Dark Side Suggestions ????

[tagalong]

Hi,

We just arrived home after our SE Michigan Chapter dinner meeting where we were informed our rear Metzler was looking a little worn down the middle.  After a quick look the middle looks good compared to the cord showing on the right side of the tire.

With 11,800 mile riding two up isn't too bad for wear I don't think, but it didn't last 12 months...and we get SNOW!

With that said, what make, model, and load rating should I replace it with before we leave for PD 13 on Thursday?

I believe the previous owner has the shorter progressive shocks on the rear also.
We ride two up for a lot of the time and pull a small trailer too.

Thanks,
John S
aka Bounty Hunter

SE MI Chapter Leader

Ya, I know, I'm signed in under my wife's name, she handed me the laptop logged in ready to go...guess who's ready for the next ride???? After I get the tire fixed!

[SANDMAN5]

I can only speak for the tire I've got..Goodyear Triple Tread...205-60.
Mine has 18,000 miles on it and plenty of tread left. Handles everything
I can throw at it. I'm not much of a peg dragger, but my pegs have scraped
the pavement numerous times with this tire....no problem. It keeps traction
on dry-wet-even snow covered roads...within reason. I'll probably replace
it in the spring, just because I can. It'll be time to lube the splines then
anyway. I'm thinking about the Michelin Hydroedge 205-65 next time. Looks
like it'll be just as good, but a little taller to lower my rpm's at speed. YMMV.

If you have shorter shocks, you might want to consider a 55 series tire. Little
bit shorter...but remember it'll raise your rpm's a little.

[bigdog99]

i like the hankook, 205-55-16 11,500 miles and couting. going to SD end of this month and not worried about tread depth at all.
http://shopping.yahoo.com/tires/hankook--brand/65--tire-aspect-ratio/205--tire-width/16--wheel-diameter/;_ylt=AvWQx_w3YWjoyV46fNZGbXgYGhoF

[Gangman036]

Took several members suggestions as to what tire they use. The Good Year TT was #1 as far as number of members that went DS. I also have the Good Year (205-60-16) and will never go back to a MT. Here are several other tires that some members have used. Bear in mind in a pervious post....some had to do the nutcage mod as well as the washer mod to get a DS tire to fit.......mine went on fine as long as you loosen the 4 nuts on the swingarm, and tighten them after the tire is mounted to insure proper tire alignment.


Valkyrie Darkside Tires

Goodyear Assurance triple tread 205 60 r16

Falken ZE912

Falken ZX 512

Michelin Riken Raptor 205/55/16

bridgestone potenza g109 grid. 205 60 16

Cooper Fuzion ZRI

Alitmax 205 60 R16

Kelly Springfield Fierce HP      

Hankook K 106   

Nexen 5000 in 205/65/16

[bogator]

  I run a yokahama , and I'm very well pleased with it.check out some of my post.

[Jabba]

Bounty Hunter... I ask... how do you ride?  ANd what do you WANT out of your tire?

Tires are a lot like dogs...  the best breed is YOUR breed.  That said... I have a Falken 329 on my standard, and an Altimax HP on the IS.  I like them both, but am committed to neither.  I like the Falken better than the Altimax, but figured out it was a non directional tire after I had it mounted and riding on it.  That means the tread is different on the left and the right.  It's weird, but doesn't seem to affect me at ALL.

Next time I am gonna try a Hankook I think.  You can get stickier tires in the 55 series than in 60 or 65.  Smokin'Joe swears by the 280 - 320 tread wear rated tires.  They ONLY come in 55's.  So you pay an RPM penalty.  Go to a 60 series tire, and the tread wear ratings seem to jump to 400.  Mine are 440 and 480.  Some say that's WAY to hard.  Others run 700+ treadwear rating tires.  Mine seem to work, and I drag the pegs on both bikes frequently, both single and 2 up, albiet when I drag the pegs, I am going pretty slow.  Usually in the 15 to 20 MPH range.  I'd like to go to a 300 treadwear tire, but I am reluctant to pay the extra RPM penalty.  I think the Valk needs another gear anyway.

