dARKSIDE

[Barry]

The side of my Nexan tire says max pressure is 36 psi. I have been told all my life not to exceed manufacturers specifications. I run 40 psi and can feel the sidewall flex when cornering hard. So my question is: Would exceeding the manufacturers maximum pressure create the potential for sudden tire failure?

[Bill O]

The added advantage of having a RUN FLAT CT on a MC pulling a trailer is very obvious. A lot of wing riders put a car tire on just because they pull a trailer.

Doug,
Are you running a "run flat" tire? If so, what brand? Has anyone listed any listing for "Run Flat" tires?
I'm real pleased with the ride of my Nexen tire, but would prefer a "Run Flat" for my next one.

Thanks,

Bill O

[ghostler]

The added advantage of having a RUN FLAT CT on a MC pulling a trailer is very obvious. A lot of wing riders put a car tire on just because they pull a trailer.

Sounds positive, Doug. I checked the various manufacturers on line, but no one seemed to have the Run Flats in a compatible size for the XII. Is the Run Flat CT available in 165/80R15?

[doug of so fla]

As I said the XII has very few tire choices because of the size, Not many car tires anymore that are 15" Should have stated my M/C is a WIng, Had 3 XII's before it for over 20yrs, & 400,000+ mi, still do work on some. but I do not know of any run flats for the 15" tires , a call or e-mail to Tire Rack (.com) or any good car tire distributer may come up with one, worth checking out if you are going to the darkside.
Nexan Is the only one for the XII that I am familier with as Gearhead from this forum uses them as do other XII owners. Some wing riders experimented with a lot of different tires as their are many choices for 16" tires & sizes for the wing. May be somthing out there for the XII but I do not think anyone has done a lot of experimenting.

Bill: I run a Michlen Primacy Alpin ZP (ZP = Zero pressure) 165/55/16. It is a M&S tire for a Fiat!!, I think? that is not the standard size for a wing but it fits & is a great tire for the wing..

[ghostler]

As I said the XII has very few tire choices because of the size. Not many car tires anymore that are 15". Should have stated my M/C is a WIng. Had 3 XII's before it for over 20yrs & 400,000+ mi, still do work on some, but I do not know of any run flats for the 15" tires, a call or e-mail to Tire Rack (.com) or any good car tire distributer may come up with one, worth checking out if you are going to the darkside.

Nexen Is the only one for the XII that I am familiar with as Gearhead from this forum uses them as do other XII owners. Some wing riders experimented with a lot of different tires as their are many choices for 16" tires & sizes for the wing. May be something out there for the XII but I do not think anyone has done a lot of experimenting.

After further search on available 15" tire sizes, Run Flats (RF) are available in 175/65R15 as Goodyear Eagle Ultra Grip GW-3 and EfficientGrip Run-on-Flats. Theoretical width is 1 inch wider than the OEM tire. Theoretical diameter is 24.0", versus 25.6" for OEM, 25.4" for Nexen 165/80R15, but Nexen has been observed to be slightly taller than the OEM. I don't know if this slightly wider RF tire would be able to fit the XII. Bridgestone doesn't have a 15" RF close enough to the XII's size.

In a non-RF, B.F. Goodrich has a Radial T/A Hodrod tire in 155/80R15. That may be closer to the XII's tire size.

[Wahrsuul]

I've seen the 155/70-15s, I'm considering using one of those. it's about 2-3% smaller around I believe. Seems to be more choices with this size.

[doug of so fla]

I would not run a Non-runflat tire!! but many wings do run them. The tire psi in a non-run flat will be higher than a run flat typical Run flat psi 28 to 30, non run-flat 34 to 45psi, If you look at a cross section of RF & NRF & MC tire you will see that the runflat casing is actually thicker at the tread & sidewall than a MC tire, but the NON-Runflats are thiner and sidewall are (on most car tires WAY to thin) for me.
Also fitment is very critical as some have stated they had to pressurize tire to way over the max of tire to get it to seat!!!WRONG!!!!!Do not do this especially on a Non-Runflat It may internally damage tire or externally damage the installer!!! The rim at the BEAD has to be VERY clean and POLISHED smooth & lubed very well with the proper lube!!! not soap & water. Car tires go on the rim differently than MC tires so finding someone that knows what they are doing is a problem.
Size:: THe Gold wing has ample room for several size tires. Look at the clearence ALL the way around a XII tire 1" wider will not fit to me.
It is best to do plenty of research before trying this on a XII best ref would be on the GL1800riders.com website under DARKSIDER forum. A very knowledgeable fellow to get a hold of on that site is called RAIL32. He has been riding & mounting all kinds of car tires for a long time.

