Thinking about going DarkSide

[rockbobmel]

I have been reading till my eyes hurt. I am very new to the Valk. (6,000mi) and my rear is going to need replacing this season.   The Metz is $216. and there is a local guy that is reasonable. Sooooo, I'm a little skiddish about the DS. I am not an aggressive rider and the center of the MT is wearing flat while the mould tits are still on the sides.  I'm short so I could tolerate 1/2" or so higher saddle, but I like the idea of lower RPMs and + gas milage.

This interests me.. http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,90637.0.html

[da prez]

  I doubt if I will ever use a motorcycle tire on the rear. Car tire has better traction , smoother ride and longer life. Check prices online. I have a general altimax. Good tire but there are better. I am a hard rider and have run the tail of the dragon in addition to many other twisties. If you are an experienced rider , you will have no problem. Roads with heavy truck traffic ruts at traffic lights get a little squirrely. 

                                      da prez

[old2soon]

              Search is yer friend. D/S "stuff" can be found on the tech board and on the general board. Best piece of advice I can offer-look for a car tire with rounded sides. I am on my 4th D/S. Liked every one of em and all different. Austone Taxi tire and I Would purchase this one-ATT-again!   In the search bar enter either dark side or D/S or car tire. Be prepared to do some reading. The subject of D/S has been hashed up here a LOT. RIDE SAFE.

[Hook#3287]

Bob, I'm running 3 different car tires at present.

Hankook-Optimo-H426-Tire-195/60/R16  on my I/S.

Laufenn G-fit AS 205/65R/16  on my Tourer.

General G-max 195/55/16 on my Bobber.

Plus I had a Austone Taxi Tire on a different Tourer.

I also have a Tourer with a Avon on it, so I get to compare one to another, all the time.

The Avon definitely handles the best, but not enough difference, to me, to be an issue.

My favorite is the Hankook.  It handles excellent in curves, is solid straight, luckily, I've not had to test it's stopping power in real life experience.  This tire is lower than a stock OEM M/T.  Used mostly 2 up.

The Laufenn and the ATT are pretty much neck and neck, both very good in curves, excellent straight trackers.  The ATT has EXCELLENT stopping power, (proved in real life  )  but it did raise the bike higher.  The Laufenn hasn't needed to prove it's stopping power yet.

The General is the lowest tire in height, but I wanted it that way for the Bobber look.  Good tire, but I can't speak to it's cornering because the Bobber is set up completely different from the others.  Also a great straight tracker and I haven't had to test it's stopping power.

Although the Avon is the best in handling, I'm not sure I'll buy another M/T.

Might, might not.

I don't do a lot of wet riding, but when I've been caught out in it, the car tires all feel rock solid.

Can't say the same for the Avon.

All 4 C/T bikes were/are Dbl Dark Side.

[mustang071965]

Been riding a CT for over 7 years. Never will go back to a Mt. Best advice I can give you is this. When picking a CT look for one that has round sides not flat where the sidewall meets the treads and makes a sharp corner. Rounded acts like a Mt when leaned. Also pick a tread that gives the best water removal. I'm running a Yokohama invite at the moment. Great tire. Have 21000 on it and still looks great.

[Gryphon Rider]

Choose a tire and go for it.  If you don't like it, change back next tire change.  If you ride it for a couple of tanks and play with the tire pressure and still really don't like it, buy a new motorcycle tire.  The loss is the price of the car tire and one install cost, which might be less than taking your family out to a movie (with snacks) that you ended up not liking.

[Malkozaine]

So to use a car tire is there anything special you have to do or just make sure it fits?  Like do we need a new rim?

[Hook#3287]

So to use a car tire is there anything special you have to do or just make sure it fits?  Like do we need a new rim?

No on the rim, none around you can change to w/o major mods.

If you use a wide tire, you might need to do a "Nut Cage Mod".

[DarkSideR]

+1 on the Hankook. On my second one. Handles like a bike tire.

[gordonv]

If you are still wondering, then go for the Austin Taxi Tire (ATT), it is so close to a MC tire that you won't even know it's a CT.

After that, you can then try the others, or look for your own, looking for the style you want. There is so much out there to either read or research.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Only the brave run a truck tire 
http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,101155.0.html

[Hook#3287]

Only the brave run a truck tire 
http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,101155.0.html

Grin Gary that reminds me of an incident many years ago. We were having a store Christmas party at a venue with a bunch of pane glass windows. As it was night all the lighting made the windows reflect back. Some time during the night after more than a few drinks I looked over and saw some bald guy. I couldn't think of who this was at our party. Then it finally dawned on me, I was the bald guy. My denial of being bald ended there at the young age of 35.  Grin

Thanks for the link into the past, got a good laugh, again.

How's the Truck Tire working out?

[The emperor has no clothes]

Only the brave run a truck tire 
http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,101155.0.html

Grin Gary that reminds me of an incident many years ago. We were having a store Christmas party at a venue with a bunch of pane glass windows. As it was night all the lighting made the windows reflect back. Some time during the night after more than a few drinks I looked over and saw some bald guy. I couldn't think of who this was at our party. Then it finally dawned on me, I was the bald guy. My denial of being bald ended there at the young age of 35.  Grin

Thanks for the link into the past, got a good laugh, again.

