Pulled this off another forum, The DARKSIDE is getting darker!
TL
I just mounted airplane tires on my motorcycle, they handle bumpy roads really well, have higher speed ratings than my TKC-8's and the rounded side walls help for cornering - not the abrupt edge bump feel you get with a true car tire.
I mounted up a Michelin Aviator 18" that was made for the A4 Skyhawk on the rear of my KTM and a 21" tail wheel tire from a C47 as my front tire. Luckily the KTM takes tubed tires so one I got them mounted (aircraft tire beads are very very tough) the bike looks almost stock, yet different. A deal breaker for some of you because the tires that fit motorcycles require tubes. The front tire can rotate either way so I hope to be able to manage cupping by rotating(turning) the tire on the wheel every 10,000 KMs
I am expecting excellent wet weather performance since the tires were designed for wet weather landings. The rear meets US Navy Specs for 1200 Carrier Landing Cycles before the tube needs to be changed. Does anyone know if one carrier cycle includes both one take-offs and one landing or does that count as two cycles?
The Front tire is a steering tire so has a wear bar indicated duty cycle shown - like a MC tire. It has a speed rating of 125 MPH well within the KTM envelope.
Based on my use I am expecting to get 4 -5 times the mileage out of aircraft tires than I got out of my TKC-80's
The MC seems to wander at lower speeds but grips well on the pavement at speeds over 50 MPH. Once I get the air pressure adjusted I am sure handling will improve even more ( I started out running 38/42 but now am running 68 front and 90 rear).
Those steel construction decks they put down on the road during construction are no longer slippery - I expect the rubber compound is adjusted to give wet traction on carrier decks, etc
I bought retreads so my cost was pretty reasonable 165.00 for both tires but shipping added 35.70 to Blaine,WA
I hope to post up pictures soon. My KTM which is all black with the large Aqualine tanks looks even meaner with the aircraft tires showing Military Spec in large letters on the sidewall.
A few of us are now running aircraft tires and we are hoping to have a Delphi forum up and running in a week of so.
Zoom Zoom
Bill Watt
Vancouver, BC