[ghostler]

After some careful thinking and reconnoitering, for now I've decided it not in my best interest to gravitate toward the dark side with a car tire for the XII's rear. If nothing else, AFAIK, if one were to get into an accident, using a tire outside its intended application could provide a sense of liability as a contributing factor in an accident, diluting one's claim.

I'd rather use a Shinko tire, at least no insurer would fault my use, even though there is considerable varying opinion on its handling versus others.

[usmalenurse]

I went over to the "darkside" about a month ago on the Voyager and I'm very well pleased. I went with the Nexen and ran it at 40# for almost 500 miles then backed it down to 35#. I spent last week in the mountains of NC and Virginia and put a little better than 1100 miles on the tire with no problems at all. Very well pleased with the handling and I know the mileage will be better. Can't complain with the Michelin Commanders that I had been running as far as mileage but the difference of $100 in the price is what really convinced me. I may go down to 32# and try that but I have talked with another Voyager owner who has 20000 miles on his Nexen tire at 35# so that may be the "sweet spot" for this tire. And by the way, the "Back of the Dragon" may not have as many tight curves but the scenery is head and shoulders above "The Dragon".
http://backofthedragon.com/

[gearheadfla]

WOW, I'm gone from the site for a while and come back and see the Darkside has run amuck. I just gotta say that I still love the Darkside and will never come back, I have since sold my beloved XII ( God I miss that bike) and have moved on to a 1600 Kaw Nomad. As soon as the new E-3 rear tire that was on it wore out, BTW only took 5k miles to get the threads showing i went Darkside with it also. Both bikes have E-3 fronts. Both bikes ride a lot better on CT's. Come to the Darkside, we have cookies.

[Highway Rider]

All three of these tires should work on the 1200

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Nexen-SB802-T ... 5/19473481" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/tires/ ... T&pc=33387" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp ... mpare1=yes" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Lucasind]

Highway Rider...R U running a CT on your bike currently ? ...I am going to get the Nexen here soon.I think it only makes sense for me ,cause my touring is always two up and towing a larger than average trailer (as I'm told.and others say) the price of the tire...and the mileage you get from them ....it seems like a "no brainer" . When we go touring ...it's just "slow and steady" never exceed 80mph...There are other bikes in the stable ,for riding hard !.............tony











My bike and trailer sits at about 17 ft. long, I think the ct will be a better fit for this size of rig.

[Highway Rider]

No I currently am not running a CT but have been doing a lot of research on them for a ride that I would like to do if not next year but the year after and that ride would take a different bike or different . Different tires would be the most economical. For the most part I have not heard of any real detriments to running a CT. Mounting the CT seams the biggest concern.

[Lucasind]

.....Please explain "different bike" /..... ?

[Highway Rider]

Dual purpose bike would handle 3000 miles of gravel, and dirt (mud after it rains) roads better then a Voyager especially with the current street tires we run on them. That is why I have been researching the use of CT I think that with those it would be doable with the Voyager.

[Lucasind]

.....O.K Highway rider, that works 4 me , We will be heading to your area (Des moines) day one, of our trip west to the rally.....this will be a good 565 mile test of the car tire on my 2003 XII.

[Highway Rider]

We are leaving on the 20th headed for North Platte Ne. Then the Next day arriving at the rally site. I might have a CT on by then to do some testing of my own.

Ride Safe

[Mike R]

I live in Des Moines and I'm having a hard time finding a ct for my 86 voyager I've checked way world and several local tire stores and online I need a new rear tire soon I have a place to mount it just no tire . Any help would be great . Thnx Mike

[Highway Rider]

165/80R15 -----copy and past this tire size and and you should get several results-- I Think that there are only three types of this size out there two of which are at the web sites listed below. Many places to buy online but vary few places locally. I would think that you should be able to order one tire locally. But you might need to wait a few days.

http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/tires/ ... T&pc=33387" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.sears.com/nankang-cx668-165- ... 553263000P" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Mike R]

If anyone is looking for a nexen tire, tire buyer has the 165/80r15 for like 65$ then enter a code and get 10% off and free shipping