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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?
Car Tire on the Bike?
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They are awesome until you have to replace them. I just ordered new tires for my wife's car (Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 ZP, front
275/35ZR18, rear325/30ZR19) and they were over $2K just for the tires.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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
I put a 175/55/17 on my 2014 Valkyrie, It works great. Only one tire manufacturer makes this size, Achilles economist ($57 on amazon). You may want to try a 195/45/17, again only one manufacturer makes this size, you can find it on tirerack.com, but I do not know that it will fit. I assume it will be close. I love leaving dark lines coming out of 1st and 2nd gear turns! (it simply cost me less $ and I feel free to do it more often using this tire)
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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
I have the Austone Taxi Tire on my 99 SuperValk and it has been great.
I am curious about changes in handling and what kind of mileage you are experiencing with this Achilles 175/55-17 ?
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Says video is unavaliable. Maybe check your permission settings? Anyway the biggest problem with the new Valk is the 17" rear tire and it seems to be hard to find a car tire that will fit.
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I realize the 17" is a problem but the rear GoldWing wheel is easy to come by. Any trike shop usually has a few of them laying around. I had bought a spare wheel when I had my GoldWing for $50. Thinking about going this route for this bike also.
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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
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I don't think the goldwing rim is a direct swap though. Axle spacers or rim width might be a problem. Here are a couple posts on another forum that might prove imformative:
http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,96291.msg955977.html#msg955977 and http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,97291.0.html
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