What front tire you guys using with the YOKO A048 rear Darkside?

[legalalien]

Decided on the Yoko A048 205/55/16 med hard compount and leap onto the darkside. Best price I can find is at Tire rack ? any other sources?
Would appreciate any info from you guys that are using this on the back to help decide what to put up front.
Any info appreciated
Regards
Mark

[SCain]

Mark,
I think most are running either a cobra or metzler, the dunflop is also used. I am currently using the metzler up front with the bridgestone potenza G019 205/60-16 in the rear.
Do a search on Darkside, lots of reading.

[legalalien]

Steve
Thanks for getting back.
The reason I am choosing the Yoko is maily the profile plus the medium hard compound. I still have plenty on the front metzler so may try that just to start with. How do you like your new setup compared to the old?
Mark

[R J]

I have only run the Metzler front tire as I like the added tread width on the ground, MC or CT on the rear.   I have had plenty of both in 242K+ miles..

Currently rear is a Good Year Allaince Triple Tread, running 36# both solo and or 2 up.

[old2soon]

legalalien-look at tire buyer.com. My selection was a general ultimax h-p 205-60-16. It was shipped free and i had to pay the 7% mo sales tax-but it was $99.18 to my front door. Ordered a metz 880 for the front. Can't locate the invoice but seems to me it was in that 180-190 range from H D L. BTW that d/s rear was way cheaper than wally world and sears. Hope this helps. RIDE SAFE.

[legalalien]

Thanks old2soon. I tried tirebuyer.com but guess which the only brand they dont list is.....yep Yoko!!
Looks like evryone has gone to tirerack to buy so thats good enough recommend for me.
Thanks for your input.
Best regards
Mark

[RUDE DOG - Steelers]

Ive got the Yoko A048 on my Valk.  I love it.  Looks really good and runs great.  I have the Avon Venom 150/80 on the front.  No complaints here.  Im not a corner carver though but never had a problem either.

[legalalien]

That tire definately looks the business and congrats on the awsome looking Valyrie. I'll post some pics if I ever get this baby back together! Think I will scrub off the rest of the Metz I have left then try a change. Same dont do a huge amount of corner carving but looking forward to the stability on the longer runs.
Thanks for the info.
Mark

[Bullgoose]

Any tips on the cheapest place to buy Avons these days?

[B]

I like my Elite 3... I think Dumflop gets a bad rap from there sins of the past. E3 has given me good service; I'd run it in back if I ever slipped over to the lightside.

[Mildew]

Darkside rear firehawk 205/60
Kendon rear tire on the front mounted reverse 150/70/17

[alph]

PICTURES PICTURES PICTURES!!

COME ON PEOPLE!!  I NEED PICTURES!!!

i'd like to see the tread patern for that Yoko tire, and that Firehawk.  i'll be needing to replace my rear tire here this summer, and i don't want to go with a car tire, but would like to consider it.

thanks

alph.

okay, did my own googling;
i'm liking the YOKO, (i guess they named it after john's wife....)


and here's the Firehawk.

[RUDE DOG - Steelers]

Heres a couple of the Yoko

[Mildew]

Here's my firehawk. I think it has 16k on it. (Unbalanced)..It's getting thin. I bought it used from the local junkyard for $45. It looked new but I'm sure it wasn't

Here's my Kendon rear tire on the front. I think it has 11k maybe more. I'm just going by memory.

Sorry about the cat litter I ran over. Had an oil clean up in the driveway

[NITRO]

Have any of you run the Yoko in heavy rain? It doesn't have much siping and looks like it'd be prone to hydroplaning. Also, is it only available in 205/55?

[RUDE DOG - Steelers]

Have any of you run the Yoko in heavy rain? It doesn't have much siping and looks like it'd be prone to hydroplaning. Also, is it only available in 205/55?

205/55 is the size Yokohama A048 I run.  I havent really been in much rain with it judge.

[Sludge]

Ive been running a Yoko Advan A048 for a long time.  I was, to my knowledge, the first here to drop the cash for one back in 2005.  Great tire IMHO.  Wear is quick compared to other car tires though.  I get about 5k out of one maybe 6k.  However, I can get a bit rough on it with my driving style too.  At any rate, I put mine on specifically for the supercharger and straight line contact patch.  I wanted it to handle well in the turns too since I live in the mountains of NC.  Its sticky, handles good even in the twisties with its rounded edges, and I have mine paired with a Dunlop Elite 3 on front.



Sry, dont have a real good pic of it on the bike but its on there in that picture.

My second pick would be what Smoking Joe runs.  Either the Cooper Zeon 2XS or a Fuzion ZRi in 205-55-16.  I think he runs both.  Hell, he has a whole stable full of Valks (3 I think).  Ya cant hide money Joe    At any rate, they would give very similar grip and handling characteristics I would think at a much lower cost and would be probably much better in heavy rain and for general riding than the A048.  I simply wanted the rubber on the ground with my A048.  Large tread blocks and all for one purpose.  Straight line acceleration and grip off the line.  Its the closest thing to a racing slick I can put on thats street legal and has a rounded edge.

Good luck on the new tire.

[legalalien]

Thats great information thank you and the Yoko is definately going on next week! Very nice bike you have there too by the way!!! I chromed the rims last year so just trying to find someone who can mount it without any scratching.
Dunlop were unpopular for a while but seem to have come back again as there are quite a few recommending the same front tire and thats what will go on after I have scrubbed the last miles off the Metzler. We live here in the White Mountains of NH so have some fantastic windy roads but also some great highway riding. I was getting all psyched up for early riding like last year but we are getting a foot of snow tomorrow!! At this rate we will be going to Laconia on the snowmobiles!
Best Regards
Mark

[Flat6Valk]

Hey Sludge,

do you have any info on the Dunlop Direzza 205 55 16?  It looks good, other than that I only know it cost a little more than the fuzion.  Just wondering.

[Sludge]

Ive not really given that tire any thought to tell the truth.  It looks nice though