Car tires

[rwthomas1]

Don't do it! The bike will burst into flames! Hahaha. Always amazes me when opinions are offered with zero experience and references are made to what "authorities" deem to be acceptable or not. I highly doubt the "authorities" have ever tested or even considered doing this, yet you can be sure they will say 'tis verboten, simply because they can. Sure, I wanna live like that. Yeah, nah. Ride on darksiders!

 

[Mr.E]

Don't be tempted to go oversize!
I put this 245 on my last Rocket 3 and wasn't the best decision I've ever made.
Real Wackyraces.

 

[gbrand42]

It's illegal in the UK and will invalidate your insurance cover and leave you open to prosecution. Until 18 months ago I worked in the motorcycle insurance industry for 23 years in the UK, so I do feel somewhat qualified to state this as fact (in the UK). Another modification that invalidates insurance here is the sealing of spoked wheels to enable tubeless tyres to be fitted. I have seen a few YT videos of this being done in other countries and it may well be perfectly fine. But over here its a no-no. As with anything insurance-related, you will be fine all the time you don't need to claim. But the day you do, if it's spotted by the insurance assessor, you will be in a whole world of trouble. I've seen a 50/50 fault incident with a motorcycle and car result in prosecution for the bike owner due to just this sort of modification, resulting in a lengthy licence ban and a huge fine/damages award to the car driver all because the assessor spotted this problem, which in all probability had nothing to do with the cause of the accident.

As always in life, we all need to find our own way, and you may feel different. But for me it's not a great idea to risk so much. My bike licence and my beer fund are too precious

 

[ASPC]

It's illegal in the UK and will invalidate your insurance cover and leave you open to prosecution. Until 18 months ago I worked in the motorcycle insurance industry for 23 years in the UK, so I do feel somewhat qualified to state this as fact (in the UK). Another modification that invalidates insurance here is the sealing of spoked wheels to enable tubeless tyres to be fitted. I have seen a few YT videos of this being done in other countries and it may well be perfectly fine. But over here its a no-no. As with anything insurance-related, you will be fine all the time you don't need to claim. But the day you do, if it's spotted by the insurance assessor, you will be in a whole world of trouble. I've seen a 50/50 fault incident with a motorcycle and car result in prosecution for the bike owner due to just this sort of modification, resulting in a lengthy licence ban and a huge fine/damages award to the car driver all because the assessor spotted this problem, which in all probability had nothing to do with the cause of the accident.

As always in life, we all need to find our own way, and you may feel different. But for me it's not a great idea to risk so much. My bike licence and my beer fund are too precious

Legal on trikes in the UK?

 

[ST Gui]

Always amazes me when opinions are offered with zero experience and references are made to what "authorities" deem to be acceptable or not. I highly doubt the "authorities" have ever tested or even considered doing this, yet you can be sure they will say 'tis verboten, simply because they can.

I have no dog in this fight. When I need specific information (that may involve spending money) about a subject I like to request that info from an actual BTDT crowd. There are several DarkSiders here who are quite experienced and hands-on knowledge is worth a lot more that a "It seems to me..." or "Logic dictates..." or whatever.

 

[gbrand42]

Legal on trikes in the UK?

We would in the past refer trikes to the specialist department, but speaking personally I would think trikes were perfectly legal running car tyres.

 

[rwthomas1]

It's illegal in the UK and will invalidate your insurance cover and leave you open to prosecution. Until 18 months ago I worked in the motorcycle insurance industry for 23 years in the UK, so I do feel somewhat qualified to state this as fact (in the UK). Another modification that invalidates insurance here is the sealing of spoked wheels to enable tubeless tyres to be fitted. I have seen a few YT videos of this being done in other countries and it may well be perfectly fine. But over here its a no-no. As with anything insurance-related, you will be fine all the time you don't need to claim. But the day you do, if it's spotted by the insurance assessor, you will be in a whole world of trouble. I've seen a 50/50 fault incident with a motorcycle and car result in prosecution for the bike owner due to just this sort of modification, resulting in a lengthy licence ban and a huge fine/damages award to the car driver all because the assessor spotted this problem, which in all probability had nothing to do with the cause of the accident.

