Darkside

[sturmannderss]

I need a little help here. I'm wanting to fo to the darkside, but I'm having a hell of a time finding the recommended 105/65 16 sized tire. Can I get away with a 205/60 16??? If so, will I need to do any modifications??? Thanks...

[sturmannderss]

I meant 195/65 16... Sorry for the typo...

[blowndodge]

Continental makes a Vanco 8 185/75/16 that I'm looking at right now. Go to tirerack.com and they have a good selection..

[Yellow Jacket]

TireRack also has some 195/60-16 available. It's getting hard to find a 195/65-16.

I think a 205 width may not fit between the swing arm.

[sturmannderss]

Is the outside circumference of that tire compatible with the sppedo?

[pablo]

I have a 195 width tire and there is only about 1/8" clearance between it and the swing arm. I don't think a 205 will fit, but the rim will squeez the sides in somewhat so it might. I have a 195/55 and like the lower profile, but it does increase the rpms and speedometer error.

[macmac]

Deado stocker next to a Dunlop 195/60/R16


Mounted on the bike it looks like this


I got it at the TireRack, but I wouldn't tell them what it was for if I were you.

I think it has corrected the speedo error, but am not 100% certain.

[blowndodge]

and you've been pleased with it mac???

[macmac]

Oh yeah! I will never go back to a rear mc tire on this Nomad. PSI is very important, and for me that turned out to be 38 psi. I do think it eats a bit of MPG's though.. Since I installed it I can't get better than 44 MPG.

In braking just hang on to yer teeth! I find it far better in high speed twisties too, I can slice and dice corners with far better precision. Doing 20 mph over the posted limit is cake...

There is a slight bit more presuure needed to hold in down in a curve, but I got used to it quickly and prefer the feeling which is to say the mushies are gone, and you delibertaly hold the bike down. When the curve comes up to straight road you just ease off.

Being that i don't weigh much I find I need two hands to hold a tight curve, but I suspect bigger guys and who ain't compared to me, will still master a one hand curve just fine.

My summer body weight is about 145 pounds unless i was caught in a big Boomer. Then you can add 5 pounds for wet hair easy.

I used Dyna Beads and will as it happens chang over to these in every kind of vehical I have as well.

The non-symetrical tread is a non-issue.

I have read that the 205 fits, but I tend to think it will be the cutting edge of safe. This 195 has plenty of clearance and no mods need be made.

The one thing is that CT are tuff to seat on the bead. That took me 4 tries and the 5th try got it. Each time I spooned the tire, moving it slightly. I never exceeded 51 psi to seat.

Since I was going to use Dyna beads i used silicon spray as the install lube because it dries quickly.

I didn't turn the valve stem when I had the tire off the rim, but wished I did. That was easy enough though with the wheel mounted on the bike. I simply loosened the the 2 valve stem nuts and turned the step 180 degrees, making it easier to reach from the right side.

I had read lower psi was the way to go.. I tried 26, and didn't like it at high speed, but at low speed it was like riding a rail..

I tried 40 psi and at any speed the handling was way to quick like a concave bantam water ski, just too fast for me.. so I backed it off to 38 psi which is the best of both worlds to me.

PSI will be critical and checking it often will be as critical. Solo I ride rear shocks at II and 0 psi, 2 up II and 14psi in the shocks.

[lonewolf]

i have the same tire mac has sp5000 195/60-16, conti makes one and so does goodyear in the blizzak. got mine also from tirerack. about 130$ shipped to my door. i got lucky and found my sweet spot quickly at 35 psi. tire did not correct any speedo error for me. i checked it with my gps.

[macmac]

My speedo effort was to ride by a pretty girl and ask if she was fast? My bike and her car were doing the same speed and she said "yes". To a long hair country hick that means the speedo error is fixed............... right?

[goose]

I hope a 205/65-16 Fits, I just got mine in and haven't got it put on yet. What research that I've done everyone that has a 1600 and is running a 205 said their was no problem. I just helped a friend put a 205/70-15 on a VTX1300, it had a 170/80-15 MT on it and it fit with a little help of prayer! [GOOSE]

[macmac]

Goose, It should fit, but have very limited clearance at the drive shaft tube. I'ld be surprised if 3 credit cards would clear there. Other wise it is a go...

My drive way is 1/2 mile of dirt road, and then the town road is even worse.. I like a bit of clearance.. it matters not how clean my bike is just outside the door, as there is no way it stays clean before i can get to any real road.. oh well..

[Yellow Jacket]

Goose, let us know how it works when you get it on. Thanks.

[sturmannderss]

I found a guy on EBay that has Kumho tires in the 195/65 16 size. Brand new. $68 + shipping. I'm waiting to hear from his as far as handling the transaction, because he has it set up as 4 tire lots....