Laufenn G FIT tire, My first DarkSide, Ride Update

[98valk]

 205/65-16 H rated.  made by Hankook
http://www.laufenn.com/us/front/us_front/gfit.do#
Really like the tread pattern, equal roundness both sides. measured about 4" between both sides of tread where it starts to round off. 6" wide at the round drop off. forgot to add that the Austone is 5.5" wide for comparison.
$75 out the door at PepBoys.

it's a 4 ply tread tire but only 1 ply sidewall. max load 1521 lbs. max pressure 51 lbs. This is more than the E3 on now.



old E3 both are mounted on rims.





This is an inflated tire. 3 inches from tread to tread and then it rounds off to both sides.

[Jess from VA]

I like a softer (IE normal, all season radial) sidewall (that flexes and keeps the tread on the road until hard leans), but that tire is asymmetrical (maybe that doesn't matter). 

[old2soon]

First D/S tire I used-General Altimax-took me bout 6 or 7 miles to git used to it. All I can tell ya it is a bit Different-NOT bad different-Just different. BUT I will say this-much like riding itself-there is NO in between. Good fortune and RIDE SAFE.

[DarkSideR]

I ride the Hankook Optimo H426 which looks to be very, very similar to the Laufenn. I have over 9k on the tire. All of those miles have been great. The tire handles excellent, and the softer sidewall may lessen the bump steer effect. I cannot recollect any bump steer since I have had the Hankook.

I suspect it is a re-branded Optimo with a slightly different tread pattern. If so that is a deal.

[98valk]

I ride the Hankook Optimo H426 which looks to be very, very similar to the Laufenn. I have over 9k on the tire. All of those miles have been great. The tire handles excellent, and the softer sidewall may lessen the bump steer effect. I cannot recollect any bump steer since I have had the Hankook.

I suspect it is a re-branded Optimo with a slightly different tread pattern. If so that is a deal.

your tire was on my list. Thanks for the report. Never saw one in person, but from pics it looks like, as many tires today do, to have different left and right roundness profiles as some which I saw in person do. This Laufenn has equal roundness profiles both sides of tire which I like and will give same handling left and right.
I should have it on by the weekend on my very low mileage 5-8k (still has the OEM dunlop w/4/32" tread left) trike take off complete '03 wheel I picked up last week.
Present E3 w/beads lasted 22k miles.

[98valk]

Bump, added pictures.

[Hook#3287]

That looks nicely rounded over.

Have you put this on your bike?

[98valk]

That looks nicely rounded over.

Have you put this on your bike?

mounted on rim, installing sometime this wk.

[N0tac0p]

question.  why go with a 65 aspect ratio vs a 55.  I would think with the wider 205 that the 55 would give the same approx. overall dia, whereas the 65 would be effectively larger, giving more error on the speedo and apt to rub inside with 2 up.

just trying to educate myself

[98valk]

question.  why go with a 65 aspect ratio vs a 55.  I would think with the wider 205 that the 55 would give the same approx. overall dia, whereas the 65 would be effectively larger, giving more error on the speedo and apt to rub inside with 2 up.

just trying to educate myself

does not effect speedo/odo which are taken off the front wheel.

205/65 not known to be a problem rubbing. 205/65 will lower engine rpms @ 60 mph about 200rpms.  there are many posts about tire sizes and which dark side work well and which do not.

[Hook#3287]

That looks nicely rounded over.

Have you put this on your bike?

mounted on rim, installing sometime this wk.

Hopefully the weather continues to improve and you can get us a report.

[N0tac0p]

something I had not thought about, but it came up in one of these strings,  and that is getting a shop to give you an inspection sticker

[Hook#3287]

something I had not thought about, but it came up in one of these strings,  and that is getting a shop to give you an inspection sticker

  I've never had a problem getting an inspection sticker with my ATT.  One guy said something like "That's a wide tire, must ride like crap" to which I told him, it did not.

[98valk]

Ride Report!

