Woo-hoo New Shoes...

[Valkorado]

on the Silver Bullet.   Had me grinning from ear to ear!  I recently ordered another fatter tire from Wally,  but the 1 ply sidewall kinda spooked me for riding two up.   I could literally push it almost pancake with one hand.   So back to Wally it went.   I liked that the Austone had firm sidewalls for two up loads and mountain twisting.   So I went to Simple Tire and started hunting for beef.  Profile and price were considerations,  but since I like a firm tire that was important too.   So  I had it slapped on today along with a new Michelin Commander II on front that baird4444 recommended (thanks Mike good tire).  Short ride tells me GOOD COMBINATION!   I did have a small rub underneath the fender from the taller Austones I've been running, likely from two up riding.  This slightly shorter tire should remedy that.  Handles like a dream!!!  4 ply tire,  2 ply sidewalls LT 195/65R16 104/102T.   Slightly stiffer than the Austone.   Nice profile.   Bigger scuffing in planned tomorrow...



https://simpletire.com/zeetex-lt195-65r16-1200032174-tires

http://usa.zeetex.com/product/ct1000/

https://www.prioritytire.com/by-brand/zeetex/ct1000-tires/ (good description here)



And the Michelin on front:

https://motorcycle.michelinman.com/motorbike/tyres/commander-ii

Woo-hoo!

Oh yeah.   Currently running the Zeetex at 42 psi.

[98valk]

nice looking tire.
However you did it now, putting a truck tire on a motorcycle for another tire war. 
 Load Range: D (8 Ply) Type: Light Truck All Season

[mello dude]

What size Michelin tire did you use on the front? I didnt see a stock front size available.

thxz

[Valkorado]

What size Michelin tire did you use on the front? I didnt see a stock front size available.

thxz

Running the Michelin Commander II 140/80 B17 69H on front.   It ain't cheap,  but Mike claims he got 20k out of his last one at 39 psi,  and that is on the same chip seal Colorado roads that I get 8k  or less out of Avon Cobras.  It's a good feeling, good looking tire.   According to Mike it runs about 5-8 mph fast on the speedo,  town vs. highway.

[Jess from VA]

I ran two of those (same size) Michy Commander IIs on front of my Interstates.  Both just made it to 7K (though I won't run to cords).

I was very happy with the performance and handling of the tire (better than any other alternative front's I've tried), but not enough miles to keep using them for me.  (Does not affect the Interstate electronic speedo.)

They are cheaper than the ME880s I'm back to running now.  My last one was $30 more than ever before.

[Valkorado]

OK, about a 100 mile scuffing this morning.  Went out to the twisties.  This tire has teeth, and I could not discern ANY nasty behavior.  NO tracking, I was trying to get it to track cracks and snakes to no avail.  It grabs corners like no tire I have ridden and is smooth, comfortable and rock solid.  Hands free straight line.  On rails in the tight corners.  Also compensates for much road jarring.  I am not bullshitting this tire is a true pleasure to ride.  I like it MUCH better than the Austone. The Zeetex is an 8 ply, D load light truck tire.

Really, much better handling than the Austone?

I have a spanking new, unmounted Austone I purchased last year, was saving it for the Interstate.  Apparently unobtanium now.  If any of you want it, just ship me a new Zeetex CT-1000 195/65R16  postage paid and I will ship you the Austone, postage paid.  If I remember correctly, the Zeetex is about half the cost the Austone was available for.
done deal.

[The emperor has no clothes]

OK, about a 100 mile scuffing this morning.  Went out to the twisties.  This tire has teeth, and I could not discern ANY nasty behavior.  NO tracking, I was trying to get it to track cracks and snakes to no avail.  It grabs corners like no tire I have ridden and is smooth, comfortable and rock solid.  Hands free straight line.  On rails in the tight corners.  Also compensates for much road jarring.  I am not bullshitting this tire is a true pleasure to ride.  I like it MUCH better than the Austone. The Zeetex is an 8 ply, D load light truck tire.

Really, much better handling than the Austone?

I have a spanking new, unmounted Austone I purchased last year, was saving it for the Interstate.  Apparently unobtanium now.  If any of you want it, just ship me a new Zeetex CT-1000 195/65R16  postage paid and I will ship you the Austone, postage paid.  If I remember correctly, the Zeetex is about half the cost the Austone was available for.

Throw in those triple tips and we’ve got a deal 

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

These threads are killing me, or they're convincing me. Not sure which.

