them with another set of 404's and got about 4500 miles out of the rear, the front stayed until I wore through the next rear. The 404 front does quite well on gravel and forest service trails but is down right chaotic on manhole covers and tar snakes!

Put a Shinko 230 on the rear thinking the higher weight rating would give me some more mileage. It went 6k miles and was replaced a bit early due to my next set.

Then it was a set of Bridgestone BT46 front and rear, MAN what a difference! Total confidence running the twisties in the Smokies. The rear only went about 5500 miles but the front held up well, not too bad off the pavement either

Then I went to the Shinko 712 under the advice of a crusty old timer who's been running an HD shop since 1973 last summer, that's the tire in the picture.

This time around I went with another 712 in back and a Shinko 733 up front since the front tread is a bit more aggressive for off pavement use, I'm down right impressed with how it grips off pavement.

The three other choices available in 130/90-17 are Kendas which I will not even entertain after having a set on a Suzuki several years back, absolutely terrifying in the wet! Then there's the IRC Durotour which I've ruled out due to having a continuous rib right down the middle just raring to follow the rain grooves and bridge grates. Then there's the Michelin Classic which I have debated but not finding any real world mileage reports I'm hesitant to spend double the money on if the milage would be comparable to a Shinko or Bridgestone.

[LAB3]

Only 6k on a Dunlop Elite? Heck, that Shinko I posted was about 7500 miles! Had pit an Elite on my Goldwing not long before I donated it to someone down on his luck and deserving a break and was expecting at least 10k.

[DEEBS11]

[DEEBS11]

I used to use Elite's on my Valkyrie. I would get about 6,000 miles out of them. Now I get 35,000 miles out of a rear tire.

[LAB3]

Maybe it's time to turn to the Darkside.

Yeah we had discussed that before on here and it's probably what makes the most sense. I've also considered going to a 16 inch wheel so I could get a better set of options such as the Dunlop Elite.