I hope that helps a little.

I am probably the only darksider here that's committed to NMST's but not brand loyal to the ones I have already.

Jabba

[Bonzo]

I have had two Cooper Zeon 2XS 205 55 16. I am 325 and ride two up with my wive about 125. Great Tire! Too bad they do not make a size that fits our bike anymore!!  It was sticky, good in corners and in the rain. I just put on a Cooper Zeon Sport A/S 205 55 16. So far so good, just rode home from work in the rain and tire performed great.
If you could find a Cooper Zeon 2XS I would strongly recommend it. Absolutely great tire! The Cooper Zeon  Sport A/S, so far so good, but I have only put about 750 miles on it this week

[Bruce J.]

My first DS was the Goodyear TT, had to replace it after 30K miles  because a nail went thru the bead. It was probably good for another 10-15K. I was satisfied with the way it handled. In an effort to save some money, I replaced it with the Falken 912. It immediately felt more nimble than the TT. Now, after only 17K, it needs replaced; didn't save any money on that one. I have the new Yokohama Avid Envigor H version sitting in the garage waiting for a convenient time to install it. I'm hoping that it will be a good compromise between handling, mileage, and cost. If not, I'll go back to the TT next time.

My riding is about 50/50 single and two up. We ride OH flat roads, WV, PA, NC, mountain roads and everything in between.

[blackcat]

Another tire to add to the list

Michelin Hydro Edge 205/65





i wanted to try the michelin when i went darkside but was worried the tire would rub, i ended up with a GYTT

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

I put this one on about 4 months ago and it is a keeper. I've ran several of the ones suggested about and a few others  .http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Potenza+G+019+Grid

[MP]

I like my General Altimax 205/60 much better than the Hydroedge 205/65 I had.   More like a mc tire.

MP

[tagalong]

Thanks for all the info,

I went with the Good Year Triple Tread,  205-55-16
The shorter progressive shocks wouldn't allow for the 205-60-16,


Thanks

John S
Bounty Hunter

[SANDMAN5]

Give it a few hundred miles and let us know
 how you like it.

[Valkahuna]

I like the Falken better than the Altimax, but figured out it was a non directional tire after I had it mounted and riding on it.  That means the tread is different on the left and the right.  It's weird, but doesn't seem to affect me at ALL.

Jabba,

Don't you have that backwards? I believe that a Non-directional tire is indifferent to what side of the vehicle (in case of a car, for which the tire was designed), or in what direction it is run
because it has no difference between the left and right sides of the tire, or in the direction the tread is designed to run. This is the way most "standard" car tires had been designed before it became a high tech proposition to design tires for specific functions. A "Directional" tire, IMHO, is one that should rotate in the direction of the arrow on the side wall due to there being some features on the tire that should be on the inside (or outside) of the vehicle (again, since it is a C/T usually this means the vehicle has four wheels), or that the tread is designed to rotate in only one directon.

I am trying real hard to NOT divulge my true feelings about running a tire designed for a Four wheeled vehicle to be used on one with TWO wheels with totally different dynamics. So I won't. If it works for you, go for it. Just realize that if it works it is by accident, not by design. Again, just MHO.  

[Jabba]

If you look at a directional tire... they always SEEM to be symmetrical from one side to the other.  When you look at the Falken 329 it's not.  The tread curves a different direction on the left and right sides of the tire.

http://www.falkentire.com/Tires/Passenger-Car/ZIEX-ZE-329-11

I appreciate your nonjudgementalness.  I am a Libertarian after all, and that means letting other people do things you don't necessarily agree with. 

Some of the worlds greatest discoveries were made by accident.

I am not one that'll tell you that the CT is BETTER.  But for me the advantage is payload.  I have 550 lbs of person, plus gear to haul.  The side effect of cheaper and more miles is a lucky coincidence.  The only down side I have found so far is a little bit of bump steer, and I tolerate that pretty well.  Not a big deal for me.  Overall I like it.  I was a die hard... I am NOT gonna try it guy for several years before being lured to the dark side. It's not for everyone.  But after all... they call me Jabba.

