The Dark Side (Revisited)

[demingrickjames]

I put a Goodyear Triple Tread (car tire) on the rear of my '07 Stratoliner the other day.

I went with a Metzeler ME 880 on the front.

I've put about 400 miles on the combo so far, in town and on the interstate, and haven't noticed any noticeable difference in the handling or performance.

I know there are some of you who would never consider a car tire as a replacement on your bike.

For those of you who are a little more open minded, The Goodyear Assurance Triple Tread 215/60 R17 will fit a Roadliner/Stratoliner with no modifications to the bike.

[Sworm]

No handling issues with such a square tire?? Seems to me in a hard lean you would have much less "tread" on the ground than on the more rounded motorcycle tires.. Just a thought??

[demingrickjames]

No handling issues at all.

Except for the edges, (the only part of the oem tire that had no noticeable wear after 7,500 miles) the profile on this tire is not much different than the one on the stock 190/60 17.

[Hvymtl]

We have a couple of die hard riders here that ride about 100 miles a day on their Honda VTX 1800s. They both use a car tire and get outstanding mileage without any side effects as you mention. Don't see how that tire could corner...but until I try it...I'll take yours and their words for it. Sure would be cheaper in the long run.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by Sworm

No handling issues with such a square tire?? Seems to me in a hard lean you would have much less "tread" on the ground than on the more rounded motorcycle tires.. Just a thought??

This is, of course, true. The only people who can tolerate something like that are those who never do a "hard lean".......parts scrape before you roll over on the edge of the tire..........and those who are just plain stupid.

If one leans your body a lot, it is possible to ride a street bike with very little lean to the bike itself. I will assume that anybody who posts here falls into that category, as we all know nobody here would be stupid enough to lean a tire over on a 1 inch ridge going around a corner!!

We DO know that, don't we ???????

[Clint]

I'm glad it's working well for you, DRJ, but there's no need to imply that those of us who wouldn't do it are closed-minded. That's rather insulting.

[tricker]

to each his own.. I would never do it just cause it wouldn't fit and my performance would suffer greatly..

[diamond_jim]

Originally Posted by demingrickjames

For those of you who are a little more open minded, The Goodyear Assurance Triple Tread 215/60 R17 will fit a Roadliner/Stratoliner with no modifications to the bike.

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

I'm glad it's working well for you, DRJ, but there's no need to imply that those of us who wouldn't do it are closed-minded. That's rather insulting.

[tricker]

diamond_jim =

[demingrickjames]

Originally Posted by Hvymtl

We have a couple of die hard riders here that ride about 100 miles a day on their Honda VTX 1800s. They both use a car tire and get outstanding mileage without any side effects as you mention. Don't see how that tire could corner...but until I try it...I'll take yours and their words for it. Sure would be cheaper in the long run.

It does corner. Believe it or not, you actually have more rubber on the road in a hard lean with the car tire.

The stock tire costs $300+ to replace and only lasted 7500 miles. The car tire was $138 delivered to my house and has an 80,000 mile tread.

[ragboy]

Originally Posted by demingrickjames

It does corner. Believe it or not, you actually have more rubber on the road in a hard lean with the car tire.

How do you back that statement up? If that were the case, wouldn't road racers be using car tires?

[Clint]

Yeah, I've seen a video that pretty much proves that notion false. Regardless, the tread compound of an 80,000 mile car tire leaves something to be desired for me.

This video shows what happens when a car tire corners. It ain't pretty. The commentary mentions that the center of the tread is wearing first. Duh. He's got it overinflated for the weight of the bike to give it some shape. Also, he never leans more than about 15 degrees. Riding like that, you could make your own tires out of wood.

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I AGREE

Same thing here. He maybe gets to 20 degrees of lean.

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I AGREE

[GatorTuba]

Don't be hatin...let the guy run his car tire in peace. Really......WHO CARES!? All that really matters is that he's out there riding....sheesh.

[tricker]

umm hey look a cute little bunny!!

[Clint]

Originally Posted by GatorTuba

Don't be hatin...let the guy run his car tire in peace. Really......WHO CARES!? All that really matters is that he's out there riding....sheesh.

Don't be accusing anyone of "hatin'". It's called conversation, and it interests me. If it doesn't interest you, don't read it.

[GatorTuba]

Yes Red...I understand that it's conversation. I also understand that you present all of the facts and evidence to the contrary of using said car tire. There is NO DOUBT that you are knowledgeable and well respected in the M-J community (and beyond I am sure). I merely presented my opinion on the subject (perhaps in a dry, sarcastic way of adding to the "conversation"). I've read old threads where the "Car Tire" issue has been beaten to death. I just think it fair that DRJ not be criticized (perhaps not by you Red) for using a car tire. If he feels safe and his style riding warrants him using a car tire (no matter what the evidence presents) I’m sure that no amount of evidence or conversation on the matter will change his mind.

[Clint]

Fair enough, though I don't recall anyone criticizing the rider. Just the concept.

[GatorTuba]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

I don't recall anyone criticizing the rider. Just the concept.

Also fair enough.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by GatorTuba

Don't be hatin...let the guy run his car tire in peace. Really......WHO CARES!? All that really matters is that he's out there riding....sheesh.

An admirable attitude and I agree
EXCEPT
When somebody advocates something that is either illegal or dangerous.
I consider a car tire on the back of a bike to be dangerous.......in most situations.

I have no problem discussing it but I think that saying: "Wow, it's great. You should try it." is irresponsible. Some people think Russin Roulette is fun too.

[ragboy]

I don't care what anybody else does, and to be honest I never heard about this before. I also don't think its safe to wear a skull cap. I am a software developer and my head is worth a lot of money to me, I wear a full face. (not trying to start a thread on that) However, that is my opinion, and most of my friends wear skull caps. Several don't think they should have to wear helmets at all. That is their decision and it doesn't effect me. I feel the same way about the tire.

My question was was a true inquiry. I don't understand the concept at all, just the compounds alone. I wouldn't put one of those cheap goodyear tires on my car, much less my bike. I bought my truck with cheap all terrain tires on it. After I had it for about 2 months, I found the wheels and tires I wanted, and bought some Nitto Terra Grapplers 305/55/20 for my truck that were very expensive. They looked great, but I live in the mountains and travel through all kinds of nasty weather, and have had to traverse the donner pass during blizzard conditions at least 2 times a year. I can't tell you how amazing these tires are, how well they perform and stick in dry, wet, dirt, mud or snow conditions. Of course, the compound is softer, and they wear much quicker than those cheap ATs. The same has held true for every car I have had. Remove the cheap tires and put on a set of BF Comp TAs and what a difference, or whatever.

How can the same NOT be true for a motorcycle tire? Anyway, it would take a lot for me to try a car tire on my bike, and I def wouldn't do it to save money. But hey, to each his own.