'05 Nomad DS recommendations

[fudd]

Gonna go DarkSide soon. Have read posts here and on other DarkSide websites. For purely selfish reasons (and less reading for me) - if you have a DarkSide tire on your '05 Nomad would you please list what kind/size of tire it is and other relevant details. Tire pressure, ride, does it rub (as some have experienced), life, like/dislike, etc. Am not looking for arguments pro/con. Thanks for your help!

[gershon]

Some people go with GYTT or General 205/60-16 and no rubbing at all. Or go with 195/60-16. Start at 38psi and find your sweet spot going down. Just between 28-34psi.

[mobandy78]

I have an '05 and I'm running a Bridgestone Turanza 195/60-16. I love it and will not use any other type. I'm running it at 30 psi (I'm 6'2", 210 lbs). It handles amazing and has a very smooth and soft ride. It fits perfectly fine, no rubbing at all. I put mine on the first of this year, so life span I'm not sure, but I'm expecting 20k out of it at least. I like everything about it! I haven't noticed anything that I don't like. Even riding on grooved roads/highways I don't find that it tracks the grooves any different than the m/t would. There was another member on here that posted he went from a Dunlop SP5000 to the Bridgestone Turanza and said it was the best c/t he's ever used. He said it handled much better than the previous 2 and had a better ride.

You do need to start out the c/t, which ever brand, at 38-40 psi for a few hundred miles to break it in, then drop the psi to find the ride you like best.

Hope this is what you're looking for.

[VulcanE]

I run the Goodyear TripleTred 205/60-16 (GYTT) on an '05 and have over 10,000 miles on it. I haven't measured the tread to check for wear (and I know it has some), but just to look at it, it still looks like it did when I installed it. I would already be about 1/2 through my second MC tire with 10,000 miles. It did take a few times riding it to get used to the differences. It doesn't rub, but is very close to the swing arm (.090"). DKdixie has an '08 (same bike, different year), and has run 3 different 195/60-16s on it. His current tire, and the one he likes best is the Bridgestone Turanza EL400-02
The things I really like about my GYTT is how well it handles wet roads, how stable the bike feels in corners, how well it handles hard braking, and how much smoother the over-all ride is. Tar snakes, milled asphalt, bridges with grate decking, are all easier with the GYTT.
The only con is when crossing uneven pavement, like when their re-paving a road, one lane paved, and the other one not.
Whatever tire you get, start out at ~40 psi for at least the first 300 miles, then start playing with pressures in 2 lb increments until you find your "sweet spot".

[fudd]

This is the kind of information I was looking for.....thanks for the help so far. Have been looking at some of what you have suggested.....and gotta admit that I kinda like the looks of the General Altimax HP and the GTT. Can just imagine some engineer sitting at his computer trying to design a "sexy" tire......but they both caught my eye. Keep the suggestions coming in and thanks again!

[macmac]

06 1600 Dunlop Sp 5000 195/60/R 16, 11,000 miles 6/32nds left from 10/32nd s new.

Love it. 2 OZ Dyna beads, 36 psi now, may lower to 32, and may go with Goodyear TripleTred 205/60-16 next time.

The SP 5000 is a no brainer fit. The Goodyear TripleTred 205/60-16 still bothers me in sidewall to driveshaft cover clearance, but I live rural, and to just get to a paved road os more than 6/10ths mile. A pebble caught between could be a problem.

[VulcanE]

Mac, with a 195, you should have about .200" clearance between the tire and swing arm. with a 205, I have .090" clearance. I also have a gravel driveway, not as long as yours, but about 500' long. Seems to me that a gravel rock would stand a better chance of getting hung in a 1/4" gap than in a 3/32 gap. I say this thinking of the work rest on a bench grinder/sander, the closer it is without touching, the less likely of getting the work sucked in...... ;)

[macmac]

Vulcan, that is a fair point, and it just might be. The whole problem I got is that feller Murphy has taken residence in my walley pocket too many times. I just know if I went to a belt drive bike, a stone would split the belt.

I really like the CT since it doesn't ping rocks into the woods, like the brick did. I was worried I was gonna kill someone a mile and 1/2 a way

[VulcanE]

LMAO ............ I know what you mean....... that feller Murphy, must have a brother or 1st cousin that lives next door to me... ::)

[anchornomad]

Have not heard from KawaNow member, Goose for a while but this NanKang NS-II tire is the one he uses and looks like a good tire for the Nomad. He said he was quite pleased with the performance of it. I believe he recommended the 55 series tire. Have a look on the site below. Good looking pattern on the tire. Den

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayIS....T#ht _500wt_895

New Nankang NS-II Tire(s) 195/50-16 50R16 R16 1955016
Item condition: New
Compatibility: See compatible vehicles
Quantity:
More than 10 available
Price: US $73.00

[fudd]

Local tire buddy has found me a Turanza 195/60-16......will be here in a couple of days........thinks out the door price will be around $125.......May be dark-sidin' by the weekend!

[mobandy78]

Good choice!

[macmac]

I'll save you some time.

Once that tire is mounted on the wheel, let the air out.

With or with out help, set the tranny in first gear. Sit Indian fashion on the floor to the left rear of the bike and roll the wheel assembly in under the fender on an angle. This is a must do.

With the wheel on the ground install the axel bolt and the inner spacer to be flush with the bolt. Raise the wheel to the well greased splines and pull it at you rotating the wheel to aline it on the splines. When it goes clunk you have it.

Finish up and don't forget to add AIR.

[fudd]

That was going to be my next issue.....local bike shop can't work me in until next Monday. Think I am gonna have a party one evening with all hands on deck and make the change "in-house". Have spent many hours changing dirt bike tires over the years.....am thinking this is gonna be on a little bigger scale. Please offer any other tips that might come in handy....including greasing up the drive shaft while we have her down. Are you all using "beads" or having the wheel balanced on a machine?

[oldbikers]

I have an 05 and run a Dunlap 5000 195R60/16 with 3 oz of beads and 30 psi no problems at all.