New rear tire

[Tourus]

    Hey guys, my rear tire has become a baloney skin so must replace. Avon Cobra or Darkside, yesterday I got views on both from very experienced riders. Some of the guys that have switched to the Darkside swear by them and would not switch back. Some have gone dark and did not like the way it felt and switched back. I'm 64 and not knowing what to expect from car tire I ordered an Avon Cobra. Would like to hear from anyone running this tire and from others that have switched to the Darkside and what brand they prefer. Not getting tire until Wednesday so not married to it but comfortable that there won't be any surprises. Can an old dog learn  .

  Thanks for your input

[old2soon]

99 I/S been D/S awhile now. You could NOT give me enough money to get me to go back to M/C specific tires on the rear. And B T W-I'll be 71 Feb. 2016 so-YES-an old fart can learn new tricks. Currently on an Austone Taxi Tire. NOT new to the D/S I'm thinkin I've got over 72000 miles D/S. Hope this is of some help to you. RIDE SAFE.

[cookiedough]

Are you a high mileage rider?  If so say between 5-10K or more per year,  I'd give a go at a car tire.  Since my mileage is limited to 3-5K per year,  I stick to the cycle rear tire.

I only got 9-10K tops out of my rear tire last tire change being an Avon Cobra.  It had some tread left, but the center 3" section all over had all kinds of very tiny sliver puncture wounds leaking air very slowly out of my rear tire this past spring when I took it out of storage around April 1st or so.  I pushed it out of storage and thought either I am weak, or the rear tire was nearly flat.  It wasn't my weakness, but pretty hard to push a cycle when around 16 psi in rear tire after sitting for 4 months of non-use.

They put all kind of sharp pea gravel on our roads all over and suspect traveling on it for so long went barely thru the most contact patch of the rear Avon Cobra.  I still have the front Avon Cobra on and might last another riding season, but then it is shot as well probably around 14-15K on it at most before replacement, is getting iffy right now.   

[gordonv]

I feel from what I've read, most Darkside complaints seem to be related to improper inflation or the wrong tire. For others, it's just not for them.

But I feel if you get the right tire, in particular the Austone Taxi tire, the side profiles are as round as a motorcycle tire, there is no difference in handling. But then the difference is in the longevity of the CT over the MC tire. This is what I felt when I changed my tire out this June before Inzane and a 3K mile trip. There is also more to a CT, like it is better than a MC.

No matter which tire you get, the MC tire needs service at it's life end, 10-15K miles, and the CT needs service at the same time, between 10-15K miles.

The ATT cost $150+, almost as much as a MC tire, but then it should last x3 longer.

edit: valve stem
https://www.jakewilson.com/p/1753/-/162103/Myers-90%C2%B0-Tubeless-Chrome-Valve-Stem

[hukmut]

I am 64 and went with the Austone Taxi Tire from the get-go. Did my research. I run 43 psi.
Ride safe.
And be sure to replace the valve stem with a steel one.

[jdp]

Let me ask you Austone users, I'm sure you have tried some other car tires and does that Austone tire feel any different at low speed then the other car tires? I've tried some of the other car tires that everyone likes but that slow speed wobble I just didn't like, never tried that taxi tire.

[Skinhead]

The Austone Taxi Tire is in my opinion, the CT that come closest to MT handling only better.  I loved it with 2 exceptions:  It bottomed out against the rear fender on severe bumps on my interstate, usually riding 2 up, and due to it's larger circumference, it made the bike lean over further on the center stand.  I used to carry a piece of 3/4" plywood on a string to put under the side stand for this.  Loop the string to the handle bars so you don't have to bend over to retrieve it when you take off. 

The larger circumference also lowers your cruising RPM by about 200.  Which is a plus.

I have run a bridgestone potenza twice, a Goodyear Triple tread currently on my standardstate, and a vedstren  (sp) sport trac 3, currently on my IS. Of all the DS tires I liked the Austone the best.

