Why back to the MCT?

[ValkFlyer]

Like YoungPup’s earlier post on “Why Darkside?” I’m not trying to stir up a hornets nest…   I’d just like to here from those that have tried going Dark, yet preferred to go back to the MC tire.  (Not seen much on this)

I've always ridden MCT and have done fairly well with them.  Then again the positives around DS price, stopping, and mileage (which do go a long way in convincing one), is causing me to possibly rethink my next purchase.  So hears the thing.....I'm not looking to be convinced I'm looking for some unbiased feedback Ah come on now......really..... And it would even better if it were feedback that deals with experience, and not opinion of which there is plenty of on   both sides    If you can be fair   without berating   others I’d really like to hear what you have to say.  If not   well you can always voice that opinion in another post.  Thanks

[RDKLL]

here is a lot of info here, helped me decide......


http://www.horseapple.com/Valkyrie/Tech_Tips/The_Darkside_-_Yea_or_Nay/the_darkside_-_yea_or_nay.html


http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/CarTire/home.htm

[Jabba]

I went double darkside.  Rear Kenda tire, mounted backward on the front of my IS.  For about 200 miles.  I HATED it.  That should give you at least confidence that I will bail when something sux.

Seriously, I don't claim that NMST's are BETTER at ANYTHING. All I ever notice is a tiny bit of bump steer when the ruts are significant. 

Other than that, I am convinced by 3x the mileage and 1/3 the cost.

Jabba

[Jess from VA]

It's really simple.  The car tire changes handling characteristics to some degree (also variable on the actual tire chosen and PSI ridden).   A new car tire exhibits the most changes, but gets better with sidewall break-in (3K? and continuing), and your increasing riding experience on the tire makes the changes less noticeable/relevant.  Most find the degree of changes to be more than offset by the benefits, some do not. 

My very first ride (on a busy beltway) made me wish I had not done it... but I discovered the installer had put in 30 psi, not the 40 I asked for.  At 40 psi (GATT), I felt perfectly comfortable after 4-5 weekends of riding/learning (I backed off from more aggressive riding during that time, but now can drag boards thru any twisties as well or better than cruisers with bike tires).  My IS with Goodyear TT with 27K rides (a bit) easier than my IS with Goodyear with 5-7k on it. 

[simon]

I tried the car tire on my Valk. It seems that if there is a crown in the road I was constantly pulling on the left handlebar to keep it on the road. Also, I had to be constantly alert to any imperfection in the road cause the back tire would follow the ruts and it made me feel like I was riding in mud. Not a comfortable feeling if you ask me. Forget about riding on a graded road. When I ride I only want to think about other people in cars giving me problems. I don't want to think about how my bike will react to this road condition or that road condition. I ride to enjoy myself and car tires made it work instead of pleasure for me.

[BigEagle]

Had a Toyo Proxis 206/65-16.  Liked the look and the rpm drop and loved the braking power, but didn't like the way it threw my bike around on anything but a flat road.  Went back to a Metz and was disgusted at how fast it wore out.  Now I'm running a GYTT 205/60-16 and it's much better than the Toyo.  Very happy with the GYTT.

[sugerbear]

MY best answer is, don't listen to anyone else.
put one on and try to for a few hundred miles.
not 10-20 but a few hundred.
make up your own mind.
if you like it great, if not great.
it's YOUR ride.
the cost is worth it to  make up you mind.
unless you do you own mounting, then it's free.
just more time with your fat girl

[Westsider]

I tried the ct on the basis of the price mileage thing. I also mounted my own ct and the mc tire. the mc tire was a son of a b&^%$ mounting and dissmounting, where as the ct basically fell on /off the rim to me....i have had them in my hands and sure seemed to me the mc tire is much more beefy side wall'ed,,I also had a sudden total deflate- I just cant call it a blowout on the mc tire at about 80mph..kept it controlled enough to get off on the shoulder of I35, the tire didnt budge from the bead.Im afraid if it was a ct it my have unbeaded,,thats just me and my experiance..I may feel I owe the mc tire something for staying on the rim during that escapade....I think if the tire would have come off the bead, it would have gotten really ugly...like I thought it was going to but didnt,..That being said,, I also did'nt like the handling of the ct , and I think it throws the geometry of the bike off..I,ll keep the mc tire....jmho just saying and all that......

[Momz]

Running a CT on a GoldWing in certain GWRRA chapters can get you thrown out.
They tend to be less tolerant of tires that can cause a "flaming death".

[R J]

Vell, I is a old fart and I've ridden many miles on a motor.

The 1st bikes I ever rode had car tires on both ends, yeah, go look at some of old restored Harley's from the early 50's and late 40's.   Firestone or Goodyear car tires 600:16.

