Going to the Dark Side

[user 213]

I'm thinking hydroplaning will be a lot easier on a square tire (* when the tread is low) than it ever was on one of the traditional round 'uns.
Also curious why the BT023? Was it real cheap? Buy one CT and a dozen BattleAxes?

Actually, it doesn't occur. Even when the tread is low, there are just so many more tread blocks and pathways for water to flow that hydroplaning doesn't seem to occur. It gets WET here in the PacNW and I just never had it happen.

And I'm curious on the BT-023 too. :lol: I hope it doesn't wear as badly as the 020 and 021s do.

 

[user 213]

Ok I'm in!

Welcome. You are Darksider #31.

 

[Fred W]

I'm thinking hydroplaning will be a lot easier on a square tire (* when the tread is low) than it ever was on one of the traditional round 'uns.
Also curious why the BT023? Was it real cheap? Buy one CT and a dozen BattleAxes?

Actually, it doesn't occur. Even when the tread is low, there are just so many more tread blocks and pathways for water to flow that hydroplaning doesn't seem to occur. It gets WET here in the PacNW and I just never had it happen.

And I'm curious on the BT-023 too. :lol: I hope it doesn't wear as badly as the 020 and 021s do.

How low have you been?

Have you seen how low Rob likes to go?

High School Physics classes (which I mostly skipped to go use recreational drugs) tells me that your statement makes no sense.

 

[user 213]

How low have you been?

OK Fred, you got me there. I toss tires at the wear bars. The 019 was not quite there yet when I pulled it off.

Have you seen how low Rob likes to go?
High School Physics classes (which I mostly skipped to go use recreational drugs) tells me that your statement makes no sense.

If you had gone to more classes, you might have caught the fluid dynamics chapter where they talk about velocity and channel size/quantity.

Look at your bike tire. Notice how the channels flow? Now look at an all season car tire. More surface area, yes. But for the same surface area as the bike tire, more channels, in more directions. IMHO, for the weight we have with the bike, the extra surface area is offset by the additional sipes, grooves and tread blocks, even at the wear bars.

Now, if you're comparing bald tires to bald tires, anything is possible. There's really no excuse to run a CT to the cords on a bike.

 

[Bungie]

I've got a car tire going on tomorrow morning at 11am. Used, came off another FJR, Cooper tire. He's also putting on a new PR2 up front and changing the rear brake pads. Best case of beer I ever spent!

 

[RadioHowie]

Now, if you're comparing bald tires to bald tires, anything is possible. There's really no excuse to run a CT to the cords on a bike.

Ain't no one gonna LIVE that long...

I just hit 7,000 miles on my Michelin Pilot A/S Plus and the little rubber dangly thingies (what the hell DO you call them?) still haven't worn off yet!

BTW, that is NOT my tire...I just Googled "tire closeup" so I could find an example of what I was referring to.

 

[bananaman]

Anybody seen this video? Pretty interesting. Looks like there is still plenty of contact patch on the road through the turns.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaIj1XrmvLM

 

[Fred W]

Now, if you're comparing bald tires to bald tires, anything is possible. There's really no excuse to run a CT to the cords on a bike.

That is what I was comparing. Bald (or nearly so) to bald. When you come right down to it, it would be the same excuse for running a MC tire to the cords. Cheapness.

I've got a car tire going on tomorrow morning at 11am. Used, came off another FJR,

What is that? One of the original 42ish Darksiders has gone back to the light?

... the little rubber dangly thingies (what the hell DO you call them?)

I usually hear them called whiskers.

(Hey!! How'd that guy get ahold of Dolly?)

Anybody seen this video? Pretty interesting. Looks like there is still plenty of contact patch on the road through the turns.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaIj1XrmvLM

Are we looking at the same video. Even at the relatively mild lean angles in that video the tire is completely up on the corner of the tread block. Which has me wondering, considering that car tires are supposed to have softer rubber than MC tires, how you don't wear the corners off the CT in short order? And yet, reportedly, you don't... :blink:

 

[Bungie]

I've got a car tire going on tomorrow morning at 11am. Used, came off another FJR,

What is that? One of the original 42ish Darksiders has gone back to the light?

Local guy put the CT on his FJR and then sold the bike for a Road Zepplin. The tire was on the bike for about 2000km. New buyer didn't want the CT so he took it off and went back to stock. Good deal for a $100 with a polished stainless steel brake stay.

I'm of the opinion that car tires belong on cars and bike tires belong on bikes. The tire is only going on the bike for the big trip and will come off next spring and the brand new B spec PR2 I have sitting in my shed will get mounted up.

 

[Fred W]

Ah, I see...

The next logical step for Darksiders is trading down to an Old Wing.

Your not really a truly committed Darksider then. I guess you're just dark curious... :lol:

 

[fjrob1300]

I'm thinking hydroplaning will be a lot easier on a square tire (* when the tread is low) than it ever was on one of the traditional round 'uns.
Also curious why the BT023? Was it real cheap? Buy one CT and a dozen BattleAxes?

Actually, it doesn't occur. Even when the tread is low, there are just so many more tread blocks and pathways for water to flow that hydroplaning doesn't seem to occur. It gets WET here in the PacNW and I just never had it happen.