As always in life, we all need to find our own way, and you may feel different. But for me it's not a great idea to risk so much. My bike licence and my beer fund are too precious

And this is exactly why I have a problem with garbage like this. Persecuting an individual for no particular reason simply because a rule, that is specious at best, was broken that has nothing to do with the accident. I understand the necessity of insurance and laws, but way to much power is handed of to mid level functionaries such as assessors with a dearth of brain matter. I have a fairly intense revulsion for these cretins.

 

[Sadlsor]

Here in the US, I have to wonder how many insurance adjusters would even know or notice a "car" tire on a motorcycle.
It's not like they have "Car Tire Only!" stamped on the sidewall.

 

[Upt' North]

And this is exactly why I have a problem with garbage like this. Persecuting an individual for no particular reason simply because a rule, that is specious at best, was broken that has nothing to do with the accident. I understand the necessity of insurance and laws, but way to much power is handed of to mid level functionaries such as assessors with a dearth of brain matter. I have a fairly intense revulsion for these cretins.

A bit harsh don't you think Mr.Thomas sir.
In the UK you must specify any alterations made to a vehicle at the time of insuring it. Doesn't seem too difficult to me. If that insurer doesn't want to cover you, look elsewhere. But you would never expect or recieve cover for an illegal vehicle. If you stay tight lipped and subsequently try to claim then who's the fool.
Many alterations will be waved through, luggage, engine bars, screens etc, but not any items which are clearly in contradiction of long accepted and applied laws. These illegal alterations should also render the vehicle an MOT fail anyway so shouldn't be on the road regardless.
Most assessors I have worked with in the UK are extremely professional in what they do and can only report what they find, any police examination would be separately carried out prior to the subsequent insurance examination.
Just saying.
Upt'North.

 

[rwthomas1]

A bit harsh don't you think Mr.Thomas sir.
In the UK you must specify any alterations made to a vehicle at the time of insuring it. Doesn't seem too difficult to me. If that insurer doesn't want to cover you, look elsewhere. But you would never expect or recieve cover for an illegal vehicle. If you stay tight lipped and subsequently try to claim then who's the fool.
Many alterations will be waved through, luggage, engine bars, screens etc, but not any items which are clearly in contradiction of long accepted and applied laws. These illegal alterations should also render the vehicle an MOT fail anyway so shouldn't be on the road regardless.
Most assessors I have worked with in the UK are extremely professional in what they do and can only report what they find, any police examination would be separately carried out prior to the subsequent insurance examination.
Just saying.
Upt'North.

We'll have to agree to disagree on this one then. If the "illegal" modification didn't cause the accident, then where's the harm? Additionally, where's the data to support the "illegality" of the modification? Who made that determination? With regard to the original posting on the use of Car Tires on a Motorcycle, where's the data to make a determination that its somehow dangerous? The only data available is an expanding experience base, admittedly anecdotal, showing that it has benefits in some circumstances. No accidents noted, no flaming crashes, nobody killed, hurt, maimed. You live in a beautiful country, I've visited and have friends there. That said, there are laws and rules in abundance that your citizens seem to think are perfectly acceptable that would never work for the subset of the world that include me. I could give examples, but it would be off thread....

 

[Upt' North]

Ay up me duck, I wasn't suggesting it was illegal in the states, I wouldn't have a clue. I know there's a few strange laws, but aren't there everywhere? But on a thread that is internationally read it's only right to point out that the con and use regulations governing the fitment and use of tyres in the UK would make such a fitment illegal. This is decided by Parliament in consultation with the Police and other interested bodies.
You will also know having visited this Fair Isle that it's all a bit of a mute point anyway, when fitting a car tyre to a two wheeled motorcycle would be a ridiculous suggestion to any British motorcyclist. The trouble of course is that if there wasn't a law somebody would.
Upt'North.

 

[Obo]

Ay up me duck, I wasn't suggesting it was illegal in the states, I wouldn't have a clue. I know there's a few strange laws, but aren't there everywhere? But on a thread that is internationally read it's only right to point out that the con and use regulations governing the fitment and use of tyres in the UK would make such a fitment illegal. This is decided by Parliament in consultation with the Police and other interested bodies.
You will also know having visited this Fair Isle that it's all a bit of a mute point anyway, when fitting a car tyre to a two wheeled motorcycle would be a ridiculous suggestion to any British motorcyclist. The trouble of course is that if there wasn't a law somebody would.
Upt'North.

Curious if @Flexit is running car tires on his rig? I know some do on sidecar setups.