Currently I'm on I think my 5th car tire on MGM.   I like he feel, the better braking and the tread life.     After a few thousand miles you get used to the being tossed around as the others refer to.    The sidewall I think is what happens, get broke in, or I just get used to it.     I can ride down the road with one hand, both hands or no hands with the Cruise control set.   Straight as an arrow.

You just have to give the car tire a break in period.....    I get anywhere from 30 to 40K on the tread life.    Service the rear end every 10 to 12K, and have close to 243K on the bike now.    80% of my rear tires have been car tires.   Run a Metzler 880 on the front.    Wide tread pattern to match the rear CT.

Very satisfied with a CT.

BUT, CT or MCT it is your decision, not mine or anyone else's.

[Sourdough]

I had a GYTT on my standard for about 2500 miles. Like Simon posted I just
didn't like the way the bike handled. I gave it my best shot, but decided to go
back to a mc tire. I'm much happier now. Good luck with your decision...

[Farther]

If MT got better mileage we probably wouldn't be having this conversation.

[Hef]

As we all know this topic can be debated to the extremes on both ends. I had a bike which came with a CT on the rear when I bought it and found I didn't like the feel of it at all. I have ridden friends bike with CT's and didn't care for those either.  I certainly don't have a problem with those who do like CT's. I understand that a CT will last longer but I just consider the cost of a tire replacement as part of the motorcyle riding package. Like most things for motorcycles, they are overpriced. I do know the MC tire is made of a softer compound than a CT for supposedly better traction in cornering and hence have a shorter life. I do not necessarily agree that CT's are prone to  accidents, but I'm pretty much a guy who trust the designers of a vehicle to make it safe and so I tend to go with stock rather than custom. I'll stick to MC tire but whatever you choose just enjoy the ride!

[bigfish_Oh]

If MT got better mileage we probably wouldn't be having this conversation.

Exactly, if we had a quality longer lasting affordable choice it would be a non issue.

After 13 years of not riding and 1000 miles on this Valk and 2000 more on the CT, I love the CT. I couple drawbacks, but I love having to "control" and be the pilot.
   There are great differences in just bikes, when I was riding I had 2 CBX's. I took a friends GS1100 home one day to do some routine p. maint. for him. That first turn put me across the rode, I wasn't ready for that mini bike that did not need pulled where you wanted go. That was more scary and uncomfortable than this CT, but overcame instantly. Kinda made me chuckle like it was a kids toy.(no need to flame, I know all the facts/stats)

[Daniel Meyer]

Running a CT on a GoldWing in certain GWRRA chapters can get you thrown out.
They tend to be less tolerant of tires that can cause a "flaming death".

Nah, yah just weren't wearing the right jacket!

[Daniel Meyer]

Ya just gotta try it.

Heck, one biker can't convince another of which motorcycle tire is best (or oil, or jacket, or brand, or ??).

Independent minded sorts... 

[Sodbuster]

One thing I noticed that is NOT mentioned in this post is the driveline maintenence - With the increase in mileage on the CT are you also not servicing/relubing the splines and other drive components every 10k-15k miles ??  If someone is not comfortable with that and has someone else do the work for them that would weigh in on your decision as well.  Personally, I wouldn't be comfortable with letting the splines go for the life of a CT (30k-50k miles)

Just saying ....

[R J]

One thing I noticed that is NOT mentioned in this post is the driveline maintenence - With the increase in mileage on the CT are you also not servicing/relubing the splines and other drive components every 10k-15k miles ??  If someone is not comfortable with that and has someone else do the work for them that would weigh in on your decision as well.  Personally, I wouldn't be comfortable with letting the splines go for the life of a CT (30k-50k miles)

Just saying ....

Go back up and read mine, I do believe I mentioned tread life and 12 to 15K maintenance.

[Sodbuster]

One thing I noticed that is NOT mentioned in this post is the driveline maintenence - With the increase in mileage on the CT are you also not servicing/relubing the splines and other drive components every 10k-15k miles ??  If someone is not comfortable with that and has someone else do the work for them that would weigh in on your decision as well.  Personally, I wouldn't be comfortable with letting the splines go for the life of a CT (30k-50k miles)

Just saying ....

Go back up and read mine, I do believe I mentioned tread life and 12 to 15K maintenance.

