Vanilla, Chocolate or Strawberry?

[Road Weazel]

**Warning! Tyre Thread!!**
I've been around various MC forums long enough to see plenty of the dreaded tyre threads and oil threads but I'm hoping this could be a little different. I've researched a fair amount and narrowed my choices down to a few and I was hoping to get some input from people who have tried different ones.

The Bridgestone Potenza G 009 has had some good reviews.
Yokohama AVID V4S looks good.
Kumho Ecsta DX looks good as well.
Goodyear Triple Tred has had mixed reviews.

I'm looking to stick to a 205/60-16  to keep the RPMs about the same. I'd like to have the most 'neutral handling' Car Tyre possible, while having a decent looking footprint also.
There seems to be some widly varying opinions on PSI out there. Some have recommended as low as 24PSI while others run 40. I understand that the air carries the load, and on the bike the load is minimal compared to a car, so lower PSI makes some sense.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanx.
Weazel

[Grizhead]

Weazel
I'm running the Goodyear triple tred.
I'm not completely sold on it yet, but I've run pressures from 40 to 22 lbs. I'm settling in around 24-26lbs. I seem to have less groove/rut tracking with the lower pressures. I know that I don't like the pressure higher than 34lbs.
Grizhead

[j2x]

I also run the Goodyear Assurance Triple Tread in the 206/60/16 variety.  My pressure is about 34psi (I don't check it that regularly).  I did have to remove my nut cages. 

Let me stress that I am VERY happy with this tire.  I ride in the rain and on loose surfaces often as well as aggressive canyon carving and after a week of getting used to the wider tire, I can't even tell it's there anymore.  I can go anywhere I went before, ride just as hard as I could before, and can stop quicker.  No complaints from me at all.

[2generationhondaman]

I also run a Goodyear Triple Tred 205/55/16 on my Valk standard. I have about 9,000 miles under me and and can state perfectly that I love the car tire. I went with the "55" for the lower profile and the difference in rpm's is very minimal and and for me, unnoticeable. For the first 5,000 miles I ran about 42 psi in the rear and the only difference was a slight tracking at times on parrallel surfaces(cracks and grooves).  This was more than offset by the car tire in superior braking,overall handling,better price, fantastic wear, and all the attention you will get everywhere you cruise for its looks.
  After about 5,000 mi. on the tire I happened to read Storms posts on running with reduced tire pressure. I  thought she was nuts since the vast majority of riders ran higher pressures. Still I decided to give Storms info a chance and I couldn't believe the improvement! For the last 4,000 mi. I have run approx. 28-30 psi in the rear and the handling is truly fantastic and no more tracking! The perfect match for me. Lesser pressure allows the walls to flex and keeps more tread on the road at all times. I'm sure there are other excellent CTs out there to mount and each person has their faves. I'm now waiting for my front Avon Venom to wear out and try Storm's other recommendation- a front bias ply tire! For those of you that haven't tried the CT do what I did-just figure that it just costs about the equivalent of  a chrome part to find out.
                                                 Thanks Storm----Tony

[Road Weazel]

Wow, it's like Triple Tred central around here!
I appreciate the input from everyone. I'm sort of curious why everyone's gravitating to the TT when it's a 'low performance' tyre compared to many of the others. I guess it doesn't matter if it works. It's not a bad looking tyre as far as tread patern is concerned, and we all know that is the most important factor in chosing a tyre, right?  ;)
Thanx!
Weazel

[j2x]

who's callin' the Triple Tread a "low performance tire"??

Consumer Reports lists them as a Performance tire, as opposed to a regular All Season or a High Performance and gave it a Quick Pick Recommendation.  It's rated "H" for up to 130mph- how much more performance do you want? 

I sure wouldn't call her a "low performance tire..."

[Road Weazel]

who's callin' the Triple Tread a "low performance tire"??

Consumer Reports lists them as a Performance tire, as opposed to a regular All Season or a High Performance and gave it a Quick Pick Recommendation.  It's rated "H" for up to 130mph- how much more performance do you want? 

I sure wouldn't call her a "low performance tire..."

I was going off of what www.tirerack.com catagorized the Triple Tred as, which was "Passenger All Season". Above that rating they have Standard Touring All Season, Grand Touring All Season, Performance All Season, High Performance All Season and Ultra High Performance All Season. That's not including the 'Summer' tyres.
I should probably check Goodyear's site and see where they rate it.
Cheers!
Weazel

[Pistolchamp]

Just to be the oddball, I run a Michelin Hydroedge 205/65R16 at 35 psi with complete satisfaction.  Apparently very long tread life, wonderful handling and excellent rear wheel braking... oh yeah and it looks pretty cool too.

