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The Dark SideFor those members running "Car Tires" on their scoots. This is for their discussion only and not a place for "non dark siders" to mouth off about their negative opinions of this idea!
2020 RGL with sidecar want Car tire on bike rear. Problem 2020 has 18 inch wheels and no car tire would work
Solution Change to 16 inch wheel. Issues RDRS and ABS comparing front and rear tire speed.
How it was done. Purchased a new 16 inch wheel. Installed RDRS and ABS bearing and new rotor. Installed a TPMS unit..
Found that a 195/65R16 was as close to prefect match as it gets. Mounted and installed.
Centurion Technoreseach unit program new ETMS to bike.
Fit of the wheel and tire is prefect.
Not really a lot of work. It can get costly . Buying a 16 wheel. I kept my factory wheel, tire and rotor in tact. Went al new on the 16 inch. About a 1,000 miles on the swap now all is good leaving soon for a ride to TN and KY with it.
Reviving an older thread here. I'm going dark on my 2020 Road King without RDRS. I just have ABS. Any particular considerations when it comes to buying a 16 inch wheel and tire size to match the front. I'd like to go double dark, so I don't want the ABS to go nuts if tire size difference is an issue.
ABS does give a crap what size tire you have. Not sure about RK but Some 2020 touring bikes came with 18 front a rear
You will not get a car tire on the front. You may make if you go with a wide front but have lots of cash handy..
The 180/55R18 rear comes out to same height as a195/65R16. So yes it can be done.
Good idea or not is up to you alone. In my case it is with the sidecar.
Thanks. So ABS doesn't care about tire size. Good to know.
Yes, my RK came with 18 inch front and rears, so I'm looking for a 16 inch wheel. The 195/65R16 is what I'm looking for on the rear if I can source a 16 inch wheel. There seem to be some on eBay but they appear to be damaged in some way or another.
As far as the front, I'm planning on putting a motorcycle rear tire on the front, not a car tire.
Several years Touring bikes used the 16 inch rear . The one on my 2020 came off a 2010. Just make sure this is what you want.
And that you understand what it means to run a car tire. There is not a lot of saving money when you compare it to a properly
maintained 180/55b18 AE dunlop tire.
Several years Touring bikes used the 16 inch rear . The one on my 2020 came off a 2010. Just make sure this is what you want.
And that you understand what it means to run a car tire. There is not a lot of saving money when you compare it to a properly
maintained 180/55b18 AE dunlop tire.
I ran a car tire on a previous BMW that I owned, so I'm familiar with the pros/cons of the dark side. Just have never done it on a Harley. And I agree, that if you properly maintain a motorcycle tire, the expense may not be worth it if all you do is tour and pleasure ride. However, I am darksiding for a specific mission. I've got a long competitive ride next year and I don't want to have to worry about tread life while I'm doing it. I know I'll have to do at least one oil change "on the clock," I'd rather not have to worry about tires.
I ran a car tire on a previous BMW that I owned, so I'm familiar with the pros/cons of the dark side. Just have never done it on a Harley. And I agree, that if you properly maintain a motorcycle tire, the expense may not be worth it if all you do is tour and pleasure ride. However, I am darksiding for a specific mission. I've got a long competitive ride next year and I don't want to have to worry about tread life while I'm doing it. I know I'll have to do at least one oil change "on the clock," I'd rather not have to worry about tires.
Many of us are getting 20K from rear 1890/55b18.
Last edited by smitty901; Aug 11, 2022 at 03:30 PM.
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2020 RGL darkside