Ooops .... my mistake

[Old Geezer Richard]

 Hey Valkflyer , the subject about C/T or M/C tires will go on as long as the VRCC stays in business ... its just like saying do I go buy a Chevy , Ford , Mopar or a Jap car ????? everybody has their likes and dislikes about ANYTHING where you have a choice ... my pet peave with M/C tires is this , why can't these guys build a tire that has a longer tire life/mileage , instead of messing around with 10,000 , 12,000 or 15,000 miles and thats all .... its just another pay me now or pay me later gimmick , we need tires .....  So I went with a Michelin Pilot 205-55-16 my very first C/T with NOT so aggressive tread like other C/T'S and a lower speed rating AND I LIKED IT  Sure it takes a little getting used to like Cornering and Pulling into a Parking Lot or in a Cul-De-Sac and going over RAIN GROOVES , and UNEVEN asphalt ... but most of my riding is straight with some curves and turns but no peg scraping for me & my wifey ... the ONLY thing that took a little patience is finding that PSI that suits YOU .... in cold months I run 36 PSI , in the warm months I run 32 because it will heat up to 36 or 38 here in the Texas  heat during the summer and of course I run my Avon front tire at 40 PSI always ..... my C/T from Sam's Whse was about $135 back in Dec. of 2009 and with 20,000 +- miles it still lookes BRAND NEW  So try it , you might like it  Thanks the Geezer

[old2soon]

Ya just gotta try it.

Heck, one biker can't convince another of which motorcycle tire is best (or oil, or jacket, or brand, or ??).

Independent minded sorts... 

  What he said. Got back a little while ago and got 50 thou + on the bike and 7 thou on my d/s choice. Can't give you ONE reason to go back to a m/c tire on the rear. All the reasons to stay on it have already been posted-numerous times. Tail end of june first part of july rolled right at 2 thou to my brothers place and back. All kinds of surfaces and a little rain and hail thrown in fer good measure. Even though i ain't never got a frikkin cookie-i'm a convert to the d/s. And liking it a lot. Couple of others have brought this up-me being happy on a d/s don't mean YOU will. And they do feel better with more miles on them. It has to feel good to you and you alone. Nuff said. RIDE SAFE.

[Moonshot_1]

I run a GYTT on the back. I do like it.
I have known a few who  have gone back to a mc tire and they prefer how the mc tire handles and won't go back to a CT.

At the end of the day, it's your personality and how you ride that will determine what will work for you.

The problem with the mc tire is it's lack of service life. Particularly with a high torque machine. Most times you flatten the middle in 5000 miles and effectively wear them out in 10k. If you are lucky. And some are. But most are not. I know some will say they get 20k out of a rear tire. They do but that isn't typical. 8-10k is.

My general reccomendation to folks is if you are a casual weekend rider, maybe 1-2k a season, a CT is not for you. If you are doing 10k+ a season, it's well worth looking into. It may not be for you, but it's worth looking into it.

[Tropic traveler]

Well.... Bought the '99 Valk last year with a CT already mounted, a 205/65/16 Michelin HydroEdge. I always wanted to try a CT as I had gotten good feedback from people whose judgement I trust. I put 3000 miles on the '99 & the CT. Having 2 other Valks with Avon bike tires I immediately felt the difference.
I'm 50/50 on it.
I ended up going back to a bike tire mainly because I got another damn flat. While there are those that will tell you there are no differences between a CT & a MCT, I am not one of them. The low speed handling difference is dramatic. Anything over 15 mph there is no difference that I can tell.
Likes- CT has great traction, especially in the rain. Better rear braking. Looks awesome. Longevity is better & cost is less.
Dislikes- Low speed handling sucks, had to drop the pressure down to 28psi just to get passable results. Rubbing on the nutcages & swingarm. It does follow ruts in the road but not much worse than a bike tire.

Disclaimer or to be fair- I want to have all 3 of our Valks handle the same. Kim will put some miles on the '99 & I don't think she could handle the low speed differences. That played into my decision. If a CT came in a closer to stock Valk size like a 195/70 or 185/70 I would try another. The 205 has to squeeze onto a 5" Valk rim making it even more "square".
That's my story, I tried it & switched back to stock MCT. I'm happy with my decision.  


  

[Mr. Nuts]

I loved the Falken car tires added breaking, easy takeoffs with no wobble, outstanding rain performance, and looks. I thought it dramatically helped the low speed maneuvers (as in Jerry "Motorman" Palladino's courses) with its flat and wide bottom. I'm in very mountainous country and I didn't even mind the extra counter-steer required. It was also far superior when pulling my trailer.

Two reasons caused my return to the Avon. Reason one was a disturbing wobble starting at about 100mph. Reason two was that the CT doesn't like long dirt roads with severe ruts in them from cars. I happen to have good friends down such a road and its three miles long. The CT kinda wants to stick in the ruts more than the bike tire does.

After a full season back on the bike tire I am sure missing the braking power especially. Montana wildlife is extremely abundant and something is always jumping out in front of you requiring good breaking skills. The CT saved me many times and I am now concerned that if I use the same breaking technique I am used to with the CT that I will certainly lock the MT. I want my superior breaking back.

I haven't yet decided what my next tire will be, but I have both a new CT and new MT in the garage and could go either way. If I can stay off rutted dirt roads and keep the speed under 100 the CT will be back on next season.

