Wanting to test the waters of the darkside.

[Rich Brewer]

So I have been looking at some posts and checking out tire sizes. What would be my perimeters for an '06 Rocket III? is the original 240/50 r16 on it right now but its looking a little light on miles. I was hoping for some sort of street performance tire.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tire...55HR6H2O&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

Something like this? Let me know, I want to come to the Darkside.

 

[CanberraR3]

Sounds exactly like what you need for a motorcycle: a car tyre that's not even intended to be used on public roads even on a car. Great choice! You'll fit in well.

" The prohibited use of Hoosier Racing Tires on public roadways may result in loss of traction, unexpected loss of vehicle control, or sudden loss of tire pressure, resulting in a vehicle crash and possible injury or death.
And like all Wet Racetrack & Autocross Only tires, Radial Wet H2O radials are not intended to be driven in near-freezing temperatures, through snow or on ice. It’s also essential these tires be stored indoors at temperatures maintained above 32 degrees F."

 

[Rich Brewer]

Sounds exactly like what you need for a motorcycle: a car tyre that's not even intended to be used on public roads even on a car. Great choice! You'll fit in well.

" The prohibited use of Hoosier Racing Tires on public roadways may result in loss of traction, unexpected loss of vehicle control, or sudden loss of tire pressure, resulting in a vehicle crash and possible injury or death.
And like all Wet Racetrack & Autocross Only tires, Radial Wet H2O radials are not intended to be driven in near-freezing temperatures, through snow or on ice. It’s also essential these tires be stored indoors at temperatures maintained above 32 degrees F."

Is that the right size though? What dimensions would be to big and to small?

 

[HansO]

No Rich it is to wide and not suitable, also Richard is right about that particular tyre, if looking to go dark you need to go for a "Hi- Performance Street Car" tyre in size around the 245/50/16, 245/55/16 or 235/50 - 60/16 or 225/60/16 range.
245 is the max width you will fit between the swing arm, a lot of guys over in the States actually prefer the 225/60/16 size, I actually like and have run the Federal 595 245/50/16 as a great DS tyre and now I have a second rear rim will get one again for touring while towing my camper trailer.
hope that helps you

 

[Rich Brewer]

No Rich it is to wide and not suitable, also Richard is right about that particular tyre, if looking to go dark you need to go for a "Hi- Performance Street Car" tyre in size around the 245/50/16, 245/55/16 or 235/50 - 60/16 or 225/60/16 range.
245 is the max width you will fit between the swing arm, a lot of guys over in the States actually prefer the 225/60/16 size, I actually like and have run the Federal 595 245/50/16 as a great DS tyre and now I have a second rear rim will get one again for touring while towing my camper trailer.
hope that helps you

What about ultra high performace?

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Firestone&tireModel=Firehawk Wide Oval Indy 500&partnum=45WR6FHWI5&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

and thank you.

 

[Wrecka]

Sorry to jump in here but if your like me and not into going fast around the twisties would a car tyre be ok for everyday use ?

 

[HansO]

that would be a better choice but not having actually used that one I can only say try one be cautious at first till you get used to it, and a bit of advice and also to answer Wrecka's question there are somethings you need to know
a) start the tyre pressure at about 28 - 30psi and adjust to suit your weight, to give the tyre enough give without wallowing, there are many threads in the past about this so do some reading
b) you will notice at lower speeds over rough ground, ruts hollows in the roads etc will cause the tyre to track or to use another word follow them, this is easy to correct as soon as you know to expect it
c) you will need to use a bit of countersteer to initiate turns but once on line it will stay on line just fine
In fact for the first few miles you will wonder why you did it, some take a little longer then others but most DS'ers will tell you they love it I have found they are just great in all weather conditions and offer good grip even when cranked over
This is of course is My Opinion only and others will state thiers but I never felt unsafe in the 40,000+ km's I have used them infact felt safer than I did on a Metz

 

[Rich Brewer]

I guess I should ask, what tire would you recommend to a first time Darksider?

Ive heard of people putting car tires on bikes but never gave it a second thought until 2 weeks ago when I bought my R3. Sorry for all the questions but I want to know as much as I can before fully committing.

 

[HansO]

over there you have different tyres to chose from I suggest you contact some of your fellow American's but two of the more popular choices would be the Riken Raptor or the BF Goodrich G-Force T/A KDW 2, I know that @nolton loves the Goodrich and there have been a couple of others as well the Riken has a lot of followers as well, It is a shame that neither tyre is available here in Auss there is one tyre I would avoid tho and that is the is the Toyo Proxes T1R 245/55/16 as it has a side wall that is to soft and it will run on to the sidewall (even tho it never slipped) and to solve that you have to bump up the pressure but then it doesnt handle as well, I might add I have not heard of any other DS going on to the sidewall, for any interested Aussies reading this the Federal 595 I mentioned before is my choice of Aussie available DS tyres

 

[ROCKETHEAD]

I had to go with one since I was stuck in the middle of nowhere... not my first on a bike. Ran Goodyear triple threads on my wings.

Only choice I had for the R3R was cooper cs4 in 225 55 16 and I have over a 1000 miles on it and it is working out great. Corrected speedo plus 1 mph over. Wet or dry weather taking turns at same or higher speed than Mc tire without any disruption or wheel spin.