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Cruiser
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orrick, mo | I know many would never put a ct tire on their bike. I let my curiousity get the better of me but
I do not have any regrets. This past weekend I took a little trip. I rode 1170 miles on a variety of roads and conditions. I will admit as the bikes weight transfers from one side of the tire to the other there is a totally different feel to the bike. I can understand how some would never become accustomed to the feel. Through rain and I mean rain where you can't see 30 feet in front of the bike and twisties the tire just sticks no questions asked. I even drug my floorboards in a corner and the tire and bike did not let me down. There is no doubt that an uneven roads has an impact on handling but it is more so at slower speeds. The biggest thing I would warn someone before they went to the darkside is the bike will develop multiple personalities. It will feel different at different speeds. None are scary just different.
I learned to use the hump in the middle of the road as banking to round a corner. Kind of a neat thing.
I'm running the Bridgestone Potenza 195/55/16 at 32psi and I also installed dyna beads.
The big question is would I do it again and the answer is Yes I would.
For those wonder where I rode. I rode from Kansas City Mo area to Hope AK and back. I rode through
Ouachita NP on the Taliamena Scenic Bypass and loved every mile of it and plan to go back with friends.
Whether your pro or con to the darkside of life use my story how ever you want but I'm on the darkside and have no regrets. I'll run this tire until it needs to be changed and then weigh my options then a decide if i stay with the ct or return to the mt but I would place my money on the darkside if I were a betting man. Late and ride safe. |
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Visionary
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New Bohemia, VA | thanks for sharing in how the ct differs from a mc tire. Great review! |
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | Enjoy the YEARS of rear tire life.. |
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Tourer
Posts: 390
| varyder - 2010-04-28 4:45 AM
thanks for sharing in how the ct differs from a mc tire. Great review!
+1 |
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Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | These might answer some questions (or spark new ones). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQtlt-HFFoo&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaIj1XrmvLM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAHlbSzwjsg&feature=related |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| Sounds pretty similar to my review of the DS on the Vision. Glad you like it. |
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Tourer
Posts: 388
Salisbury, NC | Maybe you should try 42 psi just to see how that feels. Just what I run in mine. Bike still hooks well, but it has a firmer feel. ET |
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Cruiser
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orrick, mo | The feel I get a when going from one side of the tire to other is still improving. I gets less noticeable the more miles I go. If I had ran more psi earlier this process of breaking in the tire wouldn't have taken so long but it was a good excuse to ride. I guess I will have to find a new excuse now. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 215
orrick, mo | Recently I had to up my tire pressure to 36 becuz the tire got to feeling mushy. Kind of felt like riding on a half flat tire but it had 32 psi. Once I bumped up the pressure everything went back to feeling tight again. I have about 2500 miles on the tire now. Still enjoying the darkside but still learning the ways of the darkside. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | After all the research I've done I'm finally seeing real feedback on going to the darkside that explains the feeling. Thanks guys for giving the details because the comments like "It's great, you'll never notice it after a while" or "It tracks ruts more" etc, etc, blah, blah, never did cut it for me. Now I can ride and spend the extra dollar not to give up the feel of the M/C tire, more perferably the E3, with ease and satisfaction. This decision is a done deal for me, but I do wish well those who find it a good compromise and wish you many happy miles on a C/T.
It's kinda like the new and improved Domino's Pizza I had last night. They claim a better flavor with improved crust and sauces, only to find out I totally wasted $20.00 and threw away what I couldn't wash down with a tall Diet Mountain Dew trying to give it a chance.
Edited by varyder 2010-05-19 8:41 AM
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | You mean the new Dominos sucks!? Damn those commercials. I've been want to try it... |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | I would ride your Vision (trying to stay on forum topic) to Domino's and see if you can get a sample. I thought at first they gave us a bad one, but we had two different pizza and both were bad. Then I got to reading the box and it said the New Dominio's had a new flavor with new ingredients. I wanted a good old fashion pizza. I'll eat anything, and have eaten things that most wouldn't even think of, and probably I have too if I really knew what it was.
If I wasn't hungry and lazy, it would have gone back for a refund. But, I see it this way, somebody must like it as they wouldn't have gone to all the expense and research to change it. It is kind of like the Vision, I guess. For many it leaves a bad taste in their mouths, for me and most of the rest that ride on, it is 'da bomb'! 
Edited by varyder 2010-05-19 11:05 AM
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Visionary
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San Antonio, TX | Most Monday's I ride the Vision to Papa John's Pizza for the Monday Night Carry Out Special. The order is for a large (12 inch) thin crust, Mushroom and Pepperoni for $6.99 plus tax.
I pull out the Utopia Back rest and put it in the trunk. I put the pizza box on the back seat and ride home using it as a back rest. I have to sit about 1 1/2 further forward than I normally do but it is worth it.
Victory Vision - Pizza delivery with a touch of class!
Pizza Haiku
Stomach is growling
I'll go get a hot pizza
Riding a Vision
Edited by radioteacher 2010-05-19 5:25 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | radioteacher - 2010-05-19 6:18 PM
Most Monday's I ride the Vision to Papa John's Pizza for the Monday Night Carry Out Special. The order is for a large (12 inch) thin crust, Mushroom and Pepperoni for $6.99 plus tax.
I pull out the Utopia Back rest and put it in the trunk. I put the pizza box on the back seat and ride home using it as a back rest. I have to sit about 1 1/2 further forward than I normally do but it is worth it.
Victory Vision - Pizza delivery with a touch of class!
Pizza Haiku
Stomach is growling
I'll go get a hot pizza
Riding a Vision
thanks RT. After going darkside (domino's) I went back to real deal (Papa John's). Lg fits nicely even with the 1 1/2" on the pillion. |
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Tourer
Posts: 599
New Mexico | buzz64077 - 2010-05-19 7:24 AM
Recently I had to up my tire pressure to 36 becuz the tire got to feeling mushy. Kind of felt like riding on a half flat tire but it had 32 psi. Once I bumped up the pressure everything went back to feeling tight again. I have about 2500 miles on the tire now. Still enjoying the darkside but still learning the ways of the darkside.
At 8400 miles I am beginning to look into tire options. Buzz - Still happy after a season of riding? |
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Cruiser
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orrick, mo | I've got just over 16000 miles on the darkside now and not a single day do I regret it. Been on 4 weekend trips and one 10day trip and the tire never let me down. It still looks like it could go another 16000miles without any problems. 
Oh yeah check out my photos in the gallery. Riding to up on Push mountain rd. in Arkansas. 70mph and dragging the floorboards.
Edited by buzz64077 2010-10-03 1:16 AM
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Tourer
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New Mexico | That is very good to know - Thanks!
Great Pics, but gotta say, after looking at them it seems there is not much tire contact when leaned waaay over. You both look comfortable and safe, and obviously are after 16k miles.
Once this tire wears out will probably go to darkside. Just a few more concerns I will address on another thread.
Thanks again for the update. |
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Darkside update.