Nomad Dark Side Tire Choice

[BikerBeagle]

I hope this discussion will be helpful for anyone, like me, who is considering going to the "Dark Side". I have just a tad over 7.6k miles on my '07 Nomad (hey, it was a tough winter!) and my rear stock has, maybe, 1-1.5k miles left on it, the large majority of wear being in the center part of the tire (Kansas only has 11 curves), so I've been thinking about going with a car tire for my first replacement rather than the 'usual' Metzeler 880 180/70HR16 ($204) or the Dunlop Elite 3 180/70R16 ($211) which is what most people tend to use on the Nomad rear.

(The prices shown are considered 'estimates' based on one resource having that tire at that price. They are not indicative of exact cost or value, merely a rough reference. Tirerack.com product links provided for the majority of tires.)

with that said, I've read through the varied and sundry threads here (and from no fewer than 4 other resources) and have taken into account the expertise of many people far more knowledgeable on the subject of tires than I. Using that information, I've compiled a list of possible tire choices that have either been used or can be expected to fit the 16" wheel and clearance available to the '07 Nomad. This isn't necessarily a "complete" list, but it's close enough for the women of loose moral standards that I'd consider going out with.

As a general rule, I've limited my search to a tire size of 195/65-16. Rich Lockyear stated in another thread that this would be the closest in size to the Metzeler 880, which we all know fits with no issue and helps lessen the speedo error and rpm ...it was as good a starting place as any. I would much prefer a 195 rated width, rather than a 205 because, frankly, measuring clearance to the shaft casing using 'credit card thickness' is a bit extreme for me. Other than size criteria, my preference would be for a runflat (or reinforced sidewall) with a directional symmetrical tire tread, although there is no real basis for 'requiring' them. Taking all of that into account, here are the tires I've found:

Name - Size - Price - Overall Diameter

Eagle Ultra Grip GW3 (runflat) - 195/55HR16 - $145 - 24.4"
Goodyear Eagle Ultra Grip GW3 EMT
Kumho Ecsta SPT XRP (runflat) - 195/55R16 - $132 - 24.4"
Kumho Ecsta SPT XRP
Pirelli Eufori@ - 195/55R16 (runflat) - $163 - 24.4"
Pirelli eufori@
Dunlop SP Sport 5000A DSST (runflat) - 195/55VR16 - $178 - 24.4"
Dunlop SP Sport 5000A DSST
Continental ContiProContact SSR (runflat) - 195/55HR16 - $145 - 24.4"
Continental ContiProContact SSR

Toyo Proxes T1R - 195/55R16 - $140
Toyo Tires - Proxes T1R
Falken Ziex ZE-912 - 195/55R16 - $92
Part Number FALK-28922615
Achilles ATR Sport - 195/55R16 - $104
API Tire - ACHILLES Brand Tires

Dunlop SP Sport 5000 - 195/60TR16 - $113 - 25.2"
Dunlop SP Sport 5000 Symmetrical
Bridgestone Turanza EL400-02 - 195/60HR16 - $100 - 24.7"
Bridgestone Turanza EL400-02

Continental Vanco Contact 2 - 195/65TR16 - $112
Continental VancoContact 2
continental vanco 4 Season - 195/65TR16 - $120
Continental Vanco 4 Season

Bridgestone Ecopia EP-02 - 195/80SR16 - $125 (not available yet)
Bridgestone Ecopia EP-02
Yokohama E102 - 195/80SR16 - $143 (discontinued?)
Yokohama E102

At the moment, my top contender is the Continental Vanco Contact 2 merely because it meets the height requirement exactly. The Dunlop SP Sport 5000, however, is running a very close second because it is only slightly shorter than the Contact2 ...and it looks cool. If I could sell myself on a 55 tire, I'd likely go with the Dunlop SP Sport 5000A DSST runflat because of its higher speed rating (not that I would ever go that fast, speed rating is a indicator of a better built tire that won't come apart) ...and, plus, it looks cool ...but, seriously, any one of those runflats could make the short list in a New York second.

So, which tire do you think I should I choose ...and why?

[Michael600r]

Go with the one that looks cool. But whatever you choose let us know how it works out. Some folks freak all the way out when you mention putting a car tire on a bike and I want to know what differences you notice.

