Car tires on a bike!

[RoyvL]

Now I never wanted to start a tire or oil discussion

Interesting article - anyone tried this with an LT?

http://lifeisaroad.com/stories/2004/10/27/theDarkSide.html

[messenger13]

Betcha it handles like a real dream in the twisties... :rolleyes:

[mjac]

Interesting. Thanks for posting.

[Zotter]

Betcha it handles like a real dream in the twisties... :rolleyes:

Well, according to the article - it handles as well as a Valky does.

Not sure I'd do it - but, he does make some valid points about costs, milage and developtment.

[hig4s]

interesting read.. Not sure I like the idea either, but sure makes you wonder why no magazine or tire manufacturer has tested this for all to see the results, and why the manufacturers don't make MC tires with a better life expectancy and some warranty.

[NOGILLS2]

It would be interesting to try on the LT. How would you go about deciding which tire to choose? I know I have been through tires aplenty. I have 5K on the front now and it needs changing BTo2o. Frustrating!

[KBandit]

this has been a hot topic on and off with valkyrie riders for years, since when i had mine. those who have tried it claim "it's not too bad."

personally, i think anyone who puts car tires on a bike should have his/her head examined.

[messenger13]

this has been a hot topic on and off with valkyrie riders for years, since when i had mine. those who have tried it claim "it's not too bad."

personally, i think anyone who puts car tires on a bike should have his/her head examined.As much as this scares me Gary, I couldn't agree with you more. I can feel the difference between a Metzeler and a B'Stone . . . let alone a freakin' CAR tire! GIMME A BREAK!

[NOGILLS2]

You have to admit that it is frustrating with the service we get out of tires. I understand some of it. After all I rotate and balance my car tires every 5K miles, but you cant rotate bike tires. At least I haven't tried yet. Even though a bike tire is about $100.00 why dont they last longer. That is one thing you cant say about harleys the tires last a lot longer.

Frustrated

[messenger13]

You have to admit that it is frustrating with the service we get out of tires.From what I've read, the average LT rider is getting 12K out of a set of tires. Some WAY more (16 to 20K). Anyone getting much less than 12K is NOT watching their pressures like they should.

The average ZX-11 rider is getting 6K out of a set of tires.

The average Honda V65 rider got 4K out of a rear tire.

Any questions?

[hschisler]

You have to admit that it is frustrating with the service we get out of tires. I understand some of it. After all I rotate and balance my car tires every 5K miles, but you cant rotate bike tires. At least I haven't tried yet. Even though a bike tire is about $100.00 why dont they last longer...I've been told that m/c tires last for just a few thousand miles because of all the forces (cornering and brakes to the front, power and weight to the rear) being applied to the tires.

[messenger13]

I've been told that m/c tires last for just a few thousand miles because of all the forces (cornering and brakes to the front, power and weight to the rear) being applied to the tires.The demand on m/c tires is HUGE! Period!

MY beef with all of the tires made for our LT is that they just don't perform like I think they should . . . but not the mileage aspect. The B'Stone Radials delaminate. The Metzelers growl in the corners (sooner or later). The Dunlops just suck. The Avon rear follows road grooves.

The only set I haven't tried are the B'Stone Bias-Ply. Those will be my next set. By the time I find a tire I like...it'll be time for that '08 LT. :D

[ksailor]

You know... If I can find a rear tire that will fit the LT I may just give it a try. Who knows (don't knock it till you've tried it) for my riding style it may save lots of greenbacks :p

[usmctpdog]

I have 3 friends with Valks and 2 use the car tires... I have ridden with them and they seem to like the tires fine. *They don't ride them like sportbikes either, like crusiers and they seem to do fine with it- the 3rd friend is planning to put the car tire on next. It only cost $38.00 and they have them professionally mounted. . .

[petepeterson]

There are a couple of huge threads over at www.gl1800riders.com (http://www.gl1800riders.com) Several guys are running car tires with no problems at all..Big debate on safety....

Why someone would do it with so many good M/C tires around, but I have to admit that back in the 60's allot of people were running car tires because of the lack of wider M/C tires.. Don't remember anyone having a problem with it.........Regards Pete

[donsobeck]

Hey Chuck: I would to but I don't think there is a tire out there that will fit. The trailing arm is even tight on a MC tire. It seems we would need a 150. 160 50x 17 and I doubt there is any thing like that.

