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Message started by weracerc on 06/18/10 at 12:22:05

Title: What is the longest lasting tire?
Post by weracerc on 06/18/10 at 12:22:05

I am looking for some guidance on tires - my front is going to need to be replaced pretty soon - the rear was replaced last year...the bike has 7K miles on it.......I am not going to do much more than ride it to and from work 10 miles round trip a day....doubt i ever take off on a road trip.....what tire would give me the longest life under these scenarios?

Title: Re: What is the longest lasting tire?
Post by Paladin. on 06/18/10 at 14:04:10

Most lasting miles? Dark Side... http://www.directbuytire.com/product-p/24200002.htm

Most motorcycle tire, probably a Metzeler. I ride any time and want top traction -- wet, paint, steel, etc..

Title: Re: What is the longest lasting tire?
Post by bill67 on 06/18/10 at 14:43:53

Best bet is the 66Route Pirelli for high mileage, handling, and smooth riding tire.Most tire stores have the ratings on tires 66 route the top rated.

Title: Re: What is the longest lasting tire?
Post by thumperclone on 06/18/10 at 21:36:10

the metzlers
get new
rim liners and tubes

Title: Re: What is the longest lasting tire?
Post by MMRanch on 06/18/10 at 23:25:17

I have 6000 + miles on my Goodyear radia T/A 155/80-15 car tire . If you was to look real close you might notice the middle is beginning to wear, but at this rate it will last over 40,000 miles.

I realy like this tire it handles "GREAT". that said ; unless you have taller rear shocks go for the 60 series ie (155/60-15).

I doin't know why the tire people cant make a bike tire that last 50,000 + miles .

Let us know what you get !

Title: Re: What is the longest lasting tire?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 06/19/10 at 00:41:51

Lomgest lasting tire, huhh? Well, whose baseball glove lasted longer than anyone elses, ever?

Lucy, on Charlie Brown.

Why, Why DID her glove last so long>?

Cuz that girl Never caught a ball, EV Errr.

So, the longest lasting tire is the one that never wears out. Any tire brand can do that, just stop riding.

Title: Re: What is the longest lasting tire?
Post by Oldfeller on 06/19/10 at 01:37:12

Yeah Justin, except the answer has to be stated in miles, rather than years.

Paladin and MMRanch have given good darksider recommendations on long lasting rear tires and both mention you have to make some clearance in your wheel well if you go that route.

MMRanch's $66 Radial T/A recommendation requires less clearance to be made (less work to install the tire on the bike) so I'd go with his if I were doing it again.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=BFGoodrich&tireModel=Radial+T%2FA&partnum=58SR5RADTARWL2&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires/bfg/bfg_radial_ta_rwl_ci2_l.jpg

Cost per mile is a metric we rarely use in these discussions, although we did on one a while back and found that Metzers could last up to 18,000 miles on the back of a lightly used bike (but ran the risk of dry rot towards the end of that long life) and they cost about 0.62 cents a mile to do it.

Dunlops and Perellis would do like 9,000 miles or a bit more at about the same 0.62 cent cost per mile because the tires could be bought a good bit cheaper than a Metzler can be bought. A point was made that a cheaper tire that wears out before it rots is a better thing than a very expensive tire that starts to rot before it wears out.

Darksider tires cost per mile was astronomically less than a motorcycle tire (0.14 cent a mile) and even the cheapest ones did not apparently dry rot in real use like a bike tire eventually does. Not yet, anyway.

I have a approaching 4 year old Nankang (alias "Chungfooie") brand tire that is only about half worn out yet shows no signs of dry rot. We will eventually see about total miles and rot and such, but it is taking sooooooo very long to do it it begins to get all boring to even talk about it.

And that is the final, most appealing thing about Darksider tires -- put one on the back of your bike and then NOT HAVE TO EVEN THINK ABOUT "TIRE" ANYTHING FOR LIKE 5 PLUS YEARS.

Just consider that for moment -- no annual hassle buying, putting on, etc. etc.

That's nice ....

Title: Re: What is the longest lasting tire?
Post by Stimpy on 06/19/10 at 03:44:02

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

and here:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090305054411AAN0e3o

Front view
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZKhoFbL7Fo[/media]
Rear view
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoNDo7o1d6Q[/media]

http://lifeisaroad.com/images/darkside.jpg

Title: Re: What is the longest lasting tire?
Post by Oldfeller on 06/19/10 at 05:02:05

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090305054411AAN0e3o

;D ;D ;D ;D

Some highly skilled, imaginative and knowledgeable youngsters on Yahoo-Answers, aren't they?
(some seem to still be riding on their original bicycles .... )

http://www.vtxoa.com/forums/showthread.php?t=195891&page=2

seem to understand what they are doing a good bit better. And maybe even actually own a motorcycle !!!

http://mcdarksiders.forumotion.com/forum.htm

and here are folks that discuss mounting techniques and pressure levels and all the other technogook concerning car tires on motorcycles.

