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Iron Butt
Posts: 623
| well, its something i thought I'd never do, but I am going to have to go darkside soon. reason is I will be riding form Georgia to Alaska next year..a round trip of 14000 miles, running on gravel, mud, and who knows what else. Dont want to do a mid ride tire change, and want a little security against the gravel/tire punctures/rips. The Alcan and Dempster highways are hell on tires.
Anyway, I have come to the conclusion after much reading I will have to try the darkside for this trip, but also dont want to do it a week before my trip. Will need a new rear in a few months. I go into this assuming I will go back to the E3's when I get back, but if the darkside sways me into sticking with it so be it.
1. Did a Victory shop mount your tire?
2. Anyone darksiders in North Georgia or SW NC or E Tenn? if so where did you get yours mounted.
3. What tire and size did you go with? and why?
thanks guys, I hope this doesn't turn into a debate, just some intel.
JMACK |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 24
Hanover, Md | Jeff, I run a Bridgestone Potenza G019 Grid 195/55-16 on my Vision, and I keep about 33lbs of air pressure in it. I've had it for about 1500 miles or so, and I am very happy with it. I chose it because it had very good traction numbers, and a friend of mine runs one on his Goldwing. He has about 20,000 miles on it and it still looks and handles great. I planned on going darkside with the Vision from the day I bought it. I had a General Altimax on my Kawi Vulcan, before the Vision. I had probably 15,000 miles on it when I traded it in for the Vision. I loved it. Good luck. |
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| From what I have read the darksiders are running 195/55-16 witch is the same as a stock dunlop3
http://mcdarksiders.forumotion.com/
Due a search here and you'll find out more. Every thing I have read once you go dark you never go back.
http://www.vision-riders.com/bb/search/query.asp?fid=0&action=searc... |
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Cruiser
Posts: 161
Tampa, Fl United States | jeffmack - 2011-03-22 6:30 PM
well, its something i thought I'd never do, but I am going to have to go darkside soon. reason is I will be riding form Georgia to Alaska next year..a round trip of 14000 miles, running on gravel, mud, and who knows what else. Dont want to do a mid ride tire change, and want a little security against the gravel/tire punctures/rips. The Alcan and Dempster highways are hell on tires.
Anyway, I have come to the conclusion after much reading I will have to try the darkside for this trip, but also dont want to do it a week before my trip. Will need a new rear in a few months. I go into this assuming I will go back to the E3's when I get back, but if the darkside sways me into sticking with it so be it.
1. Did a Victory shop mount your tire?
2. Anyone darksiders in North Georgia or SW NC or E Tenn? if so where did you get yours mounted.
3. What tire and size did you go with? and why?
thanks guys, I hope this doesn't turn into a debate, just some intel.
JMACK
1. Victory shop mounted the tire for me
2. I'm in Florida & due to rains,gravel,oil,sand & traction problems thats why i went to the Darkside
3. Bridgestone Potenza G019 Grid 195/55/16 as well,paid $80
PS-once you've tried you wont go back,u wait n see!!!
Edited by turbobuick 2011-03-22 6:27 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 215
orrick, mo | I had a local tire shop mount just becuz of covenience. A mile from my home and closest bike shop 25.
I'm running a 195/55/16 yoko now but I had a potenza on before and liked it a lot. I'm also using dyna beads
so I don't have to worry about ugly wheel weights. I'm running 36psi. The higher tire helps break the side
wall in quicker. The only draw back that I can see in the darkside is until the tire is really broken in good is that uneven surfaces can move you around at slower speeds. Not sure how it would do in the mud but they are fine in the gravel. I choose that size becuz of this forum and that size of tire can be found in about any tire shop. I have read of people running run flat tires also. I don't if that is something you would consider or not but being out in the middle of BFE it might work to limp you to the next tire shop. either way ride safe and
have a great trip. Once you get used to the darkside it'll be hard to go back to the mt.  |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 623
| good deal, Potenza seems like the way to go. thanks for the info. I will call my local shop and see if they will mount. I am starting to worry that i wont go back to the MT!! |
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Tourer
Posts: 466
Grand Cane, LA | I also run the Potenza G019 in the 195/55r16. Got about 1000 miles on mine and run the pressure at 34-35psi. It does take a little getting use to with the slow speed and road grooves but you will love how it corners. And you can sit at a redlight and notice that you barely have to hold the bike as much waiting for the light to change. A definite plus when riding a lot in town. The highway cruising is definitely smoother. Once you go dark, you'll probably won't go back. Oh, and I had the local 4-wheeler shop mount my tire. They used the Yamaha tire mounting spray lube and had no problem getting the bead to seat like some have had.
