Best Darkside Tire Choice for GL500C/Valkyrie?

[Andy Cote]

A while back when I started looking for a new tire for my GL1500 Goldwing, I stumbled into this whole darkside tire discussion. Read everything and talked to a few folks before finally deciding to make the move. While there were only a few tires in the correct size, the favorite seemed to be the Austone Taxi Tire. I installed it and have been satisfied with performance and wear (14k and still going).

Now the Valkyrie needs a tire. For some reason, not as many stories or threads on this and many are kinda old and dated. I'm looking for some real and current feedback. It seems that the most common size is 205/60R16. So far I see the following as possibilities; all speed rating H (max 130mph) and load index over 90 (max 1323 lbs):

Sumitomo HTR A/S P01
Kumho Solus KH16
Falken Ziex ZE912
General Altimax HP
Hankook Optimo H418 3 groove
Bridestone Potenza G019 GRID
Michelin Primacy MXV4
Goodyear Assurance Triple Tread
Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max

Of these, the General and Bridgestone seem to have some support. I am particularly interested in experiences with the last one as they make this in a size to fit the Goldwing as well.

Flame suit on - fire at will. Please tell me what you like or don't like about these brands.

PS: I know about the nut cage.

[WingAdmin]

Have a look at this post: viewtopic.php?f=16&t=15560&start=100#p101743

[Dogsled]

Andy, you got a 1997 VALK... and I gotta ask....what's wrong with bike tires on your bike......I got14,000 on my 97 GL running bike tires...

I have a Cessna airplane too and nobody EVER, on any forum has talked about putting car tires on their plane to save a few bucks.....this constant post about MC tires baffles me. Explain it.........GL or Valk!

[suvcw04]

It has been discussed, cussed and discussed some more, ad nauseum ad finitum, all over the internet and where ever riders gather.
If you darkside and like it, it's no one else's business. If you don't darkside, why is it a problem if someone does? I understand the reasons for doing it. What I don't understand is the constant questioning of those who do, have done it for thousands of miles, and like it.

[Dogsled]

It has been discussed, cussed and discussed some more, ad nauseum ad finitum, all over the internet and where ever riders gather.
If you darkside and like it, it's no one else's business. If you don't darkside, why is it a problem if someone does? I understand the reasons for doing it. What I don't understand is the constant questioning of those who do, have done it for thousands of miles, and like it.

YEAH.....what's wrong with those peeps ???????? Oh you mean me ???????? Heck I don't know, but you're the first person who says he knows the 'reasons for doing it'........don't post til I get my popcorn, cause I want to read this. While you're explaining, de-code 'ad nauseum ad finitum'....my spanish isn't too good.

Do you know the reason you can't put a car tire on an airplane......I DO..

[WingAdmin]

Do you know the reason you can't put a car tire on an airplane......I DO..

Me too.

[Dogsled]

now that was some funny stuff there !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[suvcw04]

A while back when I started looking for a new tire for my GL1500 Goldwing, I stumbled into this whole darkside tire discussion. Read everything and talked to a few folks before finally deciding to make the move. While there were only a few tires in the correct size, the favorite seemed to be the Austone Taxi Tire. I installed it and have been satisfied with performance and wear (14k and still going).

Now the Valkyrie needs a tire. For some reason, not as many stories or threads on this and many are kinda old and dated. I'm looking for some real and current feedback. It seems that the most common size is 205/60R16. So far I see the following as possibilities; all speed rating H (max 130mph) and load index over 90 (max 1323 lbs):

Sumitomo HTR A/S P01
Kumho Solus KH16
Falken Ziex ZE912
General Altimax HP
Hankook Optimo H418 3 groove
Bridestone Potenza G019 GRID
Michelin Primacy MXV4
Goodyear Assurance Triple Tread
Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max

Of these, the General and Bridgestone seem to have some support. I am particularly interested in experiences with the last one as they make this in a size to fit the Goldwing as well.

Flame suit on - fire at will. Please tell me what you like or don't like about these brands.

PS: I know about the nut cage.

You're screwed, Andy Even if you do find a CT that will fit, it looks like you do not have permission to do so. Now, go sit in the corner until you regain your senses. ROFLMAO
OK. Stick a fork in me, I'm done.

[RoadRogue]

here is a few hours reading for you all about darksiding the Valk. enjoy
http://mcdarksiders.forumotion.com/f7-valkyrie-tech

[Dogsled]

I know they're used succesfully but lets take an Austone tire. Are there any pictures on the net with the Wing rim and the car rim that takes an Austone next to each other that would show the profile comparison of the bead shape of the two. It can be any one of the many popular darkside choices, not just the Austone. I'm assuming the tire bead and the rim bead have to be compatable to a certain tolerance for a 'safe' fit.

A chart saying any tire that fits an Impala will work on a Wing or something like that would clear up choosing a tire. Nobody can choose pro or con on tread design unless you crash and say "Nope, that one didn't work". I'm just a little unsure on what people are looking for, handling or does it fit on and hold air.

[foots]

I run a V speed rated Goodyear TT on the rear,and love it. I recently installed a rear Dunlop D404 on front a 130 vs. stock 150 and I absolutely love that combo.

[Andy Cote]

UPDATE

Thanks to Mr Prez on the GL1800riders page I have a Falken ZIEX 512. 205/65-16 slid up in there cleanly. Only been a couple miles but looking forward to wringing this out. Images attached.