How's the Truck Tire working out?

actually really good. I didn't really push it on the Dragon cause I was worried about other riders and cars. But I cut loose on the Cherohala and it felt good grip.

[rockbobmel]

Thanks guys!  I like the tread of the Laufenn the best. Yoko AVID ENVIGOR even better.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Yokohama&tireModel=AVID+ENVigor+%28H-+or+V-Speed+Rated%29&sidewall=Blackwall&partnum=06HR6ENV&tab=Sizes

Can these be changed at a car tire shop with their equipment or special mc equip?

Bill,   I'm going for a scoot Sunday (only clear day this week).

[..]

Thanks guys!  I like the tread of the Laufenn the best. Yoko AVID ENVIGOR even better.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Yokohama&tireModel=AVID+ENVigor+%28H-+or+V-Speed+Rated%29&sidewall=Blackwall&partnum=06HR6ENV&tab=Sizes

Can these be changed at a car tire shop with their equipment or special mc equip?

Bill,   I'm going for a scoot Sunday (only clear day this week).

It's best if you take wheel and new tire in to be changed.

Unlikley Car tire shop will not remove the wheel.

Then YOU can make sure the lube needed is done correctly.

And replacing of needed O rings.

[..]

Thanks guys!  I like the tread of the Laufenn the best. Yoko AVID ENVIGOR even better.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Yokohama&tireModel=AVID+ENVigor+%28H-+or+V-Speed+Rated%29&sidewall=Blackwall&partnum=06HR6ENV&tab=Sizes

Can these be changed at a car tire shop with their equipment or special mc equip?

Bill,   I'm going for a scoot Sunday (only clear day this week).

Check your email 

[brampton6626]

also running a car tire , 14000  mile and going good
tell people i have a car tire on back only because tractor tire won't fit

2000 is with 35000 miles

[sdv003]

I'm running the ATT.  They are right, you can't tell the difference between it and a MT.

[rockbobmel]

Here is a Yoko Run Flat..

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Yokohama-32194-AVID-ENVigor-ZPS-195-55-16-Tire/362361524353?epid=1817838925&hash=item545e6e1081%3Ag%3A9G8AAOSw3fZaECec&_sacat=0&_nkw=yokohama+avid+envigor&_from=R40&rt=nc&LH_TitleDesc=0

[The emperor has no clothes]

Here is a Yoko Run Flat..

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Yokohama-32194-AVID-ENVigor-ZPS-195-55-16-Tire/362361524353?epid=1817838925&hash=item545e6e1081%3Ag%3A9G8AAOSw3fZaECec&_sacat=0&_nkw=yokohama+avid+envigor&_from=R40&rt=nc&LH_TitleDesc=0

That tire is too short in my opinion.

[Ken Tarver]

Here it's Yokohama Avid Envigor 205-60/16 on 2 of them.

Next time though thinking will go with Austone

Ken

[Jess from VA]

I'm no tire engineer, but keep in mind run flats must have pretty stiff sidewalls. 

A CT on a bike should only have ordinary, all-season radial sidewalls, so it will flex nicely in the turns.  A good CT should have both rounded profile edges and an ordinary sidewall.

Ability to run when out of air would be a plus, but I bet run flats would not be that good a ride (if you have turns and hills where you ride).

I seem to recall someone on here trying a run flat, but don't recall a ride report. 

 

[Hook#3287]

I'm no tire engineer, but keep in mind run flats must have pretty stiff sidewalls. 

A CT on a bike should only have ordinary, all-season radial sidewalls, so it will flex nicely in the turns.  A good CT should have both rounded profile edges and an ordinary sidewall.

Ability to run when out of air would be a plus, but I bet run flats would not be that good a ride (if you have turns and hills where you ride).

I seem to recall someone on here trying a run flat, but don't recall a ride report. 

 

My opinion is Jess is correct.  A run flat tire would not give the flex desired for cornering.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I'm no tire engineer, but keep in mind run flats must have pretty stiff sidewalls. 

A CT on a bike should only have ordinary, all-season radial sidewalls, so it will flex nicely in the turns.  A good CT should have both rounded profile edges and an ordinary sidewall.

Ability to run when out of air would be a plus, but I bet run flats would not be that good a ride (if you have turns and hills where you ride).

I seem to recall someone on here trying a run flat, but don't recall a ride report. 

 

My opinion is Jess is correct.  A run flat tire would not give the flex desired for cornering.

I haven't run one because of those concerns. But many of the F6B guys are using them with good results. I think a few of our Valkyrie riders use the run flats also. That was my biggest concern with trying the truck tire. It is an 8 ply with thicker sidewalls. But it has been a non existent issue.

[MarkT]

I've arrived at the Austone after a half dozen other tires.  No reason to keep looking now.  Very nicely behaved tire and love the higher mpg at speed.

[98valk]

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,90637.0.html   my review of the Laufenn. some reason all the pics are gone.


https://autoweek.com/article/sema-show/hankook-tire-launches-no-frills-laufenn-brand-sema

Laufenn is Hankook's value-minded range of tires, which officially launched during SEMA. The tire range includes five models from high performance rubber to off-road and even studded ice tires -- all priced far below Hankook's regular offerings.

