Back to the Darkside!

[ELI]

The stock oem do not want to lean the Metz and Avon are way better.

[OldBones82]

I am very tempted to go the darkside route. I ride two-up a LOT and I'm just tearing through the OEM tires. So the question I have is where can I get it mounted? Will bike shops do it or will they have reservations about mounting a car tire?

[SpecialK]

Call around to your local bike shops and you should be able to find someone who will mount it for you. I put my car tire on around 11,000 miles ago and it does not show hardly any wear. It rides smooth and corners just as good IMO. Hope this helps.

I am very tempted to go the darkside route. I ride two-up a LOT and I'm just tearing through the OEM tires. So the question I have is where can I get it mounted? Will bike shops do it or will they have reservations about mounting a car tire?

[silveradols]

Wouldn't a 225/55/16 be closer to the stock size? I would think that the 225/60/16 would throw your speedo off more.
There are so many different tires for both sizes, how do you know which is the better tire for a motorcycle?

[grandpatractor]

Wouldn't a 225/55/16 be closer to the stock size? I would think that the 225/60/16 would throw your speedo off more.
There are so many different tires for both sizes, how do you know which is the better tire for a motorcycle?

According to bridgestones specs oem is 26.6 inches diameter,same as the 225/60r16

[silveradols]

According to bridgestones specs oem is 26.6 inches diameter,same as the 225/60r16

Ok. Of course the 225/55/16 would be wider and sit the bike a little lower for shorter people. Although it would throw their speedo off.

[silveradols]

I've got about another 2k left on my back tire, so I'll probably go to the car tire. I can get one of them for about a third of a motorcycle tire. How does it ride with the stock size front motorcycle tire?

[silveradols]

How do you determine which is the best car tire to replace ur stock motorcycle tire?

[rockfordrider]

it may not be relavent as mine is a M, but on sugesstions from the VTX guys They prefer the Yoko s-drive that is what I run.

[grandpatractor]

How do you determine which is the best car tire to replace ur stock motorcycle tire?

I've tried to get one with the same diameter and also a directional tread pattern. I've also tended to go after the ones that are a high performance and high speed rated. It's all what ever trips your trigger.

For me the 225/60zr16 has worked out well with the speedometer reading. Stays pretty much the same as stock.

Also it seems to round out nicely on the rim.

[grandpatractor]

I've got about another 2k left on my back tire, so I'll probably go to the car tire. I can get one of them for about a third of a motorcycle tire. How does it ride with the stock size front motorcycle tire?

I have found that the front tire will wear out just a little bit quicker with a car tire on.

with the crown in the road you tend to have to counter steer a bit more.

Stuff you get used to and don't even think about after a while.

[Schneid]

Grandpatractor you are my hero.

[silveradols]

I've tried to get one with the same diameter and also a directional tread pattern. I've also tended to go after the ones that are a high performance and high speed rated. It's all what ever trips your trigger.

For me the 225/60zr16 has worked out well with the speedometer reading. Stays pretty much the same as stock.

Also it seems to round out nicely on the rim.

I like the looks of the Goodyear Eagle GT 98V rated and the Falken FK-452 98W.
What determines a high speed rating?

[Nemo]

I like the looks of the Goodyear Eagle GT 98V rated and the Falken FK-452 98W.
What determines a high speed rating?

miles per hour (km/h)
M: 81 (130)
N: 87 (140)
P: 93 (150)
Q: 99 (160)
R: 106 (170)
S: 112 (180)
T: 118 (190)
U: 124 (200)
H: 130 (210)
V: 149 (240)
W: 168 (270)
Y: 186 (300)

http://www.tirespeedratings.org/

[silveradols]

miles per hour (km/h)
M: 81 (130)
N: 87 (140)
P: 93 (150)
Q: 99 (160)
R: 106 (170)
S: 112 (180)
T: 118 (190)
U: 124 (200)
H: 130 (210)
V: 149 (240)
W: 168 (270)
Y: 186 (300)

http://www.tirespeedratings.org/

So, the 98V and 98W should be a high enough speed rating.....LOL!!!

[Mozzie]

I had about 5500 miles on my OEM tire and she was starting to get pretty worn. Went back to the Car tire this last weekend! Gonna need it for pulling the trailer this weekend.

All right! Had my 2010 CR109T for around 2yrs now and clocked just over 60k Km. Like you guys, Australia has some massive roads and i only put my feet down ever 200-300km or so (when i need tanking up). Got double up Mustang seats and hard leather covered boxset and OEM sissybar. Now lookin at pannier racks for sleeping bag etc...Mostly set tent up down a dirt road off the main and cook a bit of roadkill when I want. After the big rigs have sweept the roads the night before.
I recently bought a new set o tires on special before i met a Rocket III Darksider and after reading your guys reviews, i'm sold. Have read a lot of 109rs articles and like to thank you all for saving me $$ on service costs. Last time i pulled down a bike was when the Z900 came out so the tech diff is so far apart. Yet not...
Q: How do you find the tire double up?
My misses is around 70kg and still gettin the knack of riding but since i ride like my grannies granny, tires don't usually get a thrashin. But I do like the idea of pouring my $$ in my tank and not leaving it on the road.
Cheers,
Keep it upright.