[STR8RZR]

I did a little investigating myself recently on the "dark side tire" and came to the conclusion that I was in agreement with what most of the other folks I asked about it thought. A car tire is for a car, a motorcycle tire is for a motorcycle.

[BikerBeagle]

Originally Posted by STR8RZR

I did a little investigating myself recently on the "dark side tire" and came to the conclusion that I was in agreement with what most of the other folks I asked about it thought. A car tire is for a car, a motorcycle tire is for a motorcycle.

Perhaps, but when I was a child, I enjoyed beating the square blocks through the round holes.

[STR8RZR]

^ LOL,,, Its probably fine. Riding no longer than I have I figured it was best for me to go with the Metzlers.

[clk328]

I replaced my rear at 7,000 miles with a stock stones. Prices was a big factor. Would like to know how the car tire works out for you.

[Excitabletom]

Post your results. I went with a Metz 880 on the rear and loved it. Noticable inprovement in traction. I can't imagine a car tire working well.

[STR8RZR]

The 880 is like riding a rail in the twisties. I only have half a gremlin bell left !

[Plato]

Originally Posted by BikerBeagle

...At the moment, my top contender is the Continental Vanco Contact 2 merely because it meets the height requirement exactly. The Dunlop SP Sport 5000, however, is running a very close second because it is only slightly shorter than the Contact2 ...and it looks cool...So, which tire do you think I should I choose ...and why?

Its not clear to me whether the Dunlop is symmetrical, but like you I really would like a 195/65-16 if it could be found. That size almost matches the OEM height when you run the numbers...

[2WheelFun]

Originally Posted by BikerBeagle

Perhaps, but when I was a child, I enjoyed beating the square blocks through the round holes.

LMAO!!!!

Didn't Rich have some info about tire sizes for Nomads?

[RichLockyer]

Originally Posted by 2WheelFun

LMAO!!!!

Didn't Rich have some info about tire sizes for Nomads?

A couple of people on the forum have mounted up the 205, and one or two others have gone 195.

I'm not willing to sacrifice the height and drop to a 195 (currently running 180/70), and the degree that the 205 is pulled in on the rim flat out scares the hell out of me.

There is currently no "dark side" acceptable fit for the 1500 Vulcans, and IMHO, primarily due to the rim and swingarm width, and it's really pushing it on the 1600s.
The 1600 has a 5" rim. Dunlop recommends minimum 5.5 for any tire wider than 180 (and even some of their lower profile 180s recommend 5.5-6). The 5.5" rim on the V2K opens it up to going as wide as a 245 before you're really pushing it.

I would feel a lot better about a 195/65 than a 195/55. The taller sidewall will ease the "pinch" going onto the rim.

My 180/70 OD is 26.06.
The commonly available 195/55 is only about 24.5. That would be a loss of 3/4" of ground clearance, and an increase in speedometer error of about 6% over my current 180, and an increase in highway engine RPM of 6%.
A 195/65 would be very close to a perfect match for the 180/60 MC tire.

Only problem... 195/65 is not available with the directional "arrowhead" tread pattern (similar to the Goodyear Aquatread)... and it's not an easy tire to find locally. Discount/America's Tire does not stock anything in that size.

I like the tread pattern of the Turanza 195/60... but the diameter is over 3/4" shorter than the 180... I think it's comparable in height to the stocker.
It is spec'd for a 6" rim... the 205 is spec'd for 6.5"

[BikerBeagle]

I suppose I'm gonna have to hold off on putting a car tire on this year. I can't find a single place within a 200 mile radius that will mount one on a motorcycle "due to liability". Even the dealer that mounted HIGHWAY's car tire on his bike said they couldn't do it ...what's up with that? You would think they could draft up a liability waiver to get past any issues, but I'd imagine it comes down to money ...why would they help mount a cheaper tire (that you didn't buy through them to begin with) that will last 30-40,000 miles when they can sell you a new $200 tire every 8-10,000 miles?

Unless something changes, I'll end up with a Metzeler 880 160/80-16 on the rear and 150/80-16 on the front. (The stock front doesn't really need new rubber, but my front end has always seemed a little wishy-washy to me, so gonna see if a new tire might help.) Cheapest I can find around here, it looks like it will cost about $435 -incl mounting- for both.

