darkside tire question

**Idaho** · 04-14-2012, 10:04 AM

I've been running a Vanco 8 tire for a couple of years now and want to replace it because while the tread is still deep the hard rubber compound seems to break loose too quickly when I lay on the rear brake.

Looking at replacement tires I'm wondering about an all season tire with softer rubber compound and found the Bridgestone Blizzak WS60 in 195/60-16. I like the tread design because of the symmetry and the siping across the treads.

I would like to hear the opions of people who know more about tires than I do regarding this tire.

**markclark57** · 04-14-2012, 10:23 AM

Bud, I really like the GYTT that I've had on for about 7K. Mine's a 205/60-16, but if you want to narrow it down to a 195 you could go a little taller and lower your RPM's (correct the speedo/better mileage). I went with the 205 to get the Max Traction because I was still commuting in the Puget Sound when I bought it.

blowndodge · 04-14-2012, 11:32 AM

Bud we have the exact tire and I havent noticed any loss of traction in 22k mile

s

**Idaho** · 04-14-2012, 11:56 AM

Mark, the tire that I'm running now is a 185/75-16 for that very reason. I have not been able to find anything in a 70 or 75 aspect ratio in all of my searches.

Brad, The tire does great in twisties and on wet road is seems to hold okay. I've just felt like when I apply the rear brake a little harder than normal the tire looses traction and the wheel locks up sooner than I like. I'm hoping that newer tire with softer compound will hold the road surface and keep the wheel from locking up quite so soon. Know what I mean?

dholmer · 04-14-2012, 12:08 PM

Mark I am assuming the GYTT is a Good Year is that correct?

recumbentbob · 04-14-2012, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dholmer

Mark I am assuming the GYTT is a Good Year is that correct?

Yes GYTT = Good Year Triple Tread

**Idaho** · 04-14-2012, 12:34 PM

The problem I'm having is finding a 16 inch tire with a tall enough aspect ratio to help with the speedo correction. I just found this tire
http://www.directbuytire.com/product-p/12466.htm

and it too looks like a possibility.

Still would like to know anyones thoughts on the Bridgstone Blizzak.

**ringadingh** · 04-14-2012, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Idaho

I've been running a Vanco 8 tire for a couple of years now and want to replace it because while the tread is still deep the hard rubber compound seems to break loose too quickly when I lay on the rear brake.

Looking at replacement tires I'm wondering about an all season tire with softer rubber compound and found the Bridgestone Blizzak WS60 in 195/60-16. I like the tread design because of the symmetry and the siping across the treads.

I would like to hear the opions of people who know more about tires than I do regarding this tire.

It could be just the particular asphalt your riding on. There are a couple areas around here that are very slippery when wet. It takes nothing to break the tire loose, and thats with my ME880, my Dunlops and now my cartire.

**Idaho** · 04-14-2012, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ringadingh

It could be just the particular asphalt your riding on. There are a couple areas around here that are very slippery when wet. It takes nothing to break the tire loose, and thats with my ME880, my Dunlops and now my cartire.

You could be right about the road surface. It is not a big hurry but sometime this season I want to replace it anyway so I thought I would start to search now.

cndfireman · 04-14-2012, 08:37 PM

Well i think if you would run a blizzak you would not be impressed with the mileage vs. wear. Alot of ppl up here in the great white north run them on there cars great on ice and snow but as soon as the weather warms up they take them off cause they just wear out like crazy.

I just re-ordered a tire for my bike as i was not aware that the 03 could not run a gytt in a 205 till i mounted it to find out did not clear swing arm! Must say really did like the look of it and from my automotive experience these tires wear great on a car and are extremely quiet.

VulcanE · 04-14-2012, 08:40 PM

Bud, the Bridgstone Blizzak is a studless snow tire, and has no UTQG rating (tread wear rating). It is extremely soft and probably wouldn't last 5000 miles. I'm a big fan of the GYTT, had it on since '09, got 17,000 miles on it, and measured the tread depth today and it was 8/32 (started out @ 10/32). This is a great tire (205/60-16) in the rain, wet roads, dry roads, and especially in stopping. I always said I'd replace it with another, but Goodyear has changed the design of it. The new ones have square shoulders, a UTQG of 640, and changed the tread pattern a little, the one I have (and like Mark has), has round shoulders, and a UTQG of 740, so I guess my next tire won't be a GYTT, but that's a while down the road, but I do look around. One tire I found in the 205/65-16 series that I like, and you might want to check it out is this

http://www.tirebuyer.com/tirebuyerwi...tedItem/165026

**Idaho** · 04-14-2012, 10:23 PM

Hey Cliff, that is the exact same tire that I provided a link to. I just went through reviews of Nexen tires and they are not very good. Maybe we both had better re-think that brand.

