Darksiders MPG?

[Ferris Leets]

How did the car tire effect your MPG?

[Jack]

None that I can tell.  I've been running a darkside for 8 1/2 yrs and get above 40 mpg hwy.

[Bob E.]

I really haven't noticed any effects on mpg's.  If anything, its minimal.  I'm running a 205-60-16 Altimax, but it is rubbing pretty bad...so I'll probably be going back to a bike tire.

[Ricky-D]

I really haven't noticed any effects on mpg's.  If anything, its minimal.  I'm running a 205-60-16 Altimax, but it is rubbing pretty bad...so I'll probably be going back to a bike tire.

Have you identified where it is rubbing?

There are a few fixes for the problem you describe.

Doing the nut cage removal is usually necessary and there is also a method to center the fender to stop the rubbing.

I think the only real problem will occur when the rubbing is against the swing arm and there is little except a change in tire pressure that you can do to affect that, short of grinding the swing arm, which I would not recommend.

***

[Daniel Meyer]

No change.

[Bob E.]

I really haven't noticed any effects on mpg's.  If anything, its minimal.  I'm running a 205-60-16 Altimax, but it is rubbing pretty bad...so I'll probably be going back to a bike tire.

Have you identified where it is rubbing?

There are a few fixes for the problem you describe.

Doing the nut cage removal is usually necessary and there is also a method to center the fender to stop the rubbing.

I think the only real problem will occur when the rubbing is against the swing arm and there is little except a change in tire pressure that you can do to affect that, short of grinding the swing arm, which I would not recommend.

***

It is definitely rubbing at the swingarm and not the nut cages (I removed those).  At the swingarm, there is this welded seam that runs around the inside of the bracing.  This seam protrudes about 1/8".  When on a jack, you can spin the wheel and just hear the raised letters brushing past.  I thought it would be ok, but after about 1200 miles this weekend, you can definitely see wear marks in the sidewall.  Even when on the sidestand, you cannot slide a paper between the swingarm and the tire at this point.  I thought about trying to grind this seam down a bit right at that point, but I am worried that this would open the possibility of a crack starting along the seam weld.  The other option would be to try whacking it with a hammer to flatten it or dent it in a bit.  But that area seems pretty solid, so I don't know if that would work or not.

[fudgie]

If its just the letters can you wait till they rub off? Higher psi? Maybe get another tire witout the raised letters, if you enjoy the DS.

[Bob E.]

If its just the letters can you wait till they rub off? Higher psi? Maybe get another tire witout the raised letters, if you enjoy the DS.

The problem is that it has worn past the letters in a couple spots already.  As for enjoying the DS, I would say that I am about 75% satisfied.  But there is that 25% that bugs me a bit.  Mainly it is that I get this bouncing feeling when in long sweeping turns like on the interstate.  Here in PA, our interstates snake around various hills, valleys, rivers, towns, etc. and have these long sweepers that might be a half mile long or more.  When leaned into these turns, I get this bouncing effect from the rim moving sideways inside the tire relative to the tread.  It scared the crap out of me the first time it happened because it felt like it could go into a real tank-slapper.  After that, I had to ride conservatively (not fun) through these types of turns.  As for tire pressure, I started at 38psi but it had too much of that square tire feeling.  So I dropped to 32psi based on what alot of others said they were running, but that felt too squirmy.  So I settled at 35psi which is a good compromise with very little of the square tire feeling and only a little squirming otherwise.  And really, I was pretty surprised as to how good it actually was in the more aggressive tight, twisty roads.  But this highway thing is not good.  Straight lines, it is fine on the highway.  But these long sweeping high-speed turns really suck.

[fudgie]

If its just the letters can you wait till they rub off? Higher psi? Maybe get another tire witout the raised letters, if you enjoy the DS.

The problem is that it has worn past the letters in a couple spots already.  As for enjoying the DS, I would say that I am about 75% satisfied.  But there is that 25% that bugs me a bit.  Mainly it is that I get this bouncing feeling when in long sweeping turns like on the interstate.  Here in PA, our interstates snake around various hills, valleys, rivers, towns, etc. and have these long sweepers that might be a half mile long or more.  When leaned into these turns, I get this bouncing effect from the rim moving sideways inside the tire relative to the tread.  It scared the crap out of me the first time it happened because it felt like it could go into a real tank-slapper.  After that, I had to ride conservatively (not fun) through these types of turns.  As for tire pressure, I started at 38psi but it had too much of that square tire feeling.  So I dropped to 32psi based on what alot of others said they were running, but that felt too squirmy.  So I settled at 35psi which is a good compromise with very little of the square tire feeling and only a little squirming otherwise.  And really, I was pretty surprised as to how good it actually was in the more aggressive tight, twisty roads.  But this highway thing is not good.  Straight lines, it is fine on the highway.  But these long sweeping high-speed turns really suck.

