going to the dark side

[98valk]

what is the tallest tire that will fit? what is the most common size used to maintain same rpms or to lower them? which tire has been found to have the most roundest profile?


http://mcdarksiders.forumotion.com/
http://forums.delphiforums.com/DarkSiding/start
http://darkside.nwff.info/

Thanks and I'm looking forward to all of the info coming.

[Jess from VA]

what is the tallest tire that will fit? (65) (lowest RPMs)

what is the ~ size used to maintain same rpms? (60)

which tire has been found to have the ~ roundest profile? (don't know)

[RUDE DOG - Steelers]

what is the tallest tire that will fit? what is the most common size used to maintain same rpms or to lower them? which tire has been found to have the most roundest profile?


http://mcdarksiders.forumotion.com/
http://forums.delphiforums.com/DarkSiding/start
http://darkside.nwff.info/

Thanks and I'm looking forward to all of the info coming.

As far as round goes, I think my Yokohama A048 ranks pretty high.  Im in Atlantic County if you want to check it out.

[fudgie]

Lower RPM's-55
Roundest-Hmmm...that one pictured looks pretty round. My Hankook K-106 is kinda round. For a 7" wide tire or so the contact patch is 4 1/2" wide. More air makes it more round!

[SANDMAN5]

Lower RPM's-55

I'm pretty sure a 55 would RAISE rpm about 300 or so at highway speed....
I mean LEGAL highway speeds!!!

[98valk]

[
As far as round goes, I think my Yokohama A048 ranks pretty high.  Im in Atlantic County if you want to check it out.


Steeler, if I didn't know any better that is a mc tire.

anybody know,
what brand/make of tire is the most popular being installed?

Thanks

[Larry]

Too bad that Yokohama doesn't seem to come in a 60 profile. If you go by postings I would say the Goodyear Triple tread must be close to most popular.

[fudgie]

Lower RPM's-55

I'm pretty sure a 55 would RAISE rpm about 300 or so at highway speed....
I mean LEGAL highway speeds!!!

Yea I was thinking backwards. Lower tire= higher rpms. Thx!

[PharmBoy]

I gave away a "new" flat 205/55 because of too much bump steer at low speeds and I did not like the extra RPM on the highway.  I looked for a long time trying to find a "round" profile tire and finally settled on the Nexen 5000 in a 65 series.  It will still tell you that you have a car tire on the back at times and it looks like a car tire, but its reaction time is much quicker and with less effort than the tire that I was running.  Also, the drop in RPM gives less noise at highway speeds and it is about as close to a performance tire in traction as I was able to find.  I'm pretty sure that I am the only one running this tire.  It is made in Korea, but my neighbor, who has worked at the Goodyear plant here in town for 25 years, gave it a good bill of health and actually bragged on it.  (He may have just wanted another cool adult beverage?)   Anyway, I would advise you to do your own research and pick the one that you think that you will like.

[F6CTrider]

As for the profile, mine is not so rounded, but this has not slowed me up in the mountain twisties.  After a short "adjustment / learning" phase it all seems safe, predictable, and "normal" now.  I do run a slightly lower pressure and the sidewall flex gets me a good contact patch even when leaning

As for looks, the nexen looks.......uh......er......um......FUGLY!  Not for my bike.
Now that Yokahama I really like, but I would insist on a 60 series for the RPM thing.

I went with the popular Goodyear also, based on the predictable good results and a pretty good look.  The pic is mine with about 5 K miles.  Looking forward to the possibilities when I need another one after 30 K more miles.  Maybe 3 years?

[F6CTrider]

PS
Sorry about the dirty Valk pic. 
Normally I ride with clean paint and chrome blazing.
The picture was taken after a long days ride that included about 45 miles of rain and wet roads.