And I'm curious on the BT-023 too. :lol: I hope it doesn't wear as badly as the 020 and 021s do.

How low have you been?

Have you seen how low Rob likes to go?

High School Physics classes (which I mostly skipped to go use recreational drugs) tells me that your statement makes no sense.

The 021 and 021 sucked big time. The 023 has a new tread design. The tire world has fallen to supply and demand. No PR2's or Roadsmarts available. Local dealer had these in stock. Trip starts next week. No time to mess around.

Fred: no the cords weren't showing on the Battlax 002 when I got home. Go figure!?

 

[Bungie]

Well now I've gone and done it...

Cooper Zeon 2XS 205/50-17

First ride was 20 miles home. Uhm... it's different, different for sure.

 

[juniorfjr]

Ordered an Exalto A/S last nite. Discount Tire $182.00. Hope to put it on this weekend. h34r:

 

[vabrzn]

Early Darkside pioneer

 

[NCVIPER]

This isn't going to win me any popularity points, but every time I hear of someone putting a car tire on a motorcycle I just scratch my head because I just don't get it. :huh: Is saving money that important? I spend far more time on the edges of my tires than the center tread so I guess this is why I don't understand the logic. So what if you don't get 40,000 miles out of the tire? I'd rather know for certain that I'll be planted in the corner as I'm fully leaned over at speed.

To each their own I guess. Maybe it works for you and your riding style. :crazy:

 

[FJRONAMISSION]

Well now I've gone and done it...

Cooper Zeon 2XS 205/50-17

First ride was 20 miles home. Uhm... it's different, different for sure.

......Its not an EXalto....... makes a big difference

B

 

[Bungie]

......Its not an EXalto....... makes a big difference

I headed out after dinner for the nearest set of twisties and put on about 120 km.

First part 2 lane highway: Tracks straight nicely, slightly smoother ride (prolly the 28psi vs the 40psi I normally run in the PR2). Follows cracks in the pavement like it was on rails. Constantly found myself correcting lane position because of it. Verdict: Meh.

Next part twist...er.. sweepy 2 lane: Always wants to run wide. Have to keep pressure on the bars. Tracks with the camber of the road noticably. Transitions from left lean to right lean sucks BALLS. Hit a spot of gravel about 200' long. New PR2 up front tracks straight. Back end is floating on the gravel. Damn near **** myself. Verdict: It killed a normally good handling bike.

Next part fresh pavement 4 lane slab: Fred Flintstones car would ride good here. Verdict: Whatever.

Verdict is still out. I will definitely be going back to the PR2's after the trip. I expected different and I got it. I have a week to decide if I'll leave it on. Buddy who put it on for me has no problem if I want to put the BSpec on before I leave. Considering the fresh PR2's will be worn out by the time I get back it does make some sense to just kill the front one and replace that in spring.

Other than longevity/cost I don't see any upside to running a car tire. The PR2's I took off still have a couple thousand km left in them at 25000km (15500 miles). I'm cheap, but at this point, I'm not that cheap. We'll see in a week.

 

[kawabeemer]

Who is the keeper of the darkside numbers and how do I get mine?

 

[dcarver]

......Its not an EXalto....... makes a big difference

I headed out after dinner for the nearest set of twisties and put on about 120 km.

First part 2 lane highway: Tracks straight nicely, slightly smoother ride (prolly the 28psi vs the 40psi I normally run in the PR2). Follows cracks in the pavement like it was on rails. Constantly found myself correcting lane position because of it. Verdict: Meh.

Next part twist...er.. sweepy 2 lane: Always wants to run wide. Have to keep pressure on the bars. Tracks with the camber of the road noticably. Transitions from left lean to right lean sucks BALLS. Hit a spot of gravel about 200' long. New PR2 up front tracks straight. Back end is floating on the gravel. Damn near **** myself. Verdict: It killed a normally good handling bike.

Next part fresh pavement 4 lane slab: Fred Flintstones car would ride good here. Verdict: Whatever.

Verdict is still out. I will definitely be going back to the PR2's after the trip. I expected different and I got it. I have a week to decide if I'll leave it on. Buddy who put it on for me has no problem if I want to put the BSpec on before I leave. Considering the fresh PR2's will be worn out by the time I get back it does make some sense to just kill the front one and replace that in spring.

Other than longevity/cost I don't see any upside to running a car tire. The PR2's I took off still have a couple thousand km left in them at 25000km (15500 miles). I'm cheap, but at this point, I'm not that cheap. We'll see in a week.

Watching the week unfold. Good on you for trying an extended time period.

FjrMissonDoode - are you im*plying* that if not the Exalto sp? then no good?

 

[johnny80s]

This isn't going to win me any popularity points, but every time I hear of someone putting a car tire on a motorcycle I just scratch my head because I just don't get it. :huh: Is saving money that important? I spend far more time on the edges of my tires than the center tread so I guess this is why I don't understand the logic. So what if you don't get 40,000 miles out of the tire? I'd rather know for certain that I'll be planted in the corner as I'm fully leaned over at speed.
To each their own I guess. Maybe it works for you and your riding style. :crazy:

You ought to go ride with FJRonamission sometime and then come back and post.