Its called "The Dark side" I dont know why. But I do know this. Some folks love it, some don't. Lots of pro's and con's to consider.

I am very pleased with my 2013 Roadglide rear tire mileage. 17,000 miles with a few more miles left in it. But I want to put a car tire on the rear. Ive seen a few You Tube videos and read a few forums.

I am interested in tire sizes I should consider. If there are any motorcyclist that have experience with riding a car tire, Id like to hear from you. 

Bad idea. A car tire is not designed to lean. the car tire manufacturers are against it the motorcyclist manufacturers are against it bad idea. 

It's an okay idea if you never have to turn. Motorcycle tires are round, they are made to lean. Car tires are not made to lean. One time you are on a rode with no shoulders and you have a tight curve were your bike needs to lean and you will end up on your rear end. I get you can get more miles out of car tires then bike tires but don't be dumb. "Dark Siders" as they call themselves are just bikers that want to go against the grain. 

Motorcycle tires are round

Thanks XpressUrself..I have been riding since I was 11 years of age. Im 55 now. I know a thing or two about motorcycles and there tires. I have ridden the smokey mtns in the snow. Atlanta, Ga to Houston, Tx in a day. Houston taffic in the driving rain, The West Coast 2x the East coast 1x, the great lakes, and literally from Tucson to Tucumcari. The Vegas strip. Im sure you get the picture. Check out some videos on this before you give me all that scardy-cat advice. 

By all means, Mark, put car tires on your hog. Bring out your inner rebel. 

For me its not about my inner rebel. That SOB is wild on two wheels. My HOG goes off-road. A lot.

Its about $300 & 20k vs $100 & 50k and a little skill. I got that. My neighbor did this and had a not so nice experience. He was turning into a gas station and his bike slipped out from under him. I wasnt there so I dont know all the dynamics of the slip. Was it wet, too fast, too sharp, who knows. 

$300 was what I paid for front/back Metzeler tires, with mounting and balancing.

I'd rather spend money on tires designed for my bike than experiment with something that may not work as desired. Then you'd be looking at wasting the money on car tires to buy motorcycle tires anyway. 

Mark, you have clearly made your point at how heavy duty that you are into riding bikes. But as a woman who is also a Rider that was my opinion. That was the research that I have done. So you go ahead and you do whatever you want to do its your bike it is your tires, your life, you do whatever you want to do. You asked for opinions I gave it whether you take it or not is your prerogative. No hurt feelings. Don't get mad at me just because I have a different point of view then you do. No worries. It's all good. 

Motorcycle tires are round

Every tire I have ever seen has been round. 

lmao 

I've got a fat tire kit on my 06 Dyna Lowrider.

Just google search for a kit/tire for your bike. 

I can foresee that if you are in an accident and the incorrect tire is cited as a contributing factor, you are going to have "issues" with the insurance company. 

Every tire I have ever seen has been round.

Bob. Car tires are flat. Side profiles are round. Front profiles are rectangular, with flat outer surfaces where the rubber meets the road. ok? 

Bob. Car tires are flat. Side profiles are round. Front profiles are rectangular, with flat outer surfaces where the rubber meets the road. ok??

I know that Mark, I ride also. But, it doesnt change the fact that every tire I have ever seen for ANY application has been round. 

if you are in an accident and the incorrect tire is cited as a contributing factor, you are going to have "issues" with the insurance company.


That is a good point. a26
@ Xpress. Thank you. 

Totally stupid idea.

http://www.ridermagazine.com/browse-by-type/tires/tales-from-the-dark-side-putting-car-tires-on-motorcycles.htm/

But then, its your bike, your life, put aircraft landing tires on it for all I care.

Still, stupid idea. Use what is designed for the bike.

I remember when I went looking for a good helmet. Went to the store, told the guy I wanted a cheap helment. He indicated we have cheap helments for cheap heads......Thought about it for a minute, ending up getting top of the line BELL helmet.