Edited by atvtinker 2011-03-22 9:59 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 1229
Rancho Cucamonga, CA | What about the 'Run Flat' tires? I will be heading up to Alaska as well and plan to go dark for the same reasons. I have heard that running 'Run Flats' makes it hard to tell if the tire loses pressure, but I have a TPMS for that. |
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Tourer
Posts: 395
Moravia, IA | Another Bridgestone Potenza G019 Grid user here.....great tire. I went with the 185/55-16 instead of the 195. I run a hitch and while the 195 does work, the 185 gives me just a bit MORE clearance.
So far Ive got about 24K miles on my rear tire....zero problems. Its wearing nice and even.....and honestly its hardly wearing. Id say after 24K miles its probably 60 to 70 percent. I will change it on general principal likely before it wears out. Alot of that mileage was 2 up and pulling a trailer.
After a few miles getting used to it you will forget its even under there.
Im running mine at 35psi.
Nozzledog - 2011-03-22 10:36 PM
What about the 'Run Flat' tires? I will be heading up to Alaska as well and plan to go dark for the same reasons. I have heard that running 'Run Flats' makes it hard to tell if the tire loses pressure, but I have a TPMS for that.
You are correct, alot of people choose NOT to use run flats because they'd like to have a little warning as a tire is going low, which you dont get with a run flat. I think this is completely covered if you have a TPMS, which I have been considering getting.
Tell me a bit about your unit and how you like it.
Edited by aaronrkelly 2011-03-22 11:10 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 1229
Rancho Cucamonga, CA | The Doran has been a great little sensor. I have it mounted in the small compartment inside the saddlebag with the warning light underneath the front right speaker grill completely invisible when it is not flashing.
The Doran sensors send a signal to the main unit every 6 minutes if the pressure has not abruptly changed. Once your tire pressure falls below 12.5% of your set pressure, than the warning lights will blink and an audible alarm goes off (not real loud though). It will blink faster if the pressure drops below 25%. The sensor will also send an immediate signal if the pressure drops more than 2.8psi in 12 seconds. I have mine wired to come on when the bike is turned on, others have it wired to always be on (the power draw is about 30ma). When I turn my bike on, it can take up to 6 minutes to get that first signal (it blinks in a pattern to let you know it's acquiring a signal). Most of that time, I am doing my pre-trip inpection and letting the engine warm up. once the signal is acquired, to check the pressure in my tires, I only have to open my saddlebag and push a button to switch from each tires reading. Mine is set to 41psi for both tires. I know as long as my light is not blinking, that I have at least 35 psi in each tire.
The only downside is, that if your tire loses less than 2.8psi/12sec you will not get a warning until the 6 minute signal is generated. it would be theoretically possible to lose all your air over a 3 min period and not be warned for up to another 3 minutes. Another good reason for a 'Run Flat". |
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| Hey Jeff check this out. I think is great. By the way any after market motorcycle shop would mount your tire I'll bet.
You can order on line and its only $14.95
http://www.ride-on.com/
Edited by john frey 2011-03-23 12:44 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 1350
| Sounds like the darkside is the way to go for you. Keep us posted once you do.
