[JacktheBagger]

Been contemplating this for the last couple rear tires , but I thinketh I will next change out , which will be soon ..

What are you using in the 16" ??

195's ??

I know someone who has a 205 , but it is snugg

I thinketh Roadies are a bit forgiving , maybe it's the weight advantage , but several peeps I know with Dynas , heritages and the like , tire brand is really important , some brands just don't work for them ..

What say ye ?

 

['05Train]

If you're not interested in riding a motorcycle, go for it. There's nothing good to be had with a car tire on a bike.

 

[PFWiz]

I am running a G-Max 205-55-16. I think a 60 series tire will make you speedo more accurate. with my 55 series mine was off by about 3 mph. I use my Thundermax to calibrate my speedo.

Be aware that if you do this "real bikers" like 05 Train who have never run a car tire will gladly tell you why it won't work and how mounting one on your bike will cause you to spontaneously combust!

Don't say I didn't warn you.

Most importantly, I recommend using Ride On to balance the tire.

 

['05Train]

Be aware that if you do this "real bikers" like 05 Train who have never run a car tire will gladly tell you why it won't work and how mounting one on your bike will cause you to spontaneously combust!

Oh you mean people like me who have tried it? If you want your bike to handle like crap and not be able to take a corner, then go for it. If you never ride in corners with any sort of zest, go for it. If you don't enjoy riding anything other than flat, straight interstates, go for it.

Tried it. It's scary how poorly the bike handled.

And don't bother posting YouTube videos of that idiot on the yellow Goldwing on the Dragon. He's a tool, and he's not proving anything. If riding safety and enjoyment are less important than going 25,000 miles on a rear tire, then get a convertible. But don't tell me what I know. I've ridden a motorcycle with a car tire and it sucks.

Design Differences Between Car and Motorcycle Rim/Tire - Steve Saunders Goldwing Forums

 

[JacktheBagger]

I already use ride on and like it a lot ..

Too many people on Harleys and Wings have been doing it too long to say it doesn't work or is unsafe .. To say it doesn't work for everyone or isn't for everyone is a more accurate statement in my opinion ..

I am a member of the great conspiracy society and know that neither Harley , Honda or anyone else will tell you it's OK to run a car tire .. Takes money from them ..

There is a delphi forum I joined several years ago with lots of info , but I can't say when I was there last ..

I know air pressure is critical and a couple pounds can make a huge difference in handling ..

Self combust ?? I told peeps if they ever caught me on a Harley with a five speed , rubber mounts , any tank other than a two piece real steel FL with a cross over tube , fuel injection , disc brakes , tubeless tires , mag wheels , front brakes , a rear drive belt , or electric start , to shoot me and get me out of my misery .. Still here ..

The 180/65 has a circumference of 79.21 , the 205/55 is 78.16 and the 205/60 is 80.69 , so yeah the 60 will be closer and a bit slow actually ..

 

[PFWiz]

Quit trying to Hijack the thread. No one asked if a motorcycle is still as a motorcycle if you put a car tire on it. Be assured that if anyone does I will recommend that they ask you.

You are just another one of the self centered (all of your opinions are facts) idiots trying to tell other folks what they can and can't do.

I just checked your threads, you never once mention putting a car tire on your bike, but now you magically did and you are an expert.

Yes, I have seen the article about wheel rims before and how putting a car tire just won't work. Pretty sure that must be the reason my tire came off and I died. Oh wait that never happened. I simply have ridden 15.000 miles with no fuss and no muss. For that matter their isn't a single documented case of it happening ever.

So please go back to your crayons and let the adults talk....

 

[BigNorm]

I have more than 20k on my Yokohamma Envigor 205/60/16. It still looks brand new. I have like a 16th of clearance between the belt.

You have to give the tire like 500 miles. It needs time to break in and for you to get used to it. It's not bad it's just different. I have much more traction in the corners. (I ride in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.) My "car" tire has a bigger contact patch than what is provided on mc tires and I get on it a lot harder in the corners than I did when I was riding with a mc tire. An added benefit is it rides softer as well. To each there own but I can see getting 40-50k out of this tire easy. I'll let you all know when that happens. I also recommend 16 oz of Ride On in the tire.

 

[BigNorm]

There are always several "you'll shoot your eye out" types when it comes to this topic. lol.

 

[JacktheBagger]

what air pressure are you running >

 

[BigNorm]

I forget but I'm running the whatever it says to run on the side. (I think it's (45psi) I ran 5 psi lighter for a while but I really like having it at what the tire manufacturer recommends. I did have one incident where the bike shook at around 70-75 mph within the first 100 miles. I just added more air and it went away. Just remember that this is going to ride differently. I like it a lot. My wife rode my bike once and wants me to put a car tire on her heritage when she needs a tire.

 

[PFWiz]

I am running 37 psi cold. I really think that every tire type will have it's own sweet spot.