**nomadtom69** · 04-15-2012, 12:02 AM

Cliff what do you think about this tire I ran a set on a Explorer 2 years great tires http://www.discounttiredirect.com/di...w=false&cs=205

anchornomad · 04-15-2012, 01:59 AM

Bud, the fellows comments on the Blizzak are right on. They are a winter tire... wear quickly and under the soft rubber is a harder rubber compound which defeats the purpose they were originally intended for. Some folks have suggested a Hankook tire. They mentioned the Hankook Optimo and one that is appealing is the Optimo 4S (205/60 R16) which they say is a 4 season tire. Optimo H724 is in a 205/60/16 and a 65.

Goose had a post a while ago about VREDESTEIN who have a 195/65/16 as does Nokian See this website.
Following Website http://www.tiresbyweb.com/tbw_tirese...=1&choice2=All

Good luck on the tires and keep us posted.

VulcanE · 04-15-2012, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nomadtom69

Cliff what do you think about this tire I ran a set on a Explorer 2 years great tires http://www.discounttiredirect.com/di...w=false&cs=205

Tom, Cooper makes great tires, and I think the next set of tires going on my truck will be Cooper's (Discover AT3), but on my bike, I like having the one direction tread pattern. Nothing wrong with the standard tread pattern, just a personal preference.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Idaho

Hey Cliff, that is the exact same tire that I provided a link to. I just went through reviews of Nexen tires and they are not very good. Maybe we both had better re-think that brand.

Bud, sorry about that, After going back and re-looking at them, they are the same

. Actually,For now anyway, I think my next tire will be this one

http://tires.tirerack.com/tires/Yoko...%20205%2060-16

04-14-2012, 10:04 AM	#1
Idaho Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Pocatello, Idaho Posts: 5,241	darkside tire question I've been running a Vanco 8 tire for a couple of years now and want to replace it because while the tread is still deep the hard rubber compound seems to break loose too quickly when I lay on the rear brake. Looking at replacement tires I'm wondering about an all season tire with softer rubber compound and found the Bridgestone Blizzak WS60 in 195/60-16. I like the tread design because of the symmetry and the siping across the treads. I would like to hear the opions of people who know more about tires than I do regarding this tire. __________________ Idaho (aka Curmudgeon) Blue Knights Idaho III VBA #110 VROC #24864 IBA #49753 2007 Nomad 86,000 miles Bud Smalley Pocatello, Idaho Idaho Jack Adapter Login or Register to Remove Ads
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04-14-2012, 10:23 AM	#2
markclark57 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 3,108	Bud, I really like the GYTT that I've had on for about 7K. Mine's a 205/60-16, but if you want to narrow it down to a 195 you could go a little taller and lower your RPM's (correct the speedo/better mileage). I went with the 205 to get the Max Traction because I was still commuting in the Puget Sound when I bought it. __________________ 2006 Vulcan 1600 Classic "George III" (Patricia's) 2006 Vulcan 1600 Nomad "Grace" (Mark's) Mark Clark VBA #1619 TaibhseDaid@Gmail.Com "Irish" @ Maricopa County Chapter of B.A.C.A. Phoenix, AZ
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04-14-2012, 11:32 AM	#3
blowndodge Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington City, Utah Posts: 16,474	Bud we have the exact tire and I havent noticed any loss of traction in 22k miles __________________ I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited There are two types of Harley riders. Those that trailer them and those that push them. The most Interesting Man in the World "Find the things in life you don't do well and don't do those things" Member # 0005
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04-14-2012, 11:56 AM	#4
Idaho Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Pocatello, Idaho Posts: 5,241	Mark, the tire that I'm running now is a 185/75-16 for that very reason. I have not been able to find anything in a 70 or 75 aspect ratio in all of my searches. Brad, The tire does great in twisties and on wet road is seems to hold okay. I've just felt like when I apply the rear brake a little harder than normal the tire looses traction and the wheel locks up sooner than I like. I'm hoping that newer tire with softer compound will hold the road surface and keep the wheel from locking up quite so soon. Know what I mean? __________________ Idaho (aka Curmudgeon) Blue Knights Idaho III VBA #110 VROC #24864 IBA #49753 2007 Nomad 86,000 miles Bud Smalley Pocatello, Idaho Idaho Jack Adapter
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04-14-2012, 12:08 PM	#5
dholmer Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Utah Posts: 267	Mark I am assuming the GYTT is a Good Year is that correct? __________________ 2006 Nomad KawaNow #01849 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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04-14-2012, 12:34 PM	#7
Idaho Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Pocatello, Idaho Posts: 5,241	The problem I'm having is finding a 16 inch tire with a tall enough aspect ratio to help with the speedo correction. I just found this tire http://www.directbuytire.com/product-p/12466.htm and it too looks like a possibility. Still would like to know anyones thoughts on the Bridgstone Blizzak. __________________ Idaho (aka Curmudgeon) Blue Knights Idaho III VBA #110 VROC #24864 IBA #49753 2007 Nomad 86,000 miles Bud Smalley Pocatello, Idaho Idaho Jack Adapter
	0

