Originally written by SidecarMike on 2/25/2009 8:41 PM
Originally written by j_vger on 2/24/2009 6:04 AM
Anyone have any experience riding your bike with a car tire on the rear? I currently have a car tire on the rear of my rig and was thinking about riding 2 wheels once and a while. Just wondered if anyone has tried it.
I'm sure it will depend on your bike and riding style. I rode a Honda Valkyrie nearly 6000 miles on a car tire before I mounted the sidecar. The first thing I noticed was that it actually cornered better than with the Dunlop it originally had. The only time I noticed any problem was on early morning frost on the road. There, the motorcycle tire seemed to grip better. In gravel, loose sand, rain grooves, wet roads, and bridges I much prefer the car tire.
Look at the track of a modern car tire. They no longer have sharp square edges like they did in the 60's. Neither do they have the hard thick sidewalls that do not flex. Today's car tires work just fine. If I could find one narrow enough for my Guzzi I'd have one now.
I think Mike nailed it in this post. (Not uncommon for him)
Still we shoudl warn everyone that runing a solo with a car tire, any car tire, is stilll a venture into the 'darkside' meaning that you are on your own as far as the finalk sucess of such a thing goes.
Many will make a huge thing of it about the tires having flat treads. Some even make a huge issue in writing about how it isn't good to run a bike as a solo after it has been run for a while with a sidecar hooked onto it.Why? Running a bike with a sidecar tends to flatten the center of the motorcycle tire through wear. Is it a big deal? No unless you are a knee dragger type or ride with a lot of agression in the twisties. Heck, take a look at the wear patterns on large touring solo bikes at a rally sometime. Most are worn in the center due to droning along on the superslab for miles on end. In other words the wear pattern is similar to that which is produced with a sidecar attached.
So it goes. In the sidecar world we all are moving outside the boix so to speak.As long as we do so and recognise the good and bad points presented through the experience of others...AND...are willing to assume the responsibility for our own actions all will be well.
In the sidecar world we all are moving outside the boix so to speak.As long as we do so and recognise the good and bad points presented through the experience of others...AND...are willing to assume the responsibility for our own actions all will be well.
Succinctly stated.
Well I gave it shot tonight.. It was 70 and sunny and I couldn't resist.. Worked fine.. I think I'll have more of a time remember to lean as apposed to steer for a while.. but all and all an enjoyable ride..
Thanks
Originally written by j_vger on 3/5/2009 9:06 PM
Well I gave it shot tonight.. It was 70 and sunny and I couldn't resist.. Worked fine.. I think I'll have more of a time remember to lean as apposed to steer for a while.. but all and all an enjoyable ride..
Thanks
Good for you. Nothing better than just actually giving it a shot! Good to hear you were able to convert to 2x wheels.
There is a posting on the Burgman USA site about a guy who is running a car tire on his Burgman 650 scooter. Rode from North Carolina to Alaska and back on it with no problems. Between the rants and raves, there are some good first hand experience reports in the thread. http://burgmanusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=35416&p=328822&hilit=alaska+car+tire#p328822
Originally written by Hack'n on 2/25/2009 7:26 PM
4) Vintage Triumph riders after the sun goes down. (Applies to other vintage Brit bike riders also)
Norton included. Good old Lucas electrics (and Amal self disassembling carbs).Lonnie
I was told once the reason they drink warm beer in Britian is because they have Lucas refridgerators. 🙂