DON

[hoog62]

As much as this scares me Gary, I couldn't agree with you more.

The dogs woke me up when they started barking about 2 am. Shortly thereafter I heard what sounded like thunder in the distance, and felt a slight tremor.

Now I know why


;)

[meese]

Plus you can take off the centerstand to save weight, as the square profile car tire will keep the bike upright all by itself. Even in the corners, which is exactly the problem.

They say their bikes handle like a Valk with the car tire on, but who wants that?

[messenger13]

The dogs woke me up when they started barking about 2 am. Shortly thereafter I heard what sounded like thunder in the distance, and felt a slight tremor.

Now I know why ;):D That's good stuff! :D


Plus you can take off the centerstand to save weight, as the square profile car tire will keep the bike upright all by itself. Even in the corners, which is exactly the problem.

They say their bikes handle like a Valk with the car tire on, but who wants that?And another hilarious one by the Meesinator! http://psychobike.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hysterical.gif

[ksailor]

Hey Chuck: I would to but I don't think there is a tire out there that will fit. The trailing arm is even tight on a MC tire. It seems we would need a 150. 160 50x 17 and I doubt there is any thing like that.

Don: I'll be searching the net for a tire that fits the rim without rubbing the swingarm... With so much negative sentament - I've just got to try it!!! :D

[messenger13]

With so much negative sentament - I've just got to try it!!! :DMy kinda guy! :)

Let us know what you find.

[ksailor]

Joe - Will do

[andy]

If you find out what tire dimension it's supposed to be let me know. At that price I too might just try it for the fun of it. Especially since more 99% of the miles I put on the bike are straight line.

[meese]

Then your tire already has that flattened profile. :)

I think finding one that clears the swingarm will be real tough, there's just not much room there. I'm also interested in hearing results, but I doubt I'd try it on my LT.

[ksailor]

Andy: Most of mine is done commuting on the superslab also so, as Ken mentioned, my rear tire has flattened out in profile simply with riding. Just can't seem to find a tire to fit the rim. That's the first hurdle. It may be academic. :(

[ksailor]

Unfortunately I've NOT been able to find a car tire to fit the LT within reason. Thanks for the link Andy... The import charge and tire would be around $210 from the UK (150 55/17) so I guess I'll spring for another Metzler.

Sure wish I could find a narrow 17"er here in the states but no such luck.

[Patric]

Hi all , there is a thread going on the Side kar Talk ( Yahoo) a bought putting a 165 15 on a 15" motorcycle wheel . Most of the talk there says don't do it , as the wheels are a little bigger on a m/c 15" verse a 15" car wheel .
I started following the thread , as someone said that they are thinking of using a rear wheel of a R1200CLC and that They are 15" . I thought that might not be a bad idea. I get maybe 6,000 miles out of a rear now .... I do miss the car tires that we use to run on our K100/EML GT2 . We use to get 15-20,000 out of a rear on that .

[meese]

Um, don't you guys like to turn, ever? My current BT020 is starting to flatten out a bit after several days of mostly highway miles, and I already hate how it feels. There's a noticeable transition when leaning into a curve, rather than a smooth, predictable turn in. I can only imagine a flat-profile car tire would just be that much worse, if you can even find one that fits.

On a trike, maybe, but on a two-wheeled bike, no thanks.

[ksailor]

Sure I love to turn; the curves are great... but most of my riding is done on the highway back/forth to work. Just replaced the rear yesterday. Very noticable flat spot on the 880 about 3" to 3.5" wide before the transition to the rounded part of the tire.

There is some transition when riding the twisties but after a couple of hard corners its not bad. After holding down an '82 wing that wallows in the corners the LT is a dream maching, even with flat tires. Your spoiled Ken. :D

And I don't know how in the world some guys get more than 10K on a Metzler rear tire. I was reserving judgement until this tire change just to make sure. This is the second rear tire and only got less than 8.5K on each.

Does that mean that if I put on Stones I'd only get 4K??? That's 3 tires a year!

Guess its my riding style or something... go figure?!

