Car tires on bikes...and more...

[Giaka]

 For kicks I looked into it for the B12 for a test, but nothing fits.

Different strokes.  

What size is the standard bike tire on the B12? I guess this size car tire has been used on some sport bikes that usually run a 170 or 180 x 17.  

205-50-17

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.jsp?skipOver=true&width=205%2F&ratio=50&diameter=17

[motomem]

If I could ride my bike to it's limits - no car tire on it. If I was willing to risk that I would never have to ride it to it's limits as in an emergency - I would put a car tire on. I was somewhat embarrassed at the last tire I changed out - center tread was gone and outside was like new. Basically if I ride within my ability to push my machine I don't need much of a shoulder. How about it - am I the only one who squares off a tire?

[spd2918]

I am not yet sold on car tires on bikes, but I don't dismiss them either.  They appear the have at least the same amount of contact patch while on edge than a standard moto tire.  Initial turn in must be more work.

I am not aware of any motorcycle crashes due to car tires, so they must at least be OK.

I think the reason you only see them on bigger bikes is because they have large enough /wide enough rims to handle car tire sizes.

[Cablebandit]

Go with a dual compound tire. My sides are gone long before the harder center section.  

[CLAY]

What size is the standard bike tire on the B12? I guess this size car tire has been used on some sport bikes that usually run a 170 or 180 x 17.  

205-50-17

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.jsp?skipOver=true&width=205%2F&ratio=50&diameter=17

I think there's also sidewall clearance issues.  Plus I'm not ready to drop $200 on a test.    These days I don't ride my B12 enough anyway...

[02Tac]

 How about it - am I the only one who squares off a tire?

Nope, you are not the only one. For me, it is the fact that I live in an area that does not afford the opportunity to wear out the sides first. Truly twisty roads are rare around here.   That an doing a lot of communting with the bike.  The roads to work are not what you could call twisty.  

[Frankienuckles]

Yep, I square them off too. Although this happens quite a bit less when I started running sport-touring tires instead of sport tire on the suzuki.

[KeithB]

It's all the rage on the GL Forums.  The GL-1500s and 1800s have found a car tire that fits.

Those that run them, say they love them.  I don't hear from people that went to the car tire and then came back saying they didn't like it.  (Maybe those people are killed?)

That's not so funny.  We had a touring bike pulling a trailer that went out of control where I80 splits apart from I35 here in central iowa.  No cause could be determined.  There's no box to check on accident reports for "Car Tires", but it wouldn't surprise me that this bike had one.  The rider lost control, went across all lanes and died in the opposite ditch.  It made me sad to see the crash site every day until eventually nature patched it over.

I suspect pride (instead of impartial evaluation) takes over once somebody decides to go to the dark side.  Any adverse handling is excused away because they can't admit this may not have been the smartest idea.

[02Tac]

 because they can't admit this may not have been the smartest idea.

You do realize that that statement can be used all teh way back to even getting on a motorcycle don't you.

Plus, I like how (very similar to a main-stream media pundit) you, with no evidence at all, suggest that the accident may have been caused by the rider being part of the darkside.

[ianbh]

I did 3 separate trips this summer with a friend on an FJR wearing a rear car tire.  He had no issue keeping up with everyone.  When riding behind him watching the square profile tire tip up in turns look strange, but I think the actual contact patch is virtually the same a a round profile tire and the car tire compound he uses is softer that ST tires he has used in the past.  Tire wear is 1/3 that of a normal tire.  There are pro and cons, but he's not changing back.  

Please stop confusing us with facts/experience.    
As I previously posted, I put almost 40,000 on a couple of rear car tires (20,000 on a Yokohama and another 20,000 on a Michelin with 50% tread left when I sold the FJR) with no problems.
Ian, Iowa

[KeithB]

You do realize that that statement can be used all teh way back to even getting on a motorcycle don't you.