When the no-name (or unknown name) tires hit the market years back, the quality was terrible. Severely quick wear, a ridiculous amount of weights to balance, and carcass shift failures were common. I swore I'd never buy a tire from a company I'd never heard of. Years later, and here we are. Name brand tire quality has slipped, possibly due to cost-cutting measures taken to compete with said no-name tires. I find that my two main contenders when my rear tire is toast are a Zeetex and an Otani. Two companies I hadn't heard of six months ago. I guess I'll see when the time does come.

Either way, thanks for the report. I'll be curious to see your longer term report.

[Jim in Idaho]

Just mounted an Yokohama Avid Envigor on mine.  205/R60-16   w/ reversed  Michelin Pilot ACTIV 130/90V-17 on front.   I think it's going to work out nicely.  Still need to give them a good scrub this weekend but they felt good on the way home last night.

What Otani model have people been using?   ...never heard of Otani or Zeetex either but I am sold on this darksiding now.   ...could hardly feel any difference with the Envigor but that 205 sure fills out the fender!

[Valkorado]

These threads are killing me, or they're convincing me. Not sure which.

When the no-name (or unknown name) tires hit the market years back, the quality was terrible. Severely quick wear, a ridiculous amount of weights to balance, and carcass shift failures were common. I swore I'd never buy a tire from a company I'd never heard of. Years later, and here we are. Name brand tire quality has slipped, possibly due to cost-cutting measures taken to compete with said no-name tires. I find that my two main contenders when my rear tire is toast are a Zeetex and an Otani. Two companies I hadn't heard of six months ago. I guess I'll see when the time does come.

Either way, thanks for the report. I'll be curious to see your longer term report.

Was looking at my tires.   The Zeetex is made in good ol' Indonesia.   What surprised me was the familiar Michelin Commander II is made in Thailand.

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

What Otani model have people been using?   ...never heard of Otani or Zeetex either but I am sold on this darksiding now.   ...could hardly feel any difference with the Envigor but that 205 sure fills out the fender!

I have been trying to find a 195/65-16, which is apparently very common in other parts of the world; just not here. The Otani I found is this one: https://www.simpletire.com/otani-p195-65r16-s181v-tires

[RWhitehouse]

OK, about a 100 mile scuffing this morning.  Went out to the twisties.  This tire has teeth, and I could not discern ANY nasty behavior.  NO tracking, I was trying to get it to track cracks and snakes to no avail.  It grabs corners like no tire I have ridden and is smooth, comfortable and rock solid.  Hands free straight line.  On rails in the tight corners.  Also compensates for much road jarring.  I am not bullshitting this tire is a true pleasure to ride.  I like it MUCH better than the Austone. The Zeetex is an 8 ply, D load light truck tire.

Really, much better handling than the Austone?

I have a spanking new, unmounted Austone I purchased last year, was saving it for the Interstate.  Apparently unobtanium now.  If any of you want it, just ship me a new Zeetex CT-1000 195/65R16  postage paid and I will ship you the Austone, postage paid.  If I remember correctly, the Zeetex is about half the cost the Austone was available for.

Thanks for the report. The 175/80 Austone gives a sidewall of 140mm, the 195/65 gives a sidewall of 126mm, which is same as the stock MC tire, so it sounds like the "overdrive" benefit of the Austone is lost, something I kind of liked. Dropped a couple hundred RPM on the highway and picked up 1-2mpg.

There are a LOT of options in the 195/75 size, although this is even a bit taller than the Austone at a 146mm sidewall, so wonder if rubbing might be an issue at full travel.   That's apparently the size that VW minibuses/camper vans take, so you can actually get name brand tires as well- Nokian, Michelin, Hankook. Not that I'm really worried about brand- I'd never heard of Austone either before darksiding. Can get them in C (6 ply), D (8 ply) and even E(10 ply) load ratings to tune the sidewall stiffness as well, as well as highway or all season tread patterns. Almost all are non-directional/symmetrical.  Several have 50 or 60k treadlife guarantees.

195/70 does not seem to be a size that's made or available in the US, bummer, since that would split the difference.

I've got a bit over 10k on the Austone now, just checked, currently at 8/32 and 10/32 was new. At the current rate, I should get 40k out of it fairly easy, so won't be a worry anytime soon.

[Jess from VA]

The 195 probably does not hit the nut cages, but it might rub the centered fender wires; depending on shocks, shock height and average weight (and passengers).