04-14-2012, 08:37 PM	#10
cndfireman Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: long sault ontario Posts: 113	Well i think if you would run a blizzak you would not be impressed with the mileage vs. wear. Alot of ppl up here in the great white north run them on there cars great on ice and snow but as soon as the weather warms up they take them off cause they just wear out like crazy. I just re-ordered a tire for my bike as i was not aware that the 03 could not run a gytt in a 205 till i mounted it to find out did not clear swing arm! Must say really did like the look of it and from my automotive experience these tires wear great on a car and are extremely quiet.
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04-14-2012, 08:40 PM	#11
VulcanE Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cartersville, Georgia Posts: 4,838	Bud, the Bridgstone Blizzak is a studless snow tire, and has no UTQG rating (tread wear rating). It is extremely soft and probably wouldn't last 5000 miles. I'm a big fan of the GYTT, had it on since '09, got 17,000 miles on it, and measured the tread depth today and it was 8/32 (started out @ 10/32). This is a great tire (205/60-16) in the rain, wet roads, dry roads, and especially in stopping. I always said I'd replace it with another, but Goodyear has changed the design of it. The new ones have square shoulders, a UTQG of 640, and changed the tread pattern a little, the one I have (and like Mark has), has round shoulders, and a UTQG of 740, so I guess my next tire won't be a GYTT, but that's a while down the road, but I do look around. One tire I found in the 205/65-16 series that I like, and you might want to check it out is this http://www.tirebuyer.com/tirebuyerwi...tedItem/165026 __________________ Cliff "VulcanE" Evans 2005 Blue & Silver 1600 Nomad VBA # 320 VROC # 20381
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04-14-2012, 10:23 PM	#12
Idaho Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Pocatello, Idaho Posts: 5,241	Hey Cliff, that is the exact same tire that I provided a link to. I just went through reviews of Nexen tires and they are not very good. Maybe we both had better re-think that brand. __________________ Idaho (aka Curmudgeon) Blue Knights Idaho III VBA #110 VROC #24864 IBA #49753 2007 Nomad 86,000 miles Bud Smalley Pocatello, Idaho Idaho Jack Adapter
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04-15-2012, 12:02 AM	#13
nomadtom69 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Maryville, Tn Posts: 2,656	Cliff what do you think about this tire I ran a set on a Explorer 2 years great tires http://www.discounttiredirect.com/di...w=false&cs=205 __________________ (NomadTom69)Tom Green Previous bikes - 2004 BMW R1200 CLC 2006 Nomad 1600 Black -1985 BMW K100 RT VBA #001609 Viet-Nam Vet 71-72 Maryville , Tn. Maggie Valley '11-Townsend '12-Estes Park '13- Copperhead fall rally "13- Elkins WV '14- Eureka Springs ' 15- Helen Ga. SE Rally '16
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04-15-2012, 01:59 AM	#14
anchornomad Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Evansburg, Alberta Canada Posts: 293	Bud, the fellows comments on the Blizzak are right on. They are a winter tire... wear quickly and under the soft rubber is a harder rubber compound which defeats the purpose they were originally intended for. Some folks have suggested a Hankook tire. They mentioned the Hankook Optimo and one that is appealing is the Optimo 4S (205/60 R16) which they say is a 4 season tire. Optimo H724 is in a 205/60/16 and a 65. Goose had a post a while ago about VREDESTEIN who have a 195/65/16 as does Nokian See this website. Following Website http://www.tiresbyweb.com/tbw_tirese...=1&choice2=All Good luck on the tires and keep us posted. __________________ FREEDOM ISN'T FREE *2007 Nomad Black & Titanium - Dennis -Evansburg, Alberta Canada KawaNOW #01721
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