Jabba 

[Farther]

A directional tire is one that can be run in only one direction as indicated by the arrow on the side wall.  An asymetrical tire is one that the tread pattern is different from one shoulder to the other shoulder.  Asymetrical tire can be directional or non-directional.

[Valkahuna]

If you look at a directional tire... they always SEEM to be symmetrical from one side to the other.  When you look at the Falken 329 it's not.  The tread curves a different direction on the left and right sides of the tire.

http://www.falkentire.com/Tires/Passenger-Car/ZIEX-ZE-329-11

I appreciate your nonjudgementalness.  I am a Libertarian after all, and that means letting other people do things you don't necessarily agree with. 

Some of the worlds greatest discoveries were made by accident.

I am not one that'll tell you that the CT is BETTER.  But for me the advantage is payload.  I have 550 lbs of person, plus gear to haul.  The side effect of cheaper and more miles is a lucky coincidence.  The only down side I have found so far is a little bit of bump steer, and I tolerate that pretty well.  Not a big deal for me.  Overall I like it.  I was a die hard... I am NOT gonna try it guy for several years before being lured to the dark side. It's not for everyone.  But after all... they call me Jabba.

Jabba 

Jabba,

I have the same issue with weight. Been wondering why the payload set by Honda is relatively low (at least in comparison to my Harley). I wonder if the max allowed weight is any different with the newer E3 Dunlop than it was with the OEM 206?

I've been reading a lot of your posts, and I must say that I tend to agree with your Libertarian views. While there are things that I would never do, I will fight to make sure that you have the right to do them. As for your Falken tire, Farther's post above my reply has a good explanation. Still surprises me though, cause if you look at the tire tread pattern on the Falken, the two ribs in the center are even different width, and it seems that they should be the same, which they won't be depending how it is mounted (right or left side of a four wheeler.)

[Jabba]

That tire is weird.  I did not realize it was assymetrical till a while after I mounted it.  It does not seem to make any difference.  I will repolace it with a symmetrical, directional tire when it needs it.  Maybe even sooner, like when I have to do spline maintenance again. 

There are a lot of things I fight for politically that I don't do, or don't do much.  I think seatbelt and helmet laws are wrong.  But I use them both.  I don't like smoking bans, but have never even tried a cigarette.  I rarely have a drink... but I am not opposed to those that do.  I think POT should be decriminalized, but I would not partake if it was.  Mostly though, I think our government is out of control, bloated, and has expanded WAY beyond what the framers intended, and WAY beyond what can be sustained.

We have GOT to get a handle on spending and entitlement programs, or we're finished as a nation.  I heard someone say that what we've been doing for decades is nothing but child abuse.  pure and simple.

Jabba

[Valkahuna]

Jabba,

Good luck with your search for a different CT. For now I am going to stay with MT. Up here in New England we have so many crowned and frost heaved roads that the stuff I hear about issues with CTin those situations give me concerns, and the engineer (and German) in me keeps whispering in my ear that cars are cars, and bikes are bikes... I never say "never" though.  What bothers me the most is that from all I read on this subject handling a motorcycle with a car tire has to become a more conscious act, rather than just automatic from years of experience, and physics. I am actually the Safety Officer for the HOG Chapter I belong to, and to me one needs to keep their mind totally focused on the important and safety aspects of riding, and the rest should be automatic, because during an emergency we don't have time to think about compensating for a tire that acts differently.

As for your other comments, +1. Lets hope our so called leaders get their heads out of their a$$es before it is too late, or that the public wakes up, pays more attention, and makes our government do what it was intended to do, rather than trying to be everything to everyone, and ending up being nothing to anyone but themselves.  I'd be happy if they just followed the ground rules that our founders laid down. 

[Jabba]

Valkahuna... I do not try to convert anyone to the darkside.  For me... there seems to be little difference.  It IS automatic.  I don't have to compensate for anything.   

