Magna Dark Side

[TLRam1]

Hoot, I will have to look again but I thought the speed rating was an S, I would like the H.

[hootmon]

Hey Curtis,  Do you tow that boat with your valk?

As far as anyone knows!    Actually I sold it a couple of months ago, kids are grown and I've moved on.

I've got two trailers I do tow though:

Curtis

Curtis, I know your a popular guy and all, but if you really want to be popular, here is a trailer to haul around!!!

[TLRam1]

I have researched extensively.


165SR15    MICHELIN XZX

145R15     FIRESTONE F560

165/80R15 KUMHO  - (What Len used)

165/80R15  Geostar

145/65R15  Bridgestone

155HR15 MICHELIN XAS – Requires Tube

Dunlop had 175 but Dia was 24.1"


These are either tube type or tubeless with a S or T speed rating.



But....I may have a couple of possibilities I need to check out further.

[hootmon]

Terry;
   Do all these come in an 80 size?

[TLRam1]

Terry;
   Do all these come in an 80 size?

Hoot, IIRC all these are in the 80 series. Are you considering? How do you get 20 out of the rear tire, referring to your other post? 

[hootmon]

Terry the truth is I got 19K out of my last Avon (I should have replaced it about 16K - by the time I replaced it all the rubber in one little spot was gone in the center and the beginning of the sub tread started showing.. I can tell you that I am not easy on my Magna.. I won't say I "race" all the time, but I get along with it most of the time and do shame some v-twins occasionally... I also probably got about 14-15K out of my last metz 880 front tire.

I am thinking about going with a car tire, but since I replaced my Avon with another about 5K miles ago, It will be a little while before I'm ready to do that.. Hopefully some of the other brave souls on this site will have some great recommendations by then.. BTW this last Avon I bought is the one for the V-max and I do not find it any sticker and it looks like it wears a little faster than my last one.

[TLRam1]

I have researched extensively.


165SR15    MICHELIN XZX

145R15     FIRESTONE F560

165/80R15 KUMHO  - (What Len used)

165/80R15  Geostar

145/65R15  Bridgestone

155HR15 MICHELIN XAS – Requires Tube

Dunlop had 175 but Dia was 24.1"


These are either tube type or tubeless with a S or T speed rating.



But....I may have a couple of possibilities I need to check out further.<<<<<

Hard to find close to the right size, tubeless with an H speed rating until....I came across these; Drum roll..............





165R15 86H<<<  Avon           655 - Dia    160 - Width  Tubeless

165R15 86H<<<  Vredestein    646 - Dia    157 - Width  Tubeless

Cha ching ------cha ching

[Curtis_Valk]

Curtis and Len,
What are the issues with putting a radial and bias type tire together? In this setup is radial recommended, do you know why, or is there no bias type tires available?

Well, just bear in mind that when you sign on to the "Darkside" you become somewhat of a test pilot.  We're charting new territory here, although there has been enough of this going on to establish a few guidelines.  I have not heard of anyone running a bias rear car tire.  I think some of this silliness only becomes possible because of high performance radials.  Some of the folks on the Darkside forum who cannot find a radial front tire to fit their bike are actually running a rear motorcycle radial on the front (sized correctly for their front) but it must be turned backward for the tread pattern to be correct for braking.  Now..........to answer your question:  I don't know.

Due to the size of the tire, weight or rolling resistance, does this affect gas mileage or top end speed?

I have not seen a negative effect.  The Toyo on my Supervalk is not much heavier than a Valk sized motorcycle tire.  However I was surprised and dismayed when I realized how heavy the Continental tire is that I put on my Touring Valk (almost 40 pounds).  In my mind there has to be a cost to all of that unsprung weight, but so far I cannot perceive any.

I looked up Toyo and didn't see a size Len used, do you have others for me to look at Curtis?

Yeah, finding the size you need in a suitable tire will be even more of a challenge for the Magna than for my Valk, and I'm finding selections limited even for it.  I prefer a tread that is directional and/or symmetrical, but I don't think you'll have any luck in the size you'll need.  As you know, Len had some difficulty getting his tire to seat on the bead and that tire actually made the Darkside forum's "bad tire list" for the number of them that have exploded due to overpressure in an attempt to get them to seat.  All I can say is proceed with caution and know what you're doing or seek help.  I sure don't want to see someone hurt or even killed over this kind of stuff.

Len will have to answer any specifics on his particular tire and the installation thereof.

Curtis
 

[Curtis_Valk]

Hey Terry, just found this: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=BFGoodrich&tireModel=Radial+T%2FA&vehicleSearch=false&partnum=58SR5RADTARWL2&fromCompare1=yes&place=0#
Only problem is that it's a raised white letter tire .....one side only of course.  I didn't look to see if they offered a blackwall.

Curtis

Edit:  Just noticed that Hoot already found this one, sorry.

[TLRam1]

Yes, the RWL are the issue on the BFG tire.

I have been emailing the GM of Vredestein, he's responded with specs. I sent him another today explaining what I wanted to do....no response yet, well I did receive a response telling me they carried MC tires also.

I will probably give it a shot if all the cards land right. Not sure if this will be for me but I am willing to give it the ol 1,2,3 effort!

[Curtis_Valk]

I took Len's Magna up the street and back last week and the difference in feel of a MC vs car tire seems much less pronounced on the Magna than on the Valk.  I think the narrow size has a lot to do with it.  That is my problem with sizing, I can't seem to find a 195 or narrower tire in a 16 inch sport radial except in very low profile (50 or 55 series).  The 55 I have is fine on the Supervalk, but I'd like at least a 60 or 65 series on the big touring Interstate.  Still looking.  I may have to go up to a 205 to get that tall, but I'm afraid the extra width will contribute more to the "car tire feel".

Curtis

[TLRam1]

Along with these,

165R15 86H<<<  Avon           655 - Dia    160 - Width  Tubeless

165R15 86H<<<  Vredestein    646 - Dia    157 - Width  Tubeless


I also found this very close to our stock size.

155SR15 "S"<<  Vredestrin    24.70 - Dia.  6.4 " width


Stock Dunlops

150 80 15                            24.65 - Dia  6.30  Width


Also found this Curtis but not a aggressive sport tire

185HR16 93H         

[TLRam1]

I read about the Kumho on the "bad list". I have those brand on my Mustang and traction is lacking from what i can tell, doesn't mean it will transfer over but that's my only experience with Kumho. And I don't know if BFG offers that tire in a BW.

I was going to take a shot at the one Len used but after I found these other options....I don't know.

[TLRam1]

you become somewhat of a test pilot.  We're charting new territory here,

You're correct on this Curtis as no one comments on this stuff and finding a tire....for me, other than Len and the BF Goodrich I ran across, you're on your own for sure. That is why I posted my findings.

I put together Speed Rating info on the Darkside site, hard to find decisive info regarding this topic, It's a lot to read. I can put it on here but didn't know if many/any would be interested.

This CT I always shied away from due to handling and traction issues in my mind. I still have my doubts but I'm not close minded or press my beliefs on others because they want to do something different UNLESS they want to chop up or part out a perfectly good 2-Stroke vintage bike that's all there. 

It would be great to get 20K + miles out of a tire with equal handling be it wet or dry and cornering is workable.

[Curtis_Valk]

I put together Speed Rating info on the Darkside site, hard to find decisive info regarding this topic, It's a lot to read. I can put it on here but didn't know if many/any would be interested.

You know about the Darkside Forum on Delphi, don't you?  There's at least one guy over there who has darksided a 3rd Gen Magna. http://forums.delphiforums.com/DarkSiding/start

Curtis