Good tire options for 1800 F?

Howdy all. Well I noticed yesterday at work that my front tire is pretty bald in the middle and my rear isn't far behind. They are the OEM Dunflaps with about 6200 miles on em.

Anyways.....I have a 2006 1800 F spec 1 and I am really considering the Darkside given the money it would save and the fact that if I can ever sell this house out in Copperas Cove and move back to the Temple area I'll be riding 40 min to work 4 days a week and that'll add up. I'm just wondering what will fit well on my bike in the back, fill up the fender nicely and maintain speedo accuracy as close as possible. I would like to do a 1300 swap at some point....but that's money I don't have at the moment so it may be a ways out.

I was probably going to put an ME880 up front, but read some about the Double Darkside thing and I'm curious.....why a rear tire up front running backward rotation? I don't quite understand. I really wish there was someone close by that had done this so I could try it out first.....and the whole mounting/balancing myself thing...even with dynabeads...is kinda un-nerving. How many oz do you need to use in the rear tire anyways?

Ok...I think this is enough questions for now. Thanks guys.

Just looked at the rear tire and the M/T is a 180/55r18. What's the widest that can fit safely? I know a 200 M/T will fit, so....a 195/55r18? I dunno. I'm just taking a shot in the dark here.

Toyo T1R 215/45R18 is a proven performer on F's, approx. the same O.D. as stock, but wider with no clearance issues.
Choice is very limited in CT's for the F's 18" wheel.

Dan wrote:Toyo T1R 215/45R18 is a proven performer on F's, approx. the same O.D. as stock, but wider with no clearance issues.
Choice is very limited in CT's for the F's 18" wheel.

+1.............. Everyone runs this tire who has an F that I know of......


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Cool. I'll see about prices and what not. They've gotta be cheaper than a metzler. Thanks.

They've got it covered. There's one other goodyear tire (I think it is) that high $$ racing tire that will fit.... but it's a lot more than a MT and I didn't even bother to remember the name of it...

I was looking at prices....stupid 18" wheel. Drives up the cost quite a bit. Still cheaper than a mt though.

Anyone got any ideas as to where one could get a good deal on one of these bad boys? Prices vary wildly online....and I'm actually getting antsy as to getting it on the bike. Also....anyone know how many OZ's of dynabeads I'll need to balance the tire? I figure might as well do it right the first time. Thanks.

Kyoujin wrote:Anyone got any ideas as to where one could get a good deal on one of these bad boys? Prices vary wildly online....and I'm actually getting antsy as to getting it on the bike. Also....anyone know how many OZ's of dynabeads I'll need to balance the tire? I figure might as well do it right the first time. Thanks.

According to the dynabead site 3 oz for a car tire on a bike. There is a goodyear dealer on 99 just south of I-10 in Katy, Tx. They might even mount it for you too. At least they didn't object when I said I wanted one mounted. They didn't have what I wanted though.

Jerry

Cool. Think I'll install it myself though. 4 hours is a bit of a drive just to get a tire mounted. what about this tire?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1-NEW-215-45-18-Hankook-V12-Evo-K110-Tire-45R18-R18-45R_W0QQitemZ220524424419QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item335847ace3#ht_2417wt_948

same size and the price is right. I guess I'd be running the risk of it not fitting though...huh?

good lookin tire, will they grab one and physically measure the width for you? I think 8.3" is the max actual width.... I was wrong earlier, I guess it's Michelin who makes the other tire that is known to fit but it's over $300!

I don't know but I'll find out. If a michellin I bet it was that pilot sport. The mt pilots are expensive as all get out too! I saw them going for 85 used on eBay.

Thats a good looking tire. Hankook is made by Michelin so it has a chance of fitting. Let us know.

Jerry

Hrm....Hankook's website says it's 8.4" wide at the sidewall. I can't remember if it was on this board or VTXOA where someone said 8.3" was the max. Grrrr. I kinda liked this tire too. Someone on OA said that they are running a Cooper Zeon and only had an issue with the helmet lock and cut it off. I removed my helmet lock over a year ago, so I may look at this one.....

If their website says it's 8.4" at the sidewall I think I'll go ahead and try the Hankook.

how wide is the recommended rim width for that tire versus the X rim width? You might loose a little width there, I'm guessin that the Vtx rim is narrower. Plus the advertised width of the tire might not quite be exactly the same as the physical measurement....

lookin forward to seeing what you find out!

Ok. If what I found is right the F's 18" rim is 5.5" wide. The hankook calls for a 7" wheel so it might be do-able. I'd hate to get it and it not fit though....

I'd guess that would give you .005" on either side of the tire squeezing it onto that thinner rim....

I'm kinda tempted to go with a 205 just to make sure I have plenty of clearance. My wife doesn't ride with me often but when she does I'd like to make sure there is no rubbing on the sub frame.

I ride 2-up plenty, from what I understand, if you can get it to clear the swingarm, it can be fit without rubbing... I dunno if your going to find a 205 in the right height with the 18" rim, that's why a 215 was tracked down.

That thought came to me last night as I was looking for a 205. Not many out there...seems a rare beast. Probably better sticking with the 215.

Also....I was wondering....any of ya'll use dynabeads in the front tire as well, and if so how many oz? I was thinking 3oz back 2oz front. I'm going to get my wheels powdercoated while I have the tires off and would like to keep those ugly ass stick on weights off if at all possible. Thanks.

Wow....I feel stupid. I took two seconds to look on their web page and it says for a 130 front tire 2oz and a CT 3oz. Guess I know what to do! Already got my front tire (ME880), get the beads and finally pick up my rear and get to gettin. I'll post pics whenever I get it done....may be a while....probably gonna have him powdercoat the fenders and tank also....should've done this this winter......