Car tires on a bike? STUPID idea. 

literally from Tucson to Tucumcari

was that right before the trip from Tehachapi to Tonapah ?? 

Yep. Driven every kind of rig that's ever been made. ;] 

Yep. Driven every kind of rig that's ever been made. ;]

That is no small feat. 

Its not so tuff if your "Willin" to keep movin. 

Car tires on a fixed position bike might not be such a bad idea, i.e. a bike with a sidecar.

I'd be scared spitless with a flat tread tire on my bike. 

every tire I have ever seen for ANY application has been round.

spherical bob. The front profile is spherical on motorcycle tires. Parallel on the sides and spherical on the outer surface. mmm-k 

"Thanks XpressUrself..I have been riding since I was 11 years of age. Im 55 now. I know a thing or two about motorcycles and there tires."

Funny, you know a thing or two about motorcycles at 55 yrs old ....

But your do not know the difference between there and their.
You may want to be sure you are correct with what you are saying before you post smart-a$$ comments.
mmm-k (another quote from THE Mark)
Looks like you missed THE mark on this one !!! 

It a bad idea,engineers are paid a lot of money to design the right equipment on motorcycles,I do not see any coming off the show room with car tires,wonder why.I am all for modifications to a point,mostly comfort and customized looks. 

Thanks OLDBIKER. Engineers are paid the big bucks to engineer many things including tires. I am NOT an engineer. However I have enough mechanical aptitude to make anything out of anything. Combine that with some research, trial and error and before you know it. A new way to do things is born.

A friend of mine has been riding with a car tire on his HOG for over a year, runs approx 30 lbs and loves it.

Butch You should mind your own store. mmm-k. If you got nothing to add to the conv. but smart-sss advise. 

"Advice" Mark, not "Advise". 

would I put a car tire on a bike I use to cruise around KW and on backroads between bars?... no.

But I do know a guy who runs a car tire on his highway cruiser... Not because it's cheaper, but because "leaning" isn't really a factor on the highway, and he gets MUCH better mileage from it and it's a much "tougher" tire when it comes to handling debris and potholes. He road that tire from TX to Fairbanks and back... some of it on unimproved roads... one tire. That would have worn out at least 3 tires (and the associated tools/time/location to change them) using "normal" motorcycle tires.
He ran the car tire for durability and convenience, not for $.

My point is, the idea has it's place, and can be done without being "dangerous". It's just not the right idea fro all situations. 

one tire. That would have worn out at least 3 tires (and the associated tools/time/location to change them) using "normal" motorcycle tires.

Amen...I once took a trip to Az. Leaving from Houston, by the time I made New Mexico I needed a new tire.

Thanks KSH 

Sounds like a BAD idea O_O 

Texashley28 ---

Sounds like a BAD idea O_O?


In most cases, it IS a bad idea. But there are situations where it makes perfect sense and is perfectly safe. 

Just in-case anyone was interested...We went with O.E.M. motorcycle tires. It was a good choice as we were pelted in two hail storms and numerous days in the rain. We had zero issues with traction, riding thru Colorado and back. 

.We went with O.E.M. motorcycle tires.
Unquestionably a wise decision. 

This isn't about tires, but something I have wondered about. Why does someone on a motorcycle ride close to the center line when they have the whole lane? It seems dangerous to me, but I see them do it enough that I figure there must be a reason. 

Several reasons, visibility being one, and another is that the center of the lane is where most of oil and other fluids from leaking cars gets dropped. It gets slick in the center on a dry day, but even worse when it's wet. 

That makes sense. My husband and I have wondered about this many times. Of course, with so many people on their phones these days I think I would be hugging the outside of the lane and not the inside. 

Several reasons, visibility being one,

Pretty much why I do it. 

Several reasons, visibility being one,

If you ride in that outer track, cars and trucks tend to think there's enough room to pass. Bikes lose every time.