Is the rear tire an automobile tire?

[Pampurrs]

The rear tire looks like an auto tire, not a typical motorcycle tire. Is it?

Thanks,

Pam

 

[Copperman]

It depends.

The rear tire looks like an auto tire, not a typical motorcycle tire. Is it?

Thanks,

Pam

If you bought your bike new, it is a motorcycle tire.

If you bought your bike used, it may or may not be.

Please let us know the brand of tire that's on your bike and we'll let you know.

 

[Bob Denman]

They are a motorcycle tire... but of pretty unique configuration! nojoke
An awful lot of folks do switch over to an automotive tire, when it's time to replace the OEM tire... :thumbup:

 

[MarkLawson]

Since the Spyder doesn't lean, a flat tread design, like found on a car, is what it needs. I replaced my rear OEM tire with a Michelin HydroEdge (no longer available) & the fronts with Michelin Defenders (HydroEdge replacement). These were less expensive than replacement OEM tires, better built (Michelin quality) & have a much longer tread life. I also used a 215/60R15 on the rear, which made my speedometer always within 1 MPH of my GPS. This tire is slightly narrower and slightly taller than the OEM. Being taller, it has a slightly longer circumference, which increased the speedometer accuracy.

 

[tigerdr]

Since the Spyder doesn't lean, a flat tread design, like found on a car, is what it needs. I replaced my rear OEM tire with a Michelin HydroEdge (no longer available) & the fronts with Michelin Defenders (HydroEdge replacement). These were less expensive than replacement OEM tires, better built (Michelin quality) & have a much longer tread life. I also used a 215/60R15 on the rear, which made my speedometer always within 1 MPH of my GPS. This tire is slightly narrower and slightly taller than the OEM. Being taller, it has a slightly longer circumference, which increased the speedometer accuracy.

I did the samething and I am very satisfied of the Michelin tire.

 

[Pampurrs]

It's a brand new 2015 RT, so it's the OEM tire. I've only had it two weeks today. I can see me putting an auto tire on there when the time comes. Since it doesn't lean in curves, all those "Anti-Darkside" arguments are moot.

If you bought your bike new, it is a motorcycle tire.

If you bought your bike used, it may or may not be.

Please let us know the brand of tire that's on your bike and we'll let you know.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

DARKSIDE !!!!!

It's a brand new 2015 RT, so it's the OEM tire. I've only had it two weeks today. I can see me putting an auto tire on there when the time comes. Since it doesn't lean in curves, all those "Anti-Darkside" arguments are moot.

" DARKSIDE "----are you referring to what motorcyclists usually term using a CAR tire on say a " GOLDWING " ,,,Because I have heard a few people have done this !!!!.....Personally I think it is a BIG mis-take .....Car type tires have no business on a TWO wheel Motorcycle......The Spyder is different....I have been switching to Car tires since 09............Mike :thumbup:..................PS, start looking for a new rear tire now, and someone who will mount it ( not all dealers will ).......BECAUSE the Kenda won't last more than 8,000 miles

 

[Pampurrs]

Yeah, I already ran into that issue with people not wanting to mount a car tire on my Goldwing, and again on my Victory Vision. In some ways I can understand why. But since the Spyder rides mostly flat on the ground, without having to use any of the side wall, I cannot see any reason not too.

I'm already thinking of what car tire I will get. Can you give me the link to a tire thread that will point me to the best choices for the Spyder?

Pam

" DARKSIDE "----are you referring to what motorcyclists usually term using a CAR tire on say a " GOLDWING " ,,,Because I have heard a few people have done this !!!!.....Personally I think it is a BIG mis-take .....Car type tires have no business on a TWO wheel Motorcycle......The Spyder is different....I have been switching to Car tires since 09............Mike :thumbup:..................PS, start looking for a new rear tire now, and someone who will mount it ( not all dealers will ).......BECAUSE the Kenda won't last more than 8,000 miles

 

[trikermutha]

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/search.php?searchid=5348291

 

[5legsshort]

" DARKSIDE "----are you referring to what motorcyclists usually term using a CAR tire on say a " GOLDWING " ,,,Because I have heard a few people have done this !!!!.....Personally I think it is a BIG mis-take .....Car type tires have no business on a TWO wheel Motorcycle......The Spyder is different....I have been switching to Car tires since 09............Mike :thumbup:..................PS, start looking for a new rear tire now, and someone who will mount it ( not all dealers will ).......BECAUSE the Kenda won't last more than 8,000 miles

I beg to differ with you...

I am on my second car tire and feel it is WAY safer than a POS bike tire that costs twice as much.
Also check load ratings for a large touring bike vs. tires.
Oh, and if you could, please furnish some statistics of how many "car tires" have caused crashes.

 

[Shiznit98204]

I beg to differ with you...

I am on my second car tire and feel it is WAY safer than a POS bike tire that costs twice as much.
Also check load ratings for a large touring bike vs. tires.
Oh, and if you could, please furnish some statistics of how many "car tires" have caused crashes.

:shocked:Great video. That is wild leaning on goldwing. I tried that and always caught the center stand. Did you remove yours?

 

[Grandpot]

The Great Debate

I am on my 2nd car tire on my Valkyrie and have no problems at all. I get about 55,000 miles and no issues will cornering. When braking, the extra width of the tire creates a large contact patch which is definitely better than a MC tire.

The Spyder takes advantage of the flat profile to give us better traction and wear. The biggest difference between a MC tire with a flat profile and a Car tire is the profile of the bead. That difference doesn't seem to matter on a two wheel machine or a Spyder.

 

[ARtraveler]

Yeah, I already ran into that issue with people not wanting to mount a car tire on my Goldwing, and again on my Victory Vision. In some ways I can understand why. But since the Spyder rides mostly flat on the ground, without having to use any of the side wall, I cannot see any reason not too.

I'm already thinking of what car tire I will get. Can you give me the link to a tire thread that will point me to the best choices for the Spyder?

Pam

Sounds like you have researched this well. :yes::yes:

 

[Orange Spyder Man]

" DARKSIDE "----are you referring to what motorcyclists usually term using a CAR tire on say a " GOLDWING " ,,,Because I have heard a few people have done this !!!!.....Personally I think it is a BIG mis-take .....Car type tires have no business on a TWO wheel Motorcycle......The Spyder is different....I have been switching to Car tires since 09............Mike :thumbup:..................PS, start looking for a new rear tire now, and someone who will mount it ( not all dealers will ).......BECAUSE the Kenda won't last more than 8,000 miles

I tried a car tire on my 05 GoldWing... it worked perfectly.. even in turns under hard acceleration.. it was still on the bike when I sold it.. tire had about 14K miles and still had LOTS of rubber left..

osmj

 

[Orange Spyder Man]

I am on my 2nd car tire on my Valkyrie and have no problems at all. I get about 55,000 miles and no issues will cornering. When braking, the extra width of the tire creates a large contact patch which is definitely better than a MC tire.

The Spyder takes advantage of the flat profile to give us better traction and wear. The biggest difference between a MC tire with a flat profile and a Car tire is the profile of the bead. That difference doesn't seem to matter on a two wheel machine or a Spyder.

with the exception on wear on a Spyder OEM 2 ply tire.. Kenda's are J-U-N-K.. would not put a Kenda on my wheel barrow..

osm

 

[JayBros]

Your Spyder is a '15 so the rear wheel is shod with the Kenda tire that has the 2012 compound that BRP changed for the '13 & '14 RTs because owners wanted more traction. The newer softer compound gave more traction at the expense of tread life. Well, duh! As a result of the owner howls of complaint BRP went back to the old compound RT tire that is identified by a manufacturing date later than 2814. I personally think it will be interesting to hear how owners of the 2814 and later tires report their experiences with the harder compound and 1330 engine. IMO, if you get only 6-7,000 miles out of your rear tire you will have had a lot of fun with the loud handle. I don't know what I will do when the time comes for replacement of my second tire.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

Jay, we should be able to give you some good info on how the "new" compound Kenda's do. At least 2 of the Spyders going to Alaska have brand new Kendas on the rear and they will be putting an easy 8,000 miles on them in the next month. I'll let you know how they do. And I'll let you know how my Yokohama S Drive with the Federal Evo's on the front do for me.

 

[JayBros]

Jay, we should be able to give you some good info on how the "new" compound Kenda's do. At least 2 of the Spyders going to Alaska have brand new Kendas on the rear and they will be putting an easy 8,000 miles on them in the next month. I'll let you know how they do. And I'll let you know how my Yokohama S Drive with the Federal Evo's on the front do for me.

Thanks, Ann. I'm certain there's a bunch of SL members who will be very interested to hear about the experiences.

 

[Pampurrs]

I'm just astounded reading posts about *maybe* getting 8,000 miles. That's awful! I'm used to changing my front and rear tires with no less then 15,000 on them when I had the Goldwing and Vision. I will definately be looking for a better brand when the time comes. Quite possibly a car tire.

Pam

 

[Bob Denman]

It's a brand new 2015 RT, so it's the OEM tire. I've only had it two weeks today. I can see me putting an auto tire on there when the time comes. Since it doesn't lean in curves, all those "Anti-Darkside" arguments are moot.