[meese]

It's that switch under your right hand. :) Hard throttle and brakes chews up tires faster, especially on a bike as heavy as this. But it sure is fun. :D

[ksailor]

Yehp!!!! Sure is. Vroom.. Vroom (as the kid in the comercial says!)

[jamesgoodchild]

Um, don't you guys like to turn, ever?

Meese, you gotta come out to Sask. The running joke here is your dog runs away from home, down the highway, and you can still see it 3 days later, its that FLAT and the roads are that STRAIGHT. I'm THRILLED with the half dozen on-ramps we have in the city as it gives me a chance to lean the bike.

[meese]

Been to Swift Current, then west across highway 1. I remember flat, and a lot of wind.

[jamesgoodchild]

Been to Swift Current, then west across highway 1. I remember flat, and a lot of wind.
Yup, that'd be us... One of the few places where you wear out your tires before your wear out the little tits on the sidewalls. :p

[RonKMiller]

Don: I'll be searching the net for a tire that fits the rim without rubbing the swingarm... With so much negative sentament - I've just got to try it!!! :D

...and please PM me if and when you find one, I'll be happy to give it a try too.

[andy]

Actually I found something that COULD work. What I don't know is if the swingarm of the K1200RS is the same as the one of the LT. Here is WHY:

There is no car tire available that could fit our rim and clear the swingarm. BUTT:

BMW does have a different rim for the RS available 5.5"x17 This rim is used to put 180/70R17 tires onto the RS, and now it gets interesting: In Europe you can buy tires 175/55R17 And THAT now fits onto the 5.5" rim and *should* clear the swingarm.

I would be willing to try that if I could get my hands on a rim, but at $725 plus tax plus the $200 for the tire that is a but high for a test. OTOH if I KNEW it would work and it would clear the swingarm I might be willing to spend that money in order to save in the future in tires and the hassle of bringing it there to get the tires changed.

Maybe someone has a 5.5" BMW rim in their garage willing to sell it for a reasonable price for a test?

[hig4s]

Um, don't you guys like to turn, ever? My current BT020 is starting to flatten out a bit after several days of mostly highway miles, and I already hate how it feels. There's a noticeable transition when leaning into a curve, rather than a smooth, predictable turn in. I can only imagine a flat-profile car tire would just be that much worse, if you can even find one that fits.

On a trike, maybe, but on a two-wheeled bike, no thanks.

Auto radial tires usually have softer sidewalls so they squat when pressure is applied, instead of rolling like a motorcycle tire.. Did you check out the pics in the link provided in the earlier post. And I would assume running a little lower presure it would lean pretty far and still keep a majority of the tread on the ground. Not something I would want on a sport handling machine, but I could see where it would not be much different on a heavy touring machine.. That being said,, both the LT and the GW are fairly sporty handling for heavy touring machines, not sure about a car tire on one of them.. but on a slow cruiser type tourer like an RSV or a Valk I would try it..

[Patric]

Hi Andy & All , ...Snip ...I would be willing to try that if I could get my hands on a rim, but at $725 plus tax plus the $200 for the tire that is a but high for a test....) I have seen a few of the 5.5" wheels on E-bay this last month .They didn't sell to high as I remember ...Patric ...

[Patric]

Hi All , Snip »..andy said »I would be willing to try that if I could get my hands on a rim, but at $725 plus tax plus the $200 for the tire that is a but high for a test. OTOH if I KNEW it would work and it would clear the swingarm I might be willing to spend that money in order to save in the future in tires and the hassle of bringing it there to get the tires changed.

Maybe someone has a 5.5" BMW rim in their garage willing to sell it for a reasonable price for a test?
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I found one on E-Bay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270000649435&sspagename=ADME%3AB%3ASS%3AUS%3A1
I don't know if I am willing to get a euro tire and put this on my rig . Our K1200/Hannigan is our only trasportaition while we are in Florida for the winter . If i had a tire problem down there, it might get a bit sticky ...Patric ...

[piusg]

That is one thing you cant say about harleys the tires last a lot longer.

Frustrated

Are you kidding!? You could put 100,000 miles on a Harley and never need to change the tires!

Now, when you take yer hawg off'n the back of yer truck, see, that's when you need to start worrying about tire mileage... :-P