|
|
Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | NOT, or should I say, not right now.
Just sharing the events of the day. I participated in the local parade in the Toys for Tots entry. We had a float and 25 motorcycles. While waiting to roll, there was one winger with a car tire. I noticed it and said something and he was surprised I recognized it so quickly. He then went on and ranted of all the quality of a car tire on a motorcycle and how much better it was and he was never going back. I didn't argue with him about any of that because I feel there is merit, subjectional merit. He noted that I was possibly thinking of putting one on my bike. I said they only thing I can't get past at the moment is the "different ride", which he was at a lost for words to respond. He did go on to reconfirm his decision by telling me how he had a flat tire on his run flat and he just kept riding, whereas his buddy with E3s was delayed over 4 hours because of a flat. I'm still not ready right now... but the time may come.
The parade itself was a blast and for the most part everyone had a great time. It was good to be apart of the parade and to represent Toys for Tots, a first for me.
However, the run was very slow and all the bikes started to get very hot. Some of the Harley's were really suffering and I think about two of them wasted their clutch. There was also one that started spewing a little oil. Mine got hot and sputtered some, but we had some room to circle around to try and cool off. A couple just went on around and dropped out of the parade.
I'm thinking about how good things went and at the end of the parade we all gathered to collect the toys and to chat. I went to leave and my bike wouldn't start. It was a little embarrasing but I reminded folks the bike had over 100,000 miles on the clock to relieve any ribbing. After about 15 minutes and about 4 attempts, I decided it was the plugs. So I pulled the plugs and they had great burn pattern even with having about 60,000 miles on them. But, with 60,000 miles on them they were rather worn with a gap of about 36 to 40mm. So, I readjusted them, taking a little ragging for not changing them sooner and the bike fired right up.
A very good biker day! |
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 804
Perry Hall, MD | Have to say that I've started doing some searches to see what is available in the 185 size. To do or not to do? There have been some pretty convincing recommendations and experiences conveyed by our members. If I'm not mistaken Teach is the only one who tried it and couldn't adapt to the change. Then again he ended up changing from E3s and eventually moving on to another bike because of handling concerns so there was more going on then just the tires. |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | i went to the dark side on two bikes now. One of them being a 2008 Victory vision. i now have a 2011 vision and it still has the oem tire. i will say i did notice a difference in handling going back to a oem cycle tire. it feels alot easier to lean, almost like it makes the bike feel alot lighter. but at the sametime the darkside Never stopped me from doing anything. (even deals gap). one plus i cant get over about the darkside is, you just install it and dont worry about it for YEARS..... unlike my oem time i have on here now with less than 3000 miles and it is already cupping... =( |
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 262
Flowery Branch Ga | varyder-----For someone that logs the miles that you do it might be a good choice. If for no other reason, you won't have to replace the rear tire as often.
Wayne |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | As often as you changed out tires in 100k miles....I figured that you had replaced the axle nuts with wing nuts.
Ride on. |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | radioteacher - 2011-12-04 5:42 AM
As often as you changed out tires in 100k miles....I figured that you had replaced the axle nuts with wing nuts.
Ride on.
As far as I know, I'm on my original bearings and axles. I think about changing them out everytime I get the tire replaced but everything seems fine so I don't mess with them.
There's no way I can describe either why I don't want to go with a car tire on my motorcycle. I have several surmountable reasons in my mind why I don't want it. Only two reasons why I would put a car tire on my bike, to be cheap and lazy. Again, I have an exception, like if I was to ever ride to Alaska I would put one on, and I hope to do that some day. It's the same reason why I don't buy french onion sour cream flavored potato chips. I buy the plain chips and the french onion sour cream dip and dip away.
Oh, one more arguement that you DSers can use. This Gold Wing guy says that his wife said it rides so much smoother with the car tire. Don't forget that one. |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | lennyb - 2011-12-03 8:20 PM
Have to say that I've started doing some searches to see what is available in the 185 size. To do or not to do? There have been some pretty convincing recommendations and experiences conveyed by our members. If I'm not mistaken Teach is the only one who tried it and couldn't adapt to the change. Then again he ended up changing from E3s and eventually moving on to another bike because of handling concerns so there was more going on then just the tires.
