165 r13 tires

Please post any potential (or experiences) with 165 r13 tires here

I bought a Bridge-stone 165-13 and the tire did not fit. It mounted up on the rim but it was too tall for the wheel well.

I had to reinstall my old cupped tire. I am back on the hunt.

Remember, 165-70r13 is the tire size you need.

larryinseattle wrote:

I bought a Bridge-stone 165-13 and the tire did not fit. It mounted up on the rim but it was too tall for the wheel well.

What was the Bridgestone size??

165-70-13

I went darkside last Saturday. I now have about 600 km. on it. I put on the recommended Sumimoto. Here are my impressions. The bike tracks quite a bit on grooves in the road. It can get scary if your not paying attention. It can be a hand full in the city but it works fine on the highway. Had she who must be obeyed on the back tonight and it was even more pronounced. I have read quite a bit on counter steering. I always thought it was a figment of peoples imagination. In order to turn you have to exert a lot of countersteer. Now I understand countersteering.
The shop that installed the tire told me they couldn't balance it. I put the bike on the centre stand and gave it substantial throttle. Everything seemed in balance. I think the shop just told me that to cover their butt if there is any problems. My opinion after the first week is that I don't like it. At best the tire is a compromise. You trade off good wear characteristics for poor handling. Before installing it I decided that I would give it a full riding season. Not sure if I will stick with this plan. I'm going to Alaska in July and I might put the scooter tire on. I read all the posts on this forum but found most of the posts too emotional to be of any value. In fact when it comes to darksiding this is not the place I would research. Some posters have been downright inconsiderate. I have installed a darkside, I am still evaluating it and I will be the one making up my mind on continuing this way or returning to a scooter tire. What I would say to those that want to try it is follow your own opinion.

larryinseattle wrote:

165-70-13

I wonder why the Sumitomo 165-70/R13 fits and the Bridgestone does not? The Sumitomo has never rubbed.

old fart wrote:

I went darkside last Saturday. I now have about 600 km. on it. I put on the recommended Sumimoto. Here are my impressions. The bike tracks quite a bit on grooves in the road. It can get scary if your not paying attention. It can be a hand full in the city but it works fine on the highway. Had she who must be obeyed on the back tonight and it was even more pronounced. I have read quite a bit on counter steering. I always thought it was a figment of peoples imagination. In order to turn you have to exert a lot of countersteer. Now I understand countersteering.
The shop that installed the tire told me they couldn't balance it. I put the bike on the centre stand and gave it substantial throttle. Everything seemed in balance. I think the shop just told me that to cover their butt if there is any problems. My opinion after the first week is that I don't like it. At best the tire is a compromise. You trade off good wear characteristics for poor handling. Before installing it I decided that I would give it a full riding season. Not sure if I will stick with this plan. I'm going to Alaska in July and I might put the scooter tire on. I read all the posts on this forum but found most of the posts too emotional to be of any value. In fact when it comes to darksiding this is not the place I would research. Some posters have been downright inconsiderate. I have installed a darkside, I am still evaluating it and I will be the one making up my mind on continuing this way or returning to a scooter tire. What I would say to those that want to try it is follow your own opinion.

Thank you for your ride report.

When I first went darkside on my Goldwing, I experienced this same thing. It was attributed to low air pressure. (32) I raised the air pressure to the maximum psi (44) posted on the sidewall of the tire and most of that swagger and tracking went away. The steering in the corners was different, but I adjusted to that immediately.

If the tire is not for you, if you post it for sale on the forum, someone would buy it and pay the shipping.

honda_silver wrote:

larryinseattle wrote:

165-70-13

I wonder why the Sumitomo 165-70/R13 fits and the Bridgestone does not? The Sumitomo has never rubbed.

The aspect ratio was something I did not consider when I purchased the tire. I should have had the diameter of the tire measured and checked that for clearance.

I should of ordered the Sumitomo tire, dang it. I saved some money as the tire was a single cripple and I got it cheap, but turns out saving $15 costs me quite a bit extra as I had to pay the tire guy regardless that we ended up remounting my original tire.

Thanks for the heads up Larry in Seattle.
Will increase the tire pressure and judge accordingly.
I enjoy this type of forum much more than the standard one.
This way we get to discuss calmly and share experiences.

old fart wrote:

The bike tracks quite a bit on grooves in the road.

Could you please provide more "grooves" details and specifics.

I think of "grooved pavement" where they either carve parallel deep straight lines (or symmetric patterns) for preparing the road or for traction. I find the front tire tracks the groove especially the OEM Bridgestone Hoop from the near centerline groove ... but the rear Sumitomo does not tract the grooved. When I switched the front tire, to a rear tire the tracking completely stopped. I can easily swerve on "grooved pavement" without tracking.

If grooved pavement is uneven pavement, then the Darkside car tire will try to straighten itself without any input (countersteering).

If if would help to talk on the telephone for any questions, then please PM with a phone number.

By grooves I mean where heavy trucks have depressed the pavement so that you have two grooves and a crown in between. I will try Larry's suggestion and increase the air pressure a few pounds. I have mounted the tire with whatever pressure the bike shop put in it. It makes sense that the softer the tire the more succeptible to sidewall flexing.Increase the air pressure and the sidewall flex is minimized??? Will keep you posted.

Thanks for the advise Larry.
Went to the gas station and checked the air pressure. It was 32psi. I increased it to 46 psi. The countersteer is much less. I don't feel like I'm muscleling the bike so much. The tracking has improved also. I will experiment this week and report. Thanks again.
What tire pressure are you guys running??

OK
so 2 days ago I went to the gas station to increase the air pressure in my dakside from 32 to 46.
The bike got squirely. I was afraid of losing tration on the corners. Went and bought a tire guage and checked the pressure. It was in excess of 50psi. So much for trusting the read out on the garage air pump. I lowered it to 40 psi. What a difference. I couldn,t beleive it was the same bike. So I went on the Dephi darkside web site and found someone that recommended a sweet spot of 38 psi. As soon as the rain stops I will reset the air presure to 38 and go for a ride. To any newbie like myself trying out a darkside my advice is try different air pressures. IT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO DO WITH A CT. Thanks Larry in Seattle for pointing me in the right direction. The countersteer is almost gone. Im starting to enjoy this experience.

so the rain stopped.
The air pressure was dropped to 38 psi.
Darksiding is all about the tire pressure.
38 psi is the sweet spot for this tire.
The tracking and countersteer is greatly reduced.
I now plan on finishing out the season including a trip to Alaska using this CT.
Will report at season end.
Liking it now.

Installed the counterbalancing beads in the darkside tire today and went for a short ride. I added about 3 oz. Ran the scoot up to 90 mph. Everything ran well. I'm impressed with these beads. Once you buy the kit and there's not much to it you can buy the beads on ebay for $1.88/oz.

Thanks for the tire report. I am gonna go with the Sumitomo 165-70/R13.