[DrRadar]

just installed my 2nd Hankook Venus V4 ES 195/55 VR-16. i purchased it, again, from tirerack for $89.00 ($103.00 to my door). the last one netted me 20,000 miles running at 39 psi. this tire, for me, is perfect for the CC and the way i ride. matter of fact, i am goung to have to replace my running boards pretty soon and the D&Ds will have a hole ground through them shortly. love this tire.

the run flat Kumho i first installed, lasted just 10,000 miles: i wore the center out of it. being that it was a run flat, the side walls are really stiff. to get it to handled the way i liked, i played with the tire pressure until i settled on 44 psi. it handled good, but it didn't last long. i decided against mounting another run flat again. the second tire, i think it was a Bridgestone, ran best at 41 psi. again, i wore the center out at about 10,000 miles. did not like that tire, never felt right, especially in the rain. then i ordered the Hankook, viola. my CC will only ride on that tire from now on.

Try the Yokohama Avid Envigor.
I run the Avid Touring S in 15" on my VTX and love it. The Yoko seems to have the perfect profile for heavy cruiser/touring going darkside.

 

[gregbenner]

I had a CT on my Gold wing, ride the twisters a bunch. By far the limiting factor was ground clearance. By far. I would suspect the same with a XC. I could see a limitation on a sport bike, dragging your knee in a turn, but not on these bikes. Just not enough possible lean angle.

 

[98741]

From what I unhderstand and I hope no one drops their bike if it has a Tire not intended for that motorcycle you are not covered by your insurance.

 

[foambuilder]

From what I unhderstand and I hope no one drops their bike if it has a Tire not intended for that motorcycle you are not covered by your insurance.

BS

 

[Monkeyman]

From what I unhderstand and I hope no one drops their bike if it has a Tire not intended for that motorcycle you are not covered by your insurance.

Both Progressive and Geico do. I can't speak for any of the rest of them.

 

[98741]

I am not sure I made my point clear, Save yourself some headache get it on your policy. If they do cover it than it souldn't be a problem getting it on your policy in writing.When its time to pay up things may be different.

 

[98741]

BS

You dont know its BS untill there is enough data and historical claims to prove otherwise. Untill them its an opinion only.

 

[Redmule]

Here is a stupid question, why can't manufactures make bike tires last 25,000 miles at least?? Seems they have the technology for cars no problem or is just because we dumb bikers are willing to pay for tires every 10,000 miles?

 

[capsyeehaa3]

Simple...the functional burden between a car tire and the motorcycles is like comparing apples to oranges.

But the closest thing in comparison would be when you shop for a car tire for a sports car with HP and great hangling capabilities. This is when you will find that that car calls for a specific tire, one with a far greater traction rating, (friction co-efficient).

To achieve this the tires rubber compoud is much softer which translates to a stickier tire that grips better under higher horse power and G - forces.

Where as a regular everyday car can use a 90 thousand mile warrantee tire that has a much harder rubber compound because that car doesn't have the performance ability that makes those specs neccesary.

The everyday car tire, (like you see use by the "darkside"), just has to supports the everyday car at all four corners and isn't asked to much more than that....other than the fancy tread patterns cut into them for different weather conditions.

The significance of this to a motorcycle?........The motorcycles needs, when it comes to tires, mimics the needs of a performance cars because of how a motorcycles "works"......it "has" to lean when negotiating a turn or curve, where the "stickyness" of it's tires is of paramount importance, even more so at high speed.

Other factors involve power to weight ratio, the particular bikes braking ability and suspension characteristics, (stiffer on sports bikes = softer compounds).

So, to conclude, motorcycle tires are "all" softer than your average car tires......"BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO BE" for all around use and safety.......and that's why they just don't get the kind of mileage you see out of car tires, (dividing the work load 4 ways).

Be safe
Cap

 

[capsyeehaa3]

I forgot to mention, with dual compound technologies being used, tested and further engineered, the future's looking brighter for higher mileage motorcycle tires, (harder compound in the middle for longer flat riding mileage, softer compound on the sides for that added grip in curves and twisty's), that's what I'm waiting for.

Note; Many tire companies already have them out. I just don't think for heavy bikes like ours yet......I could be wrong.

Cap

 

[wingit3611]

The problem with that technology is when the side wear down you are riding on a very thin front tire, I think my E3 was about 1" wide. That is twichy steering. I don't take cornor fast but I guess even big curves at 70 mph wear the out sides of these tires. I have a Mitchelin on now with that same hard center & soft sides, doing the same thing. The hard center on it is about 1.25". 10K and its getting twichy. Going to go to the BT-45 next.

 

[atxvision]

I have a question, this will be my first car tire on my victory vision o9.i have a hitch so the biggest tire i can run is a 185/55/16. They have stopped making the Bridgestone grid 019.any suggestions on a tire would be great.tire rack only shows like 3 tires in that size.just dont know what to look for.first time for a ct

 

[piss_pot]

.first time for a ct

hey man, that size really sucks. it is the size for a 2010 honda fit sport. you should always run a symetrical tread pattern and the three at tirerack wouldn't work. i did find these at discount; i prefer an ultra hi-performance tire (Z or W speed rating) and this one is only an H rated. the tread pattern is perfect.

better
BridgestonePotenza G019 Grid
$106.00 each

hope this helps.

 

[jellybean764]

I do everything I can to try and keep from getting in an accident so I am going to stick with motorcycle tires,I don't care what they cost.I don't want my bike sliding out on a corner.They are built the way they are for a reason.

 

[Barbarossa]

One of the reasons bikes quit running square tires is this thing that happens in heavy rain called hydroplaning. But from reading these posts, Maybe tire technology has come far enough to over come that.

 

[Half_Crazy]

What do you want from a tire?

A ___Long life
B ___Maximum tractionandbesthandling
C ___ A good compromise betweenA and B

The OEM tires that come on motorcycles are "C". They won't have the longest life, nor will the have the best handling. Tires that stick don't last and tires that last don't stick. Welcome to real life.

Using a car tire on your motorcycle is a whole other set of compromises.If it works for you, great.

I use tires that PERFORM. If I have to change them every 8000 miles, so be it.I don't like compromises....

 

[Rollin]

Everyone has to make their own decisions.

My decision to use a "car tire" again was based on using a Dunlop Winter Sport run flat for the past 17,000 miles.
That riding included interstate, two lane mountain roads, 100's of miles of gravel, mud and 100's and 100's of miles in the rain.

Based on the results of the past 17,000 miles my next rear tire is going to be another Dunlop Winter Sport.
The Winter Sport has the best wet weather traction I have ever had.
I use a 195/55R16 and run 38 psi.

The cost of the tire has nothing to do with my decision.

 

[Half_Crazy]

My decision to use a "car tire" again was based on using a Dunlop Winter Sport run flat for the past 17,000 miles.
That riding included interstate, two lane mountain roads, 100's of miles of gravel, mud and 100's and 100's of miles in the rain.

For whatyou do on a bike, the length of trips you take, and the remote areas you go tothe car tire makes perfect sense.

For what I do theBridgestone 'ZR-W' radials make perfect sense.

Like you said, everyone has to make their own decisions/choose their compromises.

 

[atxvision]

hey man, that size really sucks. it is the size for a 2010 honda fit sport. you should always run a symetrical tread pattern and the three at tirerack wouldn't work. i did find these at discount; i prefer an ultra hi-performance tire (Z or W speed rating) and this one is only an H rated. the tread pattern is perfect.

better
BridgestonePotenza G019 Grid
$106.00 each

hope this helps.

Thx for the help. Thats the exact tire i wanted, but its not made anymore and i was needing an alternative

 

[foambuilder]

I didn't think a trailer hitch would make you get a smaller tire. I do not have a hitch, so I can't say. If you need a smaller tire, I would bet that the stock E3 is rubbing somewhere.

However, a Michelin Primacy Alpin PA3 RF (Runflat) in 195/55-16 is the same overall diameter of the stock E3. Even the overall width is the same. I have one and am very pleased with the long distance stuff I do. (2011 XC) I feel much better in the gobs of rain I have ridden in - similar to what Rollin does, but much less.

YMMV