set the world on fire

[pistolchamp]

Hello all, this post is not designed to upset the group, just to collect some info. I shall soon get a 2006 R3 and can hardly wait. Its the only bike I have found that can hold a candle to my 2003 Honda Valkyrie and I want it.

The Valkyrie guys have found that tons of horsepower and torque results in very poor rear tire life and many of us have gone to car tires on back. I know of one R3 that is running a 245/50R16 rear car tire and wonder if others have done this also. It remade the Valkryies into true rockets due to traction and the tread life was wonderful.

[SteveRed]

Aussie biker Dave posted something on tire wear and replacement some time ago... The wear on the rear depends largely on the road surface and riding style. Some Captains are getting only 3000 - 3500 miles when others are getting 7500 - 9000 miles... A big range! Davo said he had to replace a V rated rear tyre with a much cheaper H rated tyre and there was***** all between the tyres apart from price. And when you looked at the specs the H rated tyre would do nicely.

Cheers... Go buy a Red Rocket cause they're fastest!!! :razz:

SteveRed

[pistolchamp]

How very cool to note, that the red ones are the fastest, in Valkyrie circles is a given that the black ones (like mine) are the fastest. I don't really think I've ever needed all the power my Dragon has, so I think the R3 will do very nicely.

[Aussiekeeper]

Did you say Dragon?........ :-D





Ron

[JoeyF]

Hummmmm....

I have never ridden a bike that I thought was too fast, or had enough power.

Funny how people are different.

Joey

[Diego]

> The Valkyrie guys have found that tons of horsepower and torque results in very poor rear tire life and many of us have gone to car tires on back.

I suppose it can be done, but at the expense of one of the greatest things the Rocket has going for it: easy, precise, and (reasonably) forgiving handling in hard corners.

You're free to do as you please, but I wouldn't care make the Rocket anything less than the totally graceful handler that she already is.

[RiderRocketman]

I second Diego.

The Rocket handles so very well for her heft. I wouldn't want to turn her tango into the "Hokey Pokey". Besides, the Rocket is not for an economist. Expect to pay for that power and speed in maintenance and running costs and you'll be happy.

[Aussiebikerdave]

Yep, I've got to agree. The Rocket is a superb handler. I love the way you can lay this thing on it's side and really commit to any high speed sweeper like the best of the best. To interfere with this aspect of the Rocket experience by fitting up a car tyre would be worst than blasphemy against the holy Ghost. Totally inforgiveable! And all for the sake of a few miserable bucks!!

What was it that was said about the love of money?? :-D

Davo

[Jamie]

There ain't no curves, no bends, no turns, no sweepers, no twisties in Texas? No occasional street corner either? Right? Then car tyre is definitely advisable. ARE advisable, plural, meaning fore and aft. Better yet: A pair of steel compaction drums. Asphalt pounding traction. And unlimited tread life

[pistolchamp]

Okay, I guess I just didn't give enough info. When we put car tires on the rear of a Valkyrie, we turn a really nice handling, fast motorcycle into an extremely nice handling, VERY fast motorcycle. No kidding. The car tire works better than ANY bike tire any of us has tried and the movement toward using a car tire grows by many owners each week. All seem to be very happy by-the-way. All I was asking was whether any R-3 owners have tried it or if I was likely to be the first... which I certainly will be when the time comes for a new rear tire. And it has nothing to do with the money, but, a savings is a savings and I'm all for it... if the results are worth it.

With six or more inches of rubber on the ground instead of 1 1/2 or 2 inches, its not hard to see why this works.