It was PA when I noticed mine did the same thing.  It was solid in the curves, it was just the bumps in the curves that made it feel what you describe. I just got use to it cause I don't hit alot of big bumps in the turns much. I do alot of hiway riding. In the Black Hills on the long sweepers and tight curves it was rock solid. Of coarse tho SD has some of the best surface roads that I have ever been on. Maybe a different CT would work.

[Skinhead]

Bob,

I would try raising your air pressure.  I'm running 42 psi in mine.  never felt what you describe.  It may also help your rub issue.

[glenh]

I'm running a General Altimax 205/55/16, my mileage dropped a few mpg, (runs about 100 - 150 rpm's higher at 65 mph) it don't rub, didn't do the nut mod, great plenty room. it is close to the swingarm, less than 1/8 of an inch, I'd guess. I've put around 3500 miles on it, went on a 2400 mile round trip out to Utah pulling a fairly heavy pop up camper trailer, only got 21 mpg over 65 mph, 30 mpg at 55-60. i really like the tire compared to a motorcycle tire, I'll run it 'till it wears out, than decide if I want another car tire, maybe a "60" instead of "55" next time to lower my rpm's and get my gas mileage back again.

[mikeb]

try runnig an 205/65/16 that will be a bit taller and narrower too ..200 rpms slower engine speed
the 205/55/16 is a bit smaller & fatter too a bit faster engine speeds 150 rpms
205/60/16 is about the same size as a stock tire same rpm as stock
these tires take time to settle in too

 

[skull6]

I run the altimax and have it up to 48 pressure tire max is 51 according to side wall. To me it handles more like a bike tire then my faulken zx which I put 30000 on. Tire did ride loose to me at 35 and I slowly tried moving up on pressure I am a big guy so I think I need the max psi. Better mpg at higher pressure. At 35 psi I was down to 35 mpg I am  averageing  38 to40 at higher pressure. Riding as much as possible 3000 rpm or less.

[dipstick]

None at all, it only made a diiference in the handling. Its WWAAYYY better 

[X Ring]

try runnig an 205/65/16 that will be a bit taller and narrower too ..200 rpms slower engine speed
the 205/55/16 is a bit smaller & fatter too a bit faster engine speeds 150 rpms
205/60/16 is about the same size as a stock tire same rpm as stock
these tires take time to settle in too

 

Partytyme,

What tire are you running?

[mikeb]

here ya go



HydroEdge® P205/65R16 94T
 
Enlarge
 Sidewall: Black Sidewall

Model # (MSPN): 58544

Benefits
•Lasts Up To 33,000 Miles Longer Versus the Competition2
•The Most Fuel-Efficient Tire in the Category†
•Better Braking — Up To 14 Feet Shorter Than the Competition
•†Category defined as premium priced S&T passenger products.
Tire Details

[Ferris Leets]

try runnig an 205/65/16 that will be a bit taller and narrower too ..200 rpms slower engine speed
the 205/55/16 is a bit smaller & fatter too a bit faster engine speeds 150 rpms
205/60/16 is about the same size as a stock tire same rpm as stock
these tires take time to settle in too

 

?the 205/55 and the 202/65 should be the same width.  did you actually measure and to find this out?

[98valk]

here ya go



HydroEdge® P205/65R16 94T
 
Enlarge
 Sidewall: Black Sidewall

Model # (MSPN): 58544

Benefits
•Lasts Up To 33,000 Miles Longer Versus the Competition2
•The Most Fuel-Efficient Tire in the Category†
•Better Braking — Up To 14 Feet Shorter Than the Competition
•†Category defined as premium priced S&T passenger products.
Tire Details

the tire didn't do well in the tirerack wet braking test which is surprizing since it did good in the other tests.
 http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/TireTestServlet?tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=HydroEdge%20with%20Green%20X&partnum=065TR6HE&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

[mikeb]

when ya start looking at 65 series tire the picking gets slim..

here ya go



HydroEdge® P205/65R16 94T
 
Enlarge
 Sidewall: Black Sidewall

Model # (MSPN): 58544

Benefits
•Lasts Up To 33,000 Miles Longer Versus the Competition2
•The Most Fuel-Efficient Tire in the Category†
•Better Braking — Up To 14 Feet Shorter Than the Competition
•†Category defined as premium priced S&T passenger products.
Tire Details

the tire didn't do well in the tirerack wet braking test which is surprizing since it did good in the other tests.
 http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/TireTestServlet?tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=HydroEdge%20with%20Green%20X&partnum=065TR6HE&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes