Seems some GW guys put car tires on the rear of their motorcycles, claims are that it makes the ride far smoother and enjoyable. Anyone ever done similar?
messy bessie
I have put a car tire on a few bikes
A Car Tire smooths out the ride making it more comfortable.
Braking has improved, and handling was just as good in the twisties as the Motorcycle tire maybe Better.
I could only get about 6K miles out of a Motorcycle Tire
But When I changed to a Car Tire I had put 40K + Miles and It was not Down to the wear bars on the Car tire yet.
Main thing is make sure you get a Car tire that has really good traction.
A Car Tire smooths out the ride making it more comfortable.
Braking has improved, and handling was just as good in the twisties as the Motorcycle tire maybe Better.
I could only get about 6K miles out of a Motorcycle Tire
But When I changed to a Car Tire I had put 40K + Miles and It was not Down to the wear bars on the Car tire yet.
Main thing is make sure you get a Car tire that has really good traction.
I tried it on my large Vulcan cruiser and then took it off and replaced with a Metzler me880. The reason i removed it is that the car tire would grasp imperfections in the asphalt and pull bike in a different direction at slower speeds and would make my sense of balance shaken. The tire was ok at higher speeds and smooth but i could not justify the unpredictable nature of the car tire. My conclusion is go with it if you want too but be careful at slower speeds, motorcycle tires are designed for motorcycles, car tires for cars. a former darksider
This thread gives me goosebumps. I think I'll keep the mudflaps on my truck, the saddle on my horse, and my car tires on my car 
Safety would be my biggest concern here. This concept probably lives well outside the parameters that have been designed and tested for these bikes.
Safety would be my biggest concern here. This concept probably lives well outside the parameters that have been designed and tested for these bikes.
I sometimes put car tires on my bikes 20-something years ago, mainly because they were cheaper and they pretty much last forever. I didn't notice much difference in handling, but where I live there aren't very many twisties either. Quality? I always thought that any top-end car tire is better built than the best comparable motorcycle tire. Looks? Well, back then, I was mostly riding old beaters, so looks didn't matter. I'd think a brand new Valk may look a little funny with car tires.
Motorcycle tires are way too expensive, and don't last. I am not quite sure why a decent rear bike tire needs to cost $200 and lasts only 6-10k miles, but a similarly rated car tire lasts 40k miles and costs only $120? It's probably only because there is not that much competition when it comes to bike tires. Besides, motorcycles are being seen as recreational toys in these days, and their owners seem pay any price for their hobby. Cars, on the other hand, are a necessity. The competition in the car tire market is huge, too.
Many builders of rat bikes and drag bikes chose car tires. It's not bad at all, if the tire has somewhat rounded shoulders. That said, you can't just use any car tire, and adjustments to the fenders may be necessary. Best is, to have an experienced shop do it.
Motorcycle tires are way too expensive, and don't last. I am not quite sure why a decent rear bike tire needs to cost $200 and lasts only 6-10k miles, but a similarly rated car tire lasts 40k miles and costs only $120? It's probably only because there is not that much competition when it comes to bike tires. Besides, motorcycles are being seen as recreational toys in these days, and their owners seem pay any price for their hobby. Cars, on the other hand, are a necessity. The competition in the car tire market is huge, too.
Many builders of rat bikes and drag bikes chose car tires. It's not bad at all, if the tire has somewhat rounded shoulders. That said, you can't just use any car tire, and adjustments to the fenders may be necessary. Best is, to have an experienced shop do it.
For what it is worth.. I put a 205 55 17 tire on my 2014 Valk. It did not fit. Rubbed the battery box on the left and the swingarm on the right.
From what I have found, 205 is the smallest tire made in 17 wheel size. Now I know there are some 155, 180 and 190S listed but those are temp spare tire and not suited for our use.
I am looking to go to a GW 16" wheel and then a 195 may work.
I am open to ideas but not criticism for running a car tire, please.
From what I have found, 205 is the smallest tire made in 17 wheel size. Now I know there are some 155, 180 and 190S listed but those are temp spare tire and not suited for our use.
I am looking to go to a GW 16" wheel and then a 195 may work.
I am open to ideas but not criticism for running a car tire, please.
I wouldn't expect a 205 55 R17 to fit a Valk or Gold Wing out of the box but I have heard that someone is actually running that size (non-runflat) on a Wing. The install alone is probably a bear. You may want to try a 195 55 R16 (Kumho Exsta RF) or a 195 60 R16 at 40+ Psi. The 195 55 R16 will lower the bike by about 1 1/2". It's a good thing for short riders, but you may also make peg-scraping, which the Valk seems to be prone to, worse. The 195 60 R16-size is hard to find as only very few cars run it, but it has nice, round edges. Different cross section but the same profile and radius as the Valk's original Dunlop III Roadsmart.