Title: Re: What is the longest lasting tire?
Post by bill67 on 06/19/10 at 05:06:33

I have do agree its a stupid thing to do don't do it.

Title: Re: What is the longest lasting tire?
Post by Charon on 06/19/10 at 08:08:32

Depending on the source, it seems most recommend tire replacement at no more than seven years, whether the tires are used on motorcycles, cars, RVs, or trucks. It is usually recommended that you do not buy a tire more than a couple of years old, because the seven year life starts the day the tire is manufactured, not the day it is mounted. Naturally enough, there are those who say tires last a lot longer and the seven year thing is a ploy by tire makers to sell more tires (just as the 3000 mile oil change is a ploy by oil makers and lube shops to get more money for unnecessary work).

I notice the linked videos are all of car tires running on motorcycles, and it seemed to me there was a good bit of tread lifting when the motorcycle leaned. I noticed a lack of videos showing motorcycle tires for comparison. Wonder why no before-and-after videos?

There seem to be a lot of comments about tire shops which will not mount car tires on motorcycles. Car tire makers recommend against it, and as far as I know so do motorcycle makers. Motorcycle magazines also seem to feel it is bad practice. There may be liability issues involved, but if so it coiuld be that real liability attaches to the practice. I wonder whether, in the event of a crash, the motorcyclist's insurance company would have grounds for denying or reducing coverage based on use of a non motorcycle rated tire?

Does anyone know what tires are used on the Can-Am Spyder? It is a trike which does not lean, so it would seem a natural place to use car tires. Car tires would also seem a natural for other trikes and for sidecar rigs.

Title: Re: What is the longest lasting tire?
Post by Oldfeller on 06/19/10 at 08:23:16

You bring up a valid question about the "unsafe" or "modified" motorcycle and fights over insurance coverage -- the answer lies with choppers, bobbers, street fighters, cafe racers and other heavily modified motorcycles (some with brakes removed from front ends, no turn signals, etc. etc. ) -- and of course the use of them nasty 'ol darksider tires on bikes falls in this arena as well.

Here's yer sign ....

http://gl1800riders.com/forums/showthread.php?t=225895

Go to the place where darksider tires are more the norm now rather than the exception -- the Goldwing boys

============================================

Let's take it from the tire seller's perspective -- it is against the law now for him to sell or mount a tire that is not speed rated for the vehicle he is going to put it on.

In such an environment would a normal car tire dealer mount a car tire on a motorcycle rim --- Hell NO !!! He'd be scared silly of the idea as he lives in a litigation based world anyway.

Is it illegal for you to buy it and for you to mount it? Nope. Does it violate the law? Nope.

And most Goldwing specialty shops WILL mount a correctly speed rated car tire on the rear of a Goldwing -- I find that informative, it is just a tire and it is covered by the same speed rating law so they'll mount it if it meets the required speed & load ratings.

There is no 155/80r15 or 160/80r15 tire that is rated for less than 2,000 lbs load at 120 mph (the minimum car requirement). Our stock bikes will do 85-90 mph tops and you and the bike weigh less than 700 pounds total, so I don't think you run afoul of the legal requirements, per se.

Now, each business can make up its own rules for what feel right to them. Tire Rack always asks you what car you are buying a given tire for, as does WalMart.

Both of them firmly expect you to say you are buying a new spare tire for your daughter's Volkswagen Beetle, 1962 year model because you checked her spare tire and it had dry rotted in the trunk over the years, so you need just one new tire for it. There ain't no S40 or LS650 in their listing book anyway.

;D ;D ;D

"Bad boys, bad boys, what'cha gonna do?

What'cha gonna do when they come for you?"

If the law states "motor vehicle" you are golden, because you meet the load and speed requirements.

If the law states "automobile" it does not apply to you anyway.

There is no law that says you have to put a "bike" tire on a bike.

Title: Re: What is the longest lasting tire?
Post by bill67 on 06/19/10 at 09:17:14

Its nice to know motorcycle tires and oil have come a long way since,On Any Sunday.

Title: Re: What is the longest lasting tire?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 06/19/10 at 09:50:10

Hey, O.F., what kinda clearancing needs done to get that VeeDub tire up under there? Just curious, of course. Id NEver go fishin for info on how to go Darkside,, nope,, not me, just Not that kinda guy..

