Vredestein Hypertrac All Season Tire

[970mike]

I did a lot of investigating the lastest brands of Dark side tires looking for the thinnest and roundest tire that would work on an ST1300 that would not rub the swingarm.

I think that this tire maybe a winner, it is very round on the sides not flat like most dark side tires. I have about 1/2" of clearance between the tire and swingarm.

I will post about the handling after I get some miles on it.

I am also running a Bridgestone BT46 on the front in the size 120/80/17. The new Bridgestone BT46 is about 3/4" wider than my old Michelin Pilot Active tire in the 130/70/18 size. I installed the 130 BT46 and put on almost 7000 miles. This 130/70/18 tire rubbed the side of the front fender and cracked it, rocks would get stuck between the tire and fender also. I did have a fender extender on it which makes it a little skinnier than the stock fender.

Here are a few pictures.

 

[Da Bear]

Found one for $120.00...

 

[jodog]

I took a long look at this tire when buying my Pirelli. I will be interested to hear your evaluation. I mainly passed on it because I'd never heard of it, even tho it gets great reviews on TireRack.

 

[Grand Rouge]

Had not considered The Dark Side.....until today. Tire looks great re profile. Looking forward to "the review."

I am familiar with width and aspect ratio numbers. And too same numbers on different brands of tires sometimes end up with tires that are taller or wider or shorter or narrrower etc.than ..well..

Mike, could you measure the circumference of your rear tire? Curious if "taller" or "shorter" than a Dunlop or Verge ( I have both) 170 / 60

 

[Sadlsor]

I could do that when I get home, after work, as mine came yesterday and is not yet mounted.
So I'm following Mike into the new Vredestein track, now what to do for the front?
I just replaced my front fender after being backed into (!!) in a parking lot, and don't wanna replace it so soon.
Me thinks more reading of my watched Dark Side threads is in store...

 

[Willsmotorcycle]

I could do that when I get home, after work, as mine came yesterday and is not yet mounted.
So I'm following Mike into the new Vredestein track, now what to do for the front?
I just replaced my front fender after being backed into (!!) in a parking lot, and don't wanna replace it so soon.
Me thinks more reading my of watched Dark Side threads is in store...

Maybe put the broken one back on to make sure it's what's your going with.

 

[970mike]

Had not considered The Dark Side.....until today. Tire looks great re profile. Looking forward to "the review."

I am familiar with width and aspect ratio numbers. And too same numbers on different brands of tires sometimes end up with tires that are taller or wider or shorter or narrrower etc.than ..well..

Mike, could you measure the circumference of your rear tire? Curious if "taller" or "shorter" than a Dunlop or Verge ( I have both) 170 / 60

The Vredestein is 80" and a brand new Bridgestone BT32 170/50/17 is 79"

 

[970mike]

I could do that when I get home, after work, as mine came yesterday and is not yet mounted.
So I'm following Mike into the new Vredestein track, now what to do for the front?
I just replaced my front fender after being backed into (!!) in a parking lot, and don't wanna replace it so soon.
Me thinks more reading my of watched Dark Side threads is in store...

Go with a 120/80/18 rear tire and you will have no problems with clearance, I tried the Bridgestone BT46 and it is about 3/4" wider than the same size 130/70/18 Michelin Pilot Active.

I went with the Bridgestone BT46 120/80/18

I just replaced my front fender with a new one and did not install any fender extender.

 

[970mike]

Just an update, I put on about 100 miles yesterday and I think this maybe a great tire. Time and more miles will tell.

 

[Sadlsor]

We'll compare notes afterwards; I have a job 100 miles north tonight, so I'll have plenty of time to get the feel.
I put 28lbs in it, to start.
Still running the Michelin Pilot 5GT on the front, but the BT46 you recommended is ready to be put on whenever I can get back to Kerry's NoMar. I want to see how the present combo rolls first, so I'll have something to compare it to when I switch. I've never run Bridgestones on any bike I've had, to my knowledge, but I know they're popular in the ST world.

 

[Da Bear]

We'll compare notes afterwards; I have a job 100 miles north tonight, so I'll have plenty of time to get the feel.
I put 28lbs in it, to start.
Still running the Michelin Pilot 5GT on the front, but the BT46 you recommended is ready to be put on whenever I can get back to Kerry's NoMar. I want to see how the present combo rolls first, so I'll have something to compare it to when I switch. I've never run Bridgestones on any bike I've had, to my knowledge, but I know they're popular in the ST world.

I had Bridgestone Spitfire S11's on my last bike. I loved them. They compared well to the Michelin's I had on it previously. Up until I found this thread, I was considering the brand again.

 

[ASPC]

Excellent!

 

[W0QNX]

Looks just right. Keep us informed.

 

[970mike]

Another 100 miles today, the rear tire feels great but I am not sure about the front tire yet.

 

[Da Bear]

The issue on this end is I cannot find someone willing to mount it...

 

[Andrew Shadow]

The issue on this end is I cannot find someone willing to mount it...

Can car tires be put on using the zip tie or duct tape method?
Has anyone tried it? Seems like it would be a struggle.

 

[Da Bear]

Can car tires be put on using the zip tie or duct tape method?
Has anyone tried it? Seems like it would be a struggle.

I broke my neck 12 years ago today. I had it fused August 6th 2017. Years ago I wouldn't have hesitated to try and mount it myself. These days I sometimes even have someone else change the oil...

 

[Andrew Shadow]

I broke my neck 12 years ago today. I had it fused August 6th 2017. Years ago I wouldn't have hesitated to try and mount it myself. These days I sometimes even have someone else change the oil...

Because I quoted you it appears that I was directing this question specifically to you, but I intended it as a question directed more widely to the forum even though it doesn't read that way. Sorry for the confusion.

So, if anyone knows.

 

[970mike]

Can car tires be put on using the zip tie or duct tape method?
Has anyone tried it? Seems like it would be a struggle.

I am not sure. When I mount any tire I first place the tire in a large black garbage bag and place the bagged tire in the sun which makes it softer. I have never tried the duct tape or zip ties.

 

[Sadlsor]

After my first ride the the north of my state, 195 miles and half of it in the dark, I'm very pleased with the car tire. I rode without the trailer.
It was never weird or unpredictable, felt solid and planted and comfortable the whole time.
I felt no transition - NONE - from straight line to curve, no "tip" feeling as if going over a corner, or edge. Leaning into a turn felt no different than a motorcycle tire.
200 miles is no long-term review, but I don't feel as if I have to ride any differently than I normally do.
I'm very happy with Mike's suggestion, and I'll update my impressions as I live with it over time.
Thank you, @970mike !!