 

[ASPC]

We would in the past refer trikes to the specialist department, but speaking personally I would think trikes were perfectly legal running car tyres.

So also legal on a motorcycle with a sidecar?

 

[Upt' North]

Curious if @Flexit is running car tires on his rig? I know some do on sidecar setups.

Flexit will know the law on sidecars better than I. They are classified as a motorcycle, some trikes would also share that status. It's been a long while since I read con and use regs. And drunk much Whisky.
There could well be an exemption for sidecars.
Upt'North.

 

[Upt' North]

Examples of an unsuitable tyre are:

a sidecar or car tyre on a solo motorcycle - sidecars may be fitted with either car or motorcycle type tyres
a tyre specifically designed for front wheel use fitted to the rear wheel
a bias belted tyre fitted to the front with a cross-ply tyre fitted to the rear
a radial tyre fitted to the front and a cross-ply or bias belted tyre fitted to the rear.
Additionally, motocross tyres, tyres designated by their manufacturer as racing tyres and tyres marked ‘NHS’ or ‘NOT FOR HIGHWAY USE’ on the sidewall are also unsuitable, unless the tyre sidewall is marked with:

an ‘E’ in a circle
an ‘e’ in a rectangle
JIS (Japanese industry standard)
DOT (American standard)
Motocross tyres are deemed to be those where the space between tread blocks is substantially greater than the size of the blocks themselves.

Directional tyres must be fitted as instructed on the sidewall. They may use arrow and/or words to indicate the direction of forward rotation.

 

[Upt' North]

Flexit will know the law on sidecars better than I. They are classified as a motorcycle, some trikes would also share that status. It's been a long while since I read con and use regs. And drunk much Whisky.
There could well be an exemption for sidecars.
Upt'North.

As above from the testers manual.

 

[Flexit]

Curious if @Flexit is running car tires on his rig? I know some do on sidecar setups.

It's been a while since I visited the site, things been happening in life that take precendence to computers.

Anyway, the answer to your question is no and yes. As the Flexit rides like a solo, ie banks around corners, car tyres would be of no benefit. However, the designer of the Flexit did specify a car tyre on the sidecar (it's effectively 10" Mini, as in British Leyland Mini, tyre). I do not understand the science behind his decision but it works. One or two Flexit owners have tried Scooter tyres, but they reported that the sidecar felt a little unstable.

Certainly, here in Europe, conventional outfits often use car tyres, but they are invariably fitted to modified wheels, with car rims. On my first big outfit, a BMW R80/7 with Watsonian sidecar I had 15" wheels front and rear, along with leading link forks. Normal motorcycle tyres would wear awefully quickly, the smaller tyres also reduced my gear ratio which aided with pulling the weight.

 

[FranksST1300]

Run it at 26 psi and you will forget that it is a car tire. Smoother ride, better traction, better stopping, better flotation on soft stuff.
I get about 40,000 miles per tire and next month I will be installing CT # 5, which would have been MCT # 35. You do the math $....
BFGoodrich G-force comp-2 A/S plus 205/50ZR17.

Spiderman, I am seriously considering going darkside. My current MC tire size is 170/60-17. If I go your CT route, will the 205/50zr17 be a tight fit and rub the swingarm?

Thank you in advance!

 

[Catmandu2]

It's probably better to not get in an accident to test out your insurance. How about having a friend who will never put a car tire on his bike make an inquiry to his insurance company?

I am not for or against darkside,,, but its hard not to admire the innovation. Once I mentioned to a local motorcycle servicer that I ran a 180 rear instead of the stock 170,,, and he immediately went to red alert,,, because he thought that I did mean a car tire. After I explained, no,, not a car tire,,, he calmed down and said that he would never mount a car tire for a customer. He was afraid of a law suit, and understood that other dealers had been sued. As far as motorcycle insurers go,,, most would not have any idea what you are talking about,,, and either say "I don't know",,, or default to "no way !! do that and we will cancel your policy !! At least that is what the insurance dip-sticks here in Canada would do,,, cheers,,, CAt'

 

[Valker]

My son was T-boned while on his V-Max back in 2005. He was running a car tire at the time. It was the other guy who was ticketed as 'at fault'. My son lost his left foot in that, but the issue of "car tire" was never, not a single time, an issue that was raised by either side's lawyers or insurance companies.