[Zenbiker]

I had the new Joker Control unit installed yesterday on my 2000 small block stroker as well as a 235/60/15HR Michelin car tire. By the way...it looks far better than the Avon.

The controls are so well made and perfectly functional but they take a lot of getting used to after 20 years of similar Custom Chrome type controls. The new ones have ALL buttons, microswitches...no rocker switches. The thing I like best is that the new controls have a positive front brake plunger instead of the old "release" setup. Much better! I do, occasionally, blow the horn when I want to put the left blinker on but this is a matter of time....$895..prewired bar includeed unit by the factory!!

Now for the car tire. I replaced my Avon 230 with a 235/60/15HR Michelin for jollies and to see whether or not to go with it. The fender had to be cut on my 2000. My first impressions after about 100 miles on the car tire is that I made a mistake. The handling in high speed sweepers is much less stable than the Avon. There, however, no wobbles at 100+mph. I also bashed my left pipe on a crowned left handed bumpy sweeper which never happenened with the Avon. The bike sits a little lower now (maybe I should have tried a higher aspect ratio).
Traction??...Interesting that I can spin the car tire easily without even getting into the secondaries!! I can make smoke MUCH more easily than with the Avon. In the straights on the interstates it is perfect but so was the Avon.

I'm told these car tires need some getting used to so I will give it some time but my gut is that the car tire doesn't cut it!. Right now...a no-brainer but everyone who has gone to the car tire says it takes some adaptation and I will give it some time before I make a decision...Joe

 

[Russell Carpenter]

Joe
They take a little getting used too for sure. I went with the 225R/H70/15. As I stated earlier in a post, stay on top of the air psi. I got in a High Speed Wobble at somewhere over 140 mph. IT WILL WAKE YOU UP FOR SURE :shock: . I checked everything, alignment, swing arm bushings, triple tree bearings. The only thing that I came up with other than the road surface was 2# less air psi. I love the car tire, however on unlevel surfaces, it takes a little to get used to it. ENJOY
Russell

 

[Zenbiker]

Russell...What tire pressure do you recommend? Right now I'm running 35 lbs. SOOOOeasy to smoke this tire I can't believe it!!...Joe

 

[TJzz4]

Took me week.... Avon hands down.

 

[Busa Dave]

I can tell you that my experiences with the car tires are the exact opposite. I think much of the problem is the tire you went with. I have tried many different sizes and brands and was happy with all except the Nitto Drag Radial which because of the thin sidewalls caused the dreaded death wobble. It hooked up good enough to pull the front end off of the ground with my 235lbs and twist the output shaft in the transmission all in 300 miles!!

What exact tire did you go with?

 

[Geezer]

Joe:

Going by memory, I remember the tire pressure for the car tires being
something like 22-25 lbs.

Geez

 

[TJzz4]

I used the same michellin pilot H rated tire Joe is using. Not really a wobble but more of an unstable feeling on hard acceleration from 70 to 120. Also most of my riding here is two lane roads with a significant crown compared to an interstate hiway. The bike really wanted to follow the crown of the road. Also.. the traction was not all that great. Better than the avon but not great.

 

[Russell Carpenter]

Joe
I am sure different profile tires will react differently to the air psi used. I am running a Firestone PV41 H70 225R. This is the same tire that our Sherriff Dept runs. It is a little tacky. I found that 35 lbs works for me. I tried from 25 lbs up to 35 lbs and the sidewall flexed too much with the lower psi. I have never tried another brand car tire. I did try a 235R in the same tire and cut the tire on the rear fender fastners. I then went to the 225. My wife and I were doubled up and also pulling a Kwik Kamp.

Russell

 

[awilks]

Russell,

What year BH do you have using the Firestone tire? I have a 2001 SB and really don't want to cut the fender.

Alan

 

[Zenbiker]

Tom, Geez, Russell....No way for the car tire! Love the looks, love the way I can smoke it so easily but the high speed turns...not even close. Am going back to the "boring" 230 grooved Avon for the long distance trips I take.
I feel much less secure with this car tire and it fights me on each turn.
I've been riding for 43 years and I know what I know and feel what I feel so this is not a verbal convincing thing. As TJzz4 says.."one week" and back to the Avon...Joe

 

[V8GRUMPY]

Joe,

Like I said, it ain't for everyone :lol:

One big issue for guys trying to run the car tires on the 15" rims is the aspect ratio.....the higher the aspect ratio (longer sidewall) the more intablility you're gonna feel at high speed or in the turns. With the 15", you need to stick to relatively high aspect ratios for the overall circumference, with 18" we can go to really low aspect ratios (35 on mine) and there is no suirming of the sidewalls.....just have to be careful of Minnesota potholes

But no matter what size you run in a flat tire, you're going to get the "edging" sensation and it does take a lot to get used the feel. Glad you tried it though, you should have no problem unloadin ght eitre.

Tim

 

[Zenbiker]

Tim....I really don't care about the cost of the tire or unloading it. Maybe it's a riding style but despite the "bashing" the 230 Avon has received here and on the other sites, I find it to be far better for me. Love the looks and the easy burnouts with the car tire (feels like I can leave smoke for 300 ft) but I always feel that the bike has to be carefully "managed" with this tire. With the Avon I can take my hands off the bars without trepidation which is not the case with this car tire.
I may have made the wrong choice but am definitely going home to the Avon and will groove it again as always...Joe

 

[TJzz4]

Joe..
You will find the new hand controls perform as well as they look. I wash mine with a sheepskin mit with plenty of soap and water... rinse them with no more precaution than I use on the wheels and they work flawlessly.

 

[Zenbiker]

Tom...I love them already with only 150 miles on them. Neat, clean, beautifully made and functional. I especially like the front brake "plunger" type setup instead of the ridiculous release switch on the Custom Chrome units.
This an expensive upgrade, however, and not for everyone.( $895 prewired) After 20+ years of using the rocker type controls it will take some getting used to...Joe

 

[Russell Carpenter]

Alan
My Boss is a 2000 model. Yes I had to cut out the indenture on the left front side of the fender. It was done with a dremel tool and you can not tell that it was cut. As far as the 2001 model, I do not know if the wheel is the same as the 2000 or not. Someone else here may know better than me.

Joe
Hope I did not contribute to misleading you with the car tire. I guess I have gotten used to it. I may try a grooved Avon in another lifetime....LOL....but for now I will stay with the car tire. Another factor is the area that I ride, I do not live in the mountains or alot of twisties or I might feel a little different. Take care and ENJOY..

Russell

 

[Zenbiker]

Russell...no problem. I'm an old big boy and can make my own decisions. I always wanted to try the car tire setup and have done so but it is not to my liking. My choice. The grooved Avon is better for my style of riding but the Michelin car tire looks much cooler and provides WAY easier burnouts ( I can do burnouts woithout the secondaries) but the handling and lower rear of the bike are not things I care for....Joe

 

[awilks]

I finally bit the car tire bullet and ordered a Pirelli P600 235/60WR15. I chose it over the Michelin because of the speed rating. I don't ever go that fast, but I thought the higher speed rating may have a little stiffer sidewall that may feel better during fast get-aways. My personal speed limit is 100mph (sometimes stretches to 110mph before I can get it shut down), but I do like to feel the 4-barrel kick.

I suppose I'll have to remove the rear fender to cut the inward bend out. Is it hard? I've never done that before, but I guess I'll learn. Have Dremel, will cut.

Alan