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Cruiser
Posts: 82
Fargo, ND | Well I finally pulled the trigger and put a Brigstone Potenza 195/55/R16 on my 09 Vision.
WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG!!!!!! This the best riding motorcycle I have ever been on and then you ad the Potenza tire and it got even better. The only downside I see is that I wont be able to take corners at 60mph anymore... wait a minute, I haven't cornered that fast since I sold my custom FXR.
As for the pros:
1. The obvious mileage increase (20k +)
2. The smoothest ride I have ever experienced.
3. The cost savings ($123 vs $248)
4. The bike balances better at stop lights (bigger footprint)
5. No more dodging manhole covers and railroad tracks. (rides over both without a single complaint from the wife)
6. It is a quieter ride for sure.
7. Tracks down the road straighter, even on a crowned road.
I can't wait to go on a road trip to really test out this tire.
Guys this is just my opinion and you are welcome to yours. I'm not here to start a pissing match between sides so take this for what it is... just 1 opinion. Do not jump up on your soap box and try and justify the way you see the world... I really don't care!
Enjoy the summer and ride safe.
Edited by stretch1956 2013-07-27 2:50 PM
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Tourer
Posts: 599
New Mexico | Good, open-minded review.
Try it, you might like it...
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Cruiser
Posts: 233
flagstaff, AZ | Welcome to the club. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 178
LaGrange, GA | I think I want to try it, I just can't seem to find my way off of this damn fence. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 42
Bella Vista, AR | Me too. I love the way the Vision handles, and wouldn't be satisfied with anything less, especially in quick side to side transitions. Sure would like a cheaper tire that gets lots more mileage though. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | This thread is just too cute. This ought to go down in the annals of motorcycle history. (I hope I spelled that right)
Edited by varyder 2013-07-28 10:29 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 166
Bullhead City, AZ | I now have over 11000 on mine no complaints yet. My front tire looks better because I use the rear brake more. When I changed the pads the rear was worn more. Guess I have to return to using front like I did before. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 825
, WI | Rain is the reason I use a Dunlop Winter Sport. Best wet weather traction I have had on a motorcycle. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 209
| i'm thinking, I like the darkside idea, but I live close to blueridge mnts. how does it perform on the twisties? I'm not a speed demon, but I kinda like to get a thrill occasionally. the easier balancing at stops sounds tempting' especially riding 2-up
Edited by Banjodan 2013-08-03 9:46 PM
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Tourer
Posts: 599
New Mexico | Banjodan - 2013-08-03 8:42 PM
i'm thinking, I like the darkside idea, but I live close to blueridge mnts. how does it perform on the twisties? I'm not a speed demon, but I kinda like to get a thrill occasionally. the easier balancing at stops sounds tempting' especially riding 2-up
IMHO - The E3s will out perform the Potenza on the twisties.
That being said, the Potenza will outperform ME on the twisties!
In other words, I can go as fast and as hard as I want. I`m not a speed demon either, but do like to push the envelope on occasion (scrapped the floorboards numerous times, but always makes my butt pucker).
After the first 500 or so miles I have never felt the ct has limited me in any way.
Any limitation is with me, not the ct.
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Visionary
Posts: 1229
Rancho Cucamonga, CA | I think the E3s and the Potenzas will both outperform the Vision (not knocking the bike, I love my couch rocket).
Edited by Nozzledog 2013-08-05 1:29 AM
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 10
Sierra Vista, AZ United States | Another convert, hard to find someone to mount it but worth it. My only pucker moment is clover-leaf on-ramps but still worth it. Couch rocket, great term for a Vision.
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Cruiser
Posts: 215
orrick, mo | I used to ride with a guy who had a Cross Country with E3 on it and he could never keep up with me through the twisties . I'm a darksider and will remain one as long as i'm on a Vision.  |
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Cruiser
Posts: 215
W'ford Tx | I think it'd be easier on all of us that are question it if we only had a damn friend close enough that had done it to take his out on a test ride. Why don't more of my friends have visions. It would make everything so much easier!!!!!! |
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| The CT does just Fine in curves. I think the best think about a CT for me is now I don't take curves as sharp as I use to so I'm here to tell you about it. Yes you can lean over farther and go faster on a MC tire.
Rollin has been on ever road type there is and still runs a CT so I'm thinking that might say it all. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 143
Lexington Park, MD | 3000+ on darkside 190 Dunlop SP winter sport with runflat and am happy with what I bought it for. I'm year round daily commuter/rider with about 35 miles a day on concrete and 20+ asphalt. I spoke with Rollin prior to jumping on the darkside about this tire and he liked it so was what I went with. I didn't do it for the money savings or to be different. I looked at it just like the bike itself. Purpose built and that's why I bought it. Dunlop 190 mud/snow run flat. Here's my pro's and cons:
Pros
Quieter down the road and in turns smoothing out a lot of the BS road issues I transit everyday.
Traction amazing on asphalt after light rain in stop/go traffic during accel and stopping.
Heavy rain riding was just as good as my E3 during ride but C took it durning braking.
