Run Flat vs Non Run Flat?
Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,423
Likes: 421
From: Northern, Ohio (Yuck!)
Run Flat vs Non Run Flat?
So my Indy says my rear tire (POTENZA RE960AS POLE POSITION RFT 195/55) is starting to show some wear even thought it only has about 14,400 miles on it. He knows that I like my bikes running gear to be perfect so he let me know. Seems pretty early for a car tire to start showing wear, but I trust my Indy 100%. Also it should be noted that I made a 4800 mile ride last summer where the temps reached 107 plus and the TPMS for the rear tire was reading 50 plus psi. (I did not bleed any air because the temps fall fast in the high plains when the sun goes down.) Anyways it is time to start thinking about a new tire.
So here is my main question. Run Flat or regular tire? It should be noted that I always use Ride On to balance my tires so I assume that makes me a less liable to get a flat. IMO the Potenza RFT did not ride near as smoothly as the G-Max non RFTs I used to run on the old bike. That said, the G-Max side walls are little too weak and leave the bike open to wobble in high speed sweepers.
So, is the harsher ride due to the stiff RFT sidewalls? My wife really liked the smooth ride the G-Max tires delivered. Another item to consider is that I don't like asymmetric tires. I have zero proof that there is anything wrong with them, they just bother me (kinda like spiders!)
There are relatively few symmetrical RFTs available in 205 60R16, but there is a wide selection on non RFTs.
Right mow I am looking at these non RFTs
https://www.discounttiredirect.com/b...red-as/p/30669
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...omCompare1=yes
and this RFT (I know it is 195 55R16, which doesn't make me happy)
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...m=955VR6ENVZPS
So my fellow Darksiders, what are your thoughts on RFT vs non RFT? Just looking for more data points / informed opinions.
So here is my main question. Run Flat or regular tire? It should be noted that I always use Ride On to balance my tires so I assume that makes me a less liable to get a flat. IMO the Potenza RFT did not ride near as smoothly as the G-Max non RFTs I used to run on the old bike. That said, the G-Max side walls are little too weak and leave the bike open to wobble in high speed sweepers.
So, is the harsher ride due to the stiff RFT sidewalls? My wife really liked the smooth ride the G-Max tires delivered. Another item to consider is that I don't like asymmetric tires. I have zero proof that there is anything wrong with them, they just bother me (kinda like spiders!)
There are relatively few symmetrical RFTs available in 205 60R16, but there is a wide selection on non RFTs.
Right mow I am looking at these non RFTs
https://www.discounttiredirect.com/b...red-as/p/30669
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...omCompare1=yes
and this RFT (I know it is 195 55R16, which doesn't make me happy)
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...m=955VR6ENVZPS
So my fellow Darksiders, what are your thoughts on RFT vs non RFT? Just looking for more data points / informed opinions.
Last edited by PFWiz; Jan 14, 2020 at 01:51 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 12,233
Likes: 4,943
From: England
My car came with RFT, Bridgestone I think 225/45 17s. After 14400 miles I would very much expect to see wear on the tyre considering I had to change mine after 25000 miles. At that mileage they were half done.
On certain road surfaces it sounded like I was in jet plane. The roar was terrible.
I switched to non RFT. The difference was amazing.
I do not put anything in the tyres. Places here will not repair a puncture if you put any slime inside them.
I would look to change the whole set if going to non RFT or back to RFT. I wouldn't mix them.
On certain road surfaces it sounded like I was in jet plane. The roar was terrible.
I switched to non RFT. The difference was amazing.
I do not put anything in the tyres. Places here will not repair a puncture if you put any slime inside them.
I would look to change the whole set if going to non RFT or back to RFT. I wouldn't mix them.
Last edited by Andy from Sandy; Jan 17, 2020 at 06:34 AM.
Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,423
Likes: 421
From: Northern, Ohio (Yuck!)
My car came with RFT, Bridgestone I think 225/45 17s. After 14400 miles I would very much expect to see wear on the tyre considering I had to change mine after 25000 miles. At that mileage they were half done.
On certain road surfaces it sounded like I was in jet plane. The roar was terrible.
I switched to non RFT. The difference was amazing.
I do not put anything in the tyres. Places here will not repair a puncture if you put any slime inside them.
I would look to change the whole set if going to non RFT or back to RFT. I wouldn't mix them.
On certain road surfaces it sounded like I was in jet plane. The roar was terrible.
I switched to non RFT. The difference was amazing.
I do not put anything in the tyres. Places here will not repair a puncture if you put any slime inside them.
I would look to change the whole set if going to non RFT or back to RFT. I wouldn't mix them.
Andy,
I am talking about a car tire on the back of my Harley, not on a car.... Totally different cat.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,272
Likes: 443
From: SETx
I don’t have much to offer other than I plan on swapping to a run flat once this Hankook is smoked. It’s done great at everything I’ve thrown at it but I’d like a “stiffer” tire as well. I feel like I could run less air in a run flat and still have a nice solid feel. On a regular tire it starts to “wallow” in turns much below about 34psi.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 4,126
Likes: 2,117
From: W. MI.
Never ran a "run flat". Its has to have some kind of sealant??? I've never ran the "dark side" on a Harley but I did on my Valkyrie's. After several different tires I chose the Austone Taxi Tire. (Not sure if it's made anymore?) Not a run flat. The ride was excellent as was the handling and mileage. When I sold my last Valkyrie, I had 17,000 on the Taxi tire and had more left. Side wall makes a difference as does playing with pressure.
Anyway, my Indy told me if I ran any slime or equivalent he wouldn't change it when the time came. It makes a mess of the equipment and the rim. So again, not sure what's in a run flat? Has to be a sealant of some kind?? I guess I'd just stay away from it especially if you have a problem on the road a long way from home. Some dealers won't touch it either, at least around here. If that should happen, a dealer or Indy might sock you pretty heavy to change it or not change it at all. Car tires are OK with plugs to get you home.
Anyway, my Indy told me if I ran any slime or equivalent he wouldn't change it when the time came. It makes a mess of the equipment and the rim. So again, not sure what's in a run flat? Has to be a sealant of some kind?? I guess I'd just stay away from it especially if you have a problem on the road a long way from home. Some dealers won't touch it either, at least around here. If that should happen, a dealer or Indy might sock you pretty heavy to change it or not change it at all. Car tires are OK with plugs to get you home.
Last edited by Bass Player; Jan 18, 2020 at 04:57 PM.
Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,423
Likes: 421
From: Northern, Ohio (Yuck!)
Ride On doesn't make a mess like slime does. It stays in the flat tread area and does not "ooze".
Run Flates has stiff side walls that allow the tire to stay up without air pressure...
Run Flates has stiff side walls that allow the tire to stay up without air pressure...
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,434
Likes: 384
From: Arkansastan
Personally, I think the RF rides more like a bike tire, and generally 'feels' safer to me. No wobble. Run flat protection, even though I still use RIDE-ON to balance. I've tried both and will go for the run flat.
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Advanced
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 68
Likes: 3
From: Kansas
I am running a Bridgestone DriveGuard RunFlat on my 15 Street Glide. I run at 40psi. I have put 6,000 miles on it and am hooked.
I have only run a RF so I can not speak to the difference between RF and a regular car tire, but I do believe that I will be replacing this RF with another RF.
Keith
I have only run a RF so I can not speak to the difference between RF and a regular car tire, but I do believe that I will be replacing this RF with another RF.
Keith