Auto Tires On Rear of T.G.

[Trent]

Put a new set of Toyo car radials on my TG...Just got back from a 350 mile ride thru the twistys and curves in the Idaho mountains.

Before I bloviate about them, I am curious how many of you have done this also and what are your thoughts, good and bad, about the car tires on the rear instead of the stock Dunlop tires that came on it. And what tires did you use. Fire away!

 

[Bikerbozo]

I've actually been pretty happy with the stock rear tires on my '10 TG. 65k and they still look good. I find they handle all sorts of weather great.

 

[Trent]

Good job with 65k on those Bozo. Mine were almost down to the wear bars at 30k. I must be doing something wrong.

 

[Peter A.]

I have 42 thou. on my stock Dunlops/lots of good tread and seems to handle well for me. I've checked with several dealers and have yet to find one who has replaced the rears yet due to normal wear.

 

[Gorilla]

I got 40k on mine and will be at the wear bars in another 5k. Very happy with them but will probably go with a car tire.

 

[trikermutha]

Good job with 65k on those Bozo. Mine were almost down to the wear bars at 30k. I must be doing something wrong.

only 30K I was amazed to see that they were worn this much with so little miles..

What are your tire pressures and rodes like where you ride??

 

[bikerbillone]

Goes to show what I know about the TG.....I thought oem was auto tires.

 

[iaff84]

Good job with 65k on those Bozo. Mine were almost down to the wear bars at 30k. I must be doing something wrong.

It is all that chrome you have on that thing!!!!!!!!

 

[Trent]

It is all that chrome you have on that thing!!!!!!!!

HaHa!!! Yeah!,,,all that shine comes with a price!..In many different ways!

Leaving shortly to go on another ride with more twisties, curves, and hairpins than yesterdays ride. I shall return.

 

[BinIdaho]

HaHa!!! Yeah!,,,all that shine comes with a price!..In many different ways!

Leaving shortly to go on another ride with more twisties, curves, and hairpins than yesterdays ride. I shall return.

Hahahaha.....was thinking the same thing (too much chrome)!!!! Hope my rear tires last more than 30K.

 

[Trent]

Hahahaha.....was thinking the same thing (too much chrome)!!!! Hope my rear tires last more than 30K.

Chrome is subjective and we all know it makes any ride go faster!! Ha Ha!!

Well, I could have easily gone many K more miles on the stock tires, but wanted to try something different, so here are the results, keeping in mind that this is my humble opinion only.

When I went into the first set of curves going up Hwy 55 Fri, I was startled by how much better the handling and gription ( is that a word?) were compared to the stock tires. I mean the difference was really, really, noticeable. Saturday I went over Lowman Pass, Hwy 21, and if any of you on here are familiar with that stretch of road, you have enjoyed all the 20 mph steep hairpins and curves for 30 miles.

Took all the hairpins and curves at higher than my usual speeds with more stability and feeling of control. I was seriously very surprised as I was not expecting there to be such a difference. I dunno if the extra tread depth made the difference or the possibly higher quality tire sidewalls were in on it also? Maybe after a few K, it will not feel the same? Maybe it is just all the chrome!!! Did 500 miles in the 2 days with no Babe on Back.

I do know I am very happy with them. I am headed up to Seattle, the San Jaun Islands, and B.C. next week with the Babe on Back,, so they will get a good test run.

 

[Livin2Ride]

Trent, I will be waiting to hear how the new tires do with the Babe on Back. I know my TG is a different machine solo vs 2 up and I think it is because of the flex in the rear tire sidewalls. Would also like to know how you like those tires after a few miles in the rain.

 

[iaff84]

gription ( is that a word?) From someone who is a chromaholic - YES
And I am scared because it sounds right to me!
Dennis

 

[BinIdaho]

Gription: gripping and provide traction.....yup, is a word! You two amaze me (lol).

Now "Babe on Back" has me worried:gah:

 

[Trent]

Trent, I will be waiting to hear how the new tires do with the Babe on Back. I know my TG is a different machine solo vs 2 up and I think it is because of the flex in the rear tire sidewalls. Would also like to know how you like those tires after a few miles in the rain.

Hey Sam...I will fer sure give an update about 2up differences. Babe is outta the country till Thurs or She woulda been with me this weekend. I hope I don't get to try 'em out in the rain too much next week, but if I do, so be it!

 

[Trent]

gription ( is that a word?) From someone who is a chromaholic - YES
And I am scared because it sounds right to me!
Dennis

Ha Ha!! Be afraid my Son. Be very afraid. If I am starting to make sense to you, we might have a problem!! I think it is a very descriptive word...Gives you a picture in your mind!

 

[Trent]

Gription: gripping and provide traction.....yup, is a word! You two amaze me (lol).

Now "Babe on Back" has me worried:gah:

Hey B. !! You don't have to worry, cuz you are already the Babe on Front!.. Do you ever haul any Boy Toys around behind you??

 

[JJHog]

Which model Toyo did you install? All Season or a specific summer tread or something with a really soft rubber compound?

 

[Trent]

The new tires are : Toyo... P205/65R-15 92T Eclipse All Season BW.
123.00 each. Could have spent way more...or way less. They have a wide selection to choose from. The tire guy convinced me I would be happy with these. So far he is correct.

 

[BinIdaho]

The new tires are : Toyo... P205/65R-15 92T Eclipse All Season BW.
123.00 each. Could have spent way more...or way less. They have a wide selection to choose from. The tire guy convinced me I would be happy with these. So far he is correct.

