Car tire on the back of a GL 1800

[Flyn Tiger]

Hey everyone! I was just wondering, has anyone ever used a car tire on the back of their GL1800? I ride most every day, some straight line riding to get from point A to point B but prefer and love the twistie roads. It seems like I am constantly changing tires on my bike. I have used Bridgestones in which I barely got 12k miles out of them and Dunlop E3's of which on that one set I got just over 17k out of them. The Bridgestones felt softer and more sticky in the turns and on wet pavement although the Dunlops gave me more mileage and felt pretty good in turns and on wet pavement also. A friend of mine suggested that I use a car tire on the rear and a rear sport bike tire turned in reverse on the front. Said that I would get more miles out of the front if I did it that way. He currently has a car tire on his VTX which he says has 30,000 miles on it right now. I was just wondering if anyone had tried this and what were the pros and cons of doing this. My other alternative is I'm thinking about trying out a Avon Cobra AV 71/72. Anxious to see what responses I get out of this topic.

Thanks to all,
Flyn Tiger

[thrasherg]

Hi Flyn,

if you search there are a lot of topics on this. I have never run a car tyre on my bike, but wanted to. Then I saw a presentation showing how the bead of a car tyre and a motorcycle tyre are quite different and a car tyre will never properly seat on a motorcycle rim and that was enough to put me of the idea of trying. However I am a fair weather biker and only ride about 5K miles a year (so one tyre lasts me 2 years so i can put up with the cost). There are 2 definite camps on this topic, those that have done it and love it and those who would never do it.. I love bends on my bike and did worry that the car tyre having a definite angle between the side walls and the contact patch would cause some odd handling (sliding) when leaning into corners, but most people that have tried the car tyre said it is not bad. If you are doing a lot of straight lining on your bike, then I would definitely consider a car trye, but if you ride a lot of bends, it might not be the right choice.. Use the search function and you should find a lot of opinions on the subject and some feedback from people that have actually done it, most of them were/are positive about it.

Gary

[Fatwing Chris]

You have a PM concerning the CT's on a Wing.

[Red Ron]

I live in the mountians of East Ky for most of the year and can't avoid the twisties and still get 28 to 30K on the CT. I also get about that much on the tire I am using on the front (Bridgestone BT-45). It is a rear MC tire that fits our front.

[Steve F]

I've had one for over a year now, and love every mile I ride with it. It's smoother, quieter, handles the wet roads with utmost certainty, and sand and gravel is easier to deal with (even though the front remains the same in this area). The tire I have is a Michelin ALPIN run flat, and that alone is enough for me to have that tire on my motorcycle. The handling differences took all of about 5 miles to get over, and that's no joke. It handles great in the turns, and with more confidence of maintaining traction. Oh, and the load rating is better than any MC tire, and they are cooler running, which means less problems with heat related tire issues like tread separation. I'm also using 3oz. of DYNABEADS for balancing.

If you're interested, there's a very large "Dark Side" following here:
http://gl1800riders.com/forums/forumdis ... ide-Riders

[Flyn Tiger]

Red Ron, Do you run the tire backwards? I've heard of some that do and like it.

Steve F, What kind of air pressure are you running and what size is the tire? Are you more of a straight up riding guy or do you like to lean that puppy over? I like to lean and drag the sides on occasion and that is my concern. Guess a CT feels like a older flat centered MT right? I used to run dynabeads but tried RideOn the last 2 sets of tires. I have gotten good mileage for a MT with it because it is supposed to help the tire run cooler and like the dynabeads keeps the tire balanced at all times. Sealing punchers is a plus also. i have noticed that I don't loose air pressure in the winter like I did with the dynabeads.......think it helps the tire seal up on the bead better.

Thanks alot for the info,
Flyn Tiger

[Steve F]

I'm running the 195/55-16 @ 34psi. The front is a Bridgestone EXEDRA stock size and it wears really well. In Illinois there aren't too many "twisties" and most of my riding is two-up and somewhat straight roads. We went on a ride a couple of weeks back in the area around the Mississippi palasades where ther roads are "fun", but really not peg-draggers, and the bike handled great. Love that kind of riding, but not much opportunity around by me.
Regards,
Steve F

[Red Ron]

I do not run the BT-45 backwards and would not advise doing so. I believe it is designed to run in one direction. Reversing probably affects the way it sheds water. In the old days when different lower tech production methods were in use the plies were joined together in a way in which they overlapped each other. Hence, a back tire had to be reversed if used on the front. With today's production methods that is not an issue. At least, that is according to my research. Also some will say you cannot mix bias and radial. This statement is both true and not true at the same time. The truth is you can't mix radial and bias ON THE SAME AXLE. This cannot be done on a bike (there is only one tire on per axle). This can be done on a trike; you could have one of each on the back axle and that wouldn't be ideal.