Sorry to get everyone excited, but if anyone is interested, I had decided to go with the Vanco Contact 2.

[TVoyagerXII]

Change it yourself, it's not hard to do.

[tomfranken]

I've been Darksiding a GL1800 Goldwing for 80K miles. I drag parts just as well as the next guy. The ride is much smoother and the traction is a level of magnitude better. I won’t ride a motorcycle tire on the rear anymore.

Take the rim down and tell them it is a special application – a trailer or a sidecar.

The learning curve is non-existent for basic riding. You will be able to ride around the block just fine. You will notice just a bit more pressure required to initiate a turn and a little help standing the bike back up when you come out of the corner. Within 100 miles, you won’t know the difference. Over time, you will push the tire and find out where it outperforms the old MT. Then you will realize just how pathetic and dangerous those OEM pieces of crap really are.

Go to:

GL1800Riders.com • View forum - Darkside Riders
Tom Franken - Dark Side
The Dark Side

for information until you can't read anymore.

Tom Franken
Darksider International Member #00001
’03 GL1800A

[RichLockyer]

Welcome to the forum Tom!

[Plato]

Originally Posted by tomfranken

I've been Darksiding a GL1800 Goldwing for 80K miles. I drag parts just as well as the next guy. The ride is much smoother and the traction is a level of magnitude better. I won’t ride a motorcycle tire on the rear anymore.

Take the rim down and tell them it is a special application – a trailer or a sidecar.

The learning curve is non-existent for basic riding. You will be able to ride around the block just fine. You will notice just a bit more pressure required to initiate a turn and a little help standing the bike back up when you come out of the corner. Within 100 miles, you won’t know the difference. Over time, you will push the tire and find out where it outperforms the old MT. Then you will realize just how pathetic and dangerous those OEM pieces of crap really are.

Go to:

GL1800Riders.com • View forum - Darkside Riders
Tom Franken - Dark Side
The Dark Side

for information until you can't read anymore.

Tom Franken
Darksider International Member #00001
’03 GL1800A

I think there's a whole bunch of us that are already convinced that running a car tire on the rear of the big cruisers/tourers can have great results. Its just that we 1600 Vulcan owners with the tight fit on the wheel along with shaft clearance issues -are hard pressed to find a "right" size.

[BikerBeagle]

Originally Posted by TVoyagerXII

Change it yourself, it's not hard to do.

It's not that I wouldn't tackle the project, but let's review my situation

...my 'garage' is a "bike barn" sitting at the top of my very short, inclined driveway

...my compliment of tools primarily consists of a cheepo 199pc set I bought from Walmart, an oil filter wrench, a can of WD-40, and a half used roll of duct tape.

...I don't own a jack, except for the one that came with my car, a torque wrench, or anything remotely resembling tire mounting equipment bigger than a screwdriver and a bicycle tire patch kit

...and while 3 of the 6 people in my family could tear apart a 350 big block and put it back together with minimal amounts of spare parts left over, I wasn't one of them.

I chose a different path and would have better luck making a powerpoint presentation out of how to take the rear tire off of a motorcycle than I ever would actually being able to do it.

I guess that makes me a poser, but a wise man knows his limitations.

[RichLockyer]

Also, even with a Harbor Freight tire changer, there's a big diference between slapping a 180 onto a 5" rim and trying to squeeze a 195-205 on. It's not going to be easy to push the upper bead down into the center of the rim to allow the other side to go on.

DEFINITELY not something that'll be doable with a set of spoons and a 5 gallon bucket.

[Plato]

Originally Posted by RichLockyer

Also, even with a Harbor Freight tire changer, there's a big diference between slapping a 180 onto a 5" rim and trying to squeeze a 195-205 on. It's not going to be easy to push the upper bead down into the center of the rim to allow the other side to go on.

DEFINITELY not something that'll be doable with a set of spoons and a 5 gallon bucket.

I'm seriously thinking of making the HF purchase and becoming a tire changing fool. I thought the Nad was bad about eating rear tires, but this little Ninja has a bald rear tire at 3700

And while I do have a guy 20 miles away who is very reasonable about labor costs on such things it would still be very convienent to just order tires via the net and install em at my liesure here at the house