Did you get tires from HD dealer? Know that Les Schwab won't touch trikes for rear tire replacement...so I've been told.

 

[BinIdaho]

Hey B. !! You don't have to worry, cuz you are already the Babe on Front!.. Do you ever haul any Boy Toys around behind you??

Ack, no boy toys allowed! Have had to give couple ladies a ride in emergency situations only....have to remind everyone we're "not a couple" (lol)!

 

[Trent]

Did you get tires from HD dealer? Know that Les Schwab won't touch trikes for rear tire replacement...so I've been told.

Nope...While Marty had my tires off to replace the brake pads, I took them in my car to Les Schwab across from the Speedway. They knew that they were going on a Trike, and said it was no problem. But they will not do regular 2 wheel motorcycle tires.

 

[Trent]

Ack, no boy toys allowed! Have had to give couple ladies a ride in emergency situations only....have to remind everyone we're "not a couple" (lol)!

H aha!!! Not that there is anything wrong with that!!!!!

 

[bullet 10]

38000miles and the center of tires wear, all kinds of tread on the outer edge of tire. I think when going down the road they get up and run on the center of the tire (lack of weight of trike) kind of like slicks on drag tires.

 

[Trent]

38000miles and the center of tires wear, all kinds of tread on the outer edge of tire. I think when going down the road they get up and run on the center of the tire (lack of weight of trike) kind of like slicks on drag tires.

Hmmm... That is a good point...That's how mine were worn. I kept the air pressure at 26 to 28. Had plenty of tread on the outside edges, but not in the middle...as many curves and twisties that we have to ride thru here in Ideeho, with chip sealed roads that resemble grinding wheels from hell,, you would think it would be the other way around. I am running my new tires right at 28 lbs.

 

[Sloufoot]

If you aren't going to use the OEM tire, then you need to find a tire that is built with a flat tread profile. Much like the older "belted" tires. They had a wide flat surface.
Not saying the standard auto tire is wrong, but how much if it is on the pavement at speed?
Although a narrow tread won't hydroplane as easily, it has less traction in dry conditions. Unless the footprint is long instead of wide. Will work more that way with less air until there is a heat or sidewall problem.

 

[Trent]

Well, like I mentioned, the first 500 miles sure felt like I had more rubber on the road than the OEM tires. I looked at some wider flatter tires, and the tire guy pointed out that they were manufactured with a softer rubber, which was also evident by the much more limited milage warranty. And the sidewalls were much thinner and more pliable than the tires I put on, which have a 70,000 mile warranty. !! I Know!! I will never use them that long, but that shows the difference in the rubber and sidewall sustainability from the other tires, at least in my walnut sized brain. Since we don't lean, the stiffer sidewall seems to make more sense. ??

Remember the Dunlop GT Qualifiers back in the 70's? Those might make good Trike tires. I always had them on the rear of my muscle cars.

 

[bikerbillone]

Isn't there a 'sweet spot' psi for the tire to run on a flat contact patch? My installer recommended 26 lbs, so I jumped up to 30 lbs, found out my installer was right, I now run 26....Some folks I read are running them even lower psi. Not sure how that's working out, don't read much about the subject on this forum.

 

[DakotaTG]

Trent- I think that is a pretty good word you have come up with. After all the techies has come up with all sorts of words or abbreviations. I'm thinking that car tires on a TG would be no different than the Honda's, Yamahas and so forth out there with trike kits on them from various manufacturers that have car tires on the rear. As for pressure in the tires I run 24 in the rear and they seem to be wearing fairly even. Also softens the ride a bit. I have Dennis's lift kit and run 35 psi in the shocks with two up. Coming out your way starting tomorrow morning. Should be in Nampa about noon on Friday. Will be there until Sept. 4. Really hope to see you and Barbara. Seems like the two daughters and grandsons keep us too busy while we are there to go anywhere else.

2011 Merlot and Black TG.
"Heroes don't wear capes, they wear dog tags!.

 

[Trent]

Trent- I think that is a pretty good word you have come up with. After all the techies has come up with all sorts of words or abbreviations. I'm thinking that car tires on a TG would be no different than the Honda's, Yamahas and so forth out there with trike kits on them from various manufacturers that have car tires on the rear. As for pressure in the tires I run 24 in the rear and they seem to be wearing fairly even. Also softens the ride a bit. I have Dennis's lift kit and run 35 psi in the shocks with two up. Coming out your way starting tomorrow morning. Should be in Nampa about noon on Friday. Will be there until Sept. 4. Really hope to see you and Barbara. Seems like the two daughters and grandsons keep us too busy while we are there to go anywhere else.

2011 Merlot and Black TG.
"Heroes don't wear capes, they wear dog tags!.

Hey Wayne!! Well crap!!! We are leaving Saturday Morning for the San Juan Islands!!! Will not be back till next weekend!!

I may lower my pressure down to 26 or 24...I will wait and see how the ride is with the Babe on Back. As you know, since my nickname is "The Love Rhino",,,I am not a very petite specimen. 260 pounds of hot buttered love! ...So when we are loaded down for a trip, we are loaded down...

Remember I live 2 minutes away from High Desert Harley, so if you go over there Fri afternoon, call me and you can run by my house...easy to get to. You can see my new custom made trike trailer! It is going to take us to warmer riding destinations this winter. That solid month of 5 degree weather last winter did not make me happy.