[98valk]

OK, about a 100 mile scuffing this morning.  Went out to the twisties.  This tire has teeth, and I could not discern ANY nasty behavior.  NO tracking, I was trying to get it to track cracks and snakes to no avail.  It grabs corners like no tire I have ridden and is smooth, comfortable and rock solid.  Hands free straight line.  On rails in the tight corners.  Also compensates for much road jarring.  I am not bullshitting this tire is a true pleasure to ride.  I like it MUCH better than the Austone. The Zeetex is an 8 ply, D load light truck tire.

Really, much better handling than the Austone?

I have a spanking new, unmounted Austone I purchased last year, was saving it for the Interstate.  Apparently unobtanium now.  If any of you want it, just ship me a new Zeetex CT-1000 195/65R16  postage paid and I will ship you the Austone, postage paid.  If I remember correctly, the Zeetex is about half the cost the Austone was available for.

Thanks for the report. The 175/80 Austone gives a sidewall of 140mm, the 195/65 gives a sidewall of 126mm, which is same as the stock MC tire, so it sounds like the "overdrive" benefit of the Austone is lost, something I kind of liked. Dropped a couple hundred RPM on the highway and picked up 1-2mpg.

There are a LOT of options in the 195/75 size, although this is even a bit taller than the Austone at a 146mm sidewall, so wonder if rubbing might be an issue at full travel.   That's apparently the size that VW minibuses/camper vans take, so you can actually get name brand tires as well- Nokian, Michelin, Hankook. Not that I'm really worried about brand- I'd never heard of Austone either before darksiding. Can get them in C (6 ply), D (8 ply) and even E(10 ply) load ratings to tune the sidewall stiffness as well, as well as highway or all season tread patterns. Almost all are non-directional/symmetrical.  Several have 50 or 60k treadlife guarantees.

195/70 does not seem to be a size that's made or available in the US, bummer, since that would split the difference.

I've got a bit over 10k on the Austone now, just checked, currently at 8/32 and 10/32 was new. At the current rate, I should get 40k out of it fairly easy, so won't be a worry anytime soon.

I'm using a Laufenn G Fit  205/65-16.   lowers rpms by 200 whereas the Austone lowered rpms by 300

[Valkorado]

OK, about a 100 mile scuffing this morning.  Went out to the twisties.  This tire has teeth, and I could not discern ANY nasty behavior.  NO tracking, I was trying to get it to track cracks and snakes to no avail.  It grabs corners like no tire I have ridden and is smooth, comfortable and rock solid.  Hands free straight line.  On rails in the tight corners.  Also compensates for much road jarring.  I am not bullshitting this tire is a true pleasure to ride.  I like it MUCH better than the Austone. The Zeetex is an 8 ply, D load light truck tire.

Really, much better handling than the Austone?

I have a spanking new, unmounted Austone I purchased last year, was saving it for the Interstate.  Apparently unobtanium now.  If any of you want it, just ship me a new Zeetex CT-1000 195/65R16  postage paid and I will ship you the Austone, postage paid.  If I remember correctly, the Zeetex is about half the cost the Austone was available for.

Thanks for the report. The 175/80 Austone gives a sidewall of 140mm, the 195/65 gives a sidewall of 126mm, which is same as the stock MC tire, so it sounds like the "overdrive" benefit of the Austone is lost, something I kind of liked. Dropped a couple hundred RPM on the highway and picked up 1-2mpg.

There are a LOT of options in the 195/75 size, although this is even a bit taller than the Austone at a 146mm sidewall, so wonder if rubbing might be an issue at full travel.   That's apparently the size that VW minibuses/camper vans take, so you can actually get name brand tires as well- Nokian, Michelin, Hankook. Not that I'm really worried about brand- I'd never heard of Austone either before darksiding. Can get them in C (6 ply), D (8 ply) and even E(10 ply) load ratings to tune the sidewall stiffness as well, as well as highway or all season tread patterns. Almost all are non-directional/symmetrical.  Several have 50 or 60k treadlife guarantees.

195/70 does not seemy to be a size that's made or available in the US, bummer, since that would split the difference.

I've got a bit over 10k on the Austone now, just checked, currently at 8/32 and 10/32 was new. At the current rate, I should get 40k out of it fairly easy, so won't be a worry anytime soon.

