Any one else gone to the dark side?

Any one else out there gone to the dark side? I just finished a 75 mile test ride on my FJR with the new car tire on the rear. So far it is working very well and no issues to speak of.
I think I should have done this a long time ago. Next week I leave for a 2500 mile trip to give it a better test. Ride safe…………Jeff

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Permalink Reply by Butch on November 11, 2009 at 11:08pm: What make of bikes do they work on?Eany Idea ? Butch; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Fred Musick on November 18, 2009 at 5:00pm: Me too. In my post above, I promised to report my experience. There is not much to say that has not already been said. Smoother more comfortable ride, much improved braking, much improved wet traction and improved fuel mileage. Since the revs per mile are significantly the same as the OEM tire, I believe the improvement is due to the much lower rolling resistance of the radial tire vs the bias ply MC tire. I do not "challenge" curves/corners. The chicken strip on my old tire looked nearly new. So as expected, I have lost nothing in the corners.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jeff Filz / Life Member on November 12, 2009 at 1:17pm: Hi Butch,
To find out what size and type of tire would fit on my FJR I found good information on the FJR forum web page. I also had the help of a friend who is a custom bike builder. I would start with the Internet and try to find someone that has put one on the type of bike you have. I think most shops believe this is not a good idea. The Yamaha shop I use will mount a car tire for me, but I have a very good relationship with then and will not hold them libel if something should go wrong. I have never met anyone who changed back to a bike tire after going to the dark side. Let me know how it works out for you.
Ride Safe……….Jeff; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by john niemann on November 12, 2009 at 9:07pm: can u lean as much and corner as hard ?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jeff Filz / Life Member on November 13, 2009 at 8:23am: Hi John,
I have found on my FJR 1300 that I can ride as hard as I want to. I have come close to hitting the foot pegs with out a problem. I run lower air pressure and the tire will just squat down and grab. I do feel uneven pavement more so with the car tire than a bike tire. This is no big deal once you get to know how it feels. The car tire has a different ride to it, but once I get over 20 mph it feels almost like any bike tire. One big benefit is it is very sure footed in the rain or wet roads. It just does not break traction like a bike tire can. I think the dark side is something you have to experience for yourself and form your own option. My Sunday rides turn out to be 400 to 700 mile rides. This was the first season I did not have to worry about the flat spot in the center of my bike tire. Before I went to the dark side I had to change tires almost as often as I did engine oil! Let me know if you try the dark side. Ride Safe…Jeff; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by john niemann on November 13, 2009 at 10:45pm: i have a 130 90 16 with about 1/4 in clearance on the belt what size car tire would i use and what would be the best brand i have an 85 fxr hd; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Chuck Dempsey on November 14, 2009 at 7:35am: John, check out the two links I posted in my reply to Jeff. You should be able to find all the info. you need between the two.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by john niemann on November 15, 2009 at 11:36am: lots of info but i cant find any thing to crossreferance a bike tire to a car tire; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jeff Filz / Life Member on November 16, 2009 at 8:17am: Hi John,
That is a good question! You may try asking that on the dark side forum. Also you could try talking to someone at a tire store. They should be able to look at your rim size to see what would fit on it. I would measure the Clearance on your swing arm, drive and fender set up too. Ride Safe………..Jeff
http://mcdarksiders.forumotion.com/; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Fred Musick on November 18, 2009 at 6:00pm: Try the tire size calculator on Discount Tires Direct >info>tire size calculator/

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/brochure/info/tmpInfoTireM...

I expect your problem will be finding the actual tire. The closest match to the 130/90x16 you gave above is a 145/80x16. According to the math, it will make the clearance you need. Now try to find one.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Rob Estoker Lifetime # 90020041 20 hours ago: Hey Jeff............. Well I made the switch to the darkside. Goodyear Triple Tread on an '05 Suzuki C-90. Found a local independent bike shop that TRIED to mount it for me. Aired it up to 100 PSI and couldnt get it to seat. Went back to the tire shop I bought it at and after 2 hours of cussing, lots of tire lube and 125 PSI we finally got it seated. Balanced it with 3 oz. of Dyna-Beads. WOW!!!! What a difference. The bike handles great on the flats as well as in the mountains. Can't wait till I can get about 500 miles on it so I can start playing around with the air pressure. Can't see myself going back to a motorcycle tire now!!!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jeff Filz / Life Member 7 hours ago: Hi Rob,
I know they are pain to get seated. But I too cannot see going back to a bike tire. It is a hard thing to put into words how they ride. Logic would suggest that it should not work. This time logic is wrong! I hope you have as much success as I have had. Keep me posted on how it works for you and welcome to the dark side.
Ride Safe………..Jeff; ▶ Reply to This