Just back from Daytona and my back tire is up for a change. I have read about the different car tires vtx owners are using and feel it to be a logical switch for a sidecar rig. I stored my bike without looking at the standard size on the bald dunlop? durr! I think it's a 180/70/15?? My question is does anyone know which size car tire will have the correct height so as to not throw off the geometry of the front and sidecar tires??
Tahnks in advance,
g
15" auto tires are not interchangable with motorcycle rims without safety concerns. Due to the differences in rim seat diameter.
16" auto tires can be used with bike rims since there is only a very slight difference in diameter.
This has been discussed at length in earlier posts.
Lonnie
Are you saying there is a website where VTX owners are discussing use of 15" auto tires on solo bikes? Could you post the link to this site? More info on the ACTUAL use of 15" auto tires would be greatly appreciated. I've heard all the negatives.
NO. They use 16". Check out the forum at www.vtxoa.com Still haven't found an answer to my original question. Anybody?
Thanks,
3wheels
I will be installing a car tire on the back of my Valkyrie rig when the Avon wears out. Many Valk owners have down this in two wheeling with good success. However, the Valk has 16 inch wheels and measurements are similiar to car wheel measurements but with 15 inch wheels all bets are off. The usual no promises, no guarantees, no certifiable truths, blah, blah, apply.
Originally written by 3wheels only on 3/14/2007 12:47 PM
Just back from Daytona and my back tire is up for a change. I have read about the different car tires vtx owners are using and feel it to be a logical switch for a sidecar rig. I stored my bike without looking at the standard size on the bald dunlop? durr! I think it's a 180/70/15?? My question is does anyone know which size car tire will have the correct height so as to not throw off the geometry of the front and sidecar tires?? Tahnks in advance,g
I have the VTX1300 and have the 165 15 Cooper brand rear tire on. Also look on the http://www.californiavtxriders.com/forum/index.php website, they talk about rear car tires as well. Ask a direct question to BigLarry as well, he is quite helpful. Also the Suzuki forum has quite a bit of information and they document all of their modifications for everyone to share, excellent forum for LC1500 owners. They did comparisons on various brands as well, great info site http://www.mambaville.com/forumfaq/TiresWheelsBrakes.htm .Good Luck
How's the car tire ride and handle on the rear? Where did you have your modified motorcycle 15" rim done?
Originally written by akathetroll on 3/15/2007 2:39 PMHow's the car tire ride and handle on the rear? Where did you have your modified motorcycle 15" rim done?
Rim was not modified. I can't compare it prior to the sidecar being installed because the tire was put on at the same time as my sidecar, I have friends that have run them for thousands of miles and love it. For mine, the change was for longevity. They run much longer than a bike tire. It rides great for me. This tire is the latest my friend runs and can be made into a white wall, which I will do next. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Potenza+G+009 , it is tricky finding the right shop to install it. Any more info you need, I'll find out for you if I can.
Isn't that strange that solo bikes are running auto tires on 15" MC rims and most sidecarist avoid it? You gave me the 1500LC/C90 before offline. I'm already a "Dark Sider". I've got 220 miles with a 145R15 on the rear of my rig. I like it. Smoother on the butt and corners better.
Thanks everyone. I talked to a friend on the dog and bone last night who has a similar set-up to mine and has put 5000 miles on his rear car tire. Height of tire is good and he loves it. I ordered the tire this morning and will let you know how it works out.
Just rode 180 miles on the new tire. BF Goodrich G-force 205 55 r16. It feels great, I can't praise it enough. I don't get anywhere near the jarring on my spine that I got from the stock bike tire. All around I feel I made a good decision based on much research. I wouldn't do it on two wheels but that's just my opinion. Everyone has one!
Geoff,
Wait till you see how much better you tire wear will be and you will really be glad you did the change over. With a decent setup you should get a ton of miles out of it.
Check the wear pattern as you run it and it should tell you if any minor adjustments need to be played with.
We just had this discussion on the R3Owners.net. Because of the tire wear associated with a Rocket 3 and the price of a new back tire as well as the fact that there is at present only one manufacturer, a car tire has been discussed quite a bit there. The Rocket Captains have came to the consensus that car tires aren't much good for solo bikes due to their squared off tread which equates to a 'drop over' handling scenario. I'd consider an automotive tire if my bike was continually mated to a sidecar and that would be the only way.
Originally written by SCT100 on 3/18/2007 9:21 PM
We just had this discussion on the R3Owners.net. Because of the tire wear associated with a Rocket 3 and the price of a new back tire as well as the fact that there is at present only one manufacturer, a car tire has been discussed quite a bit there. The Rocket Captains have came to the consensus that car tires aren't much good for solo bikes due to their squared off tread which equates to a 'drop over' handling scenario. I'd consider an automotive tire if my bike was continually mated to a sidecar and that would be the only way.
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Understood. I know some of this discussion has wavered back and forth between solo bike and sidecar rigs. My posts speak of sidecar usage.
Also even though wheel and tire sizing is close enough on all wheels (except 15" as a commonly accepted rule) keep in mind that some wheels for solo usage simply may not be acceptable to withstand the lateral stresses a large car tire may demand of them. This jumped off the page when looking at some of the wide wheels out there today. Some of those choppers for example that are running the 205 and even larger tires on them appear to have little bracing at all for any side forces. Probably not a good example but one has to wonder about where the 'weak link' may be on some conversions.
Just a warning to think things out. We all do things to a solo bike when adding a sidecar that most bikes were not designed for. To create a safe rig some judgement is necessary.
OK. So my new back tire is working sweet, I have a fairly new front tire looking good but I am still getting a flat spot developing across my hack tire. I have tried changing air pressures etc. but I don't think that's the problem. I can ride my rig down the road with one hand and it tracks straight, no pulling and no shaking. I don't know anyone in central Florida who has the black magic needed to setup or make adjustments. Anyone know anybody with those skills in Florida?
