Best car tire yet?

dkdixie · 04-10-2011, 04:12 AM

Earlier this week I installed my third car tire. Started out with a Dunlop SP5000 195/60R. Liked the tire but carried too much air and wore out the center tread after 16,000+ miles.

Then I went to a Verdestein Quatrac 2 in the same size. Difference between the two was the Verdestein is a directional tread. Thought this tire was really good plus I just plain liked the looks. After a little over a year, picked up a screw and had the tire plugged.
Well, recently it developed a slow leak, plus I never really was comfortable riding with a plugged tire. Could have had the tire patched from the inside but with 12,000 miles figured might as well replace it.
Verdestein just announced they have discontinued this tire or I would have ordered another one.

I replaced it with a Bridgestone Turanza EL400-02 in 195/60R. I'm not a big fan of Bridgestone tires mainly because the OEM motorcycle tires are totally crap.
After a few hundred miles I feel this tire is the best CT yet. While I thought the other two were good, this tire is so nimble it really feels like a m/c tire.
So far, I really like it. Going through the break in period so really haven't ridden it that aggressively. Need to find the sweet spot and get some serious miles on it.

Also, I'm a big fan of Dynabeads. Have used them in all the car tires as well as the last two front tires. On the Darkside forum I've noticed quite a few guys are now using soft airguns pellets instead of Dynabeads. So, I thought I would give these a try as well.

**Cajunrider** · 04-10-2011, 06:42 AM

Thanks for the info Dick. I'll be looking for a new CT after the National Rally.

VulcanE · 04-10-2011, 07:58 AM

Glad your liking it so well, if and when I wear out my GYTT, I may go this route. I'm also very interested in the pellets too, keep us advised.........

**ringadingh** · 04-10-2011, 08:44 AM

Im using the Vredestein Comtrac and its working out well so far, however if when its time to replace I may take your advice and try the Bridgestone. My main reason going with the Vredestein is that is the only tire that comes in a 175 width, I didn't see the need for a wider tire and the 1500's have a 3 1/2" rim.

dabull · 04-10-2011, 08:48 AM

Good info DK.......my current Cobra Avon MC tires are hanging on tuff - right now at 12K and look GREAT.....going to be atuff decision when the time comes ;)

usranger74 · 04-10-2011, 08:59 AM

Txs for the info. I am still on the fence and like reading post about CTs.

blowndodge · 04-10-2011, 09:52 AM

13K on my Continental truck tire and still looks new...

**markclark57** · 04-10-2011, 05:09 PM

I went with a 205/60-16 Goodyear Triple Tread (GYTT) for the high traction ratings and even directional tread pattern. The ride is different especially in low tight cornering. Traction is "off the chart" better than the stock M/C tire, especially on wet roads. Pluses that I didn't notice till after the change are the added stability at ultra low speeds, and that it looks really good too.

**Jared** · 04-10-2011, 06:10 PM

Wow dixie, you are going through your ct rather quickly. I just sold my last Nomad with a Dunlop sp5000 with 30K miles on the tire. It was getting pretty warn, but still okay.

I ended up purchasing another Dunlop. I had very good experiences with it.

Also, my last dunlop had two patches in it. :)

**markclark57** · 04-10-2011, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Utah Motorcyclist

Wow dixie, you are going through your ct rather quickly. I just sold my last Nomad with a Dunlop sp5000 with 30K miles on the tire. It was getting pretty warn, but still okay.

I ended up purchasing another Dunlop. I had very good experiences with it.

Also, my last dunlop had two patches in it. :)

Utah,
Does that mean that you got your new bike? What did you get.

macmac · 04-10-2011, 07:32 PM

Whats a soft air gun pellet?

**Jared** · 04-10-2011, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markclark57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Utah Motorcyclist

Wow dixie, you are going through your ct rather quickly. I just sold my last Nomad with a Dunlop sp5000 with 30K miles on the tire. It was getting pretty warn, but still okay.

I ended up purchasing another Dunlop. I had very good experiences with it.

Also, my last dunlop had two patches in it. :)

Utah,
Does that mean that you got your new bike? What did you get.

There are a couple updates on my blog, which is linked in my signature line. You can follow what I'm doing to my bike there. When it gets done I'll post some pictures.

VulcanE · 04-10-2011, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macmac

Whats a soft air gun pellet?

Mac, they are like plastic BBs, a lot of folks over on the DarkSide forms are using them instead of Dynabeads. They work just as well, and cost a whole lot less. You use the same amount (in weight) as you do in the Dynabeads.

**Jared** · 04-10-2011, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VulcanE

Quote:

Originally Posted by macmac

Whats a soft air gun pellet?

Mac, they are like plastic BBs, a lot of folks over on the DarkSide forms are using them instead of Dynabeads. They work just as well, and cost a whole lot less. You use the same amount (in weight) as you do in the Dynabeads.

I haven't been over on the ds forums for a long time, so I guess I'm missing out. I've never heard of this. Do you have experience with them? You can get a big tub of air soft bb at Walmart for next to nothing. Maybe that is what I'll do instead of the Dynabeads....

VulcanE · 04-10-2011, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Utah Motorcyclist

Quote:

Originally Posted by VulcanE

Mac, they are like plastic BBs, a lot of folks over on the DarkSide forms are using them instead of Dynabeads. They work just as well, and cost a whole lot less. You use the same amount (in weight) as you do in the Dynabeads.