[Valkorado]

Love the ATT, just ordered another.  Stick with 13" shocks, preferably either Interstate OEM or Progressive 444s -- heavy duty if you ride two up or with huge loads.  Keep the tire at 42-45 psi, it seems squirrelly at very high speeds otherwise.  And yes on carrying some wood for the kickstand lean, or find a kickstand pad.

[..]

    Hey guys, my rear tire has become a baloney skin so must replace. Avon Cobra or Darkside, yesterday I got views on both from very experienced riders. Some of the guys that have switched to the Darkside swear by them and would not switch back. Some have gone dark and did not like the way it felt and switched back. I'm 64 and not knowing what to expect from car tire I ordered an Avon Cobra. Would like to hear from anyone running this tire and from others that have switched to the Darkside and what brand they prefer. Not getting tire until Wednesday so not married to it but comfortable that there won't be any surprises. Can an old dog learn  .

  Thanks for your input

Shinko?

[salty1]

    Hey guys, my rear tire has become a baloney skin so must replace. Avon Cobra or Darkside, yesterday I got views on both from very experienced riders. Some of the guys that have switched to the Darkside swear by them and would not switch back. Some have gone dark and did not like the way it felt and switched back. I'm 64 and not knowing what to expect from car tire I ordered an Avon Cobra. Would like to hear from anyone running this tire and from others that have switched to the Darkside and what brand they prefer. Not getting tire until Wednesday so not married to it but comfortable that there won't be any surprises. Can an old dog learn  .

  Thanks for your input

I'm not a darksider. My last set of Avon Cobras yielded 19K miles of joy.

[Tourus]

      Thanks for your input guys, sounds like if I go DS then the Att is clearly a great choice. If I go with motorcycle tire the Avon would be a good choice. I ride about 4,000 miles a year so the taxi tire may be the last tire I would ever need. It was mentioned by one member that if I'm a low mileage rider then stay with motorcycle tire so on that I'm good either way. Thanks guys for taking the time to share your knowledge and opinions. 

   Ride safe and bring your bikes to Florida for the winter, best time to ride and you would be welcomed by all of the members. GREAT GROUP
   Steve, (AKA) TOURUS5/17

[jdp]

I just wish they didn't have the slow speed wobble,seems like it wants to follow all the cracks in the road,haven't tried the Austone yet though

[Roadman]

Running a rear cobra, 5yrs old, 44psi, hit the wear bars at 22,000 miles. All miles on paved northern michigan and northern Ontario roads. never had a rear come close to that and maybe this one is a freak. But I have a new one going on this spring.

[PAVALKER]

I just wish they didn't have the slow speed wobble,seems like it wants to follow all the cracks in the road,haven't tried the Austone yet though

Even some MC tires will do that, based on my experiences.  After trying a wider lower tire and now the ATT.... I'm hooked on ATT.

[..]

Running a rear cobra, 5yrs old, 44psi, hit the wear bars at 22,000 miles. All miles on paved northern michigan and northern Ontario roads. never had a rear come close to that and maybe this one is a freak. But I have a new one going on this spring.

22,000!!!

[PAVALKER]

Running a rear cobra, 5yrs old, 44psi, hit the wear bars at 22,000 miles. All miles on paved northern michigan and northern Ontario roads. never had a rear come close to that and maybe this one is a freak. But I have a new one going on this spring.

22,000!!!

Trailer miles don't count now......come on.

[mark81]

my bike doesn't even have 22,000 on it

[GareBear]

I have 7000 on Avon rear tire and will be changing it today, almost bald.  This trip had been a lot of slab, but I've never seen 10k from a rear MC tire and I've tried them all.  I like the Avons best, and prefer over a car tire.  But this is why I find a car tire appealing.   

