Update to car tires on a motorcycle

[JOLLY]

I have had a car tire on the back of my 1986 GL1200A for over a year. I had lowered the tire pressure to 28 psi. It was really doing great, or so I thought. I have just recently had to get another bike ( no flat of my own ) or (the tire). I would like to try to explain what differences there are. On the good side is that, the tire looked like it was still new. Had over 15,000 miles on it. It also did very well in the rain. That is about all the good things that can be said about it. Living in Texas most roads are straight and the turns are left or right, very few curvy roads in my area. I guess I just got used to having to do a (second adjustment) when going around what curves we do have. By that I mean, once the curve started you can't just lean the bike to go around it. You first lean and then adjust the lean once or twice in the curve, And the fact that the rear always felt spongy and soft. If the roadway had any type of uneven pavement the back tire would want to follow it. Not good in a curve. Always having on your mind just how much lean to one side would be toooooo much. I tried it and liked it (until I got back on a motorcycle tire.) I will never put a car tire back on my bike. I know they don't last as long but, you know, changing the tires is a good way to inspect your bike for troubles you may not even know you have. For those that have them on their bikes, I would recommend taking a break from them even if its just borrowing one that has motorcycle tires on it. The differences ARE HUGE.!!!!!!! EVERYONE'S LIFE IS WORTH THE PRICE OF A MOTORCYCLE TIRE.!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[CYBORG]

Sounds like good advice to me, but I never thought a car tire on the rear of a bike was a good Idea.......And if those who like them think they are great, why don't they run one on the front?

[Oldewing]

Doug, some do. At least on the 1800 and some Valk's...they refer to it as "double dark".




Not me, not now, not ever. I have rode an 18 with one on the rear, and he is right, it never leaves your mind as to what the back end is doing.

[Track T 2411]

I might be mistaken, but I thought 'double dark siding' was running a car tire on the rear, and a rear m/c tire on the front... Anywho, my personal choice is an m/c tire all the way, unless I would be running a sidecar. To each his own.

[Shadowjack]

It could be that the people who swear by car tires never lean them over much...

[5speed]

or they are coffee shop cruisers..

[CYBORG]

Doug, some do. At least on the 1800 and some Valk's...they refer to it as "double dark".

that is double scary



Not me, not now, not ever. I have rode an 18 with one on the rear, and he is right, it never leaves your mind as to what the back end is doing.

[Rat]

Probably nor worth re hashing this ....

Gord

[CYBORG]

Probably nor worth re hashing this ....

Gord

I agree

[Oldewing]

I like Hash.....cornbeef type...

[Earl43P]

I agree on the hash, make mine corned beef with a drippy egg splayed over the top with green Tobasco sauce.

My 93 DD is on its second Austone taxi tire rear and is on its second Michelin Pilot Activ Rear tire on the front, reversed arrow.

My Valkyrie Interstate is on its third car tire on the back, this one also the Austone taxi tire after a 195/55-16 Avid Envigor (wore out at 13k IIRC ) and a no-name 205/60-16 before that. It's about to receive its second Michelin Pilot Activ rear tire on the front, this time with 150/70-17 to replace the 130/90-17 I tried the first go-around.

HOW-SO-EVER....as much as I like having both of those heavy bikes double-darksided, and have put PLENTY of miles on each of them that way.....I agree enough that I am wearing out the (somewhat new) MC tire on the rear of my ST1300 and then putting on another MC rear tire. The front has a rear tire newly installed which is NOT the Pilot Activ and I am not fond of its "tracking"...I went with the 130/70-18 BT-45 and regret it. The Activ is far better. But I like getting 34,000 miles or so out of a rear tire mounted on the front and it handles great, being the stock size and all. I dare you to be able to tell that there is a rear tire on that front (on any of them).

I have a brand new car tire that I WAS going to install on the ST in due time, but I had such a hoot in WV riding the twisties that I will keep a rear MC tire on it unless it becomes my DD. It won't see many miles until it becomes the DD and the 93 shows no signs of wearing out yet.....so it's my sporty weekend/trip ride.

For the record, I don't experience what he described, having to lean/correct/lean into turns (I suspect much too little air pressure in his - I run 40 psi rear). I crank in a direction and hold it quite steadily through the curve. I do dislike the wobbles you get at low speed over imperfect pavement, especially with a passenger aboard. Solo, it bothers me not.

To each his own, ride what YOU like!

[jdvorchak]

I don't know if Michelin Commander II come in the size you need but I've been running them on my Harley bagger for a couple of years and love them. I have 15k on the rear and it's still got about 70% tread left. Front has 13k and about 50% tread left. Now that is a heavy (950 lb) bike and I could not be happier with the performance. I can scrape the pegs anytime I like and never once felt unsafe or not in control.

[John Schmidt]

Probably nor worth re hashing this ....
Gord

Agreed, but will add I do have a 195/60-16 Kuhmo on the back of my Valkyrie, replaced a 205 that was getting old but far from worn out. As for lean, the shoulders on the current tire are such that I can drag the metal at will, lock up the rear without it wanting to hi-side me, great in the rain, and more comfy overall on extended rides. It's a much better car tire than those we used back in "my day." If the tire has square shoulders, you'll have your challenges. The one I currently have mounted feels no different than the 1200 when it comes to handling....except when you lock up the rear or ride in the rain.

[CYBORG]

To each his own......enjoy