Last weekend at 2250 miles I changed out the original tires on my Tour Easy recumbent bicycle. I had never seen a bicycle tire like this before, but the original rear tire had a flat profile, like a car tire, instead of the typical rounded profile found on both motorcycle and bicycle tires. Perhaps it was specified this way because this 71" wheelbase recumbent bicycle is a touring bike designed to be able to tour from coast-to-coast as one of my friends did use it for. After changing to a rounded profile bicycle tire I noticed my bike was much smoother and easier to lean in the turns and also although this may not be as important to someone riding a motorcycle with a powerful engine it had much lower rolling resistance. For my bicycle I would never again buy a flat profile tire. I like the performance of the rounded profile so much better because it is easier to peddle and also turns easier and more smoothly/progressively.

Last issue Motorcycle Cruiser magazine did an article called "Tales from the Dark Side". This issue the Letters to the Editor section included the reader's responses. One elderly gentleman said his motorcycle was on his 7th car tire. He liked car tires and would never switch.

It would seem that people either like lower cost and longer lasting, or better handling when they consider whether to use a car tire on a motorcycle.

Fred