As long as they are not rubbing on anything, car tyres will run much cooler than MC tyres, and some say they add comfort because they typically have a 1400 lbs. load limit while a bike tyre has only 800 lbs. and has thinner sidewalls. So, where is the "risk" that some see, as long as the tyre is rated for the bike's top speeds? I have never heard that someone had a blowout. For most, however, darksiding doesn't make much sense. They ride <2.000 miles a year. Any motorcycle rear tyre lasts them for 5 years, and then it's time to change it anyway. This is only something for guys that ride a lot.
As long as they are not rubbing on anything, car tyres will run much cooler than MC tyres, and some say they add comfort because they typically have a 1400 lbs. load limit while a bike tyre has only 800 lbs. and has thinner sidewalls. So, where is the "risk" that some see, as long as the tyre is rated for the bike's top speeds? I have never heard that someone had a blowout. For most, however, darksiding doesn't make much sense. They ride <2.000 miles a year. Any motorcycle rear tyre lasts them for 5 years, and then it's time to change it anyway. This is only something for guys that ride a lot.
I rode Darkside on my Wing while I had it. I ran the Kumho 195-55-16. It's a runflat tire which gave me more comfort and peace of mind. There is a video of that tire here ww.youtube.com/watch?v=5xKMuJbSyV4
It wont let me post a link because my post count is at 2. 3 after this one but you can search "Going to the Darkside with a KUMHO RF on a GL1800 Goldwing" on youtube and it will come up
http://ridermagazine.com/2016/05/20/tales-from-the-dark-side-putting-car-tires-on-motorcycles/
“We look at the motorcycle as a complete system where the tires, the wheels, the swing-arm, the forks and the frame are designed to perform together. Changing even one of those components can alter the bike’s intended characteristics.”
Tire Don’ts Never ever consider using a car tire to replace a motorcycle tire on your bike. Known as ‘Riding On The Dark Side’, some bike owners have done this as they think they will get better durability (save money) out of a car tire rather than a motorcycle tire.
“A Bridgestone car tire and a Bridgestone motorcycle tire are completely different and have been designed for entirely different purposes. For a start, there are different compounds in both and different traction properties.
According to Mike Manning, Dunlop Motorcycle Product & Marketing Manager, “There are several considerations when looking at tire design and use for a single-track ‘camber’ vehicle such as a motorcycle vs. a 2-track vehicle like a car or truck. Tire profile, construction and compounds are developed specifically for each type of vehicle.” Why? Because cars and motorcycles handle differently. A lot differently.
“We look at the motorcycle as a complete system where the tires, the wheels, the swing-arm, the forks and the frame are designed to perform together. Changing even one of those components can alter the bike’s intended characteristics.”
Tire Don’ts Never ever consider using a car tire to replace a motorcycle tire on your bike. Known as ‘Riding On The Dark Side’, some bike owners have done this as they think they will get better durability (save money) out of a car tire rather than a motorcycle tire.
“A Bridgestone car tire and a Bridgestone motorcycle tire are completely different and have been designed for entirely different purposes. For a start, there are different compounds in both and different traction properties.
According to Mike Manning, Dunlop Motorcycle Product & Marketing Manager, “There are several considerations when looking at tire design and use for a single-track ‘camber’ vehicle such as a motorcycle vs. a 2-track vehicle like a car or truck. Tire profile, construction and compounds are developed specifically for each type of vehicle.” Why? Because cars and motorcycles handle differently. A lot differently.
I am DarkSide on my 99 SuperValk and it handles just great. Not all tires handle as well tho, I tried a wider profile and did not like the ride. The Austone is doing great tho. Better starting and stopping traction, and of course wear. Handles better than some of the bike tires that were meant for that bike.
Those that usually say don't do it......are those that have not done it.
Those that usually say don't do it......are those that have not done it.
OMG!!
I guess it had to happen eventually...
Why not go for light truck tires...you may even get 100k miles out of them if you live that long.
No offense but, why did you lovers of car tires with conflicting rubber compounds and obvious structural and engineering property differences, ever buy a bike like the second gen Valk that comes with RADIAL tires no less as part of its suspension package while advertising it's superior handling capabilities??
And please don't say that any car tire handles as good or better than a Motorcycle radial tire on a Motorcycle. That would be your wallet talking and not your common sense.
Sorry if I offended anyone here but Ohyunori with his "car front tire" just put me over the edge...I really hope he is kidding!
I guess it had to happen eventually...
