Any thoughts on Ground clearance on the RTL?

[Woodaddict]

Excuse my ignorance, I'm going to ask a lot of questions on this forum.
So, in the Goldwing world, running a car tire (dark side, it's called). Dealers will not mount them, nor will car tire dealers.
Is that an issue with the Spyder? I get no one wanting to mount a car tire on a two wheeler, but with 3 wheels and no lean angles I don't think it's a liability issue, unless there are other design consideration l'm not aware of.

It's Not called 'dark side' on Spyders, cause Spyder rims are J style rims, and car tires are J style beads. So they are a proper fit. Kenda tires are labeled "for special motorcycle use only" cause of their cheaper construction to NOT hold weight of a car!

 

[BajaRon]

Excuse my ignorance, I'm going to ask a lot of questions on this forum.
So, in the Goldwing world, running a car tire (dark side, it's called). Dealers will not mount them, nor will car tire dealers.
Is that an issue with the Spyder? I get no one wanting to mount a car tire on a two wheeler, but with 3 wheels and no lean angles I don't think it's a liability issue, unless there are other design consideration I'm not aware of.

There are tons of threads addressing this question, though debated in an atmosphere of unnecessary drama and confusion. The simple reality is that the Spyder (contrary to the wording molded into the tire) runs on car tires. Yes, so lightly (or poorly) constructed, depending on your point of view, that they would be dangerous if mounted on an actual car. Hence the motorcycle warning cited above.

So, a good quality, properly sized 'Car' tire is a safe and excellent option to replace the OEM Kenda's. 10's of thousands have experienced the improved ride and handling produced by installing car tires. But it is not enough for some. Which brings us to 'Each to his own' and a choice left to the consumer.

 

[Peteoz]

Excuse my ignorance, I'm going to ask a lot of questions on this forum.
So, in the Goldwing world, running a car tire (dark side, it's called). Dealers will not mount them, nor will car tire dealers.
Is that an issue with the Spyder? I get no one wanting to mount a car tire on a two wheeler, but with 3 wheels and no lean angles I don't think it's a liability issue, unless there are other design consideration I'm not aware of.

Grouchy,

The Spyder actually runs car tyres, not motorcycle tyres, mounted on a J type (car) wheel rim. There are a huge number of riders running aftermarket car tyres and there has never been a recorded issue with insurance in an accident. However, only you can make the call as to whether you are comfortable with your insurer.

If you take your front tyres into a car tyre shop, they will fit non Kenda tyres as they recognise the rims as car rims (especially if you buy the tyres through them).

There are a gazillion (well, maybe a billion) threads discussing this, with much of the conjecture simply being hot air, but the actuality is that there has never been a recorded insurance issue. But that doesn’t mean there never will be, so the call is up to the individual

Pete

 

[CloverHillCrawler]

I didn't have any issues with insurance when I was rear ended on the way to OC bikefest and the whole swingarm assembly had to be replaced.

 

[Peteoz]

I didn't have any issues with insurance when I was rear ended on the way to OC bikefest and the whole swingarm assembly had to be replaced.

It is always good to hear these first hand experiences, rather than theoretical waffle, Clover. Thanks for the feedback

Pete

 

[BajaRon]

 

[Rednblack]

Excuse my ignorance, I'm going to ask a lot of questions on this forum.
So, in the Goldwing world, running a car tire (dark side, it's called). Dealers will not mount them, nor will car tire dealers.
Is that an issue with the Spyder? I get no one wanting to mount a car tire on a two wheeler, but with 3 wheels and no lean angles I don't think it's a liability issue, unless there are other design consideration l'm not aware of.

I took the front wheels off and delivered them along with my new tires to America's Tire & they mounted them no problem. Only issue was that they are too small for their balancing machine. So I had them install 4 oz of balancing beads in each tire. They ride as smooth as silk.

 

[BajaRon]

Hopefully, they removed the original weights from the wheel. The balance beads will do you well. Though I am surprised they didn't have the cone for the fronts. It is a standard issue with all the tire machines I've dealt with. Maybe they didn't use it much and it got waylaid somewhere.

 

[pegasus1300]

Excuse my ignorance, I'm going to ask a lot of questions on this forum.
So, in the Goldwing world, running a car tire (dark side, it's called). Dealers will not mount them, nor will car tire dealers.
Is that an issue with the Spyder? I get no one wanting to mount a car tire on a two wheeler, but with 3 wheels and no lean angles I don't think it's a liability issue, unless there are other design consideration I'm not aware of.

There is no such thing as "Darkside" on a Spyder. The rims on a Spyder are "J" type rims and require a "J" type bead, the same as a car tire. Your new Spyder, despite what the sidewall may say, comes with a very flimsy car tire. When you wear it out, which will be soon enough, replace it with any one of the fine tires listed in various posts on this forum. Not all dealers will mount anything but the factory original, but I just take my rear rim to a tire shop and they will mount it, no problem. With the fronts, I just take the whole Spyder to the tire shop and have them mount and balance, same as my car.