I'm not alone, quite a few are running this tire as well as the triple tread and some others.

Take the advice here as many of us have done the "test pilot" thing and the advice is from the real world.

Merry Christmas to all

[Gentry]

  Let me assure you that the "Triple Tread" is a sedan tire. As a matter of fact my neighbor has a Toyota Camry with those Goodyears on it. And that Camry is not a performance car by any srtetch. I doubt that you would ever find it on any Mustang GT or any real performance car.

And since it is winter than why don't you mount a "Mud and Snow" tire? At least it would be seasonally appropriate.

[Valker]

Let me assure you that the "Triple Tread" is a sedan tire. As a matter of fact my neighbor has a Toyota Camry with those Goodyears on it. And that Camry is not a performance car by any srtetch. I doubt that you would ever find it on any Mustang GT or any real performance car.

And since it is winter than why don't you mount a "Mud and Snow" tire? At least it would be seasonally appropriate.

Gentry,
as a moderator on this list, please take this thought. We don't allow personal attacks or jumping on someone's ideas about their own bike. There are a lot of lists that tolerate this, but this is not one of them.
Welcome to our group, but please allow others their modifications without demeaning them.

[TC 17888]

You probably already have a new rear tire by now ... anyway ...
The Bridgestone Potenza G 009, 205 60R/16 is a very tight fit on my Standard 2002.  About a playing cards thickness or less between the tire and the shaft.  Good ride at 36psi.  Yeah, did the Nut cage mod.

[Road Weazel]

Thanx for the reply. I haven't ordered tyres yet, but I will need to soon. I'm flying out on the 20th to go meet my Valkyrie and see my parents. I'll have to pick some tyres before then.
I'm still debating on the Darkside. My bike's got 'T-bars' (or drag bars, whichever) and will have a heavy fairing on the forks. I'm not sure about having a bike that handles 'different', although my Guzzi likes to fall into slow corners and that could be called 'different' by some. I'll post here after I make my choice.
Thanx again.
Weazel

[2generationhondaman]

Weasel--
  I know exactly how you feel- I spent about 2 yrs. debating and pondering other people's experiences on the "darkside". I then thought that I would take about enough money (that I spend in a dozen McDonald's visits) and find out myself! What I figured is this-on this and other forums of all the people that switched to the CT,about 90% of them preferred the CT enough to stay on the darkside. To me that was an overwhelming majority! In my earlier post I stated I ran an "55" series and really I can't tell any appreciable rpm/gas difference at all--and the lower profile is good looking. The mod cage is easy even for a non-mech. I believe like Storm about  running as least as possible(psi) in the rear. I weigh about 280 lbs. and use pprox. 28-30 psi(using trial and error). The CT rear tire isn't for everyone, but for many it is a cheaper,superior, and more attractive alternative for the "Lady"! Just remember to maintenance and lube  the rear components since you only change the rear CT about a third to a fourth as often as with running a MC tire. I'm sold on the darkside,  but I respect other riders experiences and opinions.
                                                                                Tony
 PS-  TC, that Bridgestone is a great looking tire!

[Sludge]

I agree with 2generationhondaman that while running my 55 the RPM wasnt affected that much.  I run the Yokohama Advan A048 and its pretty darn sticky riding up here in the mountains. 




It has a nicely rounded edge profile.  Many folks dont know its a car tire when they walk up to the bike.  I have to say that this tire wears alot faster than other car tires, but it still easily outlasts bike tires.  Truth be told, there are several car tires out there giving great results.  I dont think that you will go wrong with any of the more popular car tires.

[Road Weazel]

What's your pressures with the Advan? You don't need to do the nut-cage mod with this tyre, correct? I think this is the one I'll go with.
Thanx.
Weazel

I agree with 2generationhondaman that while running my 55 the RPM wasnt affected that much.  I run the Yokohama Advan A048 and its pretty darn sticky riding up here in the mountains. 
It has a nicely rounded edge profile.  Many folks dont know its a car tire when they walk up to the bike.  I have to say that this tire wears alot faster than other car tires, but it still easily outlasts bike tires.  Truth be told, there are several car tires out there giving great results.  I dont think that you will go wrong with any of the more popular car tires.