My new darkside tire - Champiro

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https://simpletire.com/gt-radial-p205-60r16-100a1545-tires?stmodel=champiro-vp1&stcategory=all-season&sttype=passenger&gclid=Cj0KEQjw4827BRDJvpbVuKvx-rIBEiQA2_CzsCy1_J74jQXNNZqvDmrq5n-kbY_o1RYjl1pWFUaYJSEaAqD28P8HAQ



The Champiro has slightly more rounded shoulders compared to the Goodyear.

[Gavin_Sons]

Good looking tire, may be my next one

[gordonv]

Not only rounded sides, but not completely flat either. Nice tire.

I like the tread pattern.

What size did you get and is it available in?

[mark81]

I had that tire around 10,000 miles on my bike. Ran 38-40 psi. Great traction great handling not the mileage i would expect from reports of others with car tires. But it was 10k of hard acceleration, pulling a trailer, dragging pegs in the twisties, or all of the above. I was pleased with it as my first darkside tire

[The emperor has no clothes]

I had that tire around 10,000 miles on my bike. Ran 38-40 psi. Great traction great handling not the mileage i would expect from reports of others with car tires. But it was 10k of hard acceleration, pulling a trailer, dragging pegs in the twisties, or all of the above. I was pleased with it as my first darkside tire

yeah 10k ain't much. I don't get near the mileage some guys do. But I've been getting 13-18k out of yokohamas and nexens.

[mark81]

I could have gotten a couple thousand more out of it but it was time to pull it for service and figured while it was apart why not it wont last till next time

[The emperor has no clothes]

I could have gotten a couple thousand more out of it but it was time to pull it for service and figured while it was apart why not it wont last till next time

Yeah, we never seem to get everything out of them. I've got to haul off 5 or 6 tires that each have miles left on them and I thought I might use.

[Hooter]

I like the overall shape of the tire. Edges being that rounded should prove to handle well. Anything with a nut cage mod?

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I had that tire around 10,000 miles on my bike. Ran 38-40 psi. Great traction great handling not the mileage i would expect from reports of others with car tires. But it was 10k of hard acceleration, pulling a trailer, dragging pegs in the twisties, or all of the above. I was pleased with it as my first darkside tire

I believe it was your post that encouraged me to buy the tire.

10,000 miles sounds good for the price. Compared to the Shinko Journey for $122.00 which would have have lasted close to 7,500 miles if I'd kept it on my bike.

[..]

Not only rounded sides, but not completely flat either. Nice tire.

I like the tread pattern.

What size did you get and is it available in?

205-60-16

As to other sizes you'd have to plug in the size you need to see if it's available.

[PharmBoy]

I put the same tire on my I/S about two months ago and now have over 3500 happy miles on it.  It handles well in all situations so far and has less problems at low speeds than any car tire that I've tried. I have not had it over 90 mph, but I wouldn't anticipate any problems at higher speeds. I have come to the conclusion that my days of 100+ mph are over, even though I do enjoy cruise speeds of 75-80 where road conditions permit and those speeds are not too much over the speed limit...Jim

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Putting the rear wheel back on I've come to my favorite hassle. Trying to get the rear brake plate into the gap between the spacer and the swing arm.

Had the same problem last year and my brain WILL NOT remember how I managed to squeeze the darn thing into place.


Suggestions welcome.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Putting the rear wheel back on I've come to my favorite hassle. Trying to get the rear brake plate into the gap between the spacer and the swing arm.

Had the same problem last year and my brain WILL NOT remember how I managed to squeeze the darn thing into place.


Suggestions welcome.

For me it seems the best way is to get everything in place excluding the bracket for the brake. Put the axle all the way thru everything , pull the wheel all the way in. With a jack or some support under the tire pull the axle out just enough to give room for the bracket to go in. Then slide axle back thru. Having the brake pads already spread out helps.

[Fazer]

That spring looks like it goes below the pads.  Daniel Meyer showed us how to change pads at Inzane last year.  He took out the bolts that hold the caliper in place and rotated it up on the axlw to get to the pads.  I do not remember if the pin needs to come out as well, but there has been much written about said pin and how to fix what is there.  Come to think of it, I do think it has to come out.  I believe there is an allen headed screw covering the pin itself.  After you get that out, a well fitting screw driver is needed to remove the pin.  Tapping the screwdriver with a hammer a couple of times will help loosen.  Daniel stressed using anti seize on the pin threads when re-assembling.

At least you should not have to remove the axle.

[..]

That spring looks like it goes below the pads.  Daniel Meyer showed us how to change pads at Inzane last year.  He took out the bolts that hold the caliper in place and rotated it up on the axlw to get to the pads.  I do not remember if the pin needs to come out as well, but there has been much written about said pin and how to fix what is there.  Come to think of it, I do think it has to come out.  I believe there is an allen headed screw covering the pin itself.  After you get that out, a well fitting screw driver is needed to remove the pin.  Tapping the screwdriver with a hammer a couple of times will help loosen.  Daniel stressed using anti seize on the pin threads when re-assembling.

