Put on car tire, it's great

This is an age old argument that never ends, Darksiders are smart guys that have made the brave step up to putting a car tire on their big bike.To see if it works.
The majority of them are very pleased with how well it handles in comparison to motorcycle tires
So unless you make the move to put a car tire on your bike it is best not to even ask, "I;m not sure if its a good idea to put a car tire on"? Should I " ?
Just do it and decide for yourself.
Then later come back on here and tell us how you like it.

I'm nearing the end of my first darkside with #2 sitting in the garage.

I've got almost 28,000 miles on the Riken Raptor it still has life left in it but while it's cold I'll change it out ; the Metzler was showing cord at 5,000 miles.{ $120 for the CT and $300 for the MT , do the math}

The darkside is very smooth riding compared to the motorcycle tire most likely due to the reduced pressure 41 psi in the Metzler vs 31 psi in the Raptor.

Better wet weather handling. Better braking wet or dry.

I can still drag the floor board feeler. (not that I try but it happens)

A guy on a Harley told me a few months ago " I've seen car tires on motorcycles before , but that's the first one that looks like it belongs there.

I've have mine over 125 several times with no high speed wobble.

BTW it's a 2005 standard with a 225/55 ZR16

The downside ?? Well I guess I probably give up a little horsepower.

ksquared said:

I post this only as a caveat - and because I have considerable experience with this issue:

If you have an accident while running a car tire on a motorcycle, you will have a GREAT DEAL of trouble obtaining compensation for your injuries (if you are a plaintiff) or defending a claim for injuries brought against you (if you are a defendant). Expert testimony will establish that the vehicular dynamics of operating a motorcycle with a car tire as the driving wheel, is inherently dangerous, outside of the contemplation of EVERY design engineer who designs motorcycles and outside the contemplation of EVERY designer who designs either motorcycle tires or car tires. You will not be able to find a tire industry engineer who will testify under oath that a car tire has the necessary directional stability and cornering characteristics to be SAFELY and PREDICTABLY used on a motorcycle under all operating conditions. They will, however, testify that both the profile and carcass design of a car tire are inherently antithetical to the physical environment and physical forces within which a motorcycle operates. The fact that you were operating a motorcycle with a car tire installed WILL become a central issue in your litigation - and it will not be to your benefit.

Take this for what it's worth, but I can tell you that in 40 years of legal practice - I have NEVER lost a motorcycle case I've tried to a jury, either for a plaintiff of a defendant.
*************************************************
STANDARD OBLIGATORY DISCLAIMER:

The above does not constitute legal advice. It is posted for general informational purposes only. No attorney-client relationship is formed by the posting of this material and you have no right to rely on it. I am probably not licensed to practice as an attorney in the jurisdiction where you reside. If these issues affect you - you should seek competent legal counsel in the jurisdiction where you reside. The law varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and what is stated here may or may not constitute the law in your jurisdiction.

So there!

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I guess it depends on the adjuster. I laid mine down. Not because of the tire but because I screwed up. Alstate paid the claim with no questions asked. The Triumph dealer said that they had never had any issues with darksiders with insurance claims.

Macrider said:

So unless you make the move to put a car tire on your bike it is best not to even ask, "I;m not sure if its a good idea to put a car tire on"? Should I " ?
Just do it and decide for yourself.
Then later come back on here and tell us how you like it.

Click to expand...

Really....don't ask just do it and see for yourself then let us know how it turned out.... I'm glad that wasn't the advice I gave my boys when they asked about using protection, if you get my drift.

I am not curious as to whether I should or should not put on a car tire, that's not what I asked but rather, from those who use car tires, why they chose to do so. I'm also not interested in the age old arguments as to which is better. Like I stated, I've read many discussions on the topic but I've never uncovered information that revealed any other reason other than longevity and cost. I'm sure there's more too it than that for the people who do use car tires. And it's not a debate or argument I want to start. There are so many people out there who are using car tires, how does it feel, corner etc....what do they like about it and what do they dislike? That's what interests me. I find it intriguing that bike owners go out of their way to maintain their machines in pristine condition, using only what they consider to be the best components for increased power and reliability. Then I read about car tires on bikes, the one common denominator between machine and Mother Earth, I'm just curious. But I guess being curious is not a good enough reason to as a question.

Please correct me if I'm wrong but I would guess that 90% of all posts on forums ask for people's opinions and thoughts on various topics so that we can make informed decisions for ourselves. Personally I will never put a car tire on my ride, but I value the opinions of those that do as they are the ones with the knowledge and experience.

Telling someone it's better to not to ask a question and just do it is probably one of the worst, cop out responses I think you could give. I wanted to use a few other colourful words here but I'm trying to be polite.
I apologize for my little rant as I don't normally get heated up over comments on forums but if that's the quality of the advice to give.....why even post a response.

Lester532 said:

I guess it depends on the adjuster. I laid mine down. Not because of the tire but because I screwed up. Alstate paid the claim with no questions asked. The Triumph dealer said that they had never had any issues with darksiders with insurance claims.

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You've missed the point. The adjuster isn't in the courtroom. The adjuster is just trying to get the case closed because that's what adjusters do.

If you have a genuine claim for liability, either on your behalf, or against you, and if the claim is substantial (as would be required to catch a lawyer's attention), then riding with the car tire is going to work against your winning the case.

The fellow who pointed this out from a legal perspective is 100% correct, at least in the USA.

Lester532, does the bike feel different on a hard corner? Do you find that you have to push harder to get the bike to lean over?

Cheers

Dawg68 said:

Lester532, does the bike feel different on a hard corner? Do you find that you have to push harder to get the bike to lean over?

Cheers

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I didn't notice any difference but that's just me. Some do notice a change , especially the smaller guys. I'm 6'2" and 235 lbs.

Lester532 said:

I guess it depends on the adjuster. I laid mine down. Not because of the tire but because I screwed up. Allstate paid the claim with no questions asked. The Triumph dealer said that they had never had any issues with darksiders with insurance claims.

Click to expand...

Lester: In this - as in all things - you need to know about it before it can make a difference. I've been riding 48 years - I'm a former MSF Rider Coach, I've been a practicing lawyer for 40 years. Many adjusters would never think to ask if you'd installed a car tire - they don't know that such things go on. But many of the lawyers that try these cases - they know - I ASSURE you - they know. You were fortunate, but you can't rely on that.

Thanks, I missed that you mentioned you run the tire at a reduced pressure I realize that would make a difference.

Lester532 said:

I'm nearing the end of my first darkside with #2 sitting in the garage.

I've got almost 28,000 miles on the Riken Raptor it still has life left in it but while it's cold I'll change it out ; the Metzler was showing cord at 5,000 miles.{ $120 for the CT and $300 for the MT , do the math}

The darkside is very smooth riding compared to the motorcycle tire most likely due to the reduced pressure 41 psi in the Metzler vs 31 psi in the Raptor.

Better wet weather handling. Better braking wet or dry.

I can still drag the floor board feeler. (not that I try but it happens)

A guy on a Harley told me a few months ago " I've seen car tires on motorcycles before , but that's the first one that looks like it belongs there.

I've have mine over 125 several times with no high speed wobble.

BTW it's a 2005 standard with a 225/55 ZR16

The downside ?? Well I guess I probably give up a little horsepower.

Click to expand...

"Better braking wet or dry".
just a question where does the improved braking shows noticeable improvement? since according to all experienced professionals riders and racers the front being 80 to 90% carrying the braking load the rear should be really minimal . are you using it as your main stopping brake ?
just curious.. I use 90% front and 10% rear, never slid nor fishtailed only use rear in turn to change line