2006 Stratoliner - Altimax

I'm having a 215 60r 17 Altimax HP mounted this week. Unfortunately for me I won't be able to try it out until the snow melts and the mud disappears in my area (around March 1st). As I begin the install on the bike I'll keep everyone posted on what I needed to do to avoid any "rubbing" under the fender. It's supposed to be a good fit with the small modification of trimming down a few long bolts sticking through the fender. The tire looks HUGE.

Black Strat
Reno, NV

Sounds like you should have tried a Super Swamper SST with all that mud. I dont know how yall do it with all that snow. Hell I get cold at 50 degrees. I personally like riding in 95 degrees weather myself. I took a ride today and still cant feel my toes. Was 51 when I left.

Yall stay warm and ride safe. Congrats I would like to hear what you have to say about this as I have a bud that is riding the same bike.

Peace
Moon

With Gerbing electric gloves and jacket liner I can ride about 8-8 1/2 months a year. It's mostly the 1 mile of muddy roads that stops me.

Just got the wheel back from the shop that installed it for me. I went ahead a had them put on a 90 degree angle valve stem to make checking pressure easier. The shop had absolutely no problem mounting the tire. They just lubed it up real well and popped in on. He said just regular air pressure was needed. (I had heard some reports that it would take 80 lbs or more of pressure to get the bead to set).

Next step is to trim off a few long bolts and maybe spread the front left part of the fender a little further apart to make it fit. I'll probably do this next week and let everyone know how it worked.
Also going to install new brake pads at the same time.

Black Strat
Reno, NV

those strats go through some tires! I want to know how many miles you get on the altimax....compared to the mc tires.

I installed the wheel last weekend. Since I didn't want to do it twice I went ahead and used a reciprocating saw to cut down the fender attachment bolts. I'm not sure if I really needed to do this....but just in case now it's done. I used a cloth wrapped crescent wrench to spread the left front part of the fender.
Other than the usual pain in the a__ of trying to put the belt on while getting the brake caliper lined up...it went ok.
I've got 1/2" clearance between the front of the tire and the swing arm and 1/2" clearance between the tire and the saddle bag brackets.
Also, while I was at it, I heard that on some 2006 models the drive pulley nut has come loose. I checked and mine was "staked" properly and was not loose at all.

Now I just wait for the snow to melt and the mud to dry up before I get to try the new tire.

BlackStrat
Reno.

I've got about 350 miles on the Altimax now. Started at 40 and am now down to 36 psi. I didn't notice much difference between 40 and 38....but the difference between 38 and 36 was amazing. Traveling down my dirt road was much easier with the lower pressure and on the twisties it feels more like a motorcycle tire.

I'll keep it at 36 for a while longer and then drop it down to 34.

The more I ride it the more comfortable I feel with it. The tire still plays "mind games" with me, though. I don't feel that it is unsafe...but I still have a tendency to not try to lean it over too much in the turns. I think it's all in my head. :cyclops:

I did a little ciphering yesterday. I figure going to the darkside is going to save me around $360 per year plus it saves the aggravation of having to change the tire so often.

Black Strat
Reno, NV

Black Strat wrote:I've got about 350 miles on the Altimax now. Started at 40 and am now down to 36 psi. I didn't notice much difference between 40 and 38....but the difference between 38 and 36 was amazing. Traveling down my dirt road was much easier with the lower pressure and on the twisties it feels more like a motorcycle tire.

I'll keep it at 36 for a while longer and then drop it down to 34.

The more I ride it the more comfortable I feel with it. The tire still plays "mind games" with me, though. I don't feel that it is unsafe...but I still have a tendency to not try to lean it over too much in the turns. I think it's all in my head. :cyclops:

I did a little ciphering yesterday. I figure going to the darkside is going to save me around $360 per year plus it saves the aggravation of having to change the tire so often.

Black Strat
Reno, NV

Excellent...you are right on track! This is the way most people feel until one day you forget it's a car tire and then you will own it! Congrats and once you find the correct air pressure for your riding style, it will ride like that to the end....how ever long that takes....LOL

...........................bobby

Now have about 4000 mi on the Altimax. I also went double darkside and put a Activ on the front.

Everyone was right. I've gotten past the "head games" the tire was giving me. I still think about it being back there...but I've got complete confidence in it now. In fact, rolling hard on the throttle in a curve gives the feel that the tire is cemented to the road.

The Active up front is a no-brainer. The bike handles great with it and benefit of longevity makes it a winner.

Pete
Reno
06 Black Strat
Double Darkside

Black Strat wrote:Now have about 4000 mi on the Altimax. I also went double darkside and put a Activ on the front.

Everyone was right. I've gotten past the "head games" the tire was giving me. I still think about it being back there...but I've got complete confidence in it now. In fact, rolling hard on the throttle in a curve gives the feel that the tire is cemented to the road.

The Active up front is a no-brainer. The bike handles great with it and benefit of longevity makes it a winner.

Pete
Reno
06 Black Strat
Double Darkside

Congrats!

Have you heard that everyone has to cut off bolts to mount the car tire or just using that particular tire? I am planning to try a Goodyear Assurance Triple Tread 215/65/17. I'm wondering if I am going to have to modify anything. Do you have any rub at all?