[EZRiderF6C]

The austone taxi tire is the best "dark-side" tire choice for the GL1500C/Valkyrie as well. Almost the same dimensions as the OEM tire, nicely rounded so that it doesn't have any of the issues that most more square tires exhibit. Still NOT a Radial tire but it has extremely good traction on mud/clay as well as asphalt and works well in the Colorado mountains with severe "twisties". You don't fight the bike with this tire on like you might another tire. I looked at a lot of tires, *all* the information on this subject and finally found a fellow who was willing to make his decisions on facts and experience, was skeptical of the dark side and even after several bad experience found this tire and is now converted to the "dark side" (http://www.horseapple.com/Valkyrie/My_V ... kyrie.html. Mark also lives not too far from me and understands the WIDELY varying road conditions from day to day, hour to hour here in Colorado. The tire is a little taller than the OEM recommendation and so it will afford higher speed at lower RPM and better gas mileage too. I'm still experimenting with tire pressure. I think mark said 62psi. Reach out to me here or on FB in any of the Valkyrie forums. I am a VOC member and a VIP Brotherhood member.

[minimac]

The austone taxi tire is the best "dark-side" tire choice for the GL1500C/Valkyrie as well. Almost the same dimensions as the OEM tire, nicely rounded so that it doesn't have any of the issues that most more square tires exhibit. Still NOT a Radial tire......

My Austone certainly is a radial. A six ply one.

[RoadRogue]

I know this is an old post and it has been revived a couple months ago but here we go again.Ezriderf6b has given some seriously incorrect info here. First the Austone tire is in fact a radial, secondly 62psi is way too high of a pressure. The sidewall clearly states 50 or 52psi is the max for this tire. Now the Valk may be a little different from my 1500 Wing but I don't think so, 48 PSI is the sweet spot for my liking. I believe I got 30,000 miles on my Austone, that's 30,000 hard miles playing in the twisties,pulling a heavy trailer, on road off road and everything in between. There was no flat spot transition when playing in the twisties, just smooth planted traction wet or dry.
I am currently running a 195-55-16 General Tire Altimax HP. This is also a very good Darkside tire in my opinion. It's a little shorter than stock so that helps with the throttle response when pulling the trailer.ground clearance has not been an issue for me but I do scrape the pegs a little sooner than with the Austone. The shorter tire has less side wall to flex so it works quite well in this Darkside application and it's even rated as a M+S tire so if I do get caught in the snow again I'm all set.

[FM-USA]

.... this Darkside application and it's even rated as a M+S tire so if I do get caught in the snow again I'm all set.

SNOW?!!!
Some wish there were a little room in the swing-arm for studded tires.

[RoadRogue]

.... this Darkside application and it's even rated as a M+S tire so if I do get caught in the snow again I'm all set.

SNOW?!!!
Some wish there were a little room in the swing-arm for studded tires.

Ya SNOW, I live in the mountains and I occasionally get caught riding over one of the passes either early spring or late Fall and it snows on me. The deepest I have had to negotiate was 6inches of fresh powder. I have never had a problem with the front tire washing out on me just the rear. I really don't recommend riding a GoldWing in the snow but in a pinch it can be done.

Early spring ,I think......

[FM-USA]

Ya SNOW, I live in the mountains and I occasionally get caught riding over one of the passes either early spring or late Fall and it snows on me. The deepest I have had to negotiate was 6inches of fresh powder. I have never had a problem with the front tire washing out on me just the rear. I really don't recommend riding a GoldWing in the snow but in a pinch it can be done.

Wing'wise my best (so far) is 2.5 inches. Was a nice day 45*F, I knew snow was coming but was reported to be spotty. HECK, I can ride where it's not.

Hit the boonies and lost track of time (bliss, ain't it). On the way back LARGE flakes were falling and sticking. OK, it's still planned to be warm enough for it to melt so I stopped for a bar burger. During that trek to the burger, snow piled up to 2.5 inches. Not bad as long as it was fresh, car ruts were different story so I rode on the paved shoulder. Better traction there anyways since the pavement wasn't worn smooth.
Got to the burger bar and while eating this pick-up truck dude comes in and banters he seen a NUT JOB riding a big bike in the snow. So I said, "You call me Mr. Nut Job". We laughed, we knew each other. He didn't see my bike, was hidden by cars.

Deepest (so far) was 13 inches of fresh, smooOOooth, star glistening snow. Was an awesome ride when I turned off my headlight. Honda 500-4 was my ride in 1978. Truck wouldn't start so I tried the bike, 4:45 AM hit the road. Only two of us showed at the bus depot all day, me and Grandma B. Bettenhausen. Yup, the racing family. She had a new respect for me from that day on.

[Rednaxs60]

The dark side- using a CT on a bike always brings up questions pros and cons. If you want to try it and it works for you, go for it. If not, revert back to an MT. I never see posts that state the cons of pulling a trailer with a bike and there have been some interesting posts on what has been done. I challenge anyone to get an OEM to condone pulling a trailer with a motorcycle, or even finding it in their owner's manual (havn't found it in my 1200 or 1800 owners manual), ergo it souldn't be done as the motorcycle is not designed to do this. Which is less safe?

Even replacing headlights with HIDs or LEDs can be questioned. The bottom line is research it, make an informed decision, and do what is best for you.

I have a CT on my 1800 and have researched putting one n my '85 LTD. The 15 inch rim on the '85 is seeming to be problematic regarding a CT installation.

I did the 1800 because of economics, going through tires every 10,000 Kms is unacceptable. It is a Firestone M&S, works well. Calling for snow next week here in Victoria. May have to take the 1800 out of hibernation to ride around town. My HD friends have also tried finding fault with it and have yet to be able to.

As always, ride safe and be careful out there.

Just a few thoughts on this.

Cheers