Darkside on front only?

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01-13-2018, 03:05 PM
waynerock66

Darkside on front only?

So the time has come to replace my front tire and I'm still up the air as to going darkside on the rear when the time comes.Question arises now because for Christmas my wife bought me a new front tire based on items in my wish list from a few sites. She got me the Battlax BT45 for the front because "it looked like a nice looking tire" she said. Question is.....my thinking says that running dark on the front only shouldn't present any problems but I'm asking those of you that have already switched what your opinions are. With the wealth of experience and knowledge on this site I trust that I can get answers and make an informed decision. Thanks

Wayne
01-13-2018, 04:04 PM
bob109

Quote:

Originally Posted by waynerock66

So the time has come to replace my front tire and I'm still up the air as to going darkside on the rear when the time comes.Question arises now because for Christmas my wife bought me a new front tire based on items in my wish list from a few sites. She got me the Battlax BT45 for the front because "it looked like a nice looking tire" she said. Question is.....my thinking says that running dark on the front only shouldn't present any problems but I'm asking those of you that have already switched what your opinions are. With the wealth of experience and knowledge on this site I trust that I can get answers and make an informed decision. Thanks

Wayne

The BT45 is a excellent tire! Once mounted it is 1/4" narrower than the OEM tire! That said it is a "corner carver"! Great handling in the curves and the straights, you'll have no regrets with the Ax. Make sure you keep the pressure at 40 psi or slightly above and you'll get great overall mileage!

Ride Safe

bob109
01-14-2018, 03:40 PM
yabiah

I'd have to agree with bob109, "the BT45 is an excellent tire!"
I'm on my third and have been running it at 41psi with Ride-On tire sealant.

Darkside rear or not, you can't go wrong with BT45.
Tim
10-20-2018, 10:06 AM
gadgeteer

Isn't the BT45 bias, not radial?!
I've have always heard that mixing 'bias with radial' is a No No.
Seems like several members here have supported that same thought.
However, I've never read anything on this forum about any experience.. good or bad.. when mixing the two.
Can somebody shed some light on this assumption?
10-20-2018, 12:56 PM
olegoat345

Any body ever check with their insurance co. about putting a CT on a bike? Wondering if they would blame the CT for a wreck & not pay your claim.
Just wondering?
10-20-2018, 03:20 PM
BIGLRY

Put it on with the arrow pointing forward, air it up and ride like the wind!
10-21-2018, 06:07 AM
Ghost Rider

Quote:

Originally Posted by olegoat345

Any body ever check with their insurance co. about putting a CT on a bike? Wondering if they would blame the CT for a wreck & not pay your claim.
Just wondering?

This has been thrown around for years. The tire is DOT approved. Trikes have 2 rear car tires. Dot tire is fine.
09-14-2020, 06:36 PM
woody

Quote:

Originally Posted by olegoat345

Any body ever check with their insurance co. about putting a CT on a bike? Wondering if they would blame the CT for a wreck & not pay your claim.
Just wondering?

The only way to get a correct answer to that is to call your insurance company and put the question to them.
09-14-2020, 08:02 PM
Fla_rider

So let’s see how this would go, hello Geico I’m using a DOT car tire on my rear tire. Gee I’m thinking Mr Geico going to say that’s not good. Because if he condoned it he’d be responsible! Duh!
09-14-2020, 08:42 PM
willtill

Meh... haven't met anyone yet or heard of anyone wrecking and subsequently bursting into flames with a car tire on their bike. Present company included.

I just finished the 2020 F6B Rally with a Darkside on my bike. The Cherohala Skyway, Blue Ridge parkway, The Tail of the Dragon, and other twisty, curvy roads down there. Not an issue. Didn't even know it was back there, performed as good (or better) than a motorcycle tire. ESPECIALLY in the wet....

https://i.postimg.cc/DZX5cTV0/IMG-0314.jpg
09-14-2020, 09:08 PM
Phantom

Quote:

Originally Posted by willtill

Meh... haven't met anyone yet or heard of anyone wrecking and subsequently bursting into flames with a car tire on their bike. Present company included.

I just finished the 2020 F6B Rally with a Darkside on my bike. The Cherohala Skyway, Blue Ridge parkway, The Tail of the Dragon, and other twisty, curvy roads down there. Not an issue. Didn't even know it was back there, performed as good (or better) than a motorcycle tire. ESPECIALLY in the wet....

https://i.postimg.cc/DZX5cTV0/IMG-0314.jpg

Yup, I have followed many riders with car tires on the rear including Will at the Rally.
9 out of 10 have raved about the car tire.

I have never seen any issues nor crashes caused by a rear car tire. Just my 2 cents
09-15-2020, 09:03 AM
bob109

'popcorn and coke'
09-16-2020, 07:21 AM
gadgeteer

Interestingly, I also run the BT45 at 41psi with Ride-On in it. Excellent tire!
09-16-2020, 09:39 AM
Fla_rider

Tony follow? Hmmmm....I only know one driver Tony followed half the time and true he normally does have a Darkside but not yet! But he will in the next couple months.
09-16-2020, 06:47 PM
valkmc

Quote:

Originally Posted by olegoat345

Any body ever check with their insurance co. about putting a CT on a bike? Wondering if they would blame the CT for a wreck & not pay your claim.
Just wondering?

I have some expirence with this subject. A couple of years ago I hit a full size pallet that flew off a truck at around 70! Came close to going down. At little over 5 k in damage. The proggresive adjuster did not care l had a car tire on the back. He kind of applogized he had to replace it with a mc tire. No one seemed to care about the car tire.
12-03-2020, 09:10 AM
gadgeteer

Quote:

Originally Posted by willtill

Meh... haven't met anyone yet or heard of anyone wrecking and subsequently bursting into flames with a car tire on their bike. Present company included.

I just finished the 2020 F6B Rally with a Darkside on my bike. The Cherohala Skyway, Blue Ridge parkway, The Tail of the Dragon, and other twisty, curvy roads down there. Not an issue. Didn't even know it was back there, performed as good (or better) than a motorcycle tire. ESPECIALLY in the wet....

https://i.postimg.cc/DZX5cTV0/IMG-0314.jpg

I see it's a Michelin but which one? And what size?
12-08-2020, 11:32 AM
Frye

Quote:

Originally Posted by willtill

Meh... haven't met anyone yet or heard of anyone wrecking and subsequently bursting into flames with a car tire on their bike. Present company included.

I just finished the 2020 F6B Rally with a Darkside on my bike. The Cherohala Skyway, Blue Ridge parkway, The Tail of the Dragon, and other twisty, curvy roads down there. Not an issue. Didn't even know it was back there, performed as good (or better) than a motorcycle tire. ESPECIALLY in the wet....

https://i.postimg.cc/DZX5cTV0/IMG-0314.jpg

Would sure like to know what size and model that Michelin is?
12-08-2020, 02:46 PM
willtill

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frye

Would sure like to know what size and model that Michelin is?

Michelin Primacy Alpine ZP 195/55 R 16 Run Flat
12-08-2020, 07:34 PM
Frye

I'm only seeing the BT 45 at Dennis Kirk in 130/80-18 in the V rated with highest load range. And an H rated with a lower weight rating in 120/80-18. Which, if either are you guys running? If it's one of these does the taller aspect ratio have a noticeable effect?
Thanks,
Mike
12-08-2020, 07:35 PM
Frye

Quote:

Originally Posted by willtill

Michelin Primacy Alpine ZP 195/55 R 16 Run Flat

Thanks. Any difference in RPM at highway speed?
12-08-2020, 07:49 PM
willtill

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frye

Thanks. Any difference in RPM at highway speed?

None at all.