Have you ridden with a passenger on since you installed the car tire? Any problems.

I'm new to this idea, but want to try it as I am tired of replacing tires on my Strat. I now have 28 thousand miles on it and am due for my 5th set of tires. Not happy buying tires so often at all.

Appreciate any information you have. I haven't gotten a response from anyone else on this forum from these questions.

I don't have any experience with the tire you mentioned. However, it would be a shame to get the rear wheel back on (after fighting with the axle which I do every time ) and then find out you should have trimmed off the bolts. If you have or can borrow a grinder or a reciprocating saw with a metal blade it doesn't take much time at all to take the 1/8th " off of the bolts.

I'm quite happy with the Altimax. Just like you I was spending a fortune on trying different tires. The worst was the Metzler that only went 3800 before the cords were showing. I should have researched the various forums before trying that one.

As of today I've got 5000 on the tire. When I needed it mounted I went to a local custom bike shop. They said "we're a custom shop and if you want it, we'll do it". They thought I was a bit crazy. Anyway, they were surprised how easily it popped on the rim.

Pete
06 Black Strat
Double Darkside in Reno

I'm considering a 205/55/17 car tire and am wondering how the unit is balanced when mounted on the wheel. How is it done?

4 oz. of Dyna beads or use the RunOn goop and you've got it licked.

I'm planning a trip to Reno at the end of the month. I need tires on both front and rear. I have been looking at the Goodyear Assurance Triple Tread but online can't seem to find a 215/60/17. All I have found were 215/65/17. I don't know if this tire will fit, expecially as I ride 2 most of the time.

I'm looking at the Michelin Pilot Active for the front (130/70/18). A rear tire and turned backwards. Seems what most have found best luck with?

In my readings, it seems that most are putting 3oz of dyna beads instead of 4 oz. in the rear. Which is preferable?

Appreciate it if you have any information.
I'm coming from Texas to Reno. Looking at putting on about 5000 miles.

Strato Troop wrote:I'm planning a trip to Reno at the end of the month. I need tires on both front and rear. I have been looking at the Goodyear Assurance Triple Tread but online can't seem to find a 215/60/17. All I have found were 215/65/17. I don't know if this tire will fit, expecially as I ride 2 most of the time.

I'm looking at the Michelin Pilot Active for the front (130/70/18). A rear tire and turned backwards. Seems what most have found best luck with?

In my readings, it seems that most are putting 3oz of dyna beads instead of 4 oz. in the rear. Which is preferable?

Appreciate it if you have any information.
I'm coming from Texas to Reno. Looking at putting on about 5000 miles.

www.innovativebalancing.com will give you all the info on how much.

Jerry

Strato Troop wrote:I'm planning a trip to Reno at the end of the month. I need tires on both front and rear. I have been looking at the Goodyear Assurance Triple Tread but online can't seem to find a 215/60/17. All I have found were 215/65/17. I don't know if this tire will fit, expecially as I ride 2 most of the time.

I'm looking at the Michelin Pilot Active for the front (130/70/18). A rear tire and turned backwards. Seems what most have found best luck with?

In my readings, it seems that most are putting 3oz of dyna beads instead of 4 oz. in the rear. Which is preferable?

Appreciate it if you have any information.
I'm coming from Texas to Reno. Looking at putting on about 5000 miles.

I always like going with a known tire, see how it goes on, see how much clearance it has, etc before I test the envelope. I had three tires on my shadow. I'll go with the Altimax hp mentioned above on my strat as my first ct on this bike. Going with the activ up front too. Will see how those work, feel, etc. Then I'll have more info when I go tire shopping next time.

Black Strat wrote:Now have about 4000 mi on the Altimax. I also went double darkside and put a Activ on the front.

Everyone was right. I've gotten past the "head games" the tire was giving me. I still think about it being back there...but I've got complete confidence in it now. In fact, rolling hard on the throttle in a curve gives the feel that the tire is cemented to the road.

The Active up front is a no-brainer. The bike handles great with it and benefit of longevity makes it a winner.

Pete
Reno
06 Black Strat
Double Darkside

Pete,
what size tire did you put on the front? I just put a 215/60/17 Altimax on the rear and am thinking about the front now. You mentioned its an Active, is this the Michelin Pilot Active? The man that mounted my rear put it at 30lbs but i increased that to 34, stiffened my suspension and boy do i love it! I'm excited about trying one on the front now.
Steve

Same question here "Now have about 4000 mi on the Altimax. I also went double darkside and put a Activ on the front.:

Activ?

I'm going to do a search for a runflat that will fit the stratoliner. I have a bunch of miles before I need to change the tire, but want to have it all picked out when I do. Going to go dark in the back and rear tire up front for longevity.

I went to the dark side front and rear over a year ago. I now have about 11,000 miles on the tires. The 215/60/17 on the rear and the Michelin rear tire on the front turned backwards. I have enjoyed the handling and performance. I ride 2 up most of the time. I weigh about 255 and my wife weighs about 135. We do bottom out once in a great while but haven't messed with the shocks at all. It's no big deal.

I would have replaced the rear tire about 2 and half times already if I was running OEM tires. I still run about 39lb in the rear and about 38 in the front. Can't even see any wear on the front and barely on the rear!