[Sally]

well said Steve F..I agree with every word.. I've run a ct now for four years. I'll take any corner at any speed with any of you.No problems.. Rode the blue rigde this year with friends. They are now looking at CT's they could not believe that I was in front waiting for them.. Sally

[Flyn Tiger]

Hey Sally,

Thanks for the input. I'm new to the CT issue although I have had 2 wings and have ridden for years. It seems that most southern folks don't run the CT while people up north do so forgive me for all the questions I may have ......just trying to get real life input. What kind of CT are you running? Has having the CT affected you gas mileage any? I really appreciate all the input from all of you. It is making my decision much easier and giving me peace of mind knowing that many are doing it with no problems and not sacrificing performance and fun in the twisties.

I guess my next decision will be which tire to run. I plan currently on using a 205/60R/16 because I run a 70 series now which trues up the speedo with a GPS for a more accurate reading. It will be a run flat tire just in case there is a problem and I guess I need to know from your experience which CT has the most roundness to it and not be totally flat like a MT. Seems that will help it corner better.

Again thanks to you all,
Flyn Tiger

[bandit]

I also have a Kumo runflat on for more than a year now. A bit different in handling but get use to it quick. Only downfall is when you ride SLOWLY on an uneven or gravel road it tends to push the bike over. Also when riding up a curb, take it head on or give a bit gas.

[Steve F]

Hey Sally,

Thanks for the input. I'm new to the CT issue although I have had 2 wings and have ridden for years. It seems that most southern folks don't run the CT while people up north do so forgive me for all the questions I may have ......just trying to get real life input. What kind of CT are you running? Has having the CT affected you gas mileage any? I really appreciate all the input from all of you. It is making my decision much easier and giving me peace of mind knowing that many are doing it with no problems and not sacrificing performance and fun in the twisties.

I guess my next decision will be which tire to run. I plan currently on using a 205/60R/16 because I run a 70 series now which trues up the speedo with a GPS for a more accurate reading. It will be a run flat tire just in case there is a problem and I guess I need to know from your experience which CT has the most roundness to it and not be totally flat like a MT. Seems that will help it corner better.

Again thanks to you all,
Flyn Tiger

Be careful in your selection of tire size as has been said some of the larger sizes may not fit or may rub on the inner fender. I would again recommend that you visit here to make a more informed decision:
http://gl1800riders.com/forums/forumdis ... ide-Riders

I would also recommend getting a "SPEEDO-HEALER" to take care of any speedometer error corrections, and to not base your tire purchase on the tire's circumference for this reason.
Regards,
Steve F

[Sally]

I personal run a Dunlop sport 5000 in 195/60 16. The first one I bought was a 195/55 16 I found that it sat the bike down lowwer to the ground for me. So I went online I'll find link and found a conversion from MC to CT and it converted to 195/60. And yes when I installed the tire I had to let air out of it to get it up in place.Yes after airring up it did touch the side of the inner fender after first 5 miles everything settled in. I've had no issues since. For me it works great. Sally

[Peteswing]

I am on my second car tire, frist one I got over 30,000 miles could have gotten more out of it but was going to Deals Gap wanted new rubber. My second is a run flat got a great deal on it got 7000 miles on it and it still looks like a new tire. I have no problems with Being a Darksider it's very safe never had any leaks. It dose take a little extra work when you remove the wheel, some riders like myself cut the pastic housing in the wheel well so the tire goes on easier. Do a search on Dark Siders there lots of information on the many different tires we use. Lots of riders use car tires on the front I am not there yet. But the info is there if you want it

[Steve F]

I am on my second car tire, frist one I got over 30,000 miles could have gotten more out of it but was going to Deals Gap wanted new rubber. My second is a run flat got a great deal on it got 7000 miles on it and it still looks like a new tire. I have no problems with Being a Darksider it's very safe never had any leaks. It dose take a little extra work when you remove the wheel, some riders like myself cut the pastic housing in the wheel well so the tire goes on easier. Do a search on Dark Siders there lots of information on the many different tires we use. Lots of riders use car tires on the front I am not there yet. But the info is there if you want it

Really? I've never heard of anyone using a car tire on the front. There are those that will put a rear motorcycle tire on the front running in reversed direction, and that is called going "double dark-side", but no car tires up front unless you have a side car or maybe a trike.

[Old legend]

I live in the mountians of East Ky for most of the year and can't avoid the twisties and still get 28 to 30K on the CT. I also get about that much on the tire I am using on the front (Bridgestone BT-45). It is a rear MC tire that fits our front.

