Dark side? I just dont get it.

[roadhawg]

I never noticed ant difference in handling with CT
I do have more braking power with CT
I am running my second CT at this time
I am now nearing about 30 K miles on my Bridgestone Turanza CT and it still has some tread left.

[VulcanE]

Originally Posted by dshelly

So with 42lbs. in it does it seem to be wearing even? or just down the middle?

I haven't put enough miles on it to tell yet. All I've put on it is about 4000 miles, and it has worn very little. If it does wear in the middle, I'll just get another one. It'll still last longer than a MC tire, and it is about 1/2 the price of a MC tire, so I'm still coming out ahead.

[Rasta]

My tire came in today and this what I got. http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-TIRES-18...884f57&vxp=mtr

I got mine at some other online tire place and was actually cheaper than this...for a total of $95 with the shipping.The tireI have on the bike right now is a Continental Vanco8. I was not able to get that one so I went with this one, which has almost the same tread pattern. I was actually surprised how much more rounded that it is.

[VulcanE]

Amin, I bookmarked that tire, and will look into it when my current tire wears out. I really like the idea of a 185 tire, and it's diameter is 1.2" larger than a 205 and would raise the rear end about 5/8" and would probably correct the speedo error, if not make it read just a little slow instead of fast. Let me know how it fits on your 1500 up toward where the swing arm pivots on the frame.

[MAS Tequila]

Originally Posted by Rasta

My tire came in today and this what I got. http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-TIRES-18...884f57&vxp=mtr

I got mine at some other online tire place and was actually cheaper than this...for a total of $95 with the shipping.The tireI have on the bike right now is a Continental Vanco8. I was not able to get that one so I went with this one, which has almost the same tread pattern. I was actually surprised how much more rounded that it is.

That tire will require a good bit of swingarm grinding on a 1500.

I ran a 185/75/16 Vanco for about 20000 miles.

MT

[Rasta]

Hey Cliff and MAS, I did a little write-up on here a couple years a go when I did go to the darkside and you you two had commented on it too I think. Here is the link: http://www.vulcanbagger.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=26093

Like I said I have a little over 20,000 miles on that Vanco8 tire and probably can still get a few thousand miles on it yet.
As most of you know the swingarm between the 1500 and 1600 there is a difference. The one on the 1500 is rounded like the tire but 1600 ones are squareish and have a lot more clearance. The 1500 has a lip all the way around from a weld. What I did was, on the corners as you can see from the picture I ground the weld flat and rewelded it to keep it flat.
You are correct Cliff that the bike seats higher, which I like and the speedo is only off now a mile or two.I have used my GPS to see how far off it was.
From the pictures I posted, the first one is the Continental tire that I have on the bike now, when I put it on a couple years ago. The second tire is the one I am going to put on next and if you notice the two tires almost have the same tread pattern that I like. The third picture is the back of the swingarm that I took a grinder to, to flatten the weld and rewelded later.
People are going to say stuff about the weld but I don't believe I have compromised the bike since I did put the weld back. This thing about going with a car tire is not for everyone so I am putting this out there for the ones that might wonder about it and hear from some that have experienced it. I have no desire to go back and forth with some one that is against it.
ride safe everyone and enjoy what you are doing

[trosco]

Amin, I looked at that tire recently because I was contemplating the switch on my Goldwing and I liked the symmetrical tread design. I was a little concerned about it being a 8 ply bias tire (it has very high load carrying capacity, more than double our OEM tire but it may ride a bit stiff) but I ultimately ruled it out for the Wing because of the R speed rating. That means they don't think the tire is safe as speeds above 106 and the wing will top out at around 130 and is comfortable rolling 85+ (real 85-90 not indicated 85 actual 75 like our Nomads).
But it's specs are real good for a Nomad and now I am thinking about it for my 07. Will you throw out a thread on it with comments about how it mounts up, clearances, what the ride is like and ect once you put it on???