All I can say is awesome! This is my first CT and basically there was no difference from the E3 I took off. And the RPMs are down about 200.

I thought I was going to have to employ a little more force to transition or go around a corner or off ramp. None was needed, bike reacted just like it did before with the E3
I even rode a hwy with present road construction, a lot of uneven road surfaces, there was no difference than the E3.
I'm a Dark Sider for life now.

[98valk]

installed with new light weight rotor. only 3lbs vs '98 at 4lbs 4 oz, vs '03 at 6 lbs.
reducing unsprung weight is always a great benefit.

[..]

installed with new light weight rotor. only 3lbs vs '98 at 4lbs 4 oz, vs '03 at 6 lbs.
reducing unsprung weight is always a great benefit.

Where did you get the rotor from?

[DarkSideR]

Ride Report!

All I can say is awesome! This is my first CT and basically there was no difference from the E3 I took off. And the RPMs are down about 300.

I thought I was going to have to employ a little more force to transition or go around a corner or off ramp. None was needed, bike reacted just let it did before with the E3
I even rode a hwy with present road construction, a lot of uneven road surfaces, there was no difference than the E3.
I'm a Dark Sider for life now.

 

[98valk]

ebay, it is sold by bikemaster, this is who makes it for them, http://ngbrakedisc.com/catalogoonline.htm

[..]

ebay, it is sold by bikemaster, this is who makes it for them, http://ngbrakedisc.com/catalogoonline.htm

Doing a search for bikemaster gives over 95,000 results.

Searching in that gives no hits for disc or Valkyrie

[98valk]

ebay, it is sold by bikemaster, this is who makes it for them, http://ngbrakedisc.com/catalogoonline.htm

Doing a search for bikemaster gives over 95,000 results.

Searching in that gives no hits for disc or Valkyrie

I forgot, it is listed for the Goldwing GL1500, same rear rotor as valkyrie.
 Bought it last yr for $55 shipped.

BM #962069
http://bikemaster.com/replacement-parts/brake-system/rotors/brake-rotor-4551.html

http://ngbrakedisc.com/catalogoonline.htm
   
 REAR 316x184,5x5,5
Referencia: 1208

MARCA:    HONDA
CILINDRADA:    1500
MODELO:    GOLD WING GL SE
SIDE:    R
OUTSIDE:    316
INSIDE:    184,5
THICKNESS:    5,5
Nº HOLES:    6
HOLES:    10,5

[Pappy!]

and how much space does this give you, side to side, up in the fender between the nut guards and the tire?

[98valk]

and how much space does this give you, side to side, up in the fender between the nut guards and the tire?

I didn't measure anything since many have used this size before. I did do the nut guard mod.

I put a total of 75 miles on the tire yesterday. If someone told me a car tire was on I would not have know it.

[Hook#3287]

That's a nice looking tire and with the new rotor, even better.

Thanks for the tire report, guess I just found my next CT

[98valk]

That's a nice looking tire and with the new rotor, even better.

Thanks for the tire report, guess I just found my next CT

looks good even with the oem saddle bags on.  

I surmise with it being a 1 ply sidewall, that is the reason it is so responsive. I had 39psi in it.  Also running a set of I/S shocks for the first time. A lot to evaluate, need to get more miles in.
 

[98valk]

was able to put another 200+ miles on the tire trying different pressures.  42psi is not good, too much bump steer. Now right at 39 psi which I started out with, very responsive, very little bump steer. will try this pressure for few days.

picture is tread profile at 39 psi with the side stand on a 2x4, just barely leaning. The tire maintained the curvature of the tread as previously pictured before wheel was mounted on the bike.

[Bone]

Thanks for the update. My second GYTT has 38k on it I'm thinking of trying this Laufenn your using I like the rounded profile.
The GYTT is square shouldered  I must be used to it I seldom notice.