Title: Re: What is the longest lasting tire?
Post by Oldfeller on 06/19/10 at 09:55:51

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1181496112

Title: Re: What is the longest lasting tire?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 06/19/10 at 10:16:48

I may go with a reglar ol tar this pass. I kinda need to get it up & legal pretty soon & I have so many irons in the fire I dont think I want another one right now. That looks like a Down Season mod I can do.
I got the W back together last nite, test rode it about 1;30 AM. Its not running right, sounds like a thrashing machine. BUT, when it did hit, it sure as heck took off. Lots more Ooomph than I was expecting. Now, I gotta get it sorted. Hope
A It IS sortable
B Its cheap & not too difficult.

Title: Re: What is the longest lasting tire?
Post by wingsout on 06/19/10 at 12:12:35

I like the Dunlop 404's; had them on my Nomad; now have them on my 05 S40.

Title: Re: What is the longest lasting tire?
Post by ralfyguy on 06/19/10 at 17:21:59

How about "DONUTS", car spare tires?

Title: Re: What is the longest lasting tire?
Post by Stimpy on 06/20/10 at 03:09:04

no way!

...those things are made for low speed
& temporary use only; maybe they would
work for a light trailer or something but not
a bike, they couldn't handle the abuse. A good
roundish VW bug tire is anyone's best bet.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f2/Randy%27s_Donuts_LA_California_LC-HS503-532.jpg

Title: Re: What is the longest lasting tire?
Post by Oldfeller on 06/20/10 at 06:34:34

Justin, like I keep on saying, don't do what I did -- do what MMRanch did and go with the 155/90r15 Goodrich radial T/A as IT DOES NOT REQUIRE ALL OF THE TROUBLESOME CLEARANCE WORK I had to do to put in a huge 165/80r15 full size VW tire.

You don't need the massive size to get the long mileage, as a matter of fact I think MMRanch's deep deep threads will actually give better mileage as it has nearly an extra quarter inch of tread depth.

Seriously, go with the Goodrich radial TA.

If you already have long shocks you are likely about ready to go with that one.

Title: Re: What is the longest lasting tire?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 06/20/10 at 08:03:50

Well, POOT! I done bought the flippin Veedub tar. Owell.. maybe I can trade it, or sell iot, but, as you say, I dont want to do all that unless I have to, & I dont have to. I dont have the longer shocks yet, either.

How much does that raise the seat to do the shocks & tire swap? If its much, Ill just have to not do it, cuz my daughter is gonna want to ride to school & stuff.. & that girls a short one.

Title: Re: What is the longest lasting tire?
Post by Max_Morley on 06/20/10 at 11:09:11

The tire that has given me the longest life is the Dunlop K555 140/80 x 15. OE fitment is Honda PC800 a much heavier bike. Tread is deeper and load rating is a step or 2 up. Max

Title: Re: What is the longest lasting tire?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 06/20/10 at 13:45:36

Hey, Max, you remember the $$ & the miles you got? How do you ride? You use the rear brake much? Ever downshift & drag the rear end a bit? IOW, would I get good mileage out of it?

Title: Re: What is the longest lasting tire?
Post by Max_Morley on 06/20/10 at 19:06:07

Maintenance book shows 10K on the last one. I don't run them down until the cord is showing, but change them before the summer riding season, so there might have been a couple K left. As a bagger the bike is heavier on the rear than stock. I use the rear brake along with the front and do downshift (pretty much matching engine speed to road speed , usually not a tire squeaker) and twist the wrist to get to road speed when I leave my driveway. Have lost over 100 lbs so this one should last a long time. Max

Title: Re: What is the longest lasting tire?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 06/20/10 at 21:29:44

10 k is pretty good, Id say. You happy w/ the wet weather performance? Remember kinda what it costs?

Title: Re: What is the longest lasting tire?
Post by ralfyguy on 06/21/10 at 12:23:52

I almost think that a lighter bike shreds the rear faster than a heavier one. There's more slip on acceleration and deceleration, even if it's not that obvious. Rubbing is harder on rubber than weight IMHO.

Title: Re: What is the longest lasting tire?
Post by einheit13 on 06/21/10 at 18:32:37

Cheap and not so cheap...

Bridgestone Spitfire S11
Chen Shen Barracuda and Hi Maxx
Conti Milestone
IRC Durotour RS-310 & RS-410
Kenda K673 Kruz, K671 Cruiser
Michelin Commander
Shinko 230 Tour Master

Title: Re: What is the longest lasting tire?
Post by Max_Morley on 06/21/10 at 20:29:33

Don't ride much if at all in the wet, seemed OK when I've had to run through field sprinklers that are wetting the road from the wind. Cost varied from under $100 to a little as I remember. Shop around on the net and check locally at a Honda shop. Max

Title: Re: What is the longest lasting tire?
Post by weracerc on 06/24/10 at 11:57:31

ok so i bought a kenda challenger 6 ply and IRC heavy duty tube......i figured the extra 2 to 4 plys and the HD tube couldnt hurt since i weigh more than the bike.....$84 delivered with rim liner.....