Plus, I like how (very similar to a main-stream media pundit) you, with no evidence at all, suggest that the accident may have been caused by the rider being part of the darkside.

I don't have to drink poison to know it's probably bad for me, even though some folks may be unaffected.  Sometimes personal deductive reasoning works just fine for me.  Everything I've heard promoting use of car tires I've also heard from folks trying to get me to use drugs, even using cheaper drugs because they're trying to save money (they won't hurt you....).  Some can handle it, some cannot.  Maybe that's why I don't put much belief behind those claims.

If you choose to risk it, go ahead and knock yourself out.  Have fun.  Me?  I'll choose to move my odds towards the side of safety when I perceive it not worth the risk.  Others may have a different risk\benefit equation.  Stunters, for example, have a MUCH different decision point than I do.

If you want me to allow your point of view, then you have to allow mine.  With only anecdotal evidence vs scientific research, I'll generally tilt toward the research.  Others may not, that's their choice.  I wouldn't want everyone to think exactly alike anyway, that would be a bland world indeed.  We'd all be in tan Taurus's and black suits (my apologies to anyone that drives a tan Taurus and wears suits).

[Tombstone]

Ignorance is bliss. Lots of name calling by those who don't have any experience with darkside tires. Don't like it? Don't do it.
I've got 20,000 miles on a DS tire, it works.

[spd2918]

With only anecdotal evidence vs scientific research, I'll generally tilt toward the research.

Me, too.  Does anyone have research to share?

[02Tac]

I don't have to drink poison to know it's probably bad for me,
 

OK, that is just a down right stupid comparrison.

Never said you were not allowed your opinion. I was simply pointing out the simple fact that so many folks were spouting off at how bad/wrong it was without ever trying it.  Especially given the fact that it appears there a quite a number of folks go DS and find that it works.  

[X1Glider]

OK, that is just a down right stupid comparrison.

Never said you were not allowed your opinion. I was simply pointing out the simple fact that so many folks were spouting off at how bad/wrong it was without ever trying it.  Especially given the fact that it appears there a quite a number of folks go DS and find that it works.  

Just because something works, to some degree, doesn't mean it's the best solution.  Just because a group of riders on the GL forums do it, does it mean they know more than the Honda and all the bike tire manufacturers?  There's obviously a reason that Honda doesn't deliver their bikes from the factory with Yokohama car tires.  I think they know better.

I'd put it to the test, same bikes, one with a car tire, the other with a bike specific tire of equal compound tackiness.  Lets see which one makes it around the track quickers and handles better, period.

Many others have said it, you don't have to try it to know better.  It's like other topics such as oil, where people use diesel oil like Cat D for instance, where the proponent wants to make others believe he knows something special that no one else knows.  

[antvq]

Just because something works, to some degree, doesn't mean it's the best solution.  Just because a group of riders on the GL forums do it, does it mean they know more than the Honda and all the bike tire manufacturers?  There's obviously a reason that Honda doesn't deliver their bikes from the factory with Yokohama car tires.  I think they know better.

I'd put it to the test, same bikes, one with a car tire, the other with a bike specific tire of equal compound tackiness.  Lets see which one makes it around the track quickers and handles better, period.

Many others have said it, you don't have to try it to know better.  It's like other topics such as oil, where people use diesel oil like Cat D for instance, where the proponent wants to make others believe he knows something special that no one else knows. 

Yes, because everyone knows that you put a car tire on a Goldwing for Track Days. 

How about instead of putting them on the track you drive them in the real world.  Ya know, like were everyone going Darkside is going to actually drive.   

Let's also address the OEM tires.   How many folks stick with the OEM tires once they wear out?   Do these people know "more than the Honda and all the bike tire manufacturers"?  I mean, why else would you even attempt to put a different tire other than OEM on the bike?   You must be an engineer right?

People choose the tire that works for them be it a different MC tire or a car tire.  Whatever floats their boat.