[Bone]

If someone told me a car tire was on I would not have know it

This is my 4th CT with the last 2 being GYTT. Must have grown accustomed to the square corners the GYTT has this Laufenn G Fit won't stand by it's self. Leaving the garage I could tell the difference. Extremely cold here I road 15 miles and put it away I wasn't dressed for our cold weather.
I checked before leaving the tire had 34lbs cold. I'll up that a little each time I go out and ride more miles we have warm weather forecast this weekend.

[98valk]

Ride Report;

The tire likes a cold tire pressure btwn 37-38 psi.  This keeps bump steer to maybe 2% once it is at operating temp.  same bump steer I had with the E3 it replaced.
In the twisties, it responds just like an m/c tire.
Std/Tourer w/ I/S tank, I/S shocks.
Very satisfied with this Dark Side tire.

[DarkSideR]

Great report. Now just watch how the tire wears.

I'm not a big guy (180lbs) and usually ride solo. At 38psi my Hankook (very similar to your tire) wore unevenly. The center tread faster than the outisde tread on the shoulders. I have since bumped the pressure down to 36psi.

Hope this helps,

DarkSider 

[98valk]

Great report. Now just watch how the tire wears.

I'm not a big guy (180lbs) and usually ride solo. At 38psi my Hankook (very similar to your tire) wore unevenly. The center tread faster than the outisde tread on the shoulders. I have since bumped the pressure down to 36psi.

Hope this helps,

DarkSider  

Thanks, Laufenn is a Hankook brand, probably same tire. http://www.laufenn.com/us/front/us_front/news/news_view.do?n_id=342

I'm about 210 geared up, usually solo also.

[Bone]

Have 800 miles on my Laufenn. Also running 38lbs. more than I've ever run on a rear. I'm pleased with the ride on rough pavement the GYTT was a more harsh ride.

[98valk]

how u like it so far? handling, etc.?

[Bone]

I like the tire handling is good. Haven't rode in any rain yet the tread looks like it will handle a lot of water. Wished I wouldn't have rode 2 GYTT. I'm in almost a flatland area so my riding is mild but almost 70 yrs.old mild is ok

[98valk]

Ride/mileage report.
   running 37 psi cold.  After 1500 miles getting perfect tire wear across the thread.  With RPMs lower by 200, getting a solid 2 mpg increase. Scraping pegs a lot less due to the increased ride height. This is being on same roads/curves at same speeds before this tire install.

[MarkT]

I'm curious on this tire's diameter esp as compared to the ATT.  The latter gives me no bump steer at all, though I have had it on other tires. The ATT likes high pressure - run it at 43#. Behaves much better for me than it did at 38. On some other DS tires I liked the cushy ride of the lower pressure but I won't give up the great handling of the ATT. Really like the tall size for great mileage at speed. that 205/65 must be a tall tire.

[98valk]

Austone  26.9 OD  tread width 5.5"

Laufenn G FIT   26.5 OD tread width 6"


Side Stand Extension for Dark Side, low cost fix.
http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,93955.0.html

[nomoreharleys]

This is great info, still trying to decide on my first CT and this sounds like a good option. With your MPG increase, I did some math and figured your fuel savings will pay for the tire at 15,000 miles. If the tire makes it to 30,000 miles your next tire is paid for. Pretty cool.

[0leman]

I put the same tire on several months ago.   Have 4K on it now.  Handles great.  Not bad price for tire.   I am running it at 30 lbs.  May tire kicking it up a bit.

[Toovalks]

A Question for all of you dark siders.... is slow speed/ parking lot handling easier or more stable on the CT than on an Avon  or E3 for instance???

[98valk]

A Question for all of you dark siders.... is slow speed/ parking lot handling easier or more stable on the CT than on an Avon  or E3 for instance???

same for me.   reducing the trail of 5.89 will make that type of handling better. larger dia rear tire decrease trail. running a 130/90-17 rear tire on front reduces the trail, smaller dia then OEM tire actually there is no tire avail that is some dia as the OEM and the profile of that tire allows easier handling.