Guess I should try the dark side

[Firefighter]

My last sets of tires have been Avon Cobra. First set, rear tire had tread seperation at 10,000 miles, only the ride-on formula got me home. Just finished rear end maintenance, 150 miles ago, and today took my grandson for a ride, on the way home felt a bumping in the rear of the bike, good thing I was about five miles from the house, slowed down and made it home. Rear tire again, oblong bubble formed just off center. Guess I was lucky we didn't die as we had been back roads and on the hiway about a 100 miles round trip. This set has about 11,000 miles and plenty of tread, 16th of an inch above the wear limiter. I don't ride hard, I keep  45psi in the rear, 35 in the front. So, MC tires don't wear out? Do they just go bad? Do you change them every 10,000 miles regardless of how they look? How do you plan a trip, change tires early just in case??? Little bent out of shape at the moment.  I have been wanting to try the dark side, maybe now is the time.

Which is the latest good rounded car tire. Is the 205/60/R-16 the tire for my 2000 IS? Is that the tire to decrease rpm a touch? Have you guys run ride-on in your car tire  Thanks for anyone's input !  Firefighter

[gordonv]

One of many posts about rear CT.

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,62827.0.html

Search is your friend. I'm sure others will recommend others also.

Goodyear Assurance Triple Tread is another.

[old2soon]

NOT ryin to be a smart ass here firefighter but there are already tons of info on the subject of the Dark side. Enter dark side or car tire in the search bar on the tech and the general page. You WILL find a day or two worth of reading. Much like oil this subject has had a LOT of input here. And B T W-Mobil 1 15/50 synthetic. Go to a tire sellers page and most of them show profile shots of the tire you MIGHT want to purchase. Good luck with your quest.   RIDE SAFE.

[Gavin_Sons]

Yokahoma advid envigor 205-60-16 

[cutter]

as said, there is plenty of info out there and like G_S I ran the same tire on my I/S

[Firefighter]

Hey Galvin-sons, Are you using the H or V rated tire?  Discount Tire will order this same tire I think he said 97.00. Think from what I read here some like the H better than the V.  Thanks  Firefighter

[MarkT]

The Austone Taxi Tire has the best reviews here - consistently good reports on it performing like a bike tire, albeit with car tire traction and longevity around 20k or so.  I'm running a Vredestein myself, my particular tire is out of production.  I've used two very similar Yokohamas.  You want to look for rounded corners if you are going to experiment.  Wider is not better.  To start with, go with recommends from experienced users.  With this exception - the Goodyear Triple Tread is a BAD choice.  Square corners, has the bad behaviors in spades.  I know that from experience - and plenty of others will tell you the same - if they have used other DS tires to compare it with.  If you want to read my LONG article on the experience, the link follows.  I was dead against it at first, after trying the GYTT.  Really soured me on it.  But a friend convinced me to try again with a better tire - I did and found there are significant differences between which tire you choose.

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

[Jess from VA]

I have and continue to run the GATT on two interstates.  It's a great tire for me.  I'm sure there may be better CTs.   

Just did an 1100 mile journey on one, and it was good, as always.

I respect all of MarkT's opinions.  I have a different opinion of the Goodyear.

[olddog1946]

I have a Champiro GT 205/60/16 from Discount tire, costs 71 bucks to my front door. It has a European tread design (rounded corners) and has been a much better tire than my first CT (Federal 535). I hardly notice the counters steer and the tar snakes, that were a real pain with the Federal. It is an H rated tire. I didn't feel I needed a Z rated tire with the accompanying softer rubber. Have about 20K on it now and should get at least 5 more.

[specialdose]

        Ditto Jess on the GYTT. I too respect every ones opinion. This being my 1st DS, all I can compare it to is the E3 that cupped and lasted 14k. I have 45 yrs of riding and have experienced nothing really funky with this tire. Have a cobra up front and am completely happy with this combo. As my grandson often reminds me, '' Papa every body is different " One thing we all agree on, we love our Valkyries ! ! !

[Yfx4]

My new-to-me valk has Avons front and rear. My VTX1800 has a GYTT and I love it. It may be that there are better tires out there. The IS may not like the GYTT. I will go DS once the Avon wears out--I do not know which tire I will try first.

We each like our own stuff. My opinion does not discount or challenge your experience in any way.....it is just what has worked for me.

[MarkT]

Those who have countered my comment on the GYTT - not offended.  It was bad for me, couldn't find a pressure I could live with from 18-40 (approx) and in fact I condemned all DS tires from the bad experience.  Wasn't going to try it again until Dogg said "try this one, nicely behaved" (Yokohama A048, racing tire).  Note the pretty rounded profile, and compare to the square profile on the GYTT, following:





I'm saying, if you haven't tried one of the DS tires with a rounded profile, you will be pleased with the improvement.  The Austone tire looks a lot like a bike tire, except the tread pattern.

