'12 Street glide going dark
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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 120
Likes: 4
From: California
'12 Street glide going dark
I've been looking for months on different forums, talking to a few people, some for, some against. At the end of the day, I've decided to do it. I've checked tires; 195 vs 205, run flat vs normal, bias vs radial, reviews on riding style, road conditions, needs, wants. I'm pretty sure I've made my mind up and I'm down to three tires, mainly because that's all I can find in the size I've decided and within the specs I want (speed, weight, and utqg ratings). I've decided to go with a 195/60/16. My choices are Dunlop SP5000, Hankook optimo h426, and the Yokohama Avid ascend. I looked at the GMAX, but decided against it due to the fact that I live in SoCal. Rain is the only thing that concerns me but it seems any car tire in this size does fine in rain, based on other dark side reviews. And I've heard good/bad things about the GMAX. But mostly positive about the rest. I truly am an aggressive rider. Heavy, heavy, throttle 90% of the time, hard turns (scraping alllllll the time, even in city), hard launches just a "nutball" as described by friends, haha. Anyways, just wondering on if my final decisions are sufficient for my type of riding and location, or if there are some other tires I should be looking at? Thanks in advance for in the input! I look forward to the dirty looks and snide remarks from my fellow riders as they see no difference in the way I ride or my bike handles!
Last edited by Rusty19MCSFV; Oct 6, 2014 at 08:29 PM. Reason: Clicked post on accident!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,424
Likes: 421
From: Northern, Ohio (Yuck!)
Your choice as to what tire / size you run. After all is said and done you will probably be very happy with your decision to join dark side. I know I am!
Seriously consider using 16 oz of Ride On to balance your tire. It works great!
Seriously consider using 16 oz of Ride On to balance your tire. It works great!
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,437
Likes: 80
From: currently an Okie
dark tire
I think your choice of a 195 is a good one. I don't see any benefit from running a 205.
Did you eliminate the Michelin alpin because it's a runflat? I haven't run the other two you mentioned, so can't say about them, but the Alpin is a better tire to me.
I got the Dunlop because I was afraid about not being able to tell if a runflat was low on air. I finally got the Michelin and had a leaky valve. I was very relieved to find out it is very easy to tell when the tire if real low on air.
Now I would never go back to a Dunlop. The last Michelin I had on handled better and gave me 1k more wear.
Did you eliminate the Michelin alpin because it's a runflat? I haven't run the other two you mentioned, so can't say about them, but the Alpin is a better tire to me.
I got the Dunlop because I was afraid about not being able to tell if a runflat was low on air. I finally got the Michelin and had a leaky valve. I was very relieved to find out it is very easy to tell when the tire if real low on air.
Now I would never go back to a Dunlop. The last Michelin I had on handled better and gave me 1k more wear.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 120
Likes: 4
From: California
Speedo isn't really what I'm concerned with, as much as I am keeping the overall size dimensionally the same. Based on my calculations, the 195 is .5 inches wider overall. so thats ok for me for now to start my dark side. Looks, in terms of having a "wider" tire doesn't appeal to me either. Unless there is some benefit to a wider tire other than stability and looks that I'm missing, il stick with the 195. basically just trying to cipher which of those three come most recommended, or if there is something outside of those I should look at.
With regards to the ride on, I looked into the Dyna Beads and am pretty sure those are what I'm gonna use, just not a fan of gooey stuff in my tires. (Reminds me of putting that slime for nails in my mountain/bmx bikes..... messy and hated it when popped lol).
I guess my only next question would be the dyna vs ride on I'd say I'm leaning 80% dyna. unless someone thinks I should steer otherwise.
With regards to the ride on, I looked into the Dyna Beads and am pretty sure those are what I'm gonna use, just not a fan of gooey stuff in my tires. (Reminds me of putting that slime for nails in my mountain/bmx bikes..... messy and hated it when popped lol).
I guess my only next question would be the dyna vs ride on I'd say I'm leaning 80% dyna. unless someone thinks I should steer otherwise.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,437
Likes: 80
From: currently an Okie
balancing
I have only used dynabeads and haven't had any problems with them.
I will probably try Ride-on sometime to see what the difference is.
Using the Michelin run flat, I can't mount the thing myself, so I have the Yamawama dealer mount and balance them. I still do the front with dynabeads.
The advantage of Ride on is if you go for a non run flat, the ride-on will help seal the tire in case of a puncture.
I will probably try Ride-on sometime to see what the difference is.
Using the Michelin run flat, I can't mount the thing myself, so I have the Yamawama dealer mount and balance them. I still do the front with dynabeads.
The advantage of Ride on is if you go for a non run flat, the ride-on will help seal the tire in case of a puncture.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 416
Likes: 14
From: Texas
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Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Eldon,Missouri
Just mounted Yokohama AVID Ascend 195/60-16 about 2,000 miles ago with Ride On,,,love, love it,,settled in so far with 28lbs air running solo, and about 30 lbs with luggage !! I am hooked for sure, the ride is amazing, and handles twisty's and everything else including rain very much to my liking. No complaints.
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 120
Likes: 4
From: California
Dark Tire- I decided not to use a run flat for my first tire as I understand the sidewalk has much more rigidity and I want to make sure I've got flex as I am an aggressive rider and the twisties are my favorite place to be when I'm not commuting.
Brocan- I like what I'm hearing, glad you like the ride and I hope to be doing the same too! I think you sealed the deal!
Brocan- I like what I'm hearing, glad you like the ride and I hope to be doing the same too! I think you sealed the deal!
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 120
Likes: 4
From: California
Just mounted Yokohama AVID Ascend 195/60-16 about 2,000 miles ago with Ride On,,,love, love it,,settled in so far with 28lbs air running solo, and about 30 lbs with luggage !! I am hooked for sure, the ride is amazing, and handles twisty's and everything else including rain very much to my liking. No complaints.
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