Why not go for light truck tires...you may even get 100k miles out of them if you live that long.
No offense but, why did you lovers of car tires with conflicting rubber compounds and obvious structural and engineering property differences, ever buy a bike like the second gen Valk that comes with RADIAL tires no less as part of its suspension package while advertising it's superior handling capabilities??
And please don't say that any car tire handles as good or better than a Motorcycle radial tire on a Motorcycle. That would be your wallet talking and not your common sense.
Sorry if I offended anyone here but Ohyunori with his "car front tire" just put me over the edge...I really hope he is kidding!
Hi
Is this the tyre - ACHILLES ATR-K ECONOMIST 175/55/R17 88V as found on topclasstyres (google site as cannot post links yet
Cheers
Is this the tyre - ACHILLES ATR-K ECONOMIST 175/55/R17 88V as found on topclasstyres (google site as cannot post links yet
Cheers
car tire on GW & Valk
I have had car tires on the back of 3 Wings and 2 Valks. This was when I commuted 100 miles per day. I was willing to put up with the harsh turning feel, the shoulder heft, and self-righting traits of the car tire in return for greatly increased milage and a larger contact patch in the rain. Now that I only ride 15,000 miles per year, I retired, the trade is not a good one and I went back to Avons and am pleased as I could be. Like the saying says: To each his own.
I have had car tires on the back of 3 Wings and 2 Valks. This was when I commuted 100 miles per day. I was willing to put up with the harsh turning feel, the shoulder heft, and self-righting traits of the car tire in return for greatly increased milage and a larger contact patch in the rain. Now that I only ride 15,000 miles per year, I retired, the trade is not a good one and I went back to Avons and am pleased as I could be. Like the saying says: To each his own.
Received the tire yesterday and impressed with looks and specs. 6 Ply tread (2 steel, 2 poly and 2 nylon) 10/32s with plenty of water grooves around and across the tire to shed water away. Load rating is significantly greater than bike tires in that size. Firm sidewall, 2 ply poly. (feels firmer than the Austone Taxi Tire but the sidewall is shorter on this tire so it will be more like the sidewall on the bike tires as far as flex goes). Max PSI is 50 with a 1250 load rating.
Specs and Reviews on this tire that I have read are very favorable. Looking forward to wearing the other one down and trying this one out.
Specs and Reviews on this tire that I have read are very favorable. Looking forward to wearing the other one down and trying this one out.
Decided not to wait and start the season out with fresh rear rubber, the rear was almost done at 10.5K but still could have went longer. Mounted the Darkside Tire on it and that was the easiest tire change I have done in awhile. I lifted the bike using my 3 ton floor jack with the front wheel in a LA Wheel Chock. I did have a hoist strap slipped under the front of the grab bars to provide stability if needed, but I think I would have been fine without. 5 lug bolts and the wheel was out of there without fender, exhaust or bag removal. The CT was a little wider on the tread side so slipping it in took some TLC. But easy enough. My tire guy mounted it for 25 bucks but did not have the adapter to balance that rear wheel.....and there wasn't any weights on it with the OEM tire either. I will add Ride On once the weather warms up so I can get out for a test ride etc. No rubbing or issues, looks great and I'm sure with the better tread foot print it will be great for traction and braking. I can hardly wait.....
Saw your fb post, that rear tire looks good on the valk. I was thinking about doing my tire myself using this method, https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=285&v=TShysJyHb-0 since I don't have a lift or adapters. Does this seem legit?
Had the bike out yesterday in the 20 degree temps and snow flurries for a quick test ride. And again today for a longer 40 mile ride to take care of some errands.
Tire pressure 42psi, front tire Avon Cobra 120 (vice 130) size at 40psi. Traction on acceleration and braking were good, as expected. Rides smooth, but does give a little more feedback in truck ruts than a bike tire, but not much. Slow speed handling is fine. Had it up to 80/90 ish today with no issues, other than wind chill and it was windy as it was. The rear tire has not yet been balanced and it seemed fine, but I do intend to put some ride on in when it warms up. I think I'm pleased with overall handling and comfort of the ride. Guess time will tell what mileage might be.
Tire pressure 42psi, front tire Avon Cobra 120 (vice 130) size at 40psi. Traction on acceleration and braking were good, as expected. Rides smooth, but does give a little more feedback in truck ruts than a bike tire, but not much. Slow speed handling is fine. Had it up to 80/90 ish today with no issues, other than wind chill and it was windy as it was. The rear tire has not yet been balanced and it seemed fine, but I do intend to put some ride on in when it warms up. I think I'm pleased with overall handling and comfort of the ride. Guess time will tell what mileage might be.
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