Tale from (almost) the Dark Side.

[OldKawDrvr]

So, I'm getting ready to head out to New Mexico. The bike just got a replacement final drive (it fixed the noise) and while the wheels were off I took the Nexen car tire, a new Dunlop E2 for the front and the wheels to my local bike guy to mount and balance the tires. When I go to pick them up the next day, Gary sez "bad news the car tire blew up when mounting it." The steel cord broke and the tire has a split 4" long from the bead to the tread. The tire flew off the stand when it blew. Gary got a cut on one thumb and a bruise on the other hand. He said it made a VERY LOUD NOISE! His ears were ringing. I tried to find a moto tire to fit locally but no joy. I ordered a Dunlop E3 from the Kawasaki dealer and should have it by Tuesday.
Nexen tires are of questionable quality. If that tire had blown while I was riding it would have spoiled my whole day. I'll go back to Wally World tomorrow to hopefully get a refund on that POS.

[SgtSlag]

Did he say how much air pressure he had pumped into it, to seat the bead? I know many are recommending adding 100 PSI, to seat them, but I believe they are rated for 44 PSI maximum? I have always questioned pumping more than double the rated max. pressure, to seat the bead. Maybe that is normal, for CT's? I don't know. Just wondering. Cheers!

[OldKawDrvr]

He told me 45-50 lbs. I tend to think more but I wasn't there. The bead wires broke clean straight across, almost like it was cut. Maybe a kink in the wires before it was made? I'm heading to Wal-Mart now to see what they'll do for me.

[CarbJetKits]

I just installed the same CT tire.
went up to 100 PSI without any issue.

In my opinion, your bike guy went way above 100PSI.

also, using some lube or dawn is very helpfull.
what I learned is that lubing not just the outer rim, but also the inner rim.

The wheel has like a double U shape. a U inside a U, it is at the inner U where the tire gets stuck, before popping.

[gearheadfla]

Same tire on mine set on bead at 55lbs. No problems at all with it. I've heard of one other exploading at 110lbs, I know that is the problem, sometime you have to put up to 60lbs and a couple times for it to set, some on the Darksider site say to air it up and put it in the sun to heat up. I really don't think it was a defect in the tire.

[OldKawDrvr]

I just got back from Walmart. The tech there agreed with me it was a defective tire. Whether it was or not is academic now. I got my credit card refunded, tho it took almost an hour to get it done. I took a couple of pics of the tire, if I can figure out how to post one I will.

[gearheadfla]

Would like to see it if you can post a pic. I think Walmart would take a full diper back if you told them it was like that when you got it. But that's a good thing for us.

[bikermike]

I installed a Nexen on the rear of my bike... only have 15 miles on it now....How many of you out there are using Nexens??? are u having good luck? ... kinda has me worried now. We are planning a trip to Glacier Natl. Park at the end of the month... I'd like some feedback if i could... Thanks! Mike

[gearheadfla]

I installed a Nexen on the rear of my bike... only have 15 miles on it now....How many of you out there are using Nexens??? are u having good luck? ... kinda has me worried now. We are planning a trip to Glacier Natl. Park at the end of the month... I'd like some feedback if i could... Thanks! Mike

I have one on, about 1500 miles on it and would not be worried about riding anywhere, going to Ripley (900 miles one way) in Oct. Have had zero issues with it. I really belive that this problem was cause by way to much air pressure used to mount it. BTW, Lori and I are going on a 300+ mile ride with the Sunshine State Voyagers in a couple week too.

[SgtSlag]

Last Fall, I took my son on a ride, on my Honda. The rear tube blew out, and we low-sided at ~40 MPH. I understand your concern, but if you worry, you will be distracted, and far more likely to have an accident. Tires come from the factory defective, on rare occasions -- it happens, but it is rare. Mechanics make mistakes (they, too, are Human, just like the rest of us...), but you have to live by faith, or die trembling, beneath a rock.


