Finally did it!!

That General looks good. 38 may been fine for two up riding and loaded down. But everyday it will be too high. I started out with high pressure and left it there to long. The center of my tire was wearing out fast and was still losing traction in first gear at times. For my size and bike (STD) I keep it at 31 or so and it is fine. Just put a new Toyo on started out at 32 for now.

kcc11 said:

That General looks good. 38 may been fine for two up riding and loaded down. But everyday it will be too high. I started out with high pressure and left it there to long. The center of my tire was wearing out fast and was still losing traction in first gear at times. For my size and bike (STD) I keep it at 31 or so and it is fine. Just put a new Toyo on started out at 32 for now.

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Just a heads up on the Toyo, if it is the Proxes 1R 245/55/16 it does have softer sidewalls than most I weigh about 240lb and found that when I ran it at less than 33psi and cranked it over in the corners I have since switched to a Federal 595 245/50/16 (which is fine at 28psi) and have not touched the sidewalls once and am still going over just as far in fact you will find that most people that have different brands will say the same. It seems to only be the Toyos that do but saying that I loved the grip of the Toyo and even when on the sidewall (not you feel it) there was never any loss of grip, also it didn't do it al the time only after it got a bit of heat in it from a bit of spirited riding in the Twisty mtn passes on the Clyde Mtn just near here enjoy and ignore the Nahsayers

Looking on a Goldwing forum, some guys ran a Kuhmo Runflat tire. They said the Runflats gave better sidewall stiffness. 32lbs in the rear and road great. I like the idea of a run flat tire on this beast. Why can't M/T be run flats? Heat?

hanso said:

Just a heads up on the Toyo, if it is the Proxes 1R 245/55/16 it does have softer sidewalls than most I weigh about 240lb and found that when I ran it at less than 33psi and cranked it over in the corners I have since switched to a Federal 595 245/50/16 (which is fine at 28psi) and have not touched the sidewalls once and am still going over just as far in fact you will find that most people that have different brands will say the same. It seems to only be the Toyos that do but saying that I loved the grip of the Toyo and even when on the sidewall (not you feel it) there was never any loss of grip, also it didn't do it al the time only after it got a bit of heat in it from a bit of spirited riding in the Twisty mtn passes on the Clyde Mtn just near here enjoy and ignore the Nahsayers

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I ran the Proxes T1R in the stock 225/55 16 size for about 7K miles and had the sidewall wear issue, too, so I don't believe that either the tire or rider size has much to do with this tire's deficiencies vis-a-vis using it on a motorcycle... it's all in this tire's design and materials, IMO. Although I am no longer a fan or proponent of Darksiding and despite the Toyo's having phenomenal grip and an enviable tread pattern, it seems that it is one of the worst square tire choices for aggressive riders or those who frequent the twisties! On average, the T1R appears to be in the "extremely dangerous" category by the time one has 12-16K miles on it and its sidewall.

What refreshingly objective posts in this thread. Pats on the back all round.

slidderhd said:

Looking on a Goldwing forum, some guys ran a Kuhmo Runflat tire. They said the Runflats gave better sidewall stiffness. 32lbs in the rear and road great. I like the idea of a run flat tire on this beast. Why can't M/T be run flats? Heat?

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NOW there is an idea!!!! I don't want to sound like a complete hypocrite given I remain of the belief that a bike tyre is for a bike, but as semi opposed as I am to dark side conversions I have to admit, a runflat correctly rated tyre on one of our beasts is not completely silly!
That was scary, just as I typed that my lights started flicking!!! Hmm,

anyway, I reckon anyone going over to the darkside could do quite well by.

slidderhd....your question..why can't MT be run flat...my only logical rationale is that whilst driving on a semi deflated tyre is ok in a car at limited speed, any loss of pressure on a Motorbike is completely unsafe. The concept of a CT running without air pressure and relying on side wall density to protect the rim is ok when you are driving slow and have 3 other wheel to rely upon. the sort of lateral movement on a bike would kill you. So unless you have a solid tyre as a run flat on a MT can't work. That said having the extra wall strength and structuring CT on our bike (if you were going dark side anyway, then id say run flats are the way to go BUT don't even think about riding at normal speed if you lose pressure).

I run a Riken 205-60-16. I had it on the soft side and saw sidewall action. I like to run the front and back pretty close so since I have gone up on pressure have not had the rubbing although the Kid would have to verify that.

I'm joining the darkside also, just ordered a unyroyal tiger paw gtzx 245/50 16. Pull my back tire off today.

RB,

I am a hard core dark-sider. But, FYI, a 245 is rather extreme from my experience. I went down in size to a 235 the last tire change. You will have about a credit card thickness of space between the swing arm and tire. More or less depending on the brand.

Most importantly, the 245 gives considerable more counter steer. It may take you longer to get accustomed. I noticed a marked difference (improvement) in the 235 over the 245.

Also, the tread does not look to be symmetric on both sides, which may not work too well. You may get pulling to one side or another