At least you should not have to remove the axle.

It's a flat head screw covering an allen bolt.

I have my anti seize waiting to be applied.

[Mallett]

I run a Yokohama...love it...just enough round edge to work will in the twisties

[Dusty]

That spring looks like it goes below the pads.  Daniel Meyer showed us how to change pads at Inzane last year.  He took out the bolts that hold the caliper in place and rotated it up on the axlw to get to the pads.  I do not remember if the pin needs to come out as well, but there has been much written about said pin and how to fix what is there.  Come to think of it, I do think it has to come out.  I believe there is an allen headed screw covering the pin itself.  After you get that out, a well fitting screw driver is needed to remove the pin.  Tapping the screwdriver with a hammer a couple of times will help loosen.  Daniel stressed using anti seize on the pin threads when re-assembling.

At least you should not have to remove the axle.

It's a flat head screw covering an allen bolt.

I have my anti seize waiting to be applied.

I had to use a heat gun to warm up my brake casting to get the flat head screw out. I used a paint stripper gun to carefully heat the area but my screw head was  buggered by the time it was out. I had used anti seize the last time I did brakes  but it is not a very nice environment down there. I also clamped vice grips on the screw driver to get more leverage.

Dusty

[..]

That spring looks like it goes below the pads.  Daniel Meyer showed us how to change pads at Inzane last year.  He took out the bolts that hold the caliper in place and rotated it up on the axlw to get to the pads.  I do not remember if the pin needs to come out as well, but there has been much written about said pin and how to fix what is there.  Come to think of it, I do think it has to come out.  I believe there is an allen headed screw covering the pin itself.  After you get that out, a well fitting screw driver is needed to remove the pin.  Tapping the screwdriver with a hammer a couple of times will help loosen.  Daniel stressed using anti seize on the pin threads when re-assembling.

At least you should not have to remove the axle.

It's a flat head screw covering an allen bolt.

I have my anti seize waiting to be applied.

I had to use a heat gun to warm up my brake casting to get the flat head screw out. I used a paint stripper gun to carefully heat the area but my screw head was  buggered by the time it was out. I had used anti seize the last time I did brakes  but it is not a very nice environment down there. I also clamped vice grips on the screw driver to get more leverage.

Dusty

I fear that's the path I may have to follow 

[..]

It's the best car tire I have used.

I had a Cooper Zeon on my first Valkyrie

Didn't like it. Too square

I used a Hankook on my ST1300

Didn't like it. Too square

My current Valkyrie came with a Goodyear.

Didn't like it. Too square

This Champiro feels 95% like a bike tire.

There's a slight amount of wanting to go straight but NOTHING like the other tires used.

No concrete highway groove grabbing. But a little bit of input needed at 75mph to 95 mph. Could be the 42 psi. I'm going to drop to 40psi to see if that makes a difference. No input needed on blacktop.

Going fast thru the twisties I could feel a little lag going from right to left or of course left to right but nothing like the square profile tires used previously.

Tire with shipping was about $80 then $16 to get it put on.

All I need to do now is wait for a wet road to check adhesion 

[John Lane]

I am on my 2nd Champiro, went 25k on the 1st one. Enjoy.

[..]

This tire is the one.

I will not be using a bike tire ever again.

Even felt great on 25 miles of forest roads today.

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What pressure are you using if you have a Champiro fitted?

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1,500 miles and I am completely satisfied with the tire.

40psi

Every type of road surface apart from off road single track.

[Tfrank59]

That does it. I'm moving to the Darkside. It's a $250 ordeal for me to buy a motorcycle tire and have it installed so I'm gonna try this one. Wish me luck


Luke Skywalker: "I'll never turn to the Dark Side"

[..]

That does it. I'm moving to the Darkside. It's a $250 ordeal for me to buy a motorcycle tire and have it installed so I'm gonna try this one. Wish me luck


Luke Skywalker: "I'll never turn to the Dark Side"

If I didn't think it was good I would say so.
I do not have any wet road experience with it. Frickin drought conditions here in N GA.

[pancho]

That spring looks like it goes below the pads.  Daniel Meyer showed us how to change pads at Inzane last year.  He took out the bolts that hold the caliper in place and rotated it up on the axlw to get to the pads.  I do not remember if the pin needs to come out as well, but there has been much written about said pin and how to fix what is there.  Come to think of it, I do think it has to come out.  I believe there is an allen headed screw covering the pin itself.  After you get that out, a well fitting screw driver is needed to remove the pin.  Tapping the screwdriver with a hammer a couple of times will help loosen.  Daniel stressed using anti seize on the pin threads when re-assembling.

At least you should not have to remove the axle.

It's a flat head screw covering an allen bolt.

I have my anti seize waiting to be applied.

I had to use a heat gun to warm up my brake casting to get the flat head screw out. I used a paint stripper gun to carefully heat the area but my screw head was  buggered by the time it was out. I had used anti seize the last time I did brakes  but it is not a very nice environment down there. I also clamped vice grips on the screw driver to get more leverage.

