To do, or not to do? That is the question.

[CanberraR3]

Good on ya Tomcat...bless Hellfire.

Why did he love car tyres so much?

You can read his comments on the thread "HellFire's going darkside". A major point of his was that the Rocket - more than any other bike - is made for car tyre.

 

[Ogremeister]

Texas 2010 on Vimeo

This video starts out watching a supercharged Rocket with a car tire from a tail camera.

Sorry the road was a bit rough for the way the camera was mounted.

You can see the rider, Ty...aka...RiderRocketman shifting his weight to minimize excessive leaning and scraping.

The R3 will handle with more "flickability" with a motorcycle tire but a car tire will not limit the amount that you can lean over.

With a bike tire it is a smoother transition. If you watch closely, in the video, you will see the change from being on flat part to being on edge.

It really comes down to personal preference...there are pros & cons both ways.

For me, the best Rocket Roadster rear tire is a motorcycle tire...Bridgestone Excedra Max
240/55 R16

 

[cj jeeper]

I was reluctant at first also. There is a slight difference in handling, more counter steer, but after a 50 miles I didn't notice it any more. Now I can't tell the difference.
I have 18k on my Rinken Raptor and yesterday I hit the twisties HARD I actually scraped the exhaust heatshield and the frame ( the part that holds the footpegs)
it couldn't possibly go any further over and the DS tire never slipped. This was about 60 mph on 20 mph curves.
Will post pics later.
Hope this is the info you wanted.

Good info, so no mods necessary installing the Riken 225/55/r16 right?

 

[HansO]

Good info, so no mods necessary installing the Riken 225/55/r16 right?

none at all except get ready to grin a lot and go over further than you can on a MC tyre I actully went off the edge on a Metzler which of course caused a puckering moment as the rear started to slide, luckilly I was able to save it, but it was gently gently after that till I went DS and have not looked back and have since done the same as NM Rocket and scraped the rail and lower part of heat shield with absolutly no slipage I am on my second DS ( Federal 595, 245/50/16) the first was a Toyo Proxes T1R (245/55/16) which while never slipped would go on to the sidewall at extreme angles (softer sidewalls) this is the only tyre that has been mentioned in all the DS threads that I have read doing this and Iwill stick to the federal as it is fanastic.

 

[ewswartze]

Good info, so no mods necessary installing the Riken 225/55/r16 right?

I am currently running the Riken 225/55/16 with no mods so there would be no mods with the 225, just be prepared as the bead is tight to say the least.

 

[cj jeeper]

You're the first I've seen running 245, how is that working for you?

 

[ewswartze]

whoa!!!! that is a typo--- I am running a 225/55/16. I mistyped that in the first part of that thread. Thanks for pointing that out as I would regret if someone went with a 245 and had an issue. 245 may work but I have no personal experience with it. I will edit the earlier post.

 

[cj jeeper]

Thanks, so no mudguard rubbing with the slightly taller than stock tire?
Any experience the the taller tire 2 up?

 

[ewswartze]

I have stock shocks and have had no issues with the Riken Raptor 225-55-16. When 2 up with significant luggage I would be in the 400# total weight range and no rubbing or any difficulty. If it is going to be a long haul I usually add 3-4 psi to the rear tire. one up I like the performance of 30 psi and I personally am 6'1" 220#. PSI is an important factor and you will have to experiment with it to discover your personal favorite ie....like a sleep number bed.

 

[cj jeeper]

Sounds good.
I found a little shop willing to mount the tire.
He wants me to use Dynabeads for balancing, guess he doesn't think he can do it.