The debate between using Car tires and motorcycle tires on motorcycles continues. Those that swear by the use of a car tyre on the rear of the bike like to refer to themselves as "Dark Siders". If you ever find yourself in a debate about tires with a darksider you better be prepared for a heated debate. The main fight against the car tire is the tire shoulder and contact patch, on a flat surface the car tire has more contact patch but as the bike turns (leans into a corner) the contact patch decreases and the shoulder does not allow for a safe smooth flow. The other thought against car tires is hydroplaning, with a large flat surface the tire has a tendency to float over a body of water, as it does on a car, where as a motorcycle tire slices through it due to the curvature of the tire.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkB0JnAPY0w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xi1shYlklFM
Dark siders believe that the safety hype put out by the manufacturers is a smoke screen, They believe the real reason tire makers want you to ride on bike tires is because they cost more than car tires and last a fraction of a car tires life. Dark siders swear by the tires for safety saying More meat on the ground means more control and takes away a bit of the painted surface issues inherent with MC tires.
The manufacturer argues that the reason the tires cost more and last less time is that the MC tire is designed to grip the road. The tire has a softer compound to grip the tarmac but has to be strong enough to hold the bike against horizontal g-forces. As for their lack of life expectancy, softer compounds do not last as long as harder compounds.
Awlrighty then! First: Car tires on bikes aint for everyone. There is a transitional feel in a corner that you have to get used to. Second, (esp with a passenger) you will notice a difference in the height of the road. Like a crack in the road at slow speed. This is due to the contact patch of the tire. The ZX14 video is fun to watch, but misplaced. The car tire is meant for cruisers that don't lean like sport bikes. If that ZX was drag racing the worn-out poorly chosen tire that was on it would still have out performed any M-C tire you could afford. My tire: I had a 205 60 16 on Blue. It did everything I ever asked of it. I kept up with Tom on several occasions in the cones. Now I have a 205/70-15. It "acts" more like a M/T since it is taller and a bit thinner. Thus more transition feeling in a corner. When I have a crash bar, we will see what Me and my bike can do in the cones. Again, I would never tell anyone to ride something that makes them uncomfortable. This works for me. I don't slip-ever. We play with real bullets my friends.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing! If you go on www.darksiders.com you will find out quick that M/C tire are harder by several points than Car tires. I gots grip boys.
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