I don't know how the run flat works. Would the TPMS sensor get confused by the material used? Do you know of others that have both working? Just hate to see you spend money and find the TPMS doesn't work under those conditions. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 38
NW Jersey | Russe63 - 2011-03-22 7:07 PM
Jeff, I run a Bridgestone Potenza G019 Grid 195/55-16 on my Vision, and I keep about 33lbs of air pressure in it. I've had it for about 1500 miles or so, and I am very happy with it. I chose it because it had very good traction numbers, and a friend of mine runs one on his Goldwing. He has about 20,000 miles on it and it still looks and handles great. I planned on going darkside with the Vision from the day I bought it. I had a General Altimax on my Kawi Vulcan, before the Vision. I had probably 15,000 miles on it when I traded it in for the Vision. I loved it. Good luck.
I checked the TireRack site and did a comparo between the Bridgestone Potenza GO19 & the General Altimax and the General has better performance than the Bridgestone AND it is less expensive with a Higher rating. This topic got my curiosity up and if I were to switch to the "DARKSIDE", I believe that the General Altimax would be my choice......... JMHO |
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Tourer
Posts: 395
Moravia, IA | The General Altimax IS a great darkside tire - over on the dark forums its the most widely used. You cant go wrong with it.
I went with the Bridgestone because I could walk into my dealer in town and just buy one. Couldnt do that with the General. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1229
Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Still looking for some info on run-flats. Do they have a stiffer sidewall than regular CTs? Does that affect the the contact patch when cornering? Has anyone tried both? |
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Tourer
Posts: 395
Moravia, IA | Nozzledog - 2011-04-10 11:25 AM
Still looking for some info on run-flats. Do they have a stiffer sidewall than regular CTs? Does that affect the the contact patch when cornering? Has anyone tried both?
Yes, the sidewall is stiffer - its made to support the vehicle when there is no air in it. It doesnt affect the contact patch when cornering.
Never tried them on a bike....sorry, just passing along info from others.
The big reason I dont use on is because the sidewall is stiffer they can sometimes be more difficult to mount and you dont get the feedback from a low tire like you do with a regular tire. Id rather "feel" a tire getting a little low and get the problem corrected. |
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Tourer
Posts: 432
Gettysburg, 2008 Tour Premium | I have used the Ride-On-TPS for years in my bike tires. Even if it didn't seal punctures, and it does, the bike rides smoother with it in the tires. Less bounce or rebound over bumps.
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Cruiser
Posts: 258
Akron, Ohio | Another Bridgestone 195/55/16 user here. I like the Darkside and doubt I will go back. The one thing that I will say is that air pressure SEEMS to make a big differance in the way the tire handles. I run 38psi in mine. To me this seems to be the sweet spot. At lower pressure the tire seemed too flat footed. At the higher pressure it handles more like the E3 did. So I would say that when you go Dark for the first time, take a guage and air pump with you and play with the pressure to get the feel you like. I started at 32psi and went up 2psi at a time till I hit 38. JMHO |
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Tourer
Posts: 388
Salisbury, NC | My first c/t was a Kumo run flat. The sidewall was stiffer, but bike rode good. Due to the higher weight of me and the amount of stuff I carry, I run 42 psi. I have a Michelin PRIMACY on now. The shoulders are rounded and ride great. Hope this helps. ET http://ImageEvent.com/etspastimes/rosiescartireinstalled http://photos.imageevent.com/etspastimes/rosiescartireinstalled/small/186.JPG
Edited by etspastimes 2011-04-12 7:38 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 101
Cold Lake Alberta Canada | It looks like there is a bunch of soild info here, I run the Potenza and love it.
Enjoy that trip, I have holiday envy in a big way! |
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Tourer
Posts: 432
Gettysburg, 2008 Tour Premium | Well my rear wheel is off and my Falken 195/55/16 is wait for a trip to the shop in the AM. A local repair shop is doing the work. They also did my fork fluid change. They mainly do metric. I chose the Falken because a GL1800 rider on their darkide forum said that tire