[grandpatractor]

I like the looks of the Goodyear Eagle GT 98V rated and the Falken FK-452 98W.
What determines a high speed rating?

The good year looks like it isn't symetrical. I would go with the Falken 452 if that is your choices.

[grandpatractor]

All right! Had my 2010 CR109T for around 2yrs now and clocked just over 60k Km. Like you guys, Australia has some massive roads and i only put my feet down ever 200-300km or so (when i need tanking up). Got double up Mustang seats and hard leather covered boxset and OEM sissybar. Now lookin at pannier racks for sleeping bag etc...Mostly set tent up down a dirt road off the main and cook a bit of roadkill when I want. After the big rigs have sweept the roads the night before.
I recently bought a new set o tires on special before i met a Rocket III Darksider and after reading your guys reviews, i'm sold. Have read a lot of 109rs articles and like to thank you all for saving me $$ on service costs. Last time i pulled down a bike was when the Z900 came out so the tech diff is so far apart. Yet not...
Q: How do you find the tire double up?
My misses is around 70kg and still gettin the knack of riding but since i ride like my grannies granny, tires don't usually get a thrashin. But I do like the idea of pouring my $$ in my tank and not leaving it on the road.
Cheers,
Keep it upright.

I do plenty of scraping while riding two up. It handles it fine. Probably put half the miles on my bike two up.

[silveradols]

The good year looks like it isn't symetrical. I would go with the Falken 452 if that is your choices.

I still have a few miles left on my stocker.

[rockfordrider]

miles per hour (km/h)
M: 81 (130)
N: 87 (140)
P: 93 (150)
Q: 99 (160)
R: 106 (170)
S: 112 (180)
T: 118 (190)
U: 124 (200)
H: 130 (210)
V: 149 (240)
W: 168 (270)
Y: 186 (300)

http://www.tirespeedratings.org/

Hey Nemo, my s-drive is Z rated, does that mean Hyper speed?

[Nemo]

Hey Nemo, my s-drive is Z rated, does that mean Hyper speed?

mega hyper speed, You will need to install a seat belt...............LOL

[DarekD]

Is there any difference between the Michelin - Pilot® Sport A/S Plus and the Pirelli Tires P4FOUR P225/60R16 98 T
Thanks

[She's real fine my 109]

I like the look of the car tire on your C's. I do notice that the tread goes down the side some.

The m9 is a wider tire and has a little less tread on the sides. Dragging pin I still don't come close to the edge of the tire.

The more I ride on the tire the better it gets. Tends to start to round out. Its nice not thinking about getting my next tire. I don't see myself getting a tire till next year. Nice feeling.

[grandpatractor]

Is there any difference between the Michelin - Pilot® Sport A/S Plus and the Pirelli Tires P4FOUR P225/60R16 98 T
Thanks

The pirelli is not directional



Pilot sport is

[DarekD]

Well I am on my way to the darkside. I am just about to get my first ct for the bike, I went with the Mitchelin.
Thanks for the help.

[Nemo]

I like the look of the car tire on your C's. I do notice that the tread goes down the side some.

The m9 is a wider tire and has a little less tread on the sides. Dragging pin I still don't come close to the edge of the tire.

The more I ride on the tire the better it gets. Tends to start to round out. Its nice not thinking about getting my next tire. I don't see myself getting a tire till next year. Nice feeling.

DITTO,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,lol 2700 miles out of the last bike tire BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

[DarekD]

Well as of yesterday I have joined the DarkSide, went for a ride today made about 600km and I regret one thing that I haven't done this about 30k back. I loved it had no problems on corners, the bike handled very well. I do have one question, what air pressure should the tire be.
Thank You all for the help.
Cheers Darek

[Dave109r]

I run 35psi on mine if that helps

[Aussie Ray]

OK here is the two videos of the stock and then the car tire. Both on the same road and both at 40 psi. The only difference is I am riding 2up with the car tire.

after seeing the videos I thought it might be a good option when I am next up for a rear tyre but - not only is it illegal to put a car tyre on a bike here in OZ but I am advised by someone who learnt this the hard way - our insurance companies will void the insurance. So while it might save some $$$$ on tyre replacements the fines and loss of insurance has convinced me that it isn't for me.

[grandpatractor]

Well as of yesterday I have joined the DarkSide, went for a ride today made about 600km and I regret one thing that I haven't done this about 30k back. I loved it had no problems on corners, the bike handled very well. I do have one question, what air pressure should the tire be.
Thank You all for the help.
Cheers Darek

I run 36-38 in this tire. I was at 40 with my old bridgestones and the michelin has been wearing a little uneven.