[Mookie]

Whatever sails their boat into a ditch on the outside of a corner.

FIFY

[X1Glider]

Yes, because everyone knows that you put a car tire on a Goldwing for Track Days. 

How about instead of putting them on the track you drive them in the real world.  Ya know, like were everyone going Darkside is going to actually drive.

I'm guessing you missed the point about the track session.  The point would have been to use the same controlled environment to judge how both tires perform in the exact same situations.  It doesn't matter if you are racing or cruising, the track is simply a location.  But it is a consistent terrain and surface location.  It's not as if you ride differently on a track than you do on a public street.  The techniques for operating a motorcycle are exactly the same.  So your arguement about track testing holds no weight.

As for the test, pick any speed you want, 20, 40, 60, 100 mph.  Test both bikes for ease of turn in, stability while leaned over, straight line tracking, traction upright and at lean angles.  Car tire or bike tire, which does it better?

Back to racing... It's a mighty fine way to judge which is better for the job.  If one can get around the track faster than the other and do it safely, it clearly is better.  The fact that you don't race on the street is of no importance.  What is important is the factor of safety afforded by a tire that performs better than another when you need it to perform at a moment's notice.

That's why a track test is fair and impartial.

Let's also address the OEM tires.   How many folks stick with the OEM tires once they wear out?   Do these people know "more than the Honda and all the bike tire manufacturers"?  I mean, why else would you even attempt to put a different tire other than OEM on the bike?   You must be an engineer right?

People choose the tire that works for them be it a different MC tire or a car tire.  Whatever floats their boat.

If you want to debate something intelligently.  Don't try to twist the posts into something suits your ill conceived views.  You must be a politician.  We're talking about changing to a tire that is square instead of curved in profile.  I didn't forget what I was talking about like you apparently thought I would.

You completely missed my point on this one too.  Hardly anyone sticks with OEM tires once they wear out.  So what?  Nothing wrong with wanting a tire that is better for wet weather or more grip for dry conditions.  People do this with cars and trucks all the time.  That's why tire manufacturers produce all-season, snow and all terrain tires.  What is common about them is you can buy all 3 in the same size and that they are manufactured specifically for a car or truck.  That's the key, they are produced for a specific type of vehicle.  Most bike owners still replace the OEM bike tires with another "motorcycle specific" tire design, not a car tire.    Do the DSers even know that the bead profile on a bike rim is different that a car rim?  Just because the can make the tire seem to fit on the rim doesn't mean they should or that it's safe to do so.

My point with the OEMs is if a car tire was better than a bike tire, they would sell bikes with car tires and the tire manufacturers would likely not produce motorcycle specific tires at all.  Unless you think the bike tire industry is simply a scam to sucker you out of your money.  Do you and the DSers truly think the OEMs and tire manufacturers with their thousands of engineers and decades of data acquisition and subsequent conclusions have got it wrong and that a handful of people on the GL forums got it right?  How did the DSers arrive at the conclusion that they know better?   I'm betting the bike and tire manufacturers have a lot better proof of what's better.

And yes.  I'm an engineer.   I make my living solving problems and bringing new ideas to life through intensive design, testing, data crunching and refinement until it is optimized for its intended use.

[02Tac]

 It's not as if you ride differently on a track than you do on a public street.  

One would hope you ride differently on the track than on the street.

  Just because something gets you around a track faster, does not make it better for street use.
--  I can get my bike around a track faster by dooing nothing more than adding sticky slicks. These same tires would be a very poor choice for day to day street use.
-- I can improve my lap times with suspension settings that would suck for day to day use.

[reppans]

How about it - am I the only one who squares off a tire?

I highly doubt it.

Does anyone actually have a picture of their rear tire with the side(s) wore out before the center?... street use tire only please.  I've seen it before but it is very, very rare, dual compound or not.   And frankly I've only seen it from riders that live in, or have visited, the mountains of NC, WV or CA.  

Anyone?