[Fazer]

I've got E3's on now with only about 3000 on 'em and have been following DS threads with the intent of going to the ATT and some kind of rear MC tire on the front when the E3's need to be replaced--down the road a bit.  I put 13" 444 shocks on about three weeks ago, not the HD, so when I make the change I will probably do the mod on the fender bolt I have been reading about to prevent bottoming out.

[Jess from VA]

Fazer, the fender nutcage mod is not really about bottoming out, it's about keeping the wider tire sidewall from rubbing the nutcage during ordinary operation of the shocks.

It's my understanding the nutcages need not be removed for the 175 Austone taxi tire (ordinary width being 180).  It is a taller (than normal) tire (akin to a 65 over a 60), so having good 13" shocks on there should be all you need... depending on the weight of the load (and passenger).

[wingpete]

I have just gone to the darkside on my standard fitting a 205/60/16 general altimax hp,i have been using avon cobras & only getting about 7000 miles mostly 2 up & towing a trailer occasionally,i have not ridden the bike yet as it off the road for our winter so i will not know how it peforms until april 2016.I did the nut cage mod just incase,i will be happy if i get 20,000 miles from the car tyre(hopefully more).Ihave also just fitted Ultime Big Boy rider & pillion seats so roll on april so i can test everything out before our trip to France in June.A Merry Xmas & a Prosperous & Happy New Year to all you Valk Riders over the pond.

[Fazer]

Fazer, the fender nutcage mod is not really about bottoming out, it's about keeping the wider tire sidewall from rubbing the nutcage during ordinary operation of the shocks.

It's my understanding the nutcages need not be removed for the 175 Austone taxi tire (ordinary width being 180).  It is a taller (than normal) tire (akin to a 65 over a 60), so having good 13" shocks on there should be all you need... depending on the weight of the load (and passenger).

Thanks Jess--I have not had the tire or fender off the bike and had just been seeing threads about a nut cage mod.  I thought it was a bolt(s) from the top holding the back half of the fender on.

Still not looking forward to removing the wheel and changing the tire myself, but it is something I want to learn to do.  I have at least another season left on my E3's (I hope).

[Jess from VA]

The rear light wires run inside the fender (with some kind of wrap), but bottoming will rub them.  Mine got rubbed shiny (from bottoming), probably before I bought the bike (from a heavier guy), and needed repair, though I had not yet lost any lights.  When the wheel is off, check up there for rubs.

The nut cages are on the inside of the two forward fender strut bolts (one on each side), this is not where the fender halves hook together in the center; I've never heard of that being rubbed.  They do get rusty and corroded being exposed to all the road goo and water.  First time I had the wheel off, while up on the jack, I slid up in there with a wire wheel on a drill and brushes and cleaned it out and painted the shiny parts (and cut my nut cages off for a 205 60 car tire). I don't separate my lower fender half, just jack the bike up.

Looking at bike schematics can be useful (printing big copies and sticking them in the manual is good). 

[baird4444]

I've got 13,000 on The Michelin Commander 11, 180/65/16 since 2014. More than 1/2
tread left for next year. 43 -44 lbs...  and that's on our rough rock chip roads here in Colorado.
              - Mike

[Bighead]

I've got 13,000 on The Michelin Commander 11, 180/65/16 since 2014. More than 1/2
tread left for next year. 43 -44 lbs...  and that's on our rough rock chip roads here in Colorado.
              - Mike

Had the same tire running the same pressure and it was crap after about 6 k miles still had tread but couldn't hardly take a corner on it. Flat straight road ok but a turd in the corners.

[Tourus]

     Hey guys, thanks for sharing your personal experiences with both the ct and motorcycle tires. I ended up buying a Avon Cobra and it handles great. Has a 15000 mile warranty and a once only full replacement road hazard warranty. I can hear some people saying yeah right wait until you try and use them. I read some reviews and buyers did get replacement tires. You have to sign the warranty because it is not transferable. Check the warranties online, I know that the Avon cost more and won't get as many miles as the car tires but with the car tire you will get no warranty because you are putting it on a motorcycle. I bought it through a small dealer that sells Triumphs, has been there for 25 years and won't mount car tire on motorcycle because they had one blow up and break the mechanics hand. I have nothing against using car tires on bikes but it seems like its not something that an inexperienced owner should do theirselves. Safety First, money second.