I'm not so sure he even had a Vision. |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | the main reasons i went to the dark side the first and 2nd time (on different bikes) were the hassle of getting a new MC tire installed. the expense had a little to do with it, but for me i hate hassles. and removing the rear wheel 1-2 times a year for a new rear tire was a hassle to me. and then if i wanted the dealer to do it i got a much high Bill and would have to leave the bike which meant another hassle.. because now i needed a ride home and back to pick up the bike. ive thought about buying a few MC rear tires and possibly buying my Own tire changing equipment.. not to save money. but to Not have to make an appointment for a simple tire change. |
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 185
Rhode Island | Went to a 175/60 R16 and at 36psi don't even know it is there, at 34psi the ride really is smoother than OEM and there is slight difference initiating a turn but no different than switching from a Dunlop to a Metzler or Avon. Money wasn't my reason for changing it was the concern over the cupping and potential reduced contact area, better tread pattern to channel rain. As long as there are boards on the bike lean angle is limited and the tires are not an issue.
Jim |
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 233
flagstaff, AZ | I only spent $150.00 on CT, mount and balance. Figured if I didn't like it I'm not out to much money. Two days later put 1000 miles on the CT, I dont think I'm going back to MC tire. |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | really guys - I applaud your decision to go to a car tire and admire your passion for it. Truly, there is nothing spectatular about it and the hardest thing to do is making sure you have a good fit. I just get a kick out of how folks that use a car tire makes it sound like it's some kind of utopia or nirvana. The real reason always surface; I don't want to change my tire so often, and I don't like the cost of an MC tire compared to a car tire. And, I will always agree there is an application for a car tire on a motorcycle and it is not racing on the track.
Ride hard, ride long(er), ride safe!
Edited by varyder 2011-12-04 7:35 AM
|
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 880
Orlando, FL | I guess I have some of the same issues as varyder. Motorcycles tires are made differently, compounded differently, shaped differently, flex differently etc.etc. So while I hear what you DS'ers keep saying, I know that from a performance point Car tires are for cares, motorcycle tires are for motorcycles. In my opinion the safety factor just isn't there for care tires on a bike. If care tires truly performed better (or ever as good as) then they'd be on road racing bikes. When that happens, I'll consider going DS.
|
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 880
Orlando, FL | I guess I have some of the same issues as varyder. Motorcycles tires are made differently, compounded differently, shaped differently, flex differently etc.etc. So while I hear what you DS'ers keep saying, I know that from a performance point Car tires are for cares, motorcycle tires are for motorcycles. In my opinion the safety factor just isn't there for care tires on a bike. If care tires truly performed better (or ever as good as) then they'd be on road racing bikes. When that happens, I'll consider going DS.
|
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 4278
| So where MaddMAx2u do you race your vision. Do run over 90 or even 80 mph going into a switch back or ashcan or do 130 mph down the straight a ways?
We ride or vision down city and country roads at normal speeds and go into clover leafs at maybe 70mph and as for ribbon roads with gentle sweeping curves at best we do 80mph. You use the words road race bikes is that your way of saying you don't want to because your uncerten of what it might be. Thats fine and I'm sure your one that said a man would never drive on the moon. To think if we always staid inside the box you would be riding that other V twin.
If you haven't tried it keep a open mind and respected the ones that do. |
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 825
, WI | Car tires -
I don't sell them.
I don't ask for permission to use them and I don't tell others to use them.
I couldn't care less what others do. Actually, I would prefer that no one does what I do.
. |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | My bad, didn't mean to get the whole tire thing going again, I was more focused on the rest of the events, but my lead in was wrong for the most part. I was sharing about the parade, and the things that happened during the parade. Earlier, before we even went for the line up, I lent my tools to a Harley guy who needed to make a minor adjustment. When he returned the tool to me he says Thanks. I say no problem I carry tools for all my Harley friends. We had a good laugh, but at the end of the day... well just read without the other stuff.
varyder - 2011-12-03 7:15 PM
The parade itself was a blast and for the most part everyone had a great time. It was good to be apart of the parade and to represent Toys for Tots, a first for me.
However, the run was very slow and all the bikes started to get very hot. Some of the Harley's were really suffering and I think about two of them wasted their clutch. There was also one that started spewing a little oil. Mine got hot and sputtered some, but we had some room to circle around to try and cool off. A couple just went on around and dropped out of the parade.
I'm thinking about how good things went and at the end of the parade we all gathered to collect the toys and to chat. I went to leave and my bike wouldn't start. It was a little embarrasing but I reminded folks the bike had over 100,000 miles on the clock to relieve any ribbing. After about 15 minutes and about 4 attempts, I decided it was the plugs. So I pulled the plugs and they had great burn pattern even with having about 60,000 miles on them. But, with 60,000 miles on them they were rather worn with a gap of about 36 to 40mm. So, I readjusted them, taking a little ragging for not changing them sooner and the bike fired right up.