Excellent through road construction that has debris on roadway
More bite it seems on those turns that has debris in the drive
Did not affect smoothness of ride on long hauls with bike still reaching true at speed
No issues on ramps or off ramps at speed in heavy lean. You learn the new sweet spots and speed
Run flat piece of mind
If you find yourself in a oh s#%t moment on/off the road surface it does have a good feel your still in control
Cons
A little stiffer ride (44psi. And 4psi more in shock. I weigh 250) but this could be the run flat part.
Can't mount hitch as was hopping. Another thread has those details
Don't like having to learn how to ride the bike differently on 2ndry roads. The tire does not like wheel ruts and will want to track to it. Especially construction around 30mph.
Turns and twisties still navigated with no substantial issues, you adjust to it after a while, but she don't handle like she did. I was able to do most of what I did before at same speeds but had to work for it. However, coming into tight curves that have wheel ruts in pavement do not leave you feeling comfy. This is a significant point anyone thinking of converting should look at. Where are ou going to be riding daily.
Got to find someone to mount it other than shop. Lol
I was on the fence also with a lot of variables to weigh out. My plan is to run this through the winter into spring and see how it does for me. I may just purchase a used rear wheel and mount a bike tire on it and run that in the late spring through months I like to be on the twisties and doing things the vision does well. That would be ideal. Will see. For now, if your on the fence, make an informed decision accepting the fact the bike handles differently with this tire just like it might as you try different bike tires such as softer, harder etc. ask yourself why you feel you want to do it then follow that route. I'm happy with the darkside and what it does well but I know on the bike tire what I can do well too! Hope this gives some insight for some one.
Safe ridin all! |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 810
| Part of what you might be experiencing is just a new tire. The transition from worn to new is immediately noticeable. The transition for new to worn over driven mileage is not. My bike always rides better when I put a new tire on it.
As for the dark side, I have never gone from a new bike tire to a new car tire so I have no applicable comparisons.
Edited by TimS 2013-09-22 12:22 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 178
LaGrange, GA | Tims_11Vision - 2013-09-22 1:06 PM
3000+ on darkside 190 Dunlop SP winter sport with runflat and am happy with what I bought it for. I'm year round daily commuter/rider with about 35 miles a day on concrete and 20+ asphalt. I spoke with Rollin prior to jumping on the darkside about this tire and he liked it so was what I went with. I didn't do it for the money savings or to be different. I looked at it just like the bike itself. Purpose built and that's why I bought it. Dunlop 190 mud/snow run flat. Here's my pro's and cons:
Pros
Quieter down the road and in turns smoothing out a lot of the BS road issues I transit everyday.
Traction amazing on asphalt after light rain in stop/go traffic during accel and stopping.
Heavy rain riding was just as good as my E3 during ride but C took it durning braking.
Excellent through road construction that has debris on roadway
More bite it seems on those turns that has debris in the drive
Did not affect smoothness of ride on long hauls with bike still reaching true at speed
No issues on ramps or off ramps at speed in heavy lean. You learn the new sweet spots and speed
Run flat piece of mind
If you find yourself in a oh s#%t moment on/off the road surface it does have a good feel your still in control
Cons
A little stiffer ride (44psi. And 4psi more in shock. I weigh 250) but this could be the run flat part.
Can't mount hitch as was hopping. Another thread has those details
Don't like having to learn how to ride the bike differently on 2ndry roads. The tire does not like wheel ruts and will want to track to it. Especially construction around 30mph.
Turns and twisties still navigated with no substantial issues, you adjust to it after a while, but she don't handle like she did. I was able to do most of what I did before at same speeds but had to work for it. However, coming into tight curves that have wheel ruts in pavement do not leave you feeling comfy. This is a significant point anyone thinking of converting should look at. Where are ou going to be riding daily.
Got to find someone to mount it other than shop. Lol
I was on the fence also with a lot of variables to weigh out. My plan is to run this through the winter into spring and see how it does for me. I may just purchase a used rear wheel and mount a bike tire on it and run that in the late spring through months I like to be on the twisties and doing things the vision does well. That would be ideal. Will see. For now, if your on the fence, make an informed decision accepting the fact the bike handles differently with this tire just like it might as you try different bike tires such as softer, harder etc. ask yourself why you feel you want to do it then follow that route. I'm happy with the darkside and what it does well but I know on the bike tire what I can do well too! Hope this gives some insight for some one.
Safe ridin all!
Excellent points and insight. I've read lots of reviews and opinions, but for whatever reason yours speaks to me more than any prior. I'm climbing back down from the fence on the side I came from. I don't think the benefits you list (and others I can deduce from your points) outweigh the cons in my particular situation. I do commute on mine almost daily, but my commute is only 11 miles and I take the curvy way as often as I can. My favorite thing about riding is corners, so I don't know why I considered compromising that aspect to improve areas I don't really have a problem with anyway. You just shined a light on the fact that I was thinking of doing that, so thank you. I think I'm going to try the Michelin Commander IIs instead of a CT. |
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Darksider convert!!!!