Anybody got miles on an austone taxi tire?

[Hoser]

Need info for darkside.  Hoser

[JaysGone]

All I can add is the guys over on Delphis Darkside forum using it on RoadStars.
Love it.
Price aside.
Besides my using a LT 195-65-16 there is no other good choices for a RoadStar anymore.

[csj]

I couldn't find an austone anywhere within a 500 mile radius.
I did find a 205 65 16 Falken, and it's on my bike now. Got about
300 miles on it, handles as well as the Hercules it replaces.

I did find a Goodyear 205 70 16, about $60 more than the Falken.
That Goodyear is T rated, or about 120mph. When this Falken
is at the wear bars in 2 years, that's what I'll be going to.

[JaysGone]

You wont find it at any retailers.
Its a European Taxi cab tire.
They can be had here.
https://www.universaltire.com/dunlop-tires/dunlop-radial-tires/175r16-austone-taxi-black.html

For a RoadStar with a 3.5 inch rim its the best out there short of my Continetal Vanco2 which is also european and difficult to get here.

As far as using a Austone on a Valk or Wing????
Far from my 1st choice.
That said I do have a Sunny<Chinese> 195-65-16 LT on my Valk and its so far really good.
Not as good a tire as the Vanco2. But I wont be changing it for about 25-30K or so.

[Ricky-D]

There may be a problem fitting a 205-70-16 into the bike.

That's a pretty tall tire and may have interference with the fender and/or swing arm.

I am interested however, in the results when you start trying to use it.

***

[JaysGone]

No way a 205-70 would fit.
The tire in question is listed as a 175-75.
But in reality is closer to a 78 series.
It fits a RoadStar fine witn no modifications.
It would also fit a Valk with no issues other then a change in rpms,
-12rpm and the odometer would be +1mph. If calulated as a 78 series things change a bit more. -24 rpm and the odometer would be +2mph.
Not a real difference at between stock sizes.
Why guys go to 205s is beyound me.
Im a darksider for the advantages in handeling and weather<wet>.
Mileage increases are just a plus for me.

This is for fun not an exact measurement.
http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/infoTireMath.dos

[Tropic traveler]

The Austone tire intrigues me quite a bit. Next time I see Bill {Grumpy} on one of our Florida lunch rides you can bet I'll be all over his Austone equipped I/S while picking his brain too. 
What makes me most interested about the Austone tire for the Valk is the slight circumference increase which hopefully reduces the Valk's highway RPM a bit. The rounded profile {which is why I want to see it on a Valk} would cover the ill low speed handling that I had with my CT experience.
BTW, a 205-65-16 is slightly taller than a stock size 180-70-16 Avon.
The Michelin HydroEdge I had rubbed on the RH nutcage and/or swingarm when 2 up.
Pic shows height diff.

[JaysGone]

Ive been using car tires on 1 bike or another for over 35 years.
I did have to make a few modifications for the 195-65-16 to fit my Yamaha.
But its been such a good tire.
I had to take a chance on the only available LT tire in the country at the time in the same size.
I took a chance on a "Sunny" LT 195-65 for the Valk.
Its half the weight almost 21 lbs Vs the Vanco @ 39 lbs.
But it rides really well on the Valk, and handles good too.
Im excedingly happy with it.
Ive had to make no modifications to the bike at all.

What Im trying to say here is cost vs tire the Austone was and for me is a very distant 2nd.
Im a big proponent of Light Truck tires for our bikes.
Not car tires.
They work and work well.

Ive met Grumpy on the boards here as we actually share the same "Nickname"

Im also Grumpy<JaysGone> as in not here.