[Rasta]

Ross,I don't think you should have any issue with clearance with your 1600 and this tire. I will do a write when I have it on the bike. After I placed my order at A couple of the online tire stories, they contacted me after a few days to tell me this tire was on a national back ordered and I would not get it for 10 to 14weeka or something like that. Even the people I got the tire from told me the same thing but a week later I received a tracking number.

[mobandy78]

I just started reading through this thread since I haven't been on here in a while. I'll put in my 2 cents if you don't mind. I have a Bridgestone Turanza 195/60-16 on my '05 Nomad. I have been thoroughly pleased with it. I have noticed better traction in wet conditions than I did with a m/t. Of course, I was always really careful while riding in rain, maybe more than I should have been. But, I didn't want to make any mistakes, and I'm still here, so that's good. I've been in more rain with the c/t and have never felt nervous about riding in the rain with it. I have never lost traction with the c/t. I've locked it up once trying to avoid an idiot that pulled out in front of me in traffic. I believe, with a m/t, I would have slid the bike straight into the car. With the c/t, my stopping distance was much shorter and I was able to avoid the collision.

I keep my tire at a constant 32 psi while riding. I was nervous about trying it out so much that I read and read and read for probably a year before I decided to go for it. Now, I'm so glad I did that I haven't looked back at the decision. I'll buy another c/t when the time comes to change out this one.

You're going to get the "haters" of using one. Mainly because of what was said before... they've never tried it. There have been many people that have used c/t for many years and there hasn't been a catastrophic event because of it.

Anyway, that was little more long-winded that I thought it was going to be. Sorry. If you try and don't think it's for you, then you can always go back to a m/t and sell the c/t for some extra money. But, if you do try it, keep it on there for a 1,000 miles give or take, so you can give yourself time to get used to it and make an informed decision.

[cactusjack]

A few years ago, Rider magazine had a big article about car tires on motorcycles in one of their issues. Since neither the writer nor any of the "experts" he quoted had ever actually tried it, the article was purely anti car tire OPINIONS. It was not an objective article at all. As I recall, they did not quote anyone who has tried it, either. This is the reason I no longer subscribe to or purchase their rag.

I have no plans to mount a car tire on my Harley, but I did have one on my Nomad and do not see anything wrong with the practice.

[Jared]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

A few years ago, Rider magazine had a big article about car tires on motorcycles in one of their issues. Since neither the writer nor any of the "experts" he quoted had ever actually tried it, the article was purely anti car tire OPINIONS. It was not an objective article at all. As I recall, they did not quote anyone who has tried it, either. This is the reason I no longer subscribe to or purchase their rag.

I have no plans to mount a car tire on my Harley, but I did have one on my Nomad and do not see anything wrong with the practice.

For curiosities sake, why wouldn't you mount one on your HD?

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Jared

For curiosities sake, why wouldn't you mount one on your HD?

Main reason is I still have 4 years of warranty left.

[dshelly]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

Main reason is I still have 4 years of warranty left.

So a CT on a Harley is a warranty deal breaker ??

I actually think I'm going to give it a try when my E3 wears out.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by dshelly

So a CT on a Harley is a warranty deal breaker ??

I actually think I'm going to give it a try when my E3 wears out.

It's not worth the chance to me. These dealers can be real jerks when it comes to warranties. I haven't needed any warranty work, but like I said I have 4 years left.

[starvy40]

Originally Posted by muz

But it dosent even come close to having the same contact area either.
Just doesn't make sence when you compare the two profiles.

I second the above ! every MT tire I ever ran slipped on me in some type of a situation. I have NEVER had a CT slip and once I was leaning into a yeild and had to brake at the same time ( hard ) and I stopped, I would have bet a $100 the MT would have slide sideways due to the rounded edge.

As to the contact, the CT has more contact patch on the ground in a corner ( proof is wet parking lot ) drive through water and corner and look at each one ) . not selling anyone on a CT. just know from experience and proof!