Anyone using the Nokian WR D3 tire? Thoughts?

[Disco]

I need a new rear before InZane. 

It's relatively expensive for a DS tire, but looks very interesting to me.  Directional tread.  Run Flat.  420 UTQG should be very sticky.  I found one blurb that says it's been replaced (Fall of 2015) with the WR D4, but I haven't found a UTQG number for that one yet. 

Prior DS tires are Continental Vanco 195/65, Falken Ziex 512 205/65, and General Altimax 205/60. 

http://www.tiresbyweb.com/p-11101-nokian-wr-d3-tires.aspx

[Jess from VA]

Looks very good; good tread, specs and profile-wise.

Only question is if run flat sidewalls are overly stiff.  

I run my GATTs at 40, but with ordinary (all-season radial) sidewalls, she still makes full contact until somewhere past half to 2/3 lean.  At full lean of course, I am on half to a third of the tread.

The counter-steering required running car tires would seem to be more accentuated with a run flat sidewall.  Perhaps a lower psi would offset, but perhaps not.  My experience with 30 psi is I hate it (wallowing and wiggling).  This is for twisty mountain riding, not the flat-lands (where it may make no difference).

But I have never ridden a run flat.

[TJ]

Run flat tires are the only ones I'll run... Never had any problems in twisty or flat land...
Plus don't have to worry about being stuck in the middle of no where... 
   RUN FLATS   

[Pappy!]

You can take pretty much whatever TJ says about Valks to the bank.

[BonS]

I have a lot of bad to say about run flats on cars - but no experience with them on my bikes. I would sure hate to mount or demount one though! They take special tire mounting machines due to their stiffness. I've had several with torn beads after de-mounting - generally not a problem but it does speak to the intense effort with working with these tires.

A few thoughts. Run flats require TPI sensors or otherwise you may not know that you have a flat. You can still have a blow out like any other tire.

The sidewalls are stiff as steel. I mean, after all, you can put 1000 pounds on one and it'll stay up. They're heavier and have a rougher ride due to the extreme sidewall stiffness.

If you do have a flat the tires have limited running range (~100 miles on a car) and cannot be patched and run again (when using them on a car).

Just my 2¢.

[RDKLL]

A 420 UTQG is not a sticky tire, it is a long wear (read: not sticky) tire.
I have a Toyo Proxes R1R that is a 140 AA A...and that is a sticky tire...

[TJ]

I have a lot of bad to say about run flats on cars - but no experience with them on my bikes. I would sure hate to mount or demount one though! They take special tire mounting machines due to their stiffness. I've had several with torn beads after de-mounting - generally not a problem but it does speak to the intense effort with working with these tires.

A few thoughts. Run flats require TPI sensors or otherwise you may not know that you have a flat. You can still have a blow out like any other tire.

The sidewalls are stiff as steel. I mean, after all, you can put 1000 pounds on one and it'll stay up. They're heavier and have a rougher ride due to the extreme sidewall stiffness.

If you do have a flat the tires have limited running range (~100 miles on a car) and cannot be patched and run again (when using them on a car).

Just my 2¢.

No special machine is needed for run flat tires... I have mine mounted at a Goodyear store for $10.00.. They can't bal. them but I use the beads in mine... Yes , you can get a flat just like any other tire and they can be patched... Just like any other radial tire.. Run flat tires on a car are good for 50 miles , I've heard of 2 bikes running over 200 miles with them flat...   T.P.M. systems is a great way to go..  There is nothing like having a flat 20 miles from the next exit or town in 90 degree weather and having to wait on a tow truck... Run Flats all the way ... 
J.M.H.O.  Everyone can do what they think is best for them...

[Disco]

Thanks for the replies, guys.  I forgot to include the Dunlop Winter Tread Run Flat in 175/60-16 I ran on the late, great GL1800HPNA as an additional prior DS tire.  It was just slightly narrower than stock and any difference in behavior was imperceptible to me.  And yes, I was running TPMS (Doran 360m).  That system was later moved to my Valkyrie.

Jess, if you're comfortable on the GATT, I'd bet you'd be comfortable on any other of the popular candidates.  I've ridden two Valkyries with the GATT and won't consider that tire for myself.  It's way too square for me.  It requires the most steering input I've experienced and after riding behind several for many miles, I don't like they way so much of the tire lifts off the road in turns. 

Thanks, TJ & Pappy!  I feel the same way about what BonS says, too.

Thanks for the feedback, Bon.  Definitely food for thought.  The only tire we've torn the bead of on installation was an oem rear for the 'wing.  I was leaving the next day on a trip and the only other tire on site was the Dunlop, my first DS.

RDKill, I wouldn't call 420 UTQG a long wear tire.  But then I probably would consider a 140 UTQG Extreme Summer Performance tire a track tire, not a street tire.      At 420, it's a considerably lower number than the Altimax or Ziex 512.  I think they were both 540.  For reference, the GATT is 640.  The old Michelin HydroEdge was 800!

[Jess from VA]

Jess, if you're comfortable on the GATT, I'd bet you'd be comfortable on any other of the popular candidates.

It's all good.  In my case, I guess ignorance is bliss.        

Nice 200 miles today (before more rain).   

My front is about gone..... once again.   

[Disco]

Out of stock and discontinued.