What tyres are you running?

[ksquared]

Avon cobra front and a Riken Raptor 225/55 rear. Very happy with the combo.

It appears he has an R3T - are you sure all these CT's will fit a Touring model?

 

[cktire]

Die!!!!

BUT....BUT....BUT....YOU'LL DIE

Oh Pete....
I hope I didn't sound that extreme. I have nothing against anyone running car tires. The thread asked for opinions....
I simlpe stated my opinion.
Carl

 

[RocketDaryl]

I didn't have my R3T long enough to go through many tires, but I had 5800 miles on the OEM Bridgestones before they were taken off for the recall. I never "dogged" my bike. I would've easily got 12K miles out them. They both had tons of tread at the 5800 mile mark and there wasn't any sign of separation. The dealer said they looked great. As for handling, I wasn't big on them. They would lock easy and I never felt confident riding on them. Personally, I much preferred the Metzeler Marathons in terms of feel. They seem to wear just as well too, but I can't say for sure how they'd have held up because they only around 2000 miles on them when I sold the bike.

FWIW, my favorite all around tire is the Michelin Pilot III. I have those on my Tiger and they have 4500 miles on them and look great with lots of wear left. They also give real good feedback and inspire confidence when leaning the bike over.

 

[TriumPhil]

Carl, that wasn't funny and if it was a real opinion, it would be one best kept to yourself. Your previous post was equally ill-informed. The CT has 6-10 times the contact patch on straight and level surfaces and 2-4 times the contact patch in the twisties. The difference in traction between a CT and a MT is night and day. To compare a CT on a motorcycle to the performance characteristics of a dragster slick is just plain meaningless.

I'm not flaming you, but you seem to be basing your comments on conjecture, not facts or real world experience. To even subtly joke (I wasn't sure that your last post was tongue-in-cheek) that this option or choice (i.e., CTs) will lead to anyone's death, is irresponsible and flagrantly misleading to people who are sincerely attempting to make informed anlyses or choices. Again, I am not crusading for car tires on cruisers, however it is a legitimate, and I have found it to be a highly meritorious, choice!

The R3T has a 180 rim, which will accept up to a 205 CT (the size I'd advise going with). I recommended a B'stone Potenza G019 Grid to rbickford a while back and he has been deliriously happy with it. I ran the same tire on two VTX 1800s over the last 4 years and it was far superior under most all conditions to the Dunlop, B'stone and Metz MTs I ran previously. Robert puts alot of miles on and he ran the tire through a good part of this past winter. I'd recommend reaching out to him for detailed feedback for anyone looking to go Darkside on the Touring model.

 

[cktire]

Go Back!

Phil,
You need to read back through the posts. I was amazed at a prevous reference to dying. OMG....I would never suggest that.
Slam me if you wish. I'm just a guy with a Rocket enjoying life.
Geez....
Carl

 

[cktire]

Dragster Tires

Dragster tires!
Hmmm.......there is a lot more involved then contact area. What about compound and force?
From a recent article on drag tires:
There are several issues that must be considered when choosing a dragster
tire. Friction is surface-area independent in only a few ideal
examples. The real world is more complicated. Especially for tires that
are made of rubber. You want to choose a width, height, and tire compound
that gives the best friction for the duration of the race. Top fuel
dragsters have one-speed transmissions and slip the clutch during the
run. In engineering it is commonly thought that the friction force is
proportional to the force pushing the two surfaces together. This is only
correct over a certain range of conditions and materials. The constant of
proportionality is called the "coefficient of friction." The coefficient
of friction depends on the material and condition of BOTH of the surfaces being
rubbed together.

 

[TriumPhil]

My bad (I guess), Carl. Your "you'll die" comment was the only such post I saw on this thread. The info from whatever article you have excerpted above is interesting, but totally not germaine to the subject at hand.

I'm certainly not looking to get into a pissing contest. I do recommend that folks not criticize something like this issue unless they have an informed opinion based on a priori bike riding knowledge or experience, not on innuendo, assumptions or conjecture.

Peace...

 

[IMFASTTOO]

Horsepower loss

Phil,
You need to read back through the posts. I was amazed at a prevous reference to dying. OMG....I would never suggest that.
Slam me if you wish. I'm just a guy with a Rocket enjoying life.
Geez....
Carl

HEY CARL your going to lose 15 to 20 hp runnig a CT with 27psi and your messing up the handling TOO not a good choice IMO BUT to each his own at least you have choices

 

[cktire]

Peace...[/QUOTE]

I'm not in it to win it. Just giving my opinion. Everyone can form their won based on their experiences.
I've been riding for 50 years and in the tire business for 40 years. My "opinion" is that a MC tire will out perform a CT when considering the entire range of use.
It's always a compromise with tires. Any givien tire will out perform another in different circumstances.
Yes...peace. i enjoy the conversation! I never mean to offend.
Carl

 

[cktire]

Mixed up!

Hey IMFASTTOO,
I'm advocating MC tires!
But, i respect everyones choice.
Carl