New Darksider

[macmac]

I guess the price went up for the 5000 in 195/60 R16 from Tire Rack as mine was $115.00 last year.

I'ld bump that psi up some to maybe 36 psi. With lower psi there can be a high speed wobble when you decel too fast. It is very hard to notice, and so not much of a real problem, so far as I know.

I only experienced it twice, both time speeding up quickly and then deceling as I had caught up with traffic flow, doing just a tad over the posted limits...

I found on loose gravel 40 psi and up was a bit more excitement than I wanted too, so I believe 1/2 pound increments with a digital read out meter are worth it.

I really like the way the rear end handles with this 5000 on..

I don't care what the speedo says, and wanted more than 8,000 out of a rear tire, with out sacrificing low end grunt...

[barrynfla]

Originally Posted by Blowndodge "Darksider"

If I couldn't have found a car tire that fixes the optimistic speedometer I wouldn't have got one I think. Mine is a 185/75/16 tire. 2 inches taller than stock.

The 195/60/16 is the same diameter (acutally a tiny bit smaller in diameter) as the 170/70/16.

bd......that's pretty good news for me as I have my speedohealer set for a 10% correction. I reckon I'll still be in the ballpark with the CT on. Thanks for the info.

Barry

[jesse]

I got the 195/60R16, $135 from a local dealer. I really wanted to wait until everyone got back from Custer and get an update on BD's tire but the stone said replace now. I wanted to go with the 185/75R16 but had several questions left to ask. This tire should be the answer to the speedo inaccuracies. I didn't know if it would clear my trailer hitch or not. BD, how has raising the cold pressure to 40 psi or near that, affected the difference between hot and cold pressures? The difference you said in the earlier threads suggested sidewall flex, causing heating and premature wear at the sidewall a potentially dangerous condition. I don't know but was concerned and was glad when the cold pressure went up, I hope it still rides well. Mac says my tire should have 36 to 32psi I am working on that now. So far am well pleased with my decision and have all of you to thank!

dkdixie & VulcanE would be an honor to meet you. Will try if at all possible on your way through. Eureka Springs is a great bike town and only about 40 miles away. many come here and spend their entire vacation, it has miles of good riding right there.

[dkdixie]

Barry, on mine with Dunlop SP 5000 195/60r speedo is a tad less than 10% off according to GPS. Doubt you will have to reprogram your healer.

Jesse....shoot me a PM with your phone numbers, etc. Will call you in route Thurs. Hope you can meet up with us....perhaps for dinner. We'll even let you buy us a cold beer!
Can you recommend a motel within walking distance to decent food and cold malt beverage!

[billmac]

I think the Metzler 880 tread design causes the vibration. If I stay straight up the tire is smooth. But staying straight up is no fun. I want to lean without the vibration.

I got my tire cheap from Ron Ayers. It is a 180/75/16. I am not interested in trying to get a refund on a used tire. I will just replace early and go to the darkside.

I want to make the speedometer accurate but I don't want to lose torque. If I go to the 185/75/16, like Blowndodge, the tire is 2 inches taller. What will that do to my torque?

If I go with a 195/60/16, my speedometer will be off again. I want the speedometer to be accurate.

Seems tirerack.com has a great price.

[blowndodge]

Originally Posted by jesse

I got the 195/60R16, $135 from a local dealer. I really wanted to wait until everyone got back from Custer and get an update on BD's tire but the stone said replace now. I wanted to go with the 185/75R16 but had several questions left to ask. This tire should be the answer to the speedo inaccuracies. I didn't know if it would clear my trailer hitch or not. BD, how has raising the cold pressure to 40 psi or near that, affected the difference between hot and cold pressures? The difference you said in the earlier threads suggested sidewall flex, causing heating and premature wear at the sidewall a potentially dangerous condition. I don't know but was concerned and was glad when the cold pressure went up, I hope it still rides well. Mac says my tire should have 36 to 32psi I am working on that now. So far am well pleased with my decision and have all of you to thank!

dkdixie & VulcanE would be an honor to meet you. Will try if at all possible on your way through. Eureka Springs is a great bike town and only about 40 miles away. many come here and spend their entire vacation, it has miles of good riding right there.

I was constantly changing air pressure, 20-50lbs just to get the tire to flex in both directions to get it to break in. Car tires do require at least 500 miles to get most of the "squirliness" out of them. After running over 40 lbs for 500 miles I've started backing down. I'm now at 29lbs. and it seems real nice. No rain groove wiggle and the tire still feels rock hard to the touch.

Remember it's an 8 ply tire so I can probably run 10 lbs in it. I took it down to 20 for awhile and had my neighbor look at it as I tried to jump up and down on the seat to see if he could tell it was a little low on air and he said it didn't budge an inch. Looked fully inflated the whole time.

rides like a Cadillac on the highway. I never feel any bump feeling through the rear tire. Nothing disturbers it. It's tracking really good right now after about 800 miles on it.

BTW max inflation is rated at 70lbs! Hows that for a tough tire? that and its slightly rounded profile makes it a natural for a motorcycle. You can see that in my profile pic.

[billmac]

Appreciate the info BD. Profile picture looks good. That is, the picture of the tire!

[jesse]

BD, glad to hear those encouraging words. We want everyone to be safe.

[ringadingh]

Originally Posted by billmac

I want to make the speedometer accurate but I don't want to lose torque. If I go to the 185/75/16, like Blowndodge, the tire is 2 inches taller. What will that do to my torque?

It shouldn't effect the torque at all since its the same motor output and rpm's, It may raise your final gear ratio a bit with a taller tire, but I doubt you would notice it much, if in fact at all.

[billmac]

Originally Posted by Ringadingh

It shouldn't effect the torque at all since its the same motor output and rpm's, It may raise your final gear ratio a bit with a taller tire, but I doubt you would notice it much, if in fact at all.

I noticed the larger 180 metzler. It raised my gear ratio slightly and seemed to reduce power slightly. I liked the change while cruising at 70mph. The Nomad felt more relaxed.

I am glad to hear the 2 inch taller tire would not be noticed much.

Thanks for your thoughts.

[blowndodge]

The relaxed reduced engine speed is nice! If I'm going up a very steep grade I can grab 4th and hold a "real" 70mph and have plenty of power to climb and/or pass. I've noticed I don't hit 5th as often because I'm traveling at a real speed on the speedometer now. I plan on holding between 70 and 75 on the way to Custer knowing that I'm really going that fast. The engine sounding like it's loafing along just fine and I'm surely not holding up traffic! Before the car tire that would have my speedometer indicating about 80.

[pablo]

Originally Posted by Blowndodge "Darksider"

The relaxed reduced engine speed is nice!

BD, that sounds good. With my lower profile tire (195/55) I have to run about 87 indicated to go an actual 75 mph. It would be nice to have a 6th gear. I guess the advantage is, I don't have to shift down to pass or accellerate up hills; just twist the throttle and go.
Pablo