On the darkside forum on Delphi there has been alot of chatter in regards to the Austone being at this time the only good SAFE choice for most R*s.
Folks over there dont want to go through what I did to make my tire work.
Those who are using it, who have comparisons to previous tires used.
Are also very happy and expect to get 25-30K at 32 psi.
Now if your familar with a R* a big V-Twin tourqe monster but 2/3rds the HP of the Valk. The Austone is an exceptionally stiff tire. Which is needed to reduce the "wobbles" issues due to the 3.5 inch rear rim.
That as your well aware isnt an issue here.
As to the profile changing rpms.....................I dont think it will amount to a hill of beans difference.
Otherwise dimensionally the bikes are almost the same.
It should be a very good tire for a Valk or GW long term in any event initial cost aside.

[Hoser]

Very helpful posting going on here.  Now, how about a good double darkside front tire. ? I can get a Shinko rear 150/70/17 rear for cheep, 9/32 tread depth.  Hoser    ???

[Tropic traveler]

From what bits of info I've gathered here about the Austone it appears that there is about a 100-200 RPM drop at 65-70 mph highway cruising speeds over a stock MC tire. That would be great for me as most of our riding is on highways avoiding interstates. My only real complaint about the Valk is the highway RPM, otherwise it is nearly perfect so any help from a different tire would be a real bonus. My experience with the CT was very favorable concerning braking & wet weather riding but I could not stand the horrible low speed handling that the squared off Michelin caused. The pics that I have seen show the Austone with a very nice rounded profile much like a MC tire. I like that.
Seems it could be the best of both worlds for me. 

All of the rear tires on our Valks are still in good condition with the '99 being almost new. It might be a while before we need one.

Chime in Grumpy or Dubs if you have any more 411 about the Austone.   

[Grumpy]

Ive been using car tires on 1 bike or another for over 35 years.
I did have to make a few modifications for the 195-65-16 to fit my Yamaha.
But its been such a good tire.
I had to take a chance on the only available LT tire in the country at the time in the same size.
I took a chance on a "Sunny" LT 195-65 for the Valk.
Its half the weight almost 21 lbs Vs the Vanco @ 39 lbs.
But it rides really well on the Valk, and handles good too.
Im excedingly happy with it.
Ive had to make no modifications to the bike at all.

What Im trying to say here is cost vs tire the Austone was and for me is a very distant 2nd.
Im a big proponent of Light Truck tires for our bikes.
Not car tires.
They work and work well.

Ive met Grumpy on the boards here as we actually share the same "Nickname"

Im also Grumpy<JaysGone> as in not here.

On the darkside forum on Delphi there has been alot of chatter in regards to the Austone being at this time the only good SAFE choice for most R*s.
Folks over there dont want to go through what I did to make my tire work.
Those who are using it, who have comparisons to previous tires used.
Are also very happy and expect to get 25-30K at 32 psi.
Now if your familar with a R* a big V-Twin tourqe monster but 2/3rds the HP of the Valk. The Austone is an exceptionally stiff tire. Which is needed to reduce the "wobbles" issues due to the 3.5 inch rear rim.
That as your well aware isnt an issue here.
As to the profile changing rpms.....................I dont think it will amount to a hill of beans difference.
Otherwise dimensionally the bikes are almost the same.
It should be a very good tire for a Valk or GW long term in any event initial cost aside.

It does make a difference on the rpm, running a stock Avon, dead on 3000 rpm, gave me 66 mph, by the gps. With the Austone tire, 3000 rpm gives me just a hair over 70mph. So picked up 4 mph, have checked with both the spedo and the gps, of course the speedo reads a little higher that the gps, but that is normal for Honda's. But still the 4 mph difference. Have not seen any difference in fuel mileage, but could be the taller tire makes the motor work just a little more.

[Tropic traveler]

Ive been using car tires on 1 bike or another for over 35 years.
I did have to make a few modifications for the 195-65-16 to fit my Yamaha.
But its been such a good tire.
I had to take a chance on the only available LT tire in the country at the time in the same size.
I took a chance on a "Sunny" LT 195-65 for the Valk.
Its half the weight almost 21 lbs Vs the Vanco @ 39 lbs.
But it rides really well on the Valk, and handles good too.
Im excedingly happy with it.
Ive had to make no modifications to the bike at all.

What Im trying to say here is cost vs tire the Austone was and for me is a very distant 2nd.
Im a big proponent of Light Truck tires for our bikes.
Not car tires.
They work and work well.

Ive met Grumpy on the boards here as we actually share the same "Nickname"

Im also Grumpy<JaysGone> as in not here.

On the darkside forum on Delphi there has been alot of chatter in regards to the Austone being at this time the only good SAFE choice for most R*s.
Folks over there dont want to go through what I did to make my tire work.
Those who are using it, who have comparisons to previous tires used.
Are also very happy and expect to get 25-30K at 32 psi.
Now if your familar with a R* a big V-Twin tourqe monster but 2/3rds the HP of the Valk. The Austone is an exceptionally stiff tire. Which is needed to reduce the "wobbles" issues due to the 3.5 inch rear rim.
That as your well aware isnt an issue here.
As to the profile changing rpms.....................I dont think it will amount to a hill of beans difference.
Otherwise dimensionally the bikes are almost the same.
It should be a very good tire for a Valk or GW long term in any event initial cost aside.

It does make a difference on the rpm, running a stock Avon, dead on 3000 rpm, gave me 66 mph, by the gps. With the Austone tire, 3000 rpm gives me just a hair over 70mph. So picked up 4 mph, have checked with both the spedo and the gps, of course the speedo reads a little higher that the gps, but that is normal for Honda's. But still the 4 mph difference. Have not seen any difference in fuel mileage, but could be the taller tire makes the motor work just a little more.

Hey Grumps, Is the Austone much heavier than the Avon? How about low end torque? does the taller Austone make the engine & clutch work any harder taking off?
Inquiring minds want to know. 

[JaysGone]

No GPS for me so no real numbers. I just go with the flow here, maybe a bit more some days.
Im never really in a hurry and I ride 98% in a straight line so tire profile doesnt enter in for me.
The bigger the contact patch the better I like it.

But heres the numbers from a tire conversion tool these are car tire numbers for stock. Bike tire numbers may be different a bit.

This is with the Austone as a 78 series which it really is.

                                Stock              175-75(78) Austone         Diff Sidewall Height:          4.96                5.37                               .41
Section Width:            7.09                6.89                               -.02
Overall Diameter:        25.92              26.75                              0.83
Circumference:            81.43              84.03                              2.6
Revs per mile:             778.05            754                                 -24.05

I dont know from rears on fronts.
The Battle Axe sems to be the tire of choice for most riders regardless of rear tire over on the Darkside forum Im on.
Im using a Kenda Challenger rear in 150-70-17 on the Valk.
It was cheap, its noisy, whiny, etc. It works fine at 30 psi. Bumpity, bouncy as heck above 34 psi for me.

I dont care how long it lasts if its actually underinflated.
It has nowhere near the same load as a front.
If it was actually being used as a rear I can see 36-38+ psi.
When its on the front.,,,,,,,,,<Big arguing point on my forum as no one has any real info just theories> low psi makes for a smooooooooth ride.
Its screws with my mechanical speedo about 10 mph?? Id guess.
As I have no idea what Im doing to begin with down here speed wise.
Today on I-95 my speedo said 75mph@3500rpm and everyone was passing me, which is normal down here anyway.
I have no GPS or access to one.

I also dont know what matters with you guys who have the electrical speedo pickup???? Having the mechanical front on the "F" seems to suck as it is.

[JaysGone]

Very helpful posting going on here.  Now, how about a good double darkside front tire. ? I can get a Shinko rear 150/70/17 rear for cheep, 9/32 tread depth.  Hoser    ???

There are 2 Stinko rears if I remember correctly in 150-70 -17.
The real cheapy one 715??............Ive been told stay far far away from them, garbage crap junk<insert adjative here> tire.

[GOOSE]

"DubsValk"/Bernie out of Knoxville, Tn would be the man to talk to also....he's been running one of those Austone taxi tires for awhile.  Maybe he will chime in and tell you his experiences with it....my understanding is that it is a great way to go...best of both worlds.

[Grumpy]

Ive been using car tires on 1 bike or another for over 35 years.
I did have to make a few modifications for the 195-65-16 to fit my Yamaha.
But its been such a good tire.
I had to take a chance on the only available LT tire in the country at the time in the same size.
I took a chance on a "Sunny" LT 195-65 for the Valk.
Its half the weight almost 21 lbs Vs the Vanco @ 39 lbs.
But it rides really well on the Valk, and handles good too.
Im excedingly happy with it.
Ive had to make no modifications to the bike at all.

What Im trying to say here is cost vs tire the Austone was and for me is a very distant 2nd.
Im a big proponent of Light Truck tires for our bikes.
Not car tires.
They work and work well.

Ive met Grumpy on the boards here as we actually share the same "Nickname"

Im also Grumpy<JaysGone> as in not here.

On the darkside forum on Delphi there has been alot of chatter in regards to the Austone being at this time the only good SAFE choice for most R*s.
Folks over there dont want to go through what I did to make my tire work.
Those who are using it, who have comparisons to previous tires used.
Are also very happy and expect to get 25-30K at 32 psi.
Now if your familar with a R* a big V-Twin tourqe monster but 2/3rds the HP of the Valk. The Austone is an exceptionally stiff tire. Which is needed to reduce the "wobbles" issues due to the 3.5 inch rear rim.
That as your well aware isnt an issue here.
As to the profile changing rpms.....................I dont think it will amount to a hill of beans difference.
Otherwise dimensionally the bikes are almost the same.
It should be a very good tire for a Valk or GW long term in any event initial cost aside.

It does make a difference on the rpm, running a stock Avon, dead on 3000 rpm, gave me 66 mph, by the gps. With the Austone tire, 3000 rpm gives me just a hair over 70mph. So picked up 4 mph, have checked with both the spedo and the gps, of course the speedo reads a little higher that the gps, but that is normal for Honda's. But still the 4 mph difference. Have not seen any difference in fuel mileage, but could be the taller tire makes the motor work just a little more.

Hey Grumps, Is the Austone much heavier than the Avon? How about low end torque? does the taller Austone make the engine & clutch work any harder taking off?
Inquiring minds want to know. 

Does not seem  to affect takeoff, haven't tried any burnouts. Weight about the same as the avon.

[Art708]

  I have about 3000 miles on mine so far and have had no problems from it. I didn't notice enough highway RPM drop to even mention. I can see no wear so far at 3K. Doesn't ride quite as well to me as a motorcycle tire but much better than the other 2 CTs that I have tried in the past.

[JaysGone]

Guys I have no inside info in regards to the difference between Valk OEM stock and the Austone.
My bike came to me with a Metz 205-60-16 burned up.
My feelings about the Austone are in regards to other CTs folks have tried and failed with more or less.
Or werent as happy as they thought they should be.

Most go Darkside for longevity.
Thats my last reason for doing it.
Its just a plus benefit.

My thoughts go more towards riding comfort and most importanly braking in the rain.
Rainy season begins in a week or 2 down here and lasts till Oct, Nov.
More then half the year its raining someplace down here and usually on me on my way home from work.
With a 195-65 LT tire on both my bikes.
I have a nice flat contact patch almost 7 inches wide.............. me Im a happy rider <(:+o)

[Hoser]

I have decided to stay in the light.  I will go with my present tires, a dunny american elite 180/65B/16 rear and a dunny D404F 150/80B/17 on front.  I get 20k or so off this combo.  I want to thank all who contributed, it was a real education, and I appriciate it.      Ride safe and ride long.    Hoser

[JaysGone]

They work as intended 1st time every time.
If it werent for the fact that Im not happy in the rains here on bike tires.
Id have stayed on bike tires too.
Switching primarily for longevity just isnt a good enough reason for me.

Ride safe.............