I agree with you though.  If it was distracting to me... I'd go back to a MT.  I had the same whispers for years.  I finally figured I'd give it a try... just a TRY.  And I could not tell the difference.  I have a fair bit of confidence in them now.  I can and do, scrape the pegs some.  I also think that I can improve on what I currently have.  The lower cost, and extended life, and better load capacity (for the 2-up IS) are nice benefits.

Jabba

[Valkahuna]

Jabba,

The only person you have to please is yourself!

[Jabba]

Jabba,

The only person you have to please is yourself!

Now you and I both know THAT ain't true.  I have to please Mrs. Jabba more often than myself.  If Momma ain't happy, NOBODY'S happy.

Luckily, my Mrs. is an awful good sport, and is definitely worth all the effort I have put into my relationship with her over the last 20 years.

Jabba

[Valkahuna]

Jabba,

+1 on pleasing the Mrs. But X2 your deal. We've been married almost 41 years. I know a good thing when I see it!

[frosty]

I,m running my second Toyo Proxies. 205-55-16. Handles much like the m/c tire. Has the rounded edges. 1st darkside was the Goodyear f1. Had to lean into the curves more with it.

[valkmc]

Jabba,

Good luck with your search for a different CT. For now I am going to stay with MT. Up here in New England we have so many crowned and frost heaved roads that the stuff I hear about issues with CTin those situations give me concerns, and the engineer (and German) in me keeps whispering in my ear that cars are cars, and bikes are bikes... I never say "never" though.  What bothers me the most is that from all I read on this subject handling a motorcycle with a car tire has to become a more conscious act, rather than just automatic from years of experience, and physics. I am actually the Safety Officer for the HOG Chapter I belong to, and to me one needs to keep their mind totally focused on the important and safety aspects of riding, and the rest should be automatic, because during an emergency we don't have time to think about compensating for a tire that acts differently.

As for your other comments, +1. Lets hope our so called leaders get their heads out of their a$$es before it is too late, or that the public wakes up, pays more attention, and makes our government do what it was intended to do, rather than trying to be everything to everyone, and ending up being nothing to anyone but themselves.  I'd be happy if they just followed the ground rules that our founders laid down. 

I find the CT different but after 25,000 miles I don't feel it requires more effort or a more concious act to ride. It requires a little more effort to put into a corner but less to come out. The benifit to me is the tire is much more sturdy. I do check pressure every two weeks or so, with the MC tire on the back I checked it every time I rode. I just feel more confident with the CT, they are not for everyone and I would not tell someone to do it. If someone ask me I tell them I like it but they should speak to more people than one before they make a decision.

As far as our Gov., I agree but would say before they do anything they need to stop spending huge amounts of our money overseas. Why are we still supporting other countries with money and defense while we become the largest borrower of money in the world. Does not make sense to me, at least when we give away money here, which most of the time I oppose, it at least gets spent here.

[Jabba]

I don't mind the mutual defense treaties.  I don't even REALLY mind helping countries that are friendly to us.  But financially supporting countries that are full of people that would do us harm... I am about over.  They are NOT going to convert based on our goodwill.  Cut 'em off.  And kick their ass when they make even bigger asses of themselves.

Jabba

[FLAVALK]

Took several members suggestions as to what tire they use. The Good Year TT was #1 as far as number of members that went DS. I also have the Good Year (205-60-16) and will never go back to a MT. Here are several other tires that some members have used. Bear in mind in a pervious post....some had to do the nutcage mod as well as the washer mod to get a DS tire to fit.......mine went on fine as long as you loosen the 4 nuts on the swingarm, and tighten them after the tire is mounted to insure proper tire alignment.


Valkyrie Darkside Tires

Goodyear Assurance triple tread 205 60 r16

Falken ZE912

Falken ZX 512

Michelin Riken Raptor 205/55/16

bridgestone potenza g109 grid. 205 60 16

Cooper Fuzion ZRI

Alitmax 205 60 R16

Kelly Springfield Fierce HP      

Hankook K 106   

Nexen 5000 in 205/65/16

Someone should conduct a poll of this list (and add others) just to see how many members run which tire. I think it would be interesting