Red Ron, what size rear tire do you put on the front on your bike?

[Peteswing]

Here's more info and a couple of sites that may you

Bridgestone Battlax BT 45 130/70/18 you need to mount Backwards. Lots riders getting 30,000 miles.

http://mcdarksiders.forumotion.com/

http://murgie.com/d

[Red Ron]

I live in the mountians of East Ky for most of the year and can't avoid the twisties and still get 28 to 30K on the CT. I also get about that much on the tire I am using on the front (Bridgestone BT-45). It is a rear MC tire that fits our front.

Red Ron, what size rear tire do you put on the front on your bike?

130x70x18; the same size as what comes stock on the bike. It's just that it is a rear sport bike tire that fits perfectly on the front of an 1800.

[Red Ron]

Here's more info and a couple of sites that may you

Bridgestone Battlax BT 45 130/70/18 you need to mount Backwards. Lots riders getting 30,000 miles.

http://mcdarksiders.forumotion.com/

http://murgie.com/d

I don't run it backwards and get around 30K. Also have read from several who run it backwards and say it cups and buzzes more. With the way tires are produced today a rear tire doesn't have to be run in reverse if used on the front. Used to be a rear would separate at the plies if used on the front and not reversed. (At least that is what I found out from my limited research). I think if you look on the darkside message boards it seems that most currently are not reversing the tread. I could be wrong also. Maybe it's time for a poll on the darkside boards

[jobe05]

I switched from Avon Cobra (MC Tire) to a Yokohama Avid Run Flat tire which I now have over 15,000 miles on. I road this tire around the country from NC to Oregon, down through California and back. Temps ranged from 40 degrees in the mountain wet roads to 106 degrees in southern Cal. Made no difference in the handling of the bike what so ever, Love the car tire and would never go back to a MC on the 1800. The run flat tire is stout. Before mounting this tire, I could sit on the tire with my feet off the ground and got no deflection in the tire, very rock solid. With that said, if you go run flat I would suggest a TPS system in the event you lose air pressure.

I have over 15,000 on my CT and I am at 7/32 thread left. Should be able to easily get 27K to 30K miles from this tire. I would see if I could get a taller profile tire next time however.

[Flyn Tiger]

Jobe05. What size tire are you running? I would like a 205/55 or 60/16. Would that work ok?

[jobe05]

I'm running a 195/55 rf16

I have not ridden on anything bigger, so I have no personal experience, but there have been others who have ran larger diameter tires with success. Not all tires come in all sizes however. At the time I got the Yoko, they didn't make a 205 in the run flat.
Here is a link to someone who got a 205 by mistake, and what others have said about it: http://gl1800riders.com/forums/showthre ... -tire-oops

[Flyn Tiger]

Got it! Thanks! Will be riding on the Dark Side soon. I will be using the 205/55/16rf. That will true my speedo up better.

[BikerGuy]

I see a lot of folks saying they have the Battlax BT45's mounted backwards or reverse on their front wheel. What I don't see is whether these guys have Goldwings or Trikes.........

I friend who works on Goldwings told me to never put a bias ply tire on the front of a Goldwing unless it's a Trike!!! He said if I have a death wish, then go right ahead and put it on...... I'm going darkside and I was considering putting the Battlax BT45 on the front also. Now I don't know what to do.......

Thanks for your input

Here's more info and a couple of sites that may you

Bridgestone Battlax BT 45 130/70/18 you need to mount Backwards. Lots riders getting 30,000 miles.

http://mcdarksiders.forumotion.com/

http://murgie.com/d

I don't run it backwards and get around 30K. Also have read from several who run it backwards and say it cups and buzzes more. With the way tires are produced today a rear tire doesn't have to be run in reverse if used on the front. Used to be a rear would separate at the plies if used on the front and not reversed. (At least that is what I found out from my limited research). I think if you look on the darkside message boards it seems that most currently are not reversing the tread. I could be wrong also. Maybe it's time for a poll on the darkside boards

[BikerGuy]

I see a lot of folks saying they have the Battlax BT45's mounted backwards or reverse on their front wheel. What I don't see is whether these guys have Goldwings or Trikes.........

I friend who works on Goldwings told me to never put a bias ply tire on the front of a Goldwing unless it's a Trike!!! He said if I have a death wish, then go right ahead and put it on...... I'm going darkside and I was considering putting the Battlax BT45 on the front also. Now I don't know what to do.......

Thanks for your input

Here's more info and a couple of sites that may you

Bridgestone Battlax BT 45 130/70/18 you need to mount Backwards. Lots riders getting 30,000 miles.

http://mcdarksiders.forumotion.com/

http://murgie.com/d