[sugerbear]

i went with a michelin hydroedge 205-65-16 wish i had gone with the 60 series. mine rubs just a mite on right handers and large bumps.
BUT mine runs at full load(my large a$$) all the time.
previous was a falkien 512 205-60-16, really liked that one(don't make the 512 anymore)

[PharmBoy]

F6CTrider, whoever you might be.  The tire that I gave away was a much better looking and more expensive tire than what you have mounted.  I did not ask you to like the looks of it, nor did I recommend that you run one on your bike.  That tire was chosen for the reasons that I gave in my original post.  "Looks" are merely a personal preference and seldom have any influence on performance.  Now, if you would like, I am fairly certain that this old sergeant could certainly critique the picture you posted in a most unfavorable light, but I don't think that I will.  Mother once told me,"If you can't say something nice, just don't say anything at all.".....JTL

[glenh]

I put a General Altimax 205/55/16 on and it raises the RPM's about 150 at 65 mph and it cut my gas mileage back a few miles to the gallon, didn't need to do the nut mod, there's plenty room, will put a 60 on next time to try and get my gas mileage back again. I do love it compared to a motorcycle tire.

[Larry]

which tire has been found to have the most roundest profile?

That Yokohama is very round, but if you want to get right down to it, the Avon Venom is pretty round too!   

[F6CTrider]

Pharmboy
Sorry to offend you.  But seriously, step back from the caffeine.  It is just my opininion that I would not put that tire on my bike due to its appearance, not a personal attack. 
If someone was heading to a wedding wearing a tuxedo, brown shoes, and a zipper down... a friend would say something.

More personal opinions....
Of all the tires posted here I like the Yoko the best.  The GY TT is not bad, but I look forward to the possibilities when the time comes.
And lets all be honest here, looks do matter.
As others have stated, if you want the best performing tire, with the roundest profile, and you like it to be expensive...... the Avon is a good choice.

[PharmBoy]

F6TCrider, First of all, your post is the only one on this whole thread that has said anything derogatory about anyone else's choice in tires in any manor.  If you don't like my choice of tire, that is fine and it does not bother me in the least.  If you would have noticed, I did not even name the tire that I disliked so much that I gave it away so that I might not offend someone who might think that it is wonderful on their bike.  Secondly, if we should ever meet, I would suggest that you not have anything to say about my choice of clothing in the terms you used to describe my choice of tire.  I might take offense.  Oh yes, I haven't even had a cup of coffee this morning.  I guess that it is a good thing!  Think that I'll pour one now!...JTL

[Tundra]

I have tried tried two other brands (ridden, not purchased) that were both 205-55-16, one of wich had a really cool looking agressive tread pattern, almost went for it, until I rode a 205-60-16.
  Call me crazy, I know there's alot more Darkside experiance on this board than myself, but this size ( I believe) handles and corners and just plain overall rides better, I keep my air pressure on the lower side and get more sidewall flex this way combined with the taller sidewall...I really like it, no getting used to like the 205-55-16. That seemed like alot of bump steering and throwing it into the corners, keeping more pressure on the handle bars in corners. I also did not care to raise my RPM's at all, If anything my bike screams for another gear and lower RPM's.
  Oh, I went with the Good Year Assurance Triple Tread, after researching with the help of many happy local CT Valk owners and the help from this board. I couldn't find one unhappy customer with this tire, If I didn't thank you all enough, thanks again

[Ricky-D]

Seems to me that the motorcycle tire manufacturers are all in the same game when it comes to tread design. I certainly look at the treads of bikes and they all look to be clones of two basic tread designs, the K series types on Harleys and the Avon Cobras looking treads of the rest. I know there or others.

So, I'll admit that the first thing I look at when shopping for a CT for my Valkyrie is the tread design. I want it to look really cool and bad ass. I'm just an average rider so I don't care much about how they perform or not perform, just want it to have a decent speed rating. Then I look at the cost. Don't want to spend a fortune and car tires are deeply discounted which is a good thing.

I purchased a 55 series tire that I wish was a 60 series now, just don't like the extra r's on the highways. I didn't even consider that my gas mileage would be affected. Smarter now however!

I like that Yokohama A048, it looks really mean and strangely akin to those Avon mc tire tread design.  I'm riding on a Hankook Ventus K104 which is a little more tradition tread design as I consider that Nexen is also.  I've close to 20k on my tire so keep sending in those pictures of your CT's cause I'll be needing to get one soon.

Just sayin'

***

[Sharkey]

Im running the tire off Grandmas Buick myself. Its been on for over 7000 miles now. No problems. Does great in the rain, and I can grind pegs just fine if I choose. You can put the best looking tire in the world on a Minivan and its still a Minivan.

[Bone]

Why does the manufacturer put the red or yellow line on the edge of the tread ?