  Ride Safe
  Steve

  Ride Safe

[davit]

I've got 13,000 on The Michelin Commander 11, 180/65/16 since 2014. More than 1/2
tread left for next year. 43 -44 lbs...  and that's on our rough rock chip roads here in Colorado.
              - Mike

Had the same tire running the same pressure and it was crap after about 6 k miles still had tread but couldn't hardly take a corner on it. Flat straight road ok but a turd in the corners.

I do think the wider Commander 2 resists turn initiation somewhat more than a tire sized per mother Honda, but handle like a turd?  Nah.  This tire has 10,000 miles on it, 1/2 put on in a daily commute over chip seal roads, the other half through the Rockies and Sierras in September.

[dconstruct55]

Running Cobra's on my V2K and am waiting (patiently) for my Michelins to wear out so I can put the Cobras on the Valk. I really like this tire. Never tried darkside, just not adventurous enough I guess. The Cobras are sooo nice, I lust do not see any reason to change. One question- Will the 200/60/16 fit on the rear? would like to upsize from the OEM 180.

[RDKLL]

  One question- Will the 200/60/16 fit on the rear? would like to upsize from the OEM 180.

Yes, if you have a rear fender and ride 2 up some have had to to the nut cage mode. I have been running that size fore quite a while...thinking of pulling the trigger on a 215 darkside

[dconstruct55]

Thanks RDKLL
The Valk lives in Prescott, I see you are Mesa. I have it down here (Phoenix) until the weather is nicer up there.

[MarkT]

  One question- Will the 200/60/16 fit on the rear? would like to upsize from the OEM 180.

Yes, if you have a rear fender and ride 2 up some have had to to the nut cage mode. I have been running that size fore quite a while...thinking of pulling the trigger on a 215 darkside

Pretty sure that won't fit w/o some serious mods to the swingarm.  205 is very close on the rt side. Not to mention the fender.

[Ramie]

I was thinking of going with the taxi tire but I just ordered a new rear Avon Cobra from Jake Wilson on sale for $149.

[Tourus]

I was thinking of going with the taxi tire but I just ordered a new rear Avon Cobra from Jake Wilson on sale for $149.

. That seems like a good price. I paid $195 plus $60 to install. They checked Orings and cleaned and regreased splines. I really like the feel of the cobra. I don't think you will be sorry.
 Hope you live where you can ride in the winter.
 Steve

[h13man]

I like my Valk specific 701/702 Exdras. The rear will be replaced @ 12,000 mi. which I believe is pretty good mileage and I have been in enough Tstorms this year to say their wet traction is superb especially two up. The front is looking to be 15,000 miler easy. I monitor my tires from day one with a depth micrometer not guesswork. 33 psi front and 43 rear @ all times. About 60% of the mileage is two up on this set. Front cost $137 and the rear $155. They are excellent handlers in the twistys but I don't do much on crappy ass Indiana roads but I do live to ride another day. BTW I don't hesitate to twist throttle when the need arises. 

[Hef]

Tires (and oil) are two things which everyone has an opinion and very few agree on. I choose to ride on a tire made for a motorcycle and yes the mileage life is not great, but the most important factor in increasing tire life is proper inflation. I have a lot of friends who seldom check tire pressure and they constantly ask me how come my tires always outlast theirs????

[Ken Tarver]

Hef
Your right on about checking pressure...not only for tread life, but also for life safety.
Guys, really need to check pressure every day before the ride...

Later
Ken

[salty1]

Hef
Your right on about checking pressure...not only for tread life, but also for life safety.
Guys, really need to check pressure every day before the ride...

Later
Ken

Absolutely on the tire pressure checking!