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  • #1

    New to the Darkside. Permanently? Who knows.

    We put my new Yokohama AVID ENVigor ZPS Run Flat on today. It's the first time I've ever been on a car tire on a motorcycle of any kind.

    On the one hour "country road" ride home I found it interesting. At this point I cannot yet decide if it's better, worse or just different.

    The bike seemed to want to lean to the right making me apply pressure to the left side of the handlebar.

    It was just the slightest bit harder to roll into a curve, but it stood back up a little smoother.

    Of note, it was a very smooth ride and most noticeable of all was the changes from smooth to rougher surfaces (and back) went unnoticed. The back-road route that I rode home is a wide mix of smooth and course/rough surfaces. I had made the transition several times before I noticed that I was NOT noticing the transitions. It just all felt smooth.

    Anyway, it's different, but not in a bad way. The handling in the curves is different, but also not in a bad way. It's going to be cold on Sunday but I may try a ~150 mile country ride just to try it out.

    Oh, and when I got down to check the tire as soon as I got home, I noticed the rubber was very warm. Is that normal? What is the recommended tire pressure? I ride both 1 and 2 up, and with/without a trailer.
    2008 Red GW1800 -- NRA Life Member - American Legion PUFL, American Legion Riders
    USMC 21 YRS/9 MO and when dead, a dead Marine.
    US Four Corner Ride https://clayusmcret.blogspot.com/
    2014 Mid-States Ride https://mid-states.blogspot.com/
    2015 NC to UT/NV Ride https://2015nvride.blogspot.com/

    50th State ridden on 19 Aug, 2016 DS #1584
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Welcome to the DS. CTs tend to run cooler than MTs so one would need to have temperature measurement to tell with more certainty. I believe I'd start the pressure on that tire at 32 psi and adjust up or down from there. Even at 32 psi you stand a good chance of wearing out the center of the tread first (an indication of over inflation). That tire comes with recommendations from some darned good riders so it should serve you well.

    The bike shouldn't want to lean in either direction regardless of the tire you are running. Like you, the first thing I noticed on my first CT was how smooth it was. Now, with over 100,000 on a CT, I don't think I'll be going back to a MT

    Good Luck..
    Richard
    Darksider #390
    Murgie's FAQ

    Comment: (For off-topic replies)

    • #3
      I had seen the range 29-32 so we went with 29. I'll bump it up to 32 and see if it does the same. Thanks!
      2008 Red GW1800 -- NRA Life Member - American Legion PUFL, American Legion Riders
      USMC 21 YRS/9 MO and when dead, a dead Marine.
      US Four Corner Ride https://clayusmcret.blogspot.com/
      2014 Mid-States Ride https://mid-states.blogspot.com/
      2015 NC to UT/NV Ride https://2015nvride.blogspot.com/

      50th State ridden on 19 Aug, 2016 DS #1584

      Comment: (For off-topic replies)

      • #4
        If you don't get any improvement at 32, I'd back it back down to what you are running now. The tire will usually last longer at 29 or 30 than it will at 32.
        Richard
        Darksider #390
        Murgie's FAQ

        Comment: (For off-topic replies)

        • #5
          I have just about worn out my first CT. I also went with a Yokohama and have a new one waiting in the garage.

          I share your sentiments that it's different. I do think that after you get the edges worn a bit it will seem more like a MC tire.

          I won't be going back to an MC tire.

          Comment: (For off-topic replies)

          • #6
            Originally posted by clayusmcret View Post
            We put my new Yokohama AVID ENVigor ZPS Run Flat on today. It's the first time I've ever been on a car tire on a motorcycle of any kind.

            On the one hour "country road" ride home I found it interesting. At this point I cannot yet decide if it's better, worse or just different.

            The bike seemed to want to lean to the right making me apply pressure to the left side of the handlebar.

            It was just the slightest bit harder to roll into a curve, but it stood back up a little smoother.

            Of note, it was a very smooth ride and most noticeable of all was the changes from smooth to rougher surfaces (and back) went unnoticed. The back-road route that I rode home is a wide mix of smooth and course/rough surfaces. I had made the transition several times before I noticed that I was NOT noticing the transitions. It just all felt smooth.

            Anyway, it's different, but not in a bad way. The handling in the curves is different, but also not in a bad way. It's going to be cold on Sunday but I may try a ~150 mile country ride just to try it out.

            Oh, and when I got down to check the tire as soon as I got home, I noticed the rubber was very warm. Is that normal? What is the recommended tire pressure? I ride both 1 and 2 up, and with/without a trailer.
            The lean to the right is more than likely the crown of the road.That's something that you'll feel more on a CT,although it can be noticeable with MT as well.
            Chris
            Darkside # 1602
            If I knew it would've last this long I would've taken better care of it.

            Comment: (For off-topic replies)

            • #7
              The best tire pressure I've found for me is 30lbs and the tire wears very evenly. I run a Alpin tire.

              Comment: (For off-topic replies)

              • #8
                Ok, I did another ride today. Before I started I increased the air pressure to 32-33 (depending on the air gauge) and it rode much smoother - pretty much cancelled out most of the new-to-me car tire feel. I took a route that's about as curvy as one can do in Onslow/Pender counties in eastern NC (one of the few that crotch rockets will leave town to ride) and I thoroughly enjoyed the ride; even in strong Nor'easter winds and 52 degrees. Traction felt right in the curves whether I was pushing it or not.

                I put in ~125 miles and gas mileage was nearly identical as it would have been on the MC tire. If I hadn't been purposely comparing the difference, I wouldn't have thought twice about the result. I got ~40mpg, which for me and country road riding was generally spot on.
                2008 Red GW1800 -- NRA Life Member - American Legion PUFL, American Legion Riders
                USMC 21 YRS/9 MO and when dead, a dead Marine.
                US Four Corner Ride https://clayusmcret.blogspot.com/
                2014 Mid-States Ride https://mid-states.blogspot.com/
                2015 NC to UT/NV Ride https://2015nvride.blogspot.com/

                50th State ridden on 19 Aug, 2016 DS #1584

                Comment: (For off-topic replies)

                • #9
                  The more you ride on it, the better you'll like it.
                  John

                  Dark Sider 1020
                  Michlin Alpin PA3 ZP
                  Centramatic Wheel Balancers

                  Comment: (For off-topic replies)

                  • #10
                    DS #1584
                    2008 Red GW1800 -- NRA Life Member - American Legion PUFL, American Legion Riders
                    USMC 21 YRS/9 MO and when dead, a dead Marine.
                    US Four Corner Ride https://clayusmcret.blogspot.com/
                    2014 Mid-States Ride https://mid-states.blogspot.com/
                    2015 NC to UT/NV Ride https://2015nvride.blogspot.com/

                    50th State ridden on 19 Aug, 2016 DS #1584

                    Comment: (For off-topic replies)

                    • #11
                      Clayuscret, I am glad you are liking the yoko. Welcome to DS.

                      Comment: (For off-topic replies)

                      • clayusmcret
                        #11.1
                        clayusmcret commented
                        11-06-2014, 05:08 AM
                        Editing a comment
                        Thanks much!
                    • #12
                      I'm glad you and Yoko are getting along. I really like the ZPS.........I caught a big nail in my current Yoko ZPS.........I plugged it with sticky rope and it hasn't lost any pressure - that was 2700 miles ago.
                      '12 GL1800 Level 4 & '08 FLHX Darksider #1378

                      Comment: (For off-topic replies)

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                      For those who run car tires on their bikes, and for those that would like to learn more about this.
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