I haven't been over on the ds forums for a long time, so I guess I'm missing out. I've never heard of this. Do you have experience with them? You can get a big tub of air soft bb at Walmart for next to nothing. Maybe that is what I'll do instead of the Dynabeads....

I don't have personal experience with these, I'm still running the dynabeads, but DKdixie is running them and he really likes them, and like you said, you can get them cheap.

04-10-2011, 04:12 AM	#1
dkdixie Sr. Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Blairsville in N. GA mountains Posts: 1,625	Best car tire yet? Earlier this week I installed my third car tire. Started out with a Dunlop SP5000 195/60R. Liked the tire but carried too much air and wore out the center tread after 16,000+ miles. Then I went to a Verdestein Quatrac 2 in the same size. Difference between the two was the Verdestein is a directional tread. Thought this tire was really good plus I just plain liked the looks. After a little over a year, picked up a screw and had the tire plugged. Well, recently it developed a slow leak, plus I never really was comfortable riding with a plugged tire. Could have had the tire patched from the inside but with 12,000 miles figured might as well replace it. Verdestein just announced they have discontinued this tire or I would have ordered another one. I replaced it with a Bridgestone Turanza EL400-02 in 195/60R. I'm not a big fan of Bridgestone tires mainly because the OEM motorcycle tires are totally crap. After a few hundred miles I feel this tire is the best CT yet. While I thought the other two were good, this tire is so nimble it really feels like a m/c tire. So far, I really like it. Going through the break in period so really haven't ridden it that aggressively. Need to find the sweet spot and get some serious miles on it. Also, I'm a big fan of Dynabeads. Have used them in all the car tires as well as the last two front tires. On the Darkside forum I've noticed quite a few guys are now using soft airguns pellets instead of Dynabeads. So, I thought I would give these a try as well. __________________ Dick Campbell Blairsville, GA 2008 Red & Black Nomad 1600 (retired) 2009 1900 Yamaha Stratoliner (retired) 2013 1900 Yamaha Stratoliner 2018 CanAm RT Limited Spyder (Sold) 2014 Goldwing Roadsmith Red Trike (Sold) 2019 Goldwing DCT Roadsmith Copper & Black Trike VBA #243 Darkside #115 Patriot Guard Rider American Legion Rider Login or Register to Remove Ads
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04-10-2011, 06:42 AM	#2
Cajunrider Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: (SE Louisiana) Posts: 8,340	Best car tire yet? Thanks for the info Dick. I'll be looking for a new CT after the National Rally. __________________ 2016 Electra Glide Ultra Limited CVO Palladium Silver / Phantom Blue 110 cu in SE 2012 Electra Glide Ultra Limited (Traded 6/22/16) Tequila Sunrise / HD Orange Vance & Hines true dual headers Rinehart 4" slip ons Screamin Eagle Super Tuner Screamin Eagle Stage 1 intake Dyno tuned H.O.G.# 4514015 2007 Nomad 1600 (Traded 6/23/12) VBA #482
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04-10-2011, 07:58 AM	#3
VulcanE Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cartersville, Georgia Posts: 4,838	Best car tire yet? Glad your liking it so well, if and when I wear out my GYTT, I may go this route. I'm also very interested in the pellets too, keep us advised......... __________________ Cliff "VulcanE" Evans 2005 Blue & Silver 1600 Nomad VBA # 320 VROC # 20381
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04-10-2011, 08:44 AM	#4
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Best car tire yet? Im using the Vredestein Comtrac and its working out well so far, however if when its time to replace I may take your advice and try the Bridgestone. My main reason going with the Vredestein is that is the only tire that comes in a 175 width, I didn't see the need for a wider tire and the 1500's have a 3 1/2" rim. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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04-10-2011, 08:48 AM	#5
dabull Sr. Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Crestview, FL Posts: 2,409	Best car tire yet? Good info DK.......my current Cobra Avon MC tires are hanging on tuff - right now at 12K and look GREAT.....going to be atuff decision when the time comes ;) Login or Register to Remove Ads
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04-10-2011, 08:59 AM	#6
usranger74 Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: La Vista, NE Posts: 4,060	Best car tire yet? Txs for the info. I am still on the fence and like reading post about CTs. __________________ Bill (usranger74) Blake 2016 Goldwing VBA # 1505
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04-10-2011, 09:52 AM	#7
blowndodge Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington City, Utah Posts: 16,474	Best car tire yet? 13K on my Continental truck tire and still looks new... __________________ 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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04-10-2011, 05:09 PM	#8
markclark57 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 3,108	Best car tire yet? I went with a 205/60-16 Goodyear Triple Tread (GYTT) for the high traction ratings and even directional tread pattern. The ride is different especially in low tight cornering. Traction is "off the chart" better than the stock M/C tire, especially on wet roads. Pluses that I didn't notice till after the change are the added stability at ultra low speeds, and that it looks really good too. __________________ 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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04-10-2011, 06:10 PM	#9
Jared Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Greeley, Colorado Posts: 6,772	Best car tire yet? Wow dixie, you are going through your ct rather quickly. I just sold my last Nomad with a Dunlop sp5000 with 30K miles on the tire. It was getting pretty warn, but still okay. I ended up purchasing another Dunlop. I had very good experiences with it. Also, my last dunlop had two patches in it. :) __________________ Jared VBA #1051 (Former President)
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04-10-2011, 07:32 PM	#11
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	Best car tire yet? Whats a soft air gun pellet? __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
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