[Tundra]

I haven't got a clue, but there's a little jingle that sticks in my head from my nauticle days. (RRR) red on right returning, pertaining to aids to navigation, channel markers. The red line will be properly mounted on the right side of the tire, maybe this is an aid for mounting directional tires???

[Old Geezer Richard]

  Hey Steeler , that an interesting looking CT you got there .... does that tread pattern act any different  from any other CT's you have used ?.... is this your first  time you used the  yokohama CT ? ... from the picture it resembles an over sized MC tire just looking at the tread .... hey let me how it handles as the miles go by .... I might be interested in getting one , does it come in a 60 series tire ? .... who carries those yokohama tires ? would discount tire maybe ? for right now I have very pleased with the Michelin Pilot 250-55-16 so far , with 9000 miles on the clock it still looks brand spanking new .... let me know how it works out for ya ....  RIDE SAFE ..

[RUDE DOG - Steelers]

  Hey Steeler , that an interesting looking CT you got there .... does that tread pattern act any different  from any other CT's you have used ?.... is this your first  time you used the  yokohama CT ? ... from the picture it resembles an over sized MC tire just looking at the tread .... hey let me how it handles as the miles go by .... I might be interested in getting one , does it come in a 60 series tire ? .... who carries those yokohama tires ? would discount tire maybe ? for right now I have very pleased with the Michelin Pilot 250-55-16 so far , with 9000 miles on the clock it still looks brand spanking new .... let me know how it works out for ya ....  RIDE SAFE ..

Hey Geezer,
This is my first car tire and I love it.  Its like a crosss between a cycle tire and a car tire.  I dont think it comes in a 60 series.  Handles very good although Im not a corner carver.  I think I got it from Tire Rack.  Also not the cheapest, think I paid about $210 for it.  I love the look of it although if your looking for high mileage this might not be the one.  It comes with a shaved tread depth since its a racing style tire.  It also comes in two compounds, medium and medium-hard.  I know most have had the medium compound and didnt get great mileage with it.  Maybe 10k or so.  I figure with the medium-hard compound that I have, if I get 12-15k that puts me in perfect time to service the rear. 

[98valk]

Opinions on this tire in the 205/65 size. Anybody ever try it?
Some sites show a tread width of 6.2 inches and an OD of 26.5 inches.
I think the narrow tread would help to make it more responsive on the bike.
Thanks

http://toyotires.com/tire/pattern/proxes-tpt

[Tundra]

CA ExhaustCoatings
One friend uses this toyo http://toyotires.com/tire/pattern/proxes-r1r He's happy with it, but he runs the 55 series.
  I do have a friend that run's a 65 series, I don't think he frequents this board much. You can find him on the http://www.valkyrieforum.com/forum/vrcc_florida.cgi board. He goes by "easygoer" We are riding tomorrow, I'll ask him to check the board for you.

[PharmBoy]

CA ExaustCoatings, I know someone in Texas that is running this tire and likes it on his I/S.  I don't know the size that he has, but I have a 65 series (not this tire) and really do like it.  It cuts down on the rpm at a given speed when compared to the 60 or 55 which means less exhaust & transmission noise and it brings the spedo error that we all have back up closer to actual MPH.  Some might say that the 65 is detrimental to acceleration and I can see where it might be to a small degree, but I cannot personally detect it with the dyno that I sit on.  I feel that it is the best size for me....JTL  

[Ricky-D]

Speedometer runs off the front wheel.  Changing the rear regardless, will not affect the speedometer.

No criticism here!

***

[PharmBoy]

Ricky-D, You're right as you can be.  I'm sure that my goof didn't fool anyone else either.  I usually go down the road and set the cruise control by the GPS instead of the spedometer and there is a few MPH difference in the two depending on whether you are going 35 or 85 on the GPS.  Mabe that is what got me all confused.  Anyway, thanks for the correction....JTL

[rustynail]

just switched to the darkside this past weekend and with about 15o miles on my  goodyear tripletread i think I'll keep it. it handles great.

[John U.]

Speedometer runs off the front wheel.  Changing the rear regardless, will not affect the speedometer.

No criticism here!

***

Looks like (wilst running a 65 series tire) the engine will be spinning slower at a given speed regardless of what the indicated speed (by the speedometer) might be.
Not sure, but that could be the point of this discussion, IMHO, but it's getting late so WTFDIK.
No criticism here either!