[98valk]

see this thread.  http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,71329.0.html

there is a dunlop tire I found which is the same tread width as the Austone. My Laufenn is an 1/2" wider.
keeping the tire width near what the MT is will be the key to the CT riding like the MT.

[Tfrank59]

Thanks guys!  I like the tread of the Laufenn the best. Yoko AVID ENVIGOR even better.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Yokohama&tireModel=AVID+ENVigor+%28H-+or+V-Speed+Rated%29&sidewall=Blackwall&partnum=06HR6ENV&tab=Sizes

Can these be changed at a car tire shop with their equipment or special mc equip?

Bill,   I'm going for a scoot Sunday (only clear day this week).

I was going to go dark side a couple of years ago but I couldn't get anybody to mount the tire for me. None of the bike shops will do it here where I live in western Washington and I just lost interest so I'm still sticking with a motorcycle tire. One of these days I might try to take the wheel and tire to a car tire shop and see if they'll change it, but again everyone seems to refuse it because of what they see as a liability.

[MarkT]

Tell them it's for a sidehack.  Basically they want to CYA. Give them that assurance and $10 extra, that should get around that problem.  Or alternatively - get the HF tire mount stand.  I've been mounting my own for 15 years.  Saved lots of money and now I can remount tires that were replaced early for a trip.

[Tfrank59]

Nah not going to buy a tire machine. It doesn't mean that much to me to run a CT on there, so I'll just keep buying motorcycle tires even though it costs more. I know one thing I'm not gonna buy a Shinko again but other than that I've been pretty satisfied running MTs on both my bikes.

[Oss]

when I got the police bike it had run flat motorcycle tires on it

I got a good size hole in the rear tire and it ran with no pressure
knew something was wrong pretty quick as once you have had a rear or front go flat you never forget the signs.

Got off the highway and to an air pump
put a string plug in it and filled it up to 42.

Thing ran another 10000 miles never lost a lb of air ever.  I have looked but unable to find them anywhere.  Now I use michelins on the bmw. MT only

I am getting more comfortable with Stan's envigor on the 99, but my favorite is still the 200 bridgestone either battleaxe or exedra are great imho  lots of tread and smooth and doesnt run into the ruts Paid 142 for the last one. Not so bad

[sdv003]

Used tire shop mounted mine.  $11 and they replaced the valve with a steel one I provided.  No balancing, but I had that covered.  Easy peazy.

[Harryc]

Agree with Hook on the Laufenn G-fit AS 205/65R/16. I just got back from North Carolina. I rode the Dragon (5) times, the Cherohala Skyway, Moonshiner 28, 441 to Gatlinburg thru the Park, the orange loop, and many other roads there and it handled better than great. Highly recommended. I doubt you'd find many roads anywhere in the US that are as technically challenging. Here's a video on the Dragon. Welcome on board to 'Stormy' ...  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzp_Cqqp6aQ&t=37s

[Wewaman]

Might have already been said, sorry if it was.
Go to Shop Talk and read Daniel Meyers car tire adventures,  Very, very informative.

Wewa

[rockbobmel]

I'm gonna wait till next round.   They are having a rebate on the ME888s so I sprung for a set.  The rear on the 888 should wear close to my existing 880 front. Then I'll put on the front 888 and a darkside rear.

[SPOFF]

I ran car tires for 14 years. No complaints. Went back to a bike tire this year only because a Shinko is down to $127 delivered. Also the annual safety inspection here is New Hampshire is problematic with a car tire mounted. It may pass, it may not. And once it fails you're out of luck until the next year.

Also, no one here will mount a car tire; I had to do that myself. And a car tire is a stone cold bitch to mount. (Imagine my surprise when I mounted the bike tire in less than 5 minutes and the bead popped on at 5 psi.)

[The emperor has no clothes]

I ran car tires for 14 years. No complaints. Went back to a bike tire this year only because a Shinko is down to $127 delivered. Also the annual safety inspection here is New Hampshire is problematic with a car tire mounted. It may pass, it may not. And once it fails you're out of luck until the next year.

Also, no one here will mount a car tire; I had to do that myself. And a car tire is a stone cold bitch to mount. (Imagine my surprise when I mounted the bike tire in less than 5 minutes and the bead popped on at 5 psi.)

We have no inspections here. If you fail one, you can't get it fixed or changed and then pass ?

[rockbobmel]

There's A guy nearby that said he would mount it if it would bead before 80#.

I just figured I would hold off.  I also am very curious to see what improvement the ME888 is over the 880.

[MarkT]

In my experience getting it to seat is largely a function of it being well lubed right before adding the air. I use proper tire lube - got it from the the no-mar people - https://www.nomartirechanger.com/Tire_Lube_Paste_7lb_Tub_p/sp-lube-7lb.htm

[Cracker Jack]

Plain ole rubbing alcohol is as good a rubber lubricant as you can get. The only problem is it dries very quickly. The good part is that it leaves no residue. Just put a little in a spray bottle and spritz as needed.