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04-14-2012, 10:04 AM | #1 |
darkside tire question
I've been running a Vanco 8 tire for a couple of years now and want to replace it because while the tread is still deep the hard rubber compound seems to break loose too quickly when I lay on the rear brake.
Looking at replacement tires I'm wondering about an all season tire with softer rubber compound and found the Bridgestone Blizzak WS60 in 195/60-16. I like the tread design because of the symmetry and the siping across the treads. I would like to hear the opions of people who know more about tires than I do regarding this tire.
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Idaho (aka Curmudgeon) Blue Knights Idaho III VBA #110 VROC #24864 IBA #49753 2007 Nomad 86,000 miles Bud Smalley Pocatello, Idaho Idaho Jack Adapter Login or Register to Remove Ads |
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04-14-2012, 10:23 AM | #2 |
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Location: Phoenix, AZ
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Bud, I really like the GYTT that I've had on for about 7K. Mine's a 205/60-16, but if you want to narrow it down to a 195 you could go a little taller and lower your RPM's (correct the speedo/better mileage). I went with the 205 to get the Max Traction because I was still commuting in the Puget Sound when I bought it.
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2006 Vulcan 1600 Classic "George III" (Patricia's) 2006 Vulcan 1600 Nomad "Grace" (Mark's) Mark Clark VBA #1619 TaibhseDaid@Gmail.Com "Irish" @ Maricopa County Chapter of B.A.C.A. Phoenix, AZ |
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04-15-2012, 10:15 AM | #3 |
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I just went to the Darkside about 2-3 months ago after reading alot about it on the forums. I went with the GYTT 205/60/16, and I'm very happy with it so far. Tired of buying two rear tires a year. Running 30psi seems to be about the sweet spot so far. Good luck with whatever you decide on.
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04-14-2012, 11:32 AM | #4 |
Sr. Contributor
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Bud we have the exact tire and I havent noticed any loss of traction in 22k miles
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04-14-2012, 11:56 AM | #5 |
Mark, the tire that I'm running now is a 185/75-16 for that very reason. I have not been able to find anything in a 70 or 75 aspect ratio in all of my searches.
Brad, The tire does great in twisties and on wet road is seems to hold okay. I've just felt like when I apply the rear brake a little harder than normal the tire looses traction and the wheel locks up sooner than I like. I'm hoping that newer tire with softer compound will hold the road surface and keep the wheel from locking up quite so soon. Know what I mean?
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04-14-2012, 12:08 PM | #6 |
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Mark I am assuming the GYTT is a Good Year is that correct?
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04-14-2012, 12:21 PM | #7 |
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Yes GYTT = Good Year Triple Tread
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04-14-2012, 12:34 PM | #8 |
The problem I'm having is finding a 16 inch tire with a tall enough aspect ratio to help with the speedo correction. I just found this tire
http://www.directbuytire.com/product-p/12466.htm and it too looks like a possibility. Still would like to know anyones thoughts on the Bridgstone Blizzak.
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Idaho (aka Curmudgeon) Blue Knights Idaho III VBA #110 VROC #24864 IBA #49753 2007 Nomad 86,000 miles Bud Smalley Pocatello, Idaho Idaho Jack Adapter |
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04-15-2012, 01:32 PM | #9 | |
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Quote:
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04-15-2012, 06:58 PM | #10 |
Probably not. My 2007 is a 1600 and the 205 will fit. Not sure what the max width is that will fit a 1500.
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Idaho (aka Curmudgeon) Blue Knights Idaho III VBA #110 VROC #24864 IBA #49753 2007 Nomad 86,000 miles Bud Smalley Pocatello, Idaho Idaho Jack Adapter |
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04-14-2012, 12:43 PM | #11 | |
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Quote:
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04-14-2012, 03:21 PM | #12 |
You could be right about the road surface. It is not a big hurry but sometime this season I want to replace it anyway so I thought I would start to search now.
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Idaho (aka Curmudgeon) Blue Knights Idaho III VBA #110 VROC #24864 IBA #49753 2007 Nomad 86,000 miles Bud Smalley Pocatello, Idaho Idaho Jack Adapter |
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04-14-2012, 08:37 PM | #13 |
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Well i think if you would run a blizzak you would not be impressed with the mileage vs. wear. Alot of ppl up here in the great white north run them on there cars great on ice and snow but as soon as the weather warms up they take them off cause they just wear out like crazy.
I just re-ordered a tire for my bike as i was not aware that the 03 could not run a gytt in a 205 till i mounted it to find out did not clear swing arm! Must say really did like the look of it and from my automotive experience these tires wear great on a car and are extremely quiet. |
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04-14-2012, 08:40 PM | #14 |
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Cartersville, Georgia
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Bud, the Bridgstone Blizzak is a studless snow tire, and has no UTQG rating (tread wear rating). It is extremely soft and probably wouldn't last 5000 miles. I'm a big fan of the GYTT, had it on since '09, got 17,000 miles on it, and measured the tread depth today and it was 8/32 (started out @ 10/32). This is a great tire (205/60-16) in the rain, wet roads, dry roads, and especially in stopping. I always said I'd replace it with another, but Goodyear has changed the design of it. The new ones have square shoulders, a UTQG of 640, and changed the tread pattern a little, the one I have (and like Mark has), has round shoulders, and a UTQG of 740, so I guess my next tire won't be a GYTT, but that's a while down the road, but I do look around. One tire I found in the 205/65-16 series that I like, and you might want to check it out is this
http://www.tirebuyer.com/tirebuyerwi...tedItem/165026
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04-14-2012, 10:23 PM | #15 |
Hey Cliff, that is the exact same tire that I provided a link to. I just went through reviews of Nexen tires and they are not very good. Maybe we both had better re-think that brand.
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Idaho (aka Curmudgeon) Blue Knights Idaho III VBA #110 VROC #24864 IBA #49753 2007 Nomad 86,000 miles Bud Smalley Pocatello, Idaho Idaho Jack Adapter |
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