A very good biker day! |
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 880
Orlando, FL | john frey - 2011-12-04 12:21 PM
So where MaddMAx2u do you race your vision. Do run over 90 or even 80 mph going into a switch back or ashcan or do 130 mph down the straight a ways?
We ride or vision down city and country roads at normal speeds and go into clover leafs at maybe 70mph and as for ribbon roads with gentle sweeping curves at best we do 80mph. You use the words road race bikes is that your way of saying you don't want to because your uncerten of what it might be. Thats fine and I'm sure your one that said a man would never drive on the moon. To think if we always staid inside the box you would be riding that other V twin.
If you haven't tried it keep a open mind and respected the ones that do.
I'm sure solid rubber tricycle tires would work too but that doesn't mean I'm going to try it. It's an engineering thing. Both tires (car and motorcycle) are engineered and designed for certain forces, and those forces are totally different on a car and a bike.
As to your idiotic comment about my road racing, yes, I raced when I was young and you can still find me on the track 3-4 times a month racing (No not on my Vision). As for my Vision, I ride it hard and use ALL my tire. Most people only use the center. I ride hard and also dislike the stock Dunlops that are on the bike. My next set will be Avons. For me sir, the tires are not about longevity or cost, but about handling and safety.
You choose yours and I'll choose mine. Personally I doubt your bike has ever scraped while making a turn and I would be surprised if it's ever been over 60 mph on the straights let alone the curves.
|
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 188
Tifton, GA | My .02
My best friend has been DS on his Yamaha Venture for over 3 years and on a Honda Valkery before that. I rode both of them and did not like the ride DS. I rode both bikes before and after DS and just did not like the DS ride. He likes it I don't.
At bike week this year after a lot of SLOW passes down Main St. I parked. My buddy called me after about 2 minutes being parked to come park near him. My Vision would not crank it turned over, but would not run. After it sat a while it started and ran like normal. Only time that has happened. |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 1229
Rancho Cucamonga, CA | I still go 90 on the freeway transitions, have destroyed my floorboards from scraping in the mountains (going to try the VPD floorboard skids next pair) and don't let the rain slow me either (no snow here though). I switched to a CT after my parents lossed tire pressure riding 2up on the fwy, went down and almost got run over. The idea of a run flat was enough for me. Longevity and price were the bonus. With the 175/60-16 RF, I only notice that 'difference' going straight and under 20mph. Kinda like a snowboarder trying to go straight and slow.
|
|
| |
|
Tourer
Posts: 444
Bay of Gigs, WA | I totally respect Varyder in his consideration at least of the darkside, as he was one of the more adamant adherents to strictly motorcycle tires. His open mindedness is refreshing in a world seemingly ruled by dogma. The number of tires he must've used by now would break me up in business, for sure. I also totally track with Arkainseye regarding the hassle of changing tires, as my dealer is about 40 miles away, across Puget Sound, which also involves bridge tolls. Whenever my Metzler wears out it'll be replaced with some kind of run flat toot sweet. I had run flats on my Mini Cooper, and got rid of them because of the constant drumming noise they generated, but doubt that will be an issue on a scooter. As far as MaddMAx2U goes, well, I can't very often run much faster than 85-90 anyway because of the constant drumming noise generated on the back of my hat from my wife. ;0) |
|
| |
|
Tourer
Posts: 444
Bay of Gigs, WA | Also, I have a sport bike for fanging around the side roads, but the Vision is (mostly) for the slab. It makes sense to me to install equipment that reaches for the long haul, and has a relatively armored surface, such as that afforded by the deep tread of a car tire. A run flat seems great insurance if blindsided by some shrapnel or other on a desolate mountain road, with no bars on the phone (or within walking distance). |
|
| |
|
Tourer
Posts: 329
scotts valley, California | Isn't there an issue with a bead on the inside of the Vision rim that doesn't seat right with a CT? |
|
| |
|
Tourer
Posts: 329
scotts valley, California | Isn't there an issue with a bead on the inside of the Vision rim that doesn't seat right with a CT? |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 1229
Rancho Cucamonga, CA | The Ness rim had no problems whatsoever. Even seated at about 30psi. Of course I went with a tire designed for a 5" rim. |
|
| |
Almost convinced....