Rain broke and I got in a second ride,  another quick 100.  They're scuffed,  and I'll buy this tire as long as it is available.  Total confidence.   I was taking some pretty tight sweepers one handed in traffic.   On the road it goes where I say and says there.   It'll do a laser straight line as long as the road allows,  no handed.   No I don't normally do this but I was mightily impressed!  In the tight twisting I was two handed and the bike ate the road up.

On the Austone,  (upper) fender rubbing is not unheard of.   I was running HD 444s on the halfway mark and rubbed,  likely when two-up.  I heard through the grapevine that the even the Texas brisket Renaissance man ripped off his wiring harness riding an Austone and his rear brake light and blinkers went kaput all at once.  I did recently do the nut cage mod but width was not an issue on the Austone and I doubt it would have been on this Zeetex.   RPMs be cursed, I love this tire!

BTW I again got just over 18k on this last Austone and was level with the wear bars,  but that was on our sandpaper chip seal.  I was happy with that.  If you get 40 that'll be impressive.

Edit:

Took 'er out toward Lake City the other day and found a favorite stretch where I can see far down the road to make sure I'm clear LEO wise and opened her up.   Compared to the Austone I'm noticing a very satisfying power transfer from this fatter tire directly to the road.   Flick.  Bite.  Zoom.  

Steady, solid straight line at 110 for mile or so coming back down,  felt like I was doing 80.   It's a good tire.

[MarkT]

On this subject, I found what looks to be a good replacement of the Austone - numbers very similar, it's a 1/2in taller so it will drop the rpms even more; is load range C which means rated 6 ply.  Firestone brand not from China, from Costa Rica. Cost from Tire Rack is $123.91 with free shipping.  If you didn't see this post here's the link.  http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,106471.msg1069344.html#msg1069344  I still have a new Austone in the barn so I won't be testing any other DS tires for some time.

[Valkorado]

On this subject, I found what looks to be a good replacement of the Austone - numbers very similar, it's a 1/2in taller so it will drop the rpms even more; is load range C which means rated 6 ply.  Firestone brand not from China, from Costa Rica. Cost from Tire Rack is $123.91 with free shipping.  If you didn't see this post here's the link.  http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,106471.msg1069344.html#msg1069344  I still have a new Austone in the barn so I won't be testing any other DS tires for some time.

It may work, but after seeing that the Austone left a rub mark on the upper front part of the rear fender I decided to go shorter.

[DarkSideR]

Just in time for InZane?

[Valkorado]

Just in time for InZane?

You're killing me.  Was thinking of breaking away for a day or three...

[baird4444]

   I've got about 200 Miles on the Zeetex CT1000 and I AM A BELIEVER!!
This is my 1st venture into the Darkside. I enjoy the added RPMs at highway speed
and for some reason the front end has become much more lively. It was a pig in handling
at slow parking lot speeds but now it is almost flickable and can do the youie in a lot
tighter space. Can anybody explain this? Much better cornering in town speeds as well.
   Thank You Seth for doing the leg work on this; it'sa winner.

and just for the record; should I die in that fiery crash;
I am counting on Seth to remember my grandson every year at Christmas!!   
     - Mike

[98valk]

   I've got about 200 Miles on the Zeetex CT1000 and I AM A BELIEVER!!
This is my 1st venture into the Darkside. I enjoy the added RPMs at highway speed
and for some reason the front end has become much more lively. It was a pig in handling
at slow parking lot speeds but now it is almost flickable and can do the youie in a lot
tighter space. Can anybody explain this? Much better cornering in town speeds as well.
   Thank You Seth for doing the leg work on this; it'sa winner.

and just for the record; should I die in that fiery crash;
I am counting on Seth to remember my grandson every year at Christmas!!   
     - Mike

I think u meant reduced RPMs?, if u used a larger CT such as a 205/65-16.  Raising the back of the motorcycle reduces the excessive trail the valkyrie has which results in better handling u experience.

[..]

These threads are killing me, or they're convincing me. Not sure which.

When the no-name (or unknown name) tires hit the market years back, the quality was terrible. Severely quick wear, a ridiculous amount of weights to balance, and carcass shift failures were common. I swore I'd never buy a tire from a company I'd never heard of. Years later, and here we are. Name brand tire quality has slipped, possibly due to cost-cutting measures taken to compete with said no-name tires. I find that my two main contenders when my rear tire is toast are a Zeetex and an Otani. Two companies I hadn't heard of six months ago. I guess I'll see when the time does come.

Either way, thanks for the report. I'll be curious to see your longer term report.

Champiro VP 1