 

[twowheeladdict]

Every honest person I have had conversations with about the car tire on their bike, have shared that it is an acquired taste.

They have all shared that it takes more effort to put the bike into a turn and keep it there.

They shared that road imperfections tend to push the bike around:

They say that the reason they do it anyway is because the combined weight of them and their passenger exceeds the motorcycle tire rating, or they don't want to spend the money on motorcycle tires, or the flex in the sidewall from running low pressure helps soften the ride.

I can respect that.

Those who try and say that running a car tire is an improvement have never really ridden a motorcycle or are fooling themselves. When I see sport bikes with car tires then I will consider them.


The '16 RGU handles much better than previous Harleys I have test rode. Some of the earlier touring models felt hinged in the middle when leaned over on less than perfect pavement. Couldn't imagine throwing a car tire into the mix.

 

[PFWiz]

By the way, as of yesterday I am "Double Darksiding" it.

I am now running a Battle AX BT-45 150/70/17 rear tire up front. Still taking it easy with the new tire so it will be a while (Ohio weather willing) before I know how well it works.

Does this mean I am going to go to heck twice as fast?>

 

[PFWiz]

Every honest person I have had conversations with about the car tire on their bike, have shared that it is an acquired taste.

They have all shared that it takes more effort to put the bike into a turn and keep it there.

They shared that road imperfections tend to push the bike around:

They say that the reason they do it anyway is because the combined weight of them and their passenger exceeds the motorcycle tire rating, or they don't want to spend the money on motorcycle tires, or the flex in the sidewall from running low pressure helps soften the ride.

I can respect that.

Those who try and say that running a car tire is an improvement have never really ridden a motorcycle or are fooling themselves. When I see sport bikes with car tires then I will consider them.


The '16 RGU handles much better than previous Harleys I have test rode. Some of the earlier touring models felt hinged in the middle when leaned over on less than perfect pavement. Couldn't imagine throwing a car tire into the mix.

I like your post, mostly. Just one thing though, why does handling have to 10/10 super bike handling? I don't ride that way, don't want to. If you do Harley is is the wrong manufacturer. I have never heard anyone claim that super bikes would handle better on a car tire...

I am looking for better handling (and ride quality) for the way I ride. A smoother ride for the wife (she really likes the car tire ride), much better stopping power and I am the guy butt dancing to my cranked stereo doing 75 on the turnpike in a thunderstorm. I may not be the fastest rider in the dry twisties, but when the sky opens up I am the one who has to slow down so I don't lose all my friends.

It all depends what you are looking for, everyone is different, but I found what I was looking for.

 

[BigNorm]

If I was able to put my knee on the ground like the guys on the flying mosquitos then I might not be running a car tire but I have these wonderful floorboards that tell me when I'm leaning the bike farther that I should. For as far as my bike can lean the car tire works wonderfully. It is an acquired taste and a lot of the things you mentioned do happen but after putting a lot of miles on it it just becomes part of riding the bike. I enjoy it for me and will run car tires as long as I run the bike.

What really makes me laugh is that people get so offended by this topic. They want to know that the way they ride is the right way. I have ridden motorcycles all my life and this works for me. I don't care what your opinion is on the topic. I like it.

 

[BigNorm]

I just saw what I wrote. Maybe I can be a little close minded. LOL. My wife was telling me that yesterday when we were talking about Democrats. It's hard to be open minded when someone is obviously wrong! I have one last confession... I don't use the factory recommended synthetic blend oil.

 

[twowheeladdict]

Interesting that when I mentioned sport bikes you all only thought of supersports street legal race bikes. Sport bikes is a much broader category that SS bikes and flying mosquitoes are only a small subset of.

That tell me a lot.

 

[twowheeladdict]

I like your post, mostly. Just one thing though, why does handling have to 10/10 super bike handling? I don't ride that way, don't want to. If you do Harley is is the wrong manufacturer.

Harley has come a long way in the handling department. Which is why I finally bought one.

Why someone might want great handling will become apparent if you are ever forced to swerve around an obstacle, or avoid that stupid cager who merges into your lane.

I would rather have great handling, and ABS brakes and never use them, then not have them when they are needed.

 

[BigNorm]

I respect that you are an enthusiast. But you are going right to the thing I said about your way being the right way. Everyone is entitled to there opinion. I rode 4 mc tires down before I switched to a car tire. It works for me. Why does that bother you so much?

 

[BigNorm]

Harley has come a long way in the handling department. Which is why I finally bought one.

Why someone might want great handling will become apparent if you are ever forced to swerve around an obstacle, or avoid that stupid cager who merges into your lane.

I would rather have great handling, and ABS brakes and never use them, then not have them when they are needed.

check, check, check, check. You are debating a topic you know nothing about. The car tire works. Not any car tire but if you got a good one it does the job.

I'm not telling anyone else to do this. He asked who was running a car tire. Maybe he was just bored because he knew you and 3 others were going to come out and tell us how horrible we are for doing things differently.