OK, I'm learning alot but still not there yet

First, thank you to all that have posted I have read many interesting and informative posts.
So what do I think I have learned if I switch to a CT:
1. I will gain much better control/traction in the rain.
2. I will see much improved stopping distances.
3. I will see greater mileage from a CT over a MT.
4. The CT will feel different in the corners not any better or worse just different once I find the happy spot for air pressure.
What are my questions;
1. Run flat vs non? Victory Vision 8Ball considering (NRF) Hankook Ventus V4 195/55R16 or (RF) Dunlop Winter Sport 175/60R16; any comments?
2. Does my riding style exceed the limits of a CT on a bike? I like playing in the corners at a spirited pace but by no means do I think I am in the same catagory as those that constantly test the limits of skill and equipment; I tip my hat to them wish them well but not for me; the only time I push things is when a diminishing radius corner surprises me; besides, the clearance of this bike limits lean angle anyway. It seem like many here ride much harder than I do so it would seem like this is a non issue.
3. Is it wrong to think that i could get 2 full seasons from a rear tire; avg. 11k miles/yr? This was what originally made me look into this before I knew of the other benefits.
Look forward to your comments, great site for info.

Jim

and
Jim to answer your questions:
I think I would pick the non run flat for a cruiser, there are a few plus and minuses on using a run flat. They have much stiffer sidewalls which work well on a heavy bike like a Goldwing, I'm thinking you would have to run pressures in the 28-30psi with it and you still might not like the way it corners. It is also better to have a tire pressure monitor if you are using a run flat.
The Hankook will run fine in the 38-40psi range.
You will not exceed the capabilities of the car tire. Your front motorcycle tire will wash out before the car tire looses grip!
You might be wrong on 2 full seasons from a rear tire, I'm thinking it will be closer to three!

Hey Jim,
I'm on my 3rd CT. Got 17k and 23k out of the first 2. And my buddy says I ride it hard, says I
can't go into a corner without scrapping the boards...
You won't exceed the CT's capabilities. I've been sliding on hard parts before and the tire hung in there.
The "different" feel is just a little more push in the corners and it will want to stand up sooner coming out of a corner, so you have to hold it in a bit longer. After a couple hundred miles it'll feel normal.
Put it on, enjoy it, don't over think it.
Ride Safe,
Craig

Non run flat for sure.
Sport bikes are running car tires. If you don't ride that hard there should be no problem.
Mirage has a lot of variables. I got 24,000 out of a 40,000 mile tire. I am not an aggressive rider. Any way you look at it it will be more miles than a mt and cost less.

Jerry

Well hurry up then!!! LOL Just kidding! Take your time, we have had people take over 3 years to make up there mind to try it!



..........................bobby

Thanks all for the input. Craig your probably right on the over thinking; don't drag any parts in the corners intentionally any more and I brake more frequently than I get flats so the plus far exceed the minus.
My dealer will install it an can get the V4 so I guess I will call and have then order one for me.
Thanks again.

Jim

Wet road handling is great
Stopping distance is cut
Very little differance in cornering with a Runflat tire..at 32 to 34 psi
But don't look forward to big miles..I run right along most of the time and I can eat a tire up in 11 or 12,000 miles..But I can say they are 11 or 12,000 safe and trouble free miles..But I only get 6 or 8000 out of a m.c tire so I figure I am ahead of the game..All depends on how you ride..
As for the Non Run Flats I have had friends remove them because of the soft sidewalls..There were not happy..

greenie wrote:Wet road handling is great
Stopping distance is cut
Very little differance in cornering with a Runflat tire..at 32 to 34 psi
But don't look forward to big miles..I run right along most of the time and I can eat a tire up in 11 or 12,000 miles..But I can say they are 11 or 12,000 safe and trouble free miles..But I only get 6 or 8000 out of a m.c tire so I figure I am ahead of the game..All depends on how you ride..
As for the Non Run Flats I have had friends remove them because of the soft sidewalls..There were not happy..

Interested in the NRF/soft sidewalls; how heavy are their bikes? With the rear trunk on I'm around 900lbs without gear and rider; from what I have read here, the prefered pressure for RF is around 30psi+/- and for the NFR it is around 40psi+/- do you know how much they played with this?
I like to move along but I don't push to sharpen my floorboards in the corners any more so I would expect I'll get reasonable mileage compared to some. I began looking into the DS in an attempt to get 2 seasons out of a set of tires (22k) when I found out about the shorter stopping distance and better wet road handling that really got me interested. Two years ago riding in upstate NY on a wet day I had the rear tire break loose and came really close to loosing it; still don't know how I kept upright.
Thanks for the input, this site is great.

Jim

cornering is not an issue with a car tire, I can scrape pegs on my V-strom which I'm sure is capable of a lot more lean angle than your Victory

my wet road handling has not improved at all, I still got a MC tire up front, and the back tire only follows the front tire, my braking distance has improved only slightly, again, cause most of my braking power is in the front due to bike geometry and weight distribution

the big advantage for me is a heavier tire that doesn't spin as easy in the snow

I'm runnin a nrf General Altimax Artic

I'm heavy and ride hard on a NRF tire. 36 lbs. in a Vredstein and I can even push it loaded for camping while pulling my monowheel trailer,
and that's with a wife on the back. You won't be sorry for the tire, but you should always keep in mind that the front tire is your weak link.