Not recommending the Yokohama A048 - it's a racing tire and so is soft rubber, thin tread depth - wore to the cords in 5000 miles.  But it proved to me I could like the darkside, if I find the right tire. The Yoko L-Neova AD08 in this pic (with the worn out A048) behaved the same but wore much longer.  I still have it but swapped it out for a 60 profile for a trip.  Both of these are 205-55's.



Now running this Vredestein tire, which has been discontinued.  I'm OK with it's behavior, but might check out the Austone next.  BTW this tire was made in Russia, though it's a Dutch company.

[Yfx4]

I see what you are saying. I am certainly open to trying something new.

Are the photos of the Yokohama?

[Tundra]

I have a Champiro GT 205/60/16 from Discount tire, costs 71 bucks to my front door. It has a European tread design (rounded corners) and has been a much better tire than my first CT (Federal 535). I hardly notice the counters steer and the tar snakes, that were a real pain with the Federal. It is an H rated tire. I didn't feel I needed a Z rated tire with the accompanying softer rubber. Have about 20K on it now and should get at least 5 more.

I googled that Champiro GT 205/60/16, just because I never heard of it. You can easily see the rounded corners, looks like a good choice. I also came off a GYTT which was not for me or my riding style.

[Yfx4]

Champiro GT?????  I will check that out.  I still have some time on my Avon that came with the bike.....

[sandy]

It's probably too late, but what was the date code on the tire. BTW: I run 42F and 46R on my Cobras. Been running Avons (venom and Cobra) since 30K. (143K now) Never had a problem. My last rear tire went 26,970 miles with no cupping or delaminating.

[John Lane]

I have a Champiro GT 205/60/16 from Discount tire, costs 71 bucks to my front door. It has a European tread design (rounded corners) and has been a much better tire than my first CT (Federal 535). I hardly notice the counters steer and the tar snakes, that were a real pain with the Federal. It is an H rated tire. I didn't feel I needed a Z rated tire with the accompanying softer rubber. Have about 20K on it now and should get at least 5 more.

I googled that Champiro GT 205/60/16, just because I never heard of it. You can easily see the rounded corners, looks like a good choice. I also came off a GYTT which was not for me or my riding style.

+1 on Champiro

[jwinker]

According to this random Internet lawyer, we're all going to die a horrible death. Someday.

http://www.personalinjury-attorney.com/accident-attorney-blog/skimping-on-motorcycle-tires-may-cost-you/



However, running car tires on your bike is a bad idea. Motorcycle tires are designed to play an integral role in the mechanics of motorcycle performance. Suspension, frame, engine, and tires are all designed as part of a whole. Changing any one aspect can lead to a number of unforeseen consequences.

Not sure which tire I have, but no complaints transitioning from MC tire to Darkside.

[Challenger]

 From the article above, ( "Car tires, on the other hand, are less crowned and can slide or fail entirely under the stress of running on their sidewalls." )  Where "do" they get this crap?

[Jess from VA]

They make it up as they go along.......... you know, just like govt.

[MarkT]

It's probably too late, but what was the date code on the tire. BTW: I run 42F and 46R on my Cobras. Been running Avons (venom and Cobra) since 30K. (143K now) Never had a problem. My last rear tire went 26,970 miles with no cupping or delaminating.

Incredible.  I have worn out quite a few Venoms and Cobras on the wing and valk.  I've never achieved even half that much mileage and I wear them to the cords.  About 12k (back tire) is the best I've gotten.  I know riding styles, weight and pressure as well as road surfaces are all factors, but better than 100% difference?  That's HUGE.  I also have never had a failure with Avons, cupping, delaminating, none of that.  Ya gotta wonder, why the differences?

[uturn]

i always wondered what a flat ct would behave like and i had the chance to find out about a month back. it happened in God forsaken nowhere oklahoma, 110 degrees out, and my valves stem cracked. didnt know that at the time though. just felt like the back end was suddenly wobbly. i let the bike coast to a stop on the shoulder and my general altimax was flat. it behaved pretty well, i thought...certainly didnt fly apart or anything. i shot it with fix a flat and rode 15 mph to the closest gas station.

[The emperor has no clothes]

i always wondered what a flat ct would behave like and i had the chance to find out about a month back. it happened in God forsaken nowhere oklahoma, 110 degrees out, and my valves stem cracked. didnt know that at the time though. just felt like the back end was suddenly wobbly. i let the bike coast to a stop on the shoulder and my general altimax was flat. it behaved pretty well, i thought...certainly didnt fly apart or anything. i shot it with fix a flat and rode 15 mph to the closest gas station.

Hopefully you have switched to metal valve stems front and back now . In my opinion it's the most important improvement to our bikes we can make.