skierd wrote:
I don't believe for a second that there's some great conspiracy among motorcycle companies to sell more tires, I think its the nature of the beast that in a sport where grip is more important for 99% of riders over longevity that tires are designed to grip and roll over smoothly instead of lasting for 100k.
No conspiracy, but I do wonder why there aren't longer lasting tires for the cruiser market. I get why dual-sport and sport-bike tires have to be fairly short-lived, but very few cruiser riders (or scooter riders, there are a TON of those around here too) are scraping pegs, why can't they buy more durable rubber?
In reply to 1988RedT2:
Pennsylvania has motorcycle inspections as well. From Penn DOT:
"Safety inspections for motorcycles require that the following items be checked: suspension components, steering, braking systems, tires and wheels, lighting and electrical systems, glazing (glass), mirrors, fuel systems, the speedometer, the odometer, the exhaust systems, horns and warning devices, the body, and chassis."
In reply to skierd:
I look at ot this way: There are no fender-benders on a motorcycle. Almost every accident on the road has the potential for serious injury. For me, grip trumps everything.
1988RedT2 wrote:
Any other states do a motorcycle inspection? VA law requires me to display a valid inspection sticker on my front fork. I could register my old antique as an antique and avoid an inspection, but the way I figure it, it's probably a good idea for another set of eyes to be going over my ride. The first time I had the local bike shop look it over, the guy was like "I'm not sure that your rear tire is going to pass, it looks like a front tire." I assured him it was the right tire and his boss okayed it. Not sure they'd let a car tire pass, but that's just conjecture on my part.
That said, I don't know that they can't let you pass. As long as it's DOT legal, I think you're legally good to go. Did a quick check, and I don't see any DOT specifications for motorcycle only tires.
Similar, they can't flunk you for running a non-oem sized tire. As long as it doesn't catch on the swingarm or such, or isn't grossly undersized and therefore incapable of handling the weight of the bike, it should pass.
Not to say every inspection shop is going to see it that way, mind you.