Not trying to be critical, or insult you, in any way. It was hard to get back on my Honda after that tire blew, and we crashed (protective gear helped us both, but my son had less of it, and suffered more than I did, but he is fine, now). I'm still a little apprehensive, even on the Voyager. I've had four low-sides, since I started riding, at age 12 (first low-side, no injury; next two resulted in ambulance rides, last was just my son's road rash, not serious, and repairs to the bike). Risk management, and protective gear, only goes so far in protecting you, and your loved ones. When you ride, you need all of your attention on driving, as fear is a severe, and dangerous, distraction. Best of luck. Cheers!

[Winddancer]

I have put on 10,000 miles of very aggresive riding in a little over 5 months, you have nothing to worry about..

[gearheadfla]

Last Fall, I took my son on a ride, on my Honda. The rear tube blew out, and we low-sided at ~40 MPH. I understand your concern, but if you worry, you will be distracted, and far more likely to have an accident. Tires come from the factory defective, on rare occasions -- it happens, but it is rare. Mechanics make mistakes (they, too, are Human, just like the rest of us...), but you have to live by faith, or die trembling, beneath a rock.


Not trying to be critical, or insult you, in any way. It was hard to get back on my Honda after that tire blew, and we crashed (protective gear helped us both, but my son had less of it, and suffered more than I did, but he is fine, now). I'm still a little apprehensive, even on the Voyager. I've had four low-sides, since I started riding, at age 12 (first low-side, no injury; next two resulted in ambulance rides, last was just my son's road rash, not serious, and repairs to the bike). Risk management, and protective gear, only goes so far in protecting you, and your loved ones. When you ride, you need all of your attention on driving, as fear is a severe, and dangerous, distraction. Best of luck. Cheers!

I hear you my man, like I said long ago, CT's are a choice and may not be something everybody feels good about. Like you, I can only report what I have done and what I think about it, Years ago I was mounting a BF Goodrich on a car rim and it exploaded in my face, wasn't fun, but it was my own darn fault because it didn't want to set for some reason and I just figured a little more air is all it needed. so it happens. Please don't think in any way that I'm not trusting your judgement and going to what you feel is right for you. Everybody here feels almost like family, hope to meet in Ripley.

[Bruce in OK]

For those of you having issues getting the bead seated, it is worth the small investment in a pail of "Murphy's Tire Soap" (or an equivalent). A healthy film on the sidewall as high as the top of the bead and the entire inner thickness of the carcass will allow it to find home much easier. It will also work wonders if you have a tire that is a little narrower than the rim getting to take air. You just have to fill the gap with the soap to seal the air from escaping.

[gearheadfla]

I used a good tire mounting paste (soap) on mine and it popped on at 50 lbs.

[bikermike]

Thanks for the input!! It felt great when i rode it and i think it will be fine!! thanks!

[chris.trombley]

I've got 1500 hunderd on mine and love it great in slow turns and handels very well in the rain only going to get better as mile miles go up the guy that mounted it used dawn liqiud soap and at 50 lbs it pop right into place ride safe

[OldKawDrvr]

I've got 1500 hunderd on mine and love it great in slow turns and handels very well in the rain only going to get better as mile miles go up the guy that mounted it used dawn liqiud soap and at 50 lbs it pop right into place ride safe

Thanks for the replies eveyone. I'll try again when the Dunlop E3 wears out. I'll mount it my self though. The savings on the tire will more than pay for the tools.

[gearheadfla]

I suggest you get a spare rear rim from Carl or E-bay to mount it to, that way if needed you can take your time mounting it and your horse won't be down while waiting, I got one so I could just try the CT and if I didn't like it just put the E-3 back on, well the E-3 is still in the shed.

[OldKawDrvr]

I suggest you get a spare rear rim from Carl or E-bay to mount it to, that way if needed you can take your time mounting it and your horse won't be down while waiting, I got one so I could just try the CT and if I didn't like it just put the E-3 back on, well the E-3 is still in the shed.

I looked into buying another rim. The cost plus shipping doesnt compute, so I'll just put the CT on my rim. Besides, I have a spare horse to ride when the Voyager is down, my '78 KZ1000.
I'd post a picture of the blown tire but I havent figured out how with a smart phone.
tom