[X Ring]

I do know the MC tire is made of a softer compound than a CT for supposedly better traction in cornering and hence have a shorter life. I do not necessarily agree that CT's are prone to  accidents, but I'm pretty much a guy who trust the designers of a vehicle to make it safe and so I tend to go with stock rather than custom. I'll stick to MC tire but whatever you choose just enjoy the ride!

Actually you're wrong.  The rubber on car tires is softer than the rubber on motorcycle tires.  The reason MTs wear out so fast is the small contact patch, about 2-3 inches long and an inch wide versus the CT's larger wider contact patch.  Now it is true that CTs come in different traction ratings for wet weather braking and that indidcates how soft the rubber is.  Too bad MTs don't have the same type ratings.

As far as your statement about being the guy who trusts the designers of a vehicle to make it safe and so you tend to go with stock rather than custom.  If you're running other tires than the OEM Dunflops, then you're not being truthful and you are running customl.

Marty

[Farther]

If you're running other tires than the OEM Dunflops, then you're not being truthful and you are running custom. 
Marty

Now that is stretching the meaning of custom.

[olddog1946]

I'm with Jabba as to my reasoning for going with the CT...low cost, more miles..I wasn't too sure about it after a couple thousand miles, but found that after 9000 the bike seems much more stable than it was earlier in the life of the tire..no longer do I need to bump steer in the curves, just glide on around like any bike tire, still get the squirrely feelings at the low end, but again not near as bad as the first few thousand..I am running a federal 535 directional tire and will run one again when the time comes..ALL in all I like it..and all for $91.00

[Walküre]

Running a CT on a GoldWing in certain GWRRA chapters can get you thrown out.
They tend to be less tolerant of tires that can cause a "flaming death".

Heck, riding a GOLDWING in certain GWRRA chapters, can get you thrown out!!   

Nah, yah just weren't wearing the right jacket!

Jackets? GW riders, in JACKETS?? Now, VESTS I would believe...

My experience, at least wherever I've been, is that a vest is to GWRRA members, like a bandana is to HD riders. And the more pins and patches, the better...

Back to topic, I changed out my M/C tire after about 100 miles on the Bridgestone G702 (after destroying it, by running almost no air pressure - mea culpa, checked EVERYthing else, but just spaced it, when I bought the bike. Running a General Tire Altimax, and loving it. Was questioning it at first, until I found out my gauge was off 10+ psi! Once I got it up to about 42 psi, it suddenly because very well-behaved.

I like it, and as was mentioned by Bigfish,

After 13 years of not riding and 1000 miles on this Valk and 2000 more on the CT, I love the CT. I couple drawbacks, but I love having to "control" and be the pilot.

I, also, like that feeling, as it reminds me of some of the first motorcycles I've ever owned, especially the old R-50 Beemer, that you had to ride like you meant it. But, as Simon pointed out,

I tried the car tire on my Valk. It seems that if there is a crown in the road I was constantly pulling on the left handlebar to keep it on the road. Also, I had to be constantly alert to any imperfection in the road cause the back tire would follow the ruts and it made me feel like I was riding in mud. Not a comfortable feeling if you ask me. Forget about riding on a graded road. When I ride I only want to think about other people in cars giving me problems. I don't want to think about how my bike will react to this road condition or that road condition. I ride to enjoy myself and car tires made it work instead of pleasure for me.

Same tire, same feeling, different opinion!

You'll just have to try it, if you want. Too bad you live so far away, you'd be more than welcome to take mine for a nice long ride. Maybe somebody that IS close to you, has one? Any excuse for a ride...

 

R

[ValkFlyer]

You'll just have to try it, if you want. Too bad you live so far away, you'd be more than welcome to take mine for a nice long ride. Maybe somebody that IS close to you, has one? Any excuse for a ride...

 

R

Carefull....Roger...I just might have to come up with an excuse for long ride..  Been meaning to ask you....how are those bags coming?  

Bob

[Walküre]

Carefull....Roger...I just might have to come up with an excuse for long ride..  Been meaning to ask you....how are those bags coming?  

Bob

Bob - c'mon down!!   

I've started plugging the holes from the old racks, and once that is done, will be getting them ready for paint, and hopefully, painting them next week. I'm off work, this week on sick leave for my wife - she had knee replacement, and next week on Annual Leave, but might get it changed, also, since she will be in oodles of therapy, Dr.'s appointments, etc. But, the weather has been perfect for painting the last few days, and if it holds out, I just might get them done. Hoping to, anyway. I have a set of forward controls coming, and was REALLY hoping to have them here sooner, so I could do the controls, painting, and install my Audiovox Cruise control all at the same time, without the bike being down too long, during the work week, as it's my main transportation, right now - 37 mpg as opposed to 15 mpg on the truck, and 50 miles a day - NO BRAINER!! If it ain't raining when I walk out the door, I'm riding!

R