Dusty

Even putting anti seize on it, that little cover screw is always much tighter than when I put it in!!  Every time.

Tfrank,,     after a couple of days you'll be wondering, what took me so long.

[Tfrank59]

That does it. I'm moving to the Darkside. It's a $250 ordeal for me to buy a motorcycle tire and have it installed so I'm gonna try this one. Wish me luck


Luke Skywalker: "I'll never turn to the Dark Side"

If I didn't think it was good I would say so.
I do not have any wet road experience with it. Frickin drought conditions here in N GA.

just one thing before I pull the trigger...are there going to be any clearance issues (for ex. in the swingarm) fitting this tire on a stock 1998 tourer?

[..]

1,500 miles

[..]

That does it. I'm moving to the Darkside. It's a $250 ordeal for me to buy a motorcycle tire and have it installed so I'm gonna try this one. Wish me luck


Luke Skywalker: "I'll never turn to the Dark Side"

If I didn't think it was good I would say so.
I do not have any wet road experience with it. Frickin drought conditions here in N GA.

just one thing before I pull the trigger...are there going to be any clearance issues (for ex. in the swingarm) fitting this tire on a stock 1998 tourer?

I too have a 98 tourer. No problem.

I've chased sports bikes on the Cherohala Skyway - for a short while - bike felt firmly planted at some speeds which may have been frowned upon. Long sweepers and tight curves.

Peg scraping will happen.

[Tfrank59]

 OK thanks much.  Peg scraping because she sits a little lower?

[..]

OK thanks much.  Peg scraping because she sits a little lower?

Angle of bike. I use #5 on the rear shocks.

[Tfrank59]

OK thanks much.  Peg scraping because she sits a little lower?

Angle of bike. I use #5 on the rear shocks.

OK I bought it. It's just over $72 delivered to my house, which is like a third of what I was paying for MT

[..]

OK thanks much.  Peg scraping because she sits a little lower?

Angle of bike. I use #5 on the rear shocks.

OK I bought it. It's just over $72 delivered to my house, which is like a third of what I was paying for MT

I got mine fitted at an independent small tire place. Mr Sanchez has been fitting tires for me for years. I have to take wheel and tire to him.

[Tfrank59]

yeah, Pep Boys, where I could have it delivered to doesn't do motorcycles.  kinda strange.  but I found a new place that will mount and balance for $15, so that's hard to beat.

[Tfrank59]

It's the tire on the left

https://simpletire.com/gt-radial-p205-60r16-100a1545-tires?stmodel=champiro-vp1&stcategory=all-season&sttype=passenger&gclid=Cj0KEQjw4827BRDJvpbVuKvx-rIBEiQA2_CzsCy1_J74jQXNNZqvDmrq5n-kbY_o1RYjl1pWFUaYJSEaAqD28P8HAQ

Old Shinko Journey in the middle

And for comparison the Goodyear Assurance I took off the bike after I bought it.




The 2 car tires side by side



The Champiro has slightly more rounded shoulders compared to the Goodyear.

Do you know if your bike has had the nut cage removed from the fender segment? Reason being in Daniel Myers write up he notes that it does need to be removed unless your tire is a 205/55/16.   No big deal I intend to remove it anyways but just wondering.

[..]

It's the tire on the left

https://simpletire.com/gt-radial-p205-60r16-100a1545-tires?stmodel=champiro-vp1&stcategory=all-season&sttype=passenger&gclid=Cj0KEQjw4827BRDJvpbVuKvx-rIBEiQA2_CzsCy1_J74jQXNNZqvDmrq5n-kbY_o1RYjl1pWFUaYJSEaAqD28P8HAQ

Old Shinko Journey in the middle

And for comparison the Goodyear Assurance I took off the bike after I bought it.




The 2 car tires side by side



The Champiro has slightly more rounded shoulders compared to the Goodyear.

Do you know if your bike has had the nut cage removed from the fender segment? Reason being in Daniel Myers write up he notes that it does need to be removed unless your tire is a 205/55/16.   No big deal I intend to remove it anyways but just wondering.

I don't know.

[Bone]

I'm on my 2nd GYTT on a 98 Tourer I did take the nut cage off before my 1st CT.
The GYTT is a 205/60 that rides very close to the swing arm tube I can slide a credit card  between the tube and tire. I think the cage needs to be removed mine is gone so I can't give you the distance measurement.

[pancho]

I was going to go with a Yokohama envigor when I change out the  Vredestein sportrac 3, but I really like the looks of the profile on this tire,,,   I wonder if it will still keep the rounded look in a few thousand miles?

looks good at 1500

[Icelander]

My 98 was too close for comfort with the nut-cages in. I took them off just to make sure.

Tfrank59: I'm in Snohomish if you want an extra pair of hands to help do the R&R.

[Chrisj CMA]

Theres no way I would go to a car tire and only get 10,000 miles.  I get twice that on a M/C tire every time.