Windburn Bill

Hi gang. Well 10 months and 10K miles have passed since my last new rear tire and once again it's time to spend $175+ and go through the tire changing ordeal. I tried the 'new and improved' Execedra Max last time. It didn't last any longer than the OEM Excedra.
I've had it. I'm tired of having to buy a new rear every season ( or less). I'm going darkside.
I spent a good part of last week reading everything I can find out about it and have exchanged several e-mails with long time darksiders. There are a lot of them. I've found two DS forums, one with almost 8000 members and several who have been using car tires for decades. In all my research I haven't come across one single report of a cruiser going down due to a C/T failure or the tire losing traction. Not one! I'm convinced it's safe for cruisers. I wouldn't put a car tire on a sport bike but all reports are no problem for a slab barge like my Vulcan 1600.
I've got it narrowed down to a Bridgestone Turanza or Hankook Optimo H426, both 195/60-16. Dimensionally the 195/60-16 is almost the same size as my OEM 170/70-16...just a tad bit wider on the side.
C/T = half the price, twice the mileage...and they look COOL!
I'll be joining th DS fraternity this month. I'll post some pictures.

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'05 Vulcan 1600 Classic
'03 Volusia ( '07 to '10)

Mr. Efficiency

If I rode a rolling boat anchor and didn't turn it, I'd consider it.


Anyway, I have Hankooks on my Volkswagen and twice, by two different VW service people, was told I don't need to buy winter wheels because the Hankooks are good and are you ready.... American Made!

So I'm stickin with them.. for the car

__________________

"faster, faster.... Until the thrill of speed overwhelms the fear of death.
Man of Mystery... Get it, real funny...
Mr. E., Genius
No No No... Mr. E, Super Genius

Bowtie

agreed. I don't care if car tires last 100,000 miles on a bike, just not a great idea.

__________________
"The first time it's an accident, the second time it's happenstance, the third time, it's enemy action!"

Mr. Efficiency

By the way, both guys apparently lied, they are not American made.

__________________

"faster, faster.... Until the thrill of speed overwhelms the fear of death.
Man of Mystery... Get it, real funny...
Mr. E., Genius
No No No... Mr. E, Super Genius

danimal

If I did nothing but ride the interstate, I'd consider it. Since I don't, I'll chalk up new shoes every 10k as part of the cost of riding a bike.

Bowtie

Big +1. Wouldn't be much fun on some of the roads we've ridden on. I don't even know I'd want em if all I did was ride the interstate.

And my back tire is almost 400 for the tire and install! (I will be looking aftermarket when ready, but not car tire)

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"The first time it's an accident, the second time it's happenstance, the third time, it's enemy action!"

472viper

Good luck Bill, I don't think you'll be dissapointed. The thing people need to remember is you know how you ride and they don't.

Tire size on a 1600 Vulcan is a real odd duck and I think you are limited to about two manufacturers to choose from, and unfortunatly they both suck.

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2006 M50/C50/109fender/ SE 50 wheels and HD bags
2007 1600 Kawasaki Classic*SOLD*
2008 FLHX Street Glide 105th Anniversary #1387
USAF 1973-1977
SoDak ANG 1977-2010

Run my fingers across the bars of his cage and make the little monkey dance

Windburn Bill

You nailed it. It depends entirely on an individuals riding style and the type of bike. Going DS is not for everybody. If you are a purist the thought of doing this is as shocking as the idea of selling your children into slavery. Those of us who are willing to push the envelope and do the research know it's a proven concept.
There are three C/T's by major manufactures available for my bike that are upper quality tires so I do have some selection. Michelin, Bridgestone and Hancook.

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'05 Vulcan 1600 Classic
'03 Volusia ( '07 to '10)

Jendesigner

I belong to two sites, this one and the Nomad site (VBA). Here it is always debated about the car tire on the back of the bike but on the VBA site it is a norm. Like all things different bikes, different norms.

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Jen / "All leather, no lace"
2000 Nomad 1500 | 2003 Volusia

Bike Pics: http://www.volusiariders.com/members...ndesigner.html

Bowtie

Yup.

I don't know how you ride, but I know how I ride.

If I rode a bike in the same fashion folks drive a minivan, a car tire is fine, but that takes all the fun out of it.

Did you really think you could post something like that here, and not get opinions?

You haven't been paying attention!

__________________
"The first time it's an accident, the second time it's happenstance, the third time, it's enemy action!"