Go to the Darkside FAQ thread. Look down the list of people doing it. #90 lists the front tire used. I think odot used that one too.
Of the 3 I tried- General G-Max AS-03, Michelin Exalto and Riken Raptor- I think the Raptor was the best all-round of the 3. I base that on my interstate, US Hwy, twisty and improved National Forest unpaved roads. The AS-03 was and the Raptor is awe inspiring in the wet. Amazing grip!!Riken Raptor is what I run on my bike. Great all around tire and excellent in the rain.
My only thought on that tire is that I personally would not run a tire with an asymmetrical tread. Seems like it would turn left and right differently.New to the FJR world but not to the Darkside: Love the thread here. After the 1st 25 pages I skipped to the end and started reading backwards 10 pages at a time. Currently @ 140 something. Have read the FAQ thread. Thanks to all for hanging in there and pioneering this in the FJR community. So glad no one succumbed to the nay sayers.
Awaiting the MC tire to wear out then will probably install the Raptor but this caught my attention: https://www.1010tires.com/Tires/Kumho/Solus+TA71/205-50R17
Thoughts?
Plan on installing a Bridgestone Pneu Battlax BT46 Blackwall Size 130/70-17 on the front. I have reversed rotation of back tires before but read somewhere that some think this is no longer necessary?
Again Awesome job here everyone!
I just don't buy that the tire tread blocks being square on one side and round on the other doesn't cause goofy handling.That was my thought to until I read in this thread that it has been a non issue.
I used several ct's on my gold wing that had asymmetrical tread and made no difference in handling. As with all ct's it's usually just the uneven road surface slow speed handling that makes you remember it's a ct back there.I just don't buy that the tire tread blocks being square on one side and round on the other doesn't cause goofy handling.
New darksider here. Figured I should contribute to this thread instead of Facebook. If you already saw this there, please ignore the extra post.
Last week I mounted this tire. BFG G-FORCE COMP2 A/S+ 205/50ZR17
I thought I should reply with some impressions in case it helps someone else. Over the weekend I took a twisty ride up north, 120 miles each way.
• I'm really feeling the extra weight of this tire. It's HEAVY! My Pilot Road 2 was 13 pounds. This one is 23+ pounds! I wonder if it’s going to be too much for my old rear shock.
• Acceleration is noticeably slower on the highway. Rear braking requires more effort also.
• At 40 psi it was awkward to maneuver. There was a noticeable "hard edge" I had to roll over before it would lean into a turn or to pass. At 38 psi that "edge" is less apparent.
• Lots of bar effort is required to maneuver on twisty roads. Lots.
• I had to ride a mile over dirt road. This same dirt road was very slippery with a MT. Not slippery at all with the CT. Almost felt like a big dirt bike on the dirt road.
I’m not completely sold on this yet, because of the weight, but I’m going to experiment with lower pressures and see how it goes.
Well, it's been almost 2 years and I think I might have to switch back to a motorcycle tire. As much as I want to love it, it's just not as fun to ride anymore. I only put 3800 miles on the BFG--because when it came time to grab the keys, I found myself favoring different bikes instead of this one. I normally ride much more than that. I'm not an aggressive rider. I'm just not enjoying the CT like I thought I would.
I was very hesitant to post this but since I wrote my initial post I thought it only fair to post again. I love the idea of a CT. It has crazy traction, especially on gravel turns where any other tire might start to slip. But for me, the FJR just wasn't the right bike for it. I had grand dreams of falling in love with it and riding across the country with it but that just didn't happen. I might try this again on a different bike in the future.
North Phoenix, not far from the old PV mall if that makes sense.No shame. It's not for everybody. Where are you in the Phoenix area?
North Phoenix, not far from the old PV mall if that makes sense.
Really thought hard about going with the Raptor. It just looks sexy to me but thought a tire not tried yet might be beneficial to this thread. Had a chance to try one out but that fell through.New to the FJR world but not to the Darkside: Love the thread here. After the 1st 25 pages I skipped to the end and started reading backwards 10 pages at a time. Currently @ 140 something. Have read the FAQ thread. Thanks to all for hanging in there and pioneering this in the FJR community. So glad no one succumbed to the nay sayers.
Awaiting the MC tire to wear out then will probably install the Raptor but this caught my attention: https://www.1010tires.com/Tires/Kumho/Solus+TA71/205-50R17
Thoughts?
Plan on installing a Bridgestone Pneu Battlax BT46 Blackwall Size 130/70-17 on the front. I have reversed rotation of back tires before but read somewhere that some think this is no longer necessary?
Again Awesome job here everyone!
10 years is well beyond recommended shelf-life for a tire. The degree of deterioration is largely dependent upon storage conditions but in a non temperature regulated environment with exposure to light, air and chemicals I would think conditions would be less than ideal. Even if the tire appears to be physically sound with respect to cracks or oxidation, I would expect the rubber compound will have hardened resulting in less traction. Not to mention the possibility of a catastrophic failure.I have a question for the collective. I have a Gmax that I took off of my 05 that's been sitting in the garage for 8 years now. I am going to go back to a CT for some long trips this summer. Would you use a new 10 year old tire or just start over.
If I had your money Fred I'd buy a new tire. However being the cheap ass ....err frugal guy I am I'd run the old one.I have a question for the collective. I have a Gmax that I took off of my 05 that's been sitting in the garage for 8 years now. I am going to go back to a CT for some long trips this summer. Would you use a new 10 year old tire or just start over.
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