Alternative Tire Sizes

[Stick]

My bike has toasted many Metz Marathons with it's tune of 163 lb/ft of torque. Getting maybe 5,000 miles on the rear gets costly when you ride about 2,000 miles / month.
Has anyone tried a Metz 200 (will it fit) or car tires with any success? Thanx

[xhdskip]

Stick,
Most of us that have a car tire on ride a 225x55x15.
My tire of choice for sure.
My wifes rocket has a 225x50x16 because shes shorter.
she can't flat foot on mine, but can on hers.
We both have Riken Raptors on.
I like em for alot of reasons.
Better mileage,
lower cost,
better on wet surfaces.
try it, you might like it.
It takes a little getting use to,
(extra counter steer effort)
but worth it IMHO.

[rocket31998]

Originally Posted by Stick

My bike has toasted many Metz Marathons with it's tune of 163 lb/ft of torque. Getting maybe 5,000 miles on the rear gets costly when you ride about 2,000 miles / month.
Has anyone tried a Metz 200 (will it fit) or car tires with any success? Thanx

I notice that you have a Tourer. There aren't many that have tried a car tire with the Tourer, only a handful. I am going with a Bridgestone Potenza 205/60/16. I can get you model if you are interested. With all the snow here, I will probably have to trailer it home, so I may not get to try it on the road for a while. My road is still snow covered and they are predicting more for Tuesday into Wednesday. Others have run the Goodyear Triple Tread with success.

[STRIPES]

Weather cleared enough to ride my new Falcon 235/55/16 around the block. I can feel it is taller. Not sure if I'm going to like it.

[rocket31998]

Originally Posted by STRIPES

Weather cleared enough to ride my new Falcon 235/55/16 around the block. I can feel it is taller. Not sure if I'm going to like it.

I'm hoping the Car Tire doesn't have the same impact on the Tourer. I don't think it will as I'm going from a 180/70/16 to a 205/60/16. According to my calculations, the circumference is about an inch smalled on the CT. Now that I went with the Russell Seat, I can't afford to get much further from the ground with my 30 inch inseam!

[HeR3tic]

A CT will have an affect that you will "get use to" or not.
Why go to a car tire, better mileage or better handling?

[dandiego]

I mentioned to the dealer this weekend that I may be heading the way of the DarkSide. Though he agreed to install the tire for me, he (and the entire gang) cautioned me (strongly) against it.

"Foolish, very foolish." And that was the nicest comment I received.

I guess it boils down to this: The dealer has consistently warned against anything not spelled out in the owners manual. Break-in procedures, GiPro, non-Triumph parts, etc.

I understand that one of the guys in the shop tried out a customer's bike (with a CT installed) and crashed. Yup, that would scare me away from it, too. The guy said the handling was entirely different from a Metz. Yes, that's true.

I'm still planning to drop a CT on my R3T soon. I'll keep the Metz handy...just in case.

[rocket31998]

Originally Posted by dandiego

I mentioned to the dealer this weekend that I may be heading the way of the DarkSide. Though he agreed to install the tire for me, he (and the entire gang) cautioned me (strongly) against it.

"Foolish, very foolish." And that was the nicest comment I received.

I guess it boils down to this: The dealer has consistently warned against anything not spelled out in the owners manual. Break-in procedures, GiPro, non-Triumph parts, etc.

I understand that one of the guys in the shop tried out a customer's bike (with a CT installed) and crashed. Yup, that would scare me away from it, too. The guy said the handling was entirely different from a Metz. Yes, that's true.

I'm still planning to drop a CT on my R3T soon. I'll keep the Metz handy...just in case.

I went through a similar experience when I dropped the R3T and the CT off to be installed. Everyone in the shop just shakes their head and tells you about their bad test-riding experience that last time they installed one. The only hopeful sign was when I told the guy I used to ride a Rocket III Classic with the wide rear tire, he said, "Oh yeah they suck too!" I just smiled and walked away knowing the guy didn't have a clue!

[TriumPhil]

If one goes to the Darkside, having never experienced the way different "feel" of a CT on the rear of your motorcycle, one must be prepared for immediate buyer's remorse (as in, "Oh my God, what have I done?) due to the completely alien sensations which, initially, will overwhelm one and ultimately, for most, will also come to feel absolutely normal within 25 to 500 miles of "adjustment" riding. Should you be unable to make the necessary accomodations, it would be best for one's own safety and peace of mind to revert back to using MTs on the rear.

[TriumPhil]

Originally Posted by xhdskip

Stick,
Most of us that have a car tire on ride a 225x55x15...
...It takes a little getting use to,
(extra counter steer effort)
but worth it IMHO.

Skip, I'm pretty certain you meant to type 225/55 16, right?