Read here for history and tire choice discussion (
http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/fo...re-choice.html ).
Got the car tire mounted this afternoon ...what an experience that was. The only place I could find to mount it was a little independent, old-school grease shop ...real nice guys, knew what they were doing - even though it wasn't done exactly the way the manual probably says to. I was wondering if I had made the right decision when the owner couldn't work the perfectly good motorcycle jack, threw it across the garage and grabbed a good ol' floor jack used for cars. So, while he jacked it up, 3 of us were holding the bike from falling over, and another guy pulled the tire ...lol. It worked out in the end, I suppose. I grew up with a dad who worked on cars exactly like that so it didn't freak me out ...too much.
Absolutely no clearance issues whatsoever. I have about 1/4" clearance at the shaft case. Plenty of room in all other areas, front, back, fender well. I have about 36lbs psi (tire rated for 70lbs).
Ok, so the mounting cost me $120 because they 1) had 4 guys working on it and 2) had to remove the trailer hitch which involved lowering the pipes. *shrug* ...$112 tire, $120 mount ...and I'm still under what it would have cost me for a Metzler and mount. The tire I bought was a Continential Vanco Contact 2, 195/65R16, from TireRack.com.
I only have the 7 miles from the shop to the house on the clock. First impressions are, so far, that it's different. I really had no problems leaning into and making turns, maybe *slight* resistance requiring *slightly* more countersteering, and the bike wanted to stand right back up afterwards which felt a little strange. Overall, it feels ...well, a little squirrely ...like I have a tire on the back with half of its rated psi ...which is what I have. I'm going to play around with the pressure and see what makes a positive difference. I had it up to 60mph for a short distance and didn't feel any real problems, but I'll hold that opinion until I really get some road time.
Well, that's the report for now. I've attached some pics for your visual entertainment ...