In as much as I too have a Rocket 3 (I believe you are on my other forum that I frequent as Sidecar Flip) and my Bonnie/Spyder, I have to wonder why you don't just have a regular tire shop (like Sears) mount a tire for you, especially when you can get the ME880 for around 175 bucks and pay 20 for a mount, and spin balance.
Unless you attach a full time tub to the R3, I'd advise against the car tire. The rounded profile of the Metz allows the bike to be leaned over easily while the car tire would ride up on the tread edge and drop over very unsettlingly.
I've not seen any R3's with tubs that appeal to me. It's a unique looking bike that is hard to compliment with any chair and of course with the engine being a stressed member of the frame, it presents a few challanges like a complete lower subframe to 4 point mount a tub.
Hi Flip, Good to hear from another R3 owner. I met a fellow in Corsicana, Texas which had mounted a car tire, (don't know which one), on his Rocket III and claimed the only difference was grooves, and uneven pavement. He said it cornered ok. I met him on the road, and got his phone number. When the time comes, I'll try the type/size he used.
As to the looks, I've always believed the R3 was NOT a very good looking bike, solo or other wise. But, you bring up a valid point about how to mount the unit. As I stated in a previous post, I'm only toying with the idea of a side car.
Has anyone on this site ever mounted a sidecar to a Rocket III?
On the GL1800riders forum there is a complete message board re: car tires. I have read most of them. There are a number of riders who use car tires on a 2 wheel bike. They generally swear by them.
There are also a large number of naysayers, some very vehement. However, nearly all that are against it seem based on intuition, not any real experience. Comments like "moto GP bikes dont use them" , "the bike won't turn" etc.
I am making no conclusions re: 2 wheel service, just found it interesting. I am pitting a Ct on my new rig,a Hannigan GTL on a new Wing. The Wing uses a 16" wheel, which apparantly makes this easier than with other sizes.
greg
Anyone have recommendations for 17" auto tires? I've got an '02 BMW R1150R (stock wheels) with a Motorvation Roadster chair. It's ready for new tires front and rear. TIA.
Cheers!
Steve
darron:
I must have been mistaken assuming that you were on the R3Owners.net forum. If you were, you'd know that we have a few pictures of sidecars mounted to R3's over there. I have the dubious honor over there as the sidecar guru and, it's dubious to be sure.
I don't believe that any poster here has an R3 excepting myself and now you. I know that the President of the USCA, the honorable Ms. Canfield is lusting over an R3 especially when I told her that every time you ride it, it puts a big grin on your face. It's the first bike I've ever owned (and I have had quite a few over the years), that actually needs less gears in the gearbox. 5 is too many. 3 would be fine. Low, middle and high. I spend most of my time in 4th, even 2 up in hilly country.......life is good.
Another R3 owner here ('05 in silver) - no plans for a chair with it though. Next time I need a rear tire I'm thinking of going to the Dark Side since it seems to work for others. Right now I'm looking for auto tires to fit the 17" wheels on my R1150R rig.
Cheers!
Steve
'86 K75
'99 R1100S
'02 R1150R w/ Motorvation Roadster
'05 Rocket 3
'05 Thruxton
jiffyheart:
I'm not into plugging forums, especially since i'm a USCA State Rep., but for the R3, give www.R3Owners.net a try. Nice group of guys there and plenty of information on getting more power from your bike (if that's what you are into, I'm not). The head moderator is also the mod on the Rocket Science Forum on Rat.Net.
I see you have a Thrux too. Need some hex float bowl screws? I made 15 sets for AHRMA last year and they are sitting on my bench.
I too would have a hard time with a tub on an R3. It's quite capable of hauling any sidecar of any size, but it's a cruiser that corners. I've ground on my hero blobs more than once and I'm an old fart.
Hello all I have been running a car tire on my 2005 rocket 3 for 2 years now. Its a riken raptor 225/50/15 and it is the smoothestbest handling tire I have found for this machine. previously I ran thru a new tire [rear]@7000 miles some 2 times a year this car tire has been on for 2 years and I have at least 2 left. I recently put a 165/80/15 on a suzuki 1986 cavalcade I matched my side car with the same tire in a 155/80/13. it rides and handles great.tires are kumho power star both tires were under 65.00for BOTH. tires.try it you wont look back
