I have a 2003 Nighthawk 750 and have gone through 3 rear tires in the 2 years I have owned it. I have put over 30,000 miles, 90% commutting. I was looking into how you can get my miles on a car tire. I‘ve read the controversies, reviews, and etc. I am not looking for a discussion rather an answer to which tire would fit my bike. The rear tire is a 140/70-17. So, would that traslate to a 140/70/17 in a car tire? I wouldn‘t think so, but I‘m not sure. Thanks for your help!!
never use additives in your vehicles. (period)
it wasnt the techron that did it. i used it lots of times in my car and its fine.
Select one of the lower cost motorcycle tires from JC Whitney or such. My reasoning and direct answer to your question is that no one makes a 140/70-17 car tire. If they did it would not be any cheaper. You won't find one in a scrap yard and cutting corners by performing a hillbilly bodge that compromises you safety is truly a false economy. Ive shopped around and a new import tire can be had for as little as $16 from what I am finding. Don't forget to look at the decimal sizes for your bike
Cut back something else. And no, the tire sizes aren't going to translate equally. Remember that your motorcycle tire is rounded and a car tire isn't. So a car tire in the exact same size would likely rub on the frame somewhere. A rear tire for your nighthawk can't cost more than $100. If you are doing 90% commuting, look for a harder compound tire - Chen Shin, Shinko or other.
Even if there was a comparable sized car tire, I definitely wouldn't do it. Car tires are made with deeper beads where the tire meets the rim. Put a car tire on a bike rim and you have exposed bead that has no support from from the wheel. Flex the tire much and you could loose the seal between tire and wheel, causing it to deflate in a big, crash causing hurry. My experience has been that the most expensive tires I've ever had were the least expensive ones top buy initially. They're not cheap, but if you want good mileage, buy a Dunlop Elite 3. I have one on the back of my Kawasaki Voyager XIII, a 960 lb touring behemoth. Without rider, the weight on my rear tire probably equals the weight of your entire bike. My tire is an ordinary bias tire and I have over 20,000 miles on it and it still has tread. On your bike, I bet an Elite 3 would last 30,000+ miles.
