Repairshop not fond of the dark side

[Firefighter]

Called a motorcycle repair shop today that I heard good things about several years ago, and was asking him questions about my front forks. I was telling him about an issue I have with a movement or looseness even after replacing the bushings 16,000 miles back. We were doing pretty good until he asked me what tires I use and I told him I am running a car tire on the rear. Wow, he came apart at the seams, and told me of a bike that crashed because the car tire pulled the bike off the road after the rider got too close to the edge of the road. How I should buy a car if I want car tires, how I use them to save money.

I told him I have three cars already and I use the car tire so I don't worry about a bad tire at 8 to 10 thousand miles. He got loud and couldn't handle me any longer and hung up.

I really wasn't expecting that, I didn't know whether to get mad back or what. Guess I just needed to tell you guys.

[old2soon]

Much the same I got from the service manager at L S K Lebanon Mo. I no longer frequent THAT establishment. His litany was of the uninformed. NOTHING I could say or do was going to change his thinking. Nothing YOU could d or say would change his thinking. A LOT of us here KNOW D/S werx!  RIDE SAFE.

[MarkT]

I won't do business with closed-minded folks who value only their opinion while discrediting mine w/o regard to experience.  I have earned a level of respect in this field and if i get dissed by a shop worker / manager w/o regard to the above they will construct my lasting opinion of their stature in this field - permanently.  Or at least until they show me a rollback of the attitude.  Which is not likely since I will not darken their door again. As for the acceptance of the darkside issue - I tried it with an open mind - and rejected it as I had a bad experience, and wrote an article on my website and a number of posts on this forum and others supporting that position.  Until I opened my mind after a post by Rude Dog and tried it again with a better shaped tire.  Keeping the open mind paid off - and I revised my online report and have been running DS tires since.

Keep in mind a bike shop has an incentive to dis your using DS tires - you are denying them business and they don't want to see it catching on. If they are socially or sales dysfunctional they may handle it poorly and attack you w/o diplomacy.  After all, if they were socially adept they might be professionally employed in people-facing venues (lawyer, preacher, diplomat, politics; schmoozing positions) rather than working with machines - a grease monkey.

Wait I just insulted myself.  Not completely, actually I do it all here including customer service, liasons, sales etc.

[Gavin_Sons]

Post the phone number so we can call and ask if they will mount a car tire for us and a rear in the front. Bet he would have an aneurysm.   

[NewValker]

Few years back I took my VTX with a brand new car tire to the local honda dealer for the inspection sticker.  Service guy rode it in, and didnt come back for 40 minutes. I thought there was something wrong with my bike. When he came back with it, he handed me my reg and said he looked thru the state regulations book for 30 minutes trying to flunk the bike.  Huh? for what?  He says this bike has a car tire on it. I said I know ain't it cool?  He told me it must be illegal, but he couldn't find it in the book.
I checked my plate, and it had a new sticker, then I told him he was an a-hole and I'll never spend a dime there again!
Now I ride an hour away for anything I need from a dealer, because they don't bust my balls about the tire.
Craig

[Challenger]

I needed a new front tire while on Vac in 2014. Went to Honda of Russellville Ar.  Service Mgr said he couldn't put a front tire on because I had a car tire on the rear. I said you aren't supposed to work on the rear tire, just the front. He stated it was dangerous and couldn't do it. After asking him to show me some kind of paper work or study that proved that, He agreed to install new tire if I signed a legal release form. Kind of stuck there so I signed it and got my tire mounted. Car tire did not explode on the way home.

[Bighead]

Firefighter he still didn't address you fork problem that has nothing to do with what tire you are running on the rear 

[old2soon]

Forest Gump sums it up rather neatly-stupid is as stupid duz!  I'm thinkin the people that lash out have done ZERO study on the car tire thing.  Too many of us here KNOW the truth!  RIDE SAFE.

[da prez]

  We will mount any tire to any rim that fits. We get a lot of work from HD as they will only install tires that they sell. A lot of tires are less expensive on line.  We have had several issues of tires being to large for the swing arm , and have shown the customer. They have to pay for what ever re-mount charges are or take the bike in pieces if we can't get it to fit.
  It is good money that keeps coming in.

                                                da prez

[hukmut]

Hey, think about this: almost ANY car out there has "custom" wheels AND tires.  Yet NO one refuses to mount said oversized tires or wheels. 
Can you say hydroplane? 
.02

[Valkorado]

Tech at my local shop always bitches up a storm about my car tire -- even though he's the one who slapped it on!  I told him I just don't feel right riding anything but the Austone anymore.  It inspires confidence in all conditions, more than I can say for any rear MC tire I've ridden.

[Paladin528]

The bead seats are different between Motorcycle and car tires.  A car tire does not sit properly in the seat and is there fore unsafe.  Car rims are ALL the same standard and Motorcycle tires are ALL the same standard but Car and motorcycle rims are not compatible.  No reputable shop (at least in Canada) will put a car tire on a motorcycle as it could result in revocation of their license.

[Gavin_Sons]

The bead seats are different between Motorcycle and car tires.  A car tire does not sit properly in the seat and is there fore unsafe.  Car rims are ALL the same standard and Motorcycle tires are ALL the same standard but Car and motorcycle rims are not compatible.  No reputable shop (at least in Canada) will put a car tire on a motorcycle as it could result in revocation of their license.

But yet it works. Glad i dont take mine to any dealers. Glad i dont live in Canada also, not too thrilled about the US right now either, but at least we can run car tires safely.

[Valkpilot]

The bead seats are different between Motorcycle and car tires.  A car tire does not sit properly in the seat and is there fore unsafe.  Car rims are ALL the same standard and Motorcycle tires are ALL the same standard but Car and motorcycle rims are not compatible.  No reputable shop (at least in Canada) will put a car tire on a motorcycle as it could result in revocation of their license.

But yet it works. Glad i dont take mine to any dealers. Glad i dont live in Canada also, not too thrilled about the US right now either, but at least we can run car tires safely.

A recent thread on the GL1800 Riders forum documented 10,000,000 Darkside miles without a reported calamity.

[Gryphon Rider]

The bead seats are different between Motorcycle and car tires.  A car tire does not sit properly in the seat and is there fore unsafe.  Car rims are ALL the same standard and Motorcycle tires are ALL the same standard but Car and motorcycle rims are not compatible.  No reputable shop (at least in Canada) will put a car tire on a motorcycle as it could result in revocation of their license licence.

Umm... Hmmm... are you sure you're not American? From a strongly Democrat state? I Canadianized your spelling for you. Betcha while you're up here you're voting for Mulcair, aren't you.

[slabghost]

Motorcycle wheels have a beadlock ridge built into them. Car wheels do not. It's the ridge that makes mounting the car tire difficult. Once mounted the ridge should be doubly effective on the car tire. Car tire bead circumference is slightly smaller than the same size motorcycle tire. My friend has removed that ridge on his 1200 wheel and has been able to mount and seat a car tire with 40 psi. He's very pleased with both the ride and handling.

[Bighead]

 A car tire does not sit properly in the seat and is there fore unsafe.  Car rims are ALL the same standard and Motorcycle tires are ALL the same standard but Car and motorcycle rims are not compatible.

I don't run a car tire but I am calling BS on this. I know many who have put many many many hard miles on a Car tire mounted on a Motorcycle rim with Zero Problems.

[Paladin528]

I never said it COULDN'T be done.  It obviously works but the geometry is different.  The tire does not sit PROPERLY in the bead seat.  It will work but any reputable Class A Mechanic will not risk his license to mount it for you.  Unless maybe it is all done under the table.  I know for a fact that my mechanic of choice will not mount a car tire on a motorcycle rim for just that reason.

[Paladin528]

Here is a great read on the FACTS about car tires on a bike.

http://www.goldwingfacts.com/forums/10-reference-faq-forum/400426-design-differences-between-car-motorcycle-rim-tire.html

I agree the anecdotal evidence says it is fine but your insurance company will not insure you  if you have a car tire on your bike.  at least in Canada.

[Moonshot_1]

Here is a great read on the FACTS about car tires on a bike.

http://www.goldwingfacts.com/forums/10-reference-faq-forum/400426-design-differences-between-car-motorcycle-rim-tire.html

I agree the anecdotal evidence says it is fine but your insurance company will not insure you  if you have a car tire on your bike.  at least in Canada.

Well, lets talk about facts.

A car tire will not work on all motorcycles. Just a few large touring types for the most part.

What is most telling is the LACK of anecdotal evidence of car tires NOT working on motorcycles. I have not heard of a single catastrophic failure of a car tire on a motorcycle as it relates to the car tire design not being compatible with motorcycle rims. Given the evidence presented you should expect to see a consistent and high failure rate.

I have heard more catastrophic failures of Motorcycle tires (delamination) on Motorcycles than Car tire failures. And I've heard of no car tire failures. (Not including failures from punctures or road debris. Just Design type failures)

My insurance company has no issue with the car tire on the bike. I asked.

Just because the Car tire does not fit the bead seat as a Motorcycle tire does not mean that it is automatically unsafe. In fact it could be that it may be even better. The lack of fiery deaths by car tire would bear that out.

So the facts are that
Running a car tire isn't for everyone.
Running a car tire is a safe and proven option on a specific class of motorcycles
Canadian insurance companies are dweebs.

[Gavin_Sons]

Here is a great read on the FACTS about car tires on a bike.

http://www.goldwingfacts.com/forums/10-reference-faq-forum/400426-design-differences-between-car-motorcycle-rim-tire.html

I agree the anecdotal evidence says it is fine but your insurance company will not insure you  if you have a car tire on your bike.  at least in Canada.

But it still works!

[Gryphon Rider]

I agree the anecdotal evidence says it is fine but your insurance company will not insure you  if you have a car tire on your bike.  at least in Canada.

Complete and utter BS.

There are many Valkyries in Canada with car tires on the back.  I have never heard of anyone in Canada who has been denied coverage or had a claim denied because of a car tire.  The only exceptions MIGHT be those stupid enough to specifically ask the question of their insurance agents, and then taken them at their word that they would be denied coverage.  I have NEVER been asked by my insurance companies to spell out what modifications I have done to my motorcycle.  The sky is NOT falling.

[Paladin528]

Hey.  I am only passing it along.  My neighbour is an insurance adjuster I asked the question and that was the response.  When you get insurance you are always (at least I always have been) asked what accessories and modifications have been done to the bike.  Usually people leave tires out of it.

I personally will not run a car tire but that is my choice if you run a car tire I have no issue with it.  I am just passing on the information.   

[csj]

I posted a while back about the Bike shop where I get my work done
Now refusing to 'mount' a car tire on a bike. They've been
Put on notice by the Ministry of Transportation that if they do
They will lose their license, and face fines. They are, however
Allowed to put a car tire on a separate wheel, just not put that wheel
Back on A bike.

Also, this shop advised me that any MTO officer finding a bike with
A car tire is authorized to hit that Biker with a big fine, and Perhaps
Pull the bike off the road. At least here in Ontario, things are screwy.

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

Post the phone number so we can call and ask if they will mount a car tire for us and a rear in the front. Bet he would have an aneurysm.  

 

So far the overwhelming "It's illegal"posts are from Canada........ I live south of there. Please take Justin Beiber back with the next shipment of motorcycle tires going that way. 

[Bighead]

I posted a while back about the Bike shop where I get my work done
Now refusing to 'mount' a car tire on a bike. They've been
Put on notice by the Ministry of Transportation that if they do
They will lose their license, and face fines. They are, however
Allowed to put a car tire on a separate wheel, just not put that wheel
Back on A bike.

Also, this shop advised me that any MTO officer finding a bike with
A car tire is authorized to hit that Biker with a big fine, and Perhaps
Pull the bike off the road. At least here in Ontario, things are screwy.

Damn glad I don't live in Canada that is just stooooooooopid.
Guess when it gets bad enough here I will have to move south of the border to Mexico and live with the drug cartels

[Gavin_Sons]

Post the phone number so we can call and ask if they will mount a car tire for us and a rear in the front. Bet he would have an aneurysm.  

 

So far the overwhelming "It's illegal"posts are from Canada........ I live south of there. Please take Justin Beiber back with the next shipment of motorcycle tires going that way. 

Better yet, lets trade him for all their car tires. But only in appropriate sizes, 205/55, 205/60, and 205/65 all in 16" please.

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

Post the phone number so we can call and ask if they will mount a car tire for us and a rear in the front. Bet he would have an aneurysm.  

 

So far the overwhelming "It's illegal"posts are from Canada........ I live south of there. Please take Justin Beiber back with the next shipment of motorcycle tires going that way. 

Better yet, lets trade him for all their car tires. But only in appropriate sizes, 205/55, 205/60, and 205/65 all in 16" please.

 

[Bighead]

Hey.  I am only passing it along.  My neighbour is an insurance adjuster I asked the question and that was the response.  When you get insurance you are always (at least I always have been) asked what accessories and modifications have been done to the bike.  Usually people leave tires out of it.

I personally will not run a car tire but that is my choice if you run a car tire I have no issue with it.  I am just passing on the information.   

You said it was dangerous, so tell us what makes it dangerous? Your government telling you it is?
And I have never been asked what kind of acc. Or mods have been made not once.

[DenverDave]

Post the phone number so we can call and ask if they will mount a car tire for us and a rear in the front. Bet he would have an aneurysm.  

 

So far the overwhelming "It's illegal"posts are from Canada........ I live south of there. Please take Justin Beiber back with the next shipment of motorcycle tires going that way. 

Please take Celine Dion back too.........

[The emperor has no clothes]

Post the phone number so we can call and ask if they will mount a car tire for us and a rear in the front. Bet he would have an aneurysm.  

 

So far the overwhelming "It's illegal"posts are from Canada........ I live south of there. Please take Justin Beiber back with the next shipment of motorcycle tires going that way. 

Well in the past there have been plenty of Americans who said it was "illegal" or wouldn't be covered by insurance.

I posted a while back about the Bike shop where I get my work done
Now refusing to 'mount' a car tire on a bike. They've been
Put on notice by the Ministry of Transportation that if they do
They will lose their license, and face fines. They are, however
Allowed to put a car tire on a separate wheel, just not put that wheel
Back on A bike.

Also, this shop advised me that any MTO officer finding a bike with
A car tire is authorized to hit that Biker with a big fine, and Perhaps
Pull the bike off the road. At least here in Ontario, things are screwy.

Damn glad I don't live in Canada that is just stooooooooopid.
Guess when it gets bad enough here I will have to move south of the border to Mexico and live with the drug cartels

I would imagine Canada is just as glad as you are. I personally like Canada and its citizens. But I'm a proud American and won't be moving out of the country.
As far as the rules in Canada about car tires I will defer to the Canadian from Alberta, he has been pretty knowledgeable about such things in the past.

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

Post the phone number so we can call and ask if they will mount a car tire for us and a rear in the front. Bet he would have an aneurysm.  

 

So far the overwhelming "It's illegal"posts are from Canada........ I live south of there. Please take Justin Beiber back with the next shipment of motorcycle tires going that way.  

Well in the past there have been plenty of Americans who said it was "illegal" or wouldn't be covered by insurance..

Hence the word "overwhelming" meaning NOT all inclusive. My insurance has no problem with it. Perhaps people should not make statements as if ALL insurance companies would  not cover when they obviously don't know for a fact.  
You obviously feel the need to defend the Country of Canada. I have no issue with it and didn't state I did 

[The emperor has no clothes]

Post the phone number so we can call and ask if they will mount a car tire for us and a rear in the front. Bet he would have an aneurysm.  

 

So far the overwhelming "It's illegal"posts are from Canada........ I live south of there. Please take Justin Beiber back with the next shipment of motorcycle tires going that way.  

Well in the past there have been plenty of Americans who said it was "illegal" or wouldn't be covered by insurance..

Hence the word "overwhelming" meaning NOT all inclusive. My insurance has no problem with it. Perhaps people should not make statements as if ALL insurance companies would  not cover when they obviously don't know for a fact.  
You obviously feel the need to defend the Country of Canada. I have no issue with it and didn't state I did 

My statement about Canada was directed at Bighead , sorry. As far as people saying stuff about insurance companies, I agree with you . I was just pointing out that it's not exclusive to our friends to the north. 

[Bighead]

Yes meathead I am sure they don't want a conservative in the midst

[The emperor has no clothes]

Yes meathead I am sure they don't want a conservative in the midst

Oh I don't think they mind conservatives. 

[Gryphon Rider]

Yes meathead I am sure they don't want a conservative in the midst

Oh I don't think they mind conservatives. 

We need MORE conservatives, at least ones who think public service shouldn't become self service for the politicians.

[gordonv]

You must remember that each province has it's own insurance rules, regs, and prices. What one province allows, another my deny. Mine has never asked what extras or modifications I have on my bike, unless maybe I want collision coverage (my fault accident), but then tires wouldn't be extra value.

I've never asked our local insurance, I might do a search on the law instead, and my wife's insurance is coming up, I may ask our agent. But I would rather them stay in the dark that I'm riding on a CT on my MC. I have had a MC tire failure, but never a CT.

We had mentioned CT on MC, with some old timers, and they said they used to pull up to an auto wrecker and buy any tire that fits and put it on their MC, and never had any problem. But then these same riders are against putting a CT on their newer MC today.  

note: a quick search found only this on MC. Still looking for more.

Motorcycles — The wheels of a motorcycle shall not, when measured at the rim, have an eccentricity or wobble in excess of 5 mm.

Found this about tires.
(2) No person shall drive or operate a motor vehicle or trailer that is equipped with both bias ply tires and radial ply tires; unless the vehicle operates on more than 4 wheels, in which case bias ply tires and radial ply tires shall not be used on the same axle.

[DarkSideR]

I took my rear wheel into the local Honda M/C shop after it threw it's balancing weights off. The owner refused to balance the wheel because it had a car tire on it. He said it would "tear apart his machine", then chastised me telling me that the bike is unride-able because I can go around a corner. I just walked out and haven't been back since.

[Gavin_Sons]

I went to our local yamaha shop a couple years ago and all the owner could say is I should be on a yamaha. I said ok, put this motor in a yamaha and ill ride it. Then he saw the car tire and called me an idiot and how I was going to crash and die. Every time I see him out I say "hey dick face, im still alive"

[DarkSideR]

Next time you have a run in like this, save the link below. Have them go to the website, or show them on your smartphone or tablet the overwhelming amount of data supporting all the different makes of bikes and tires running None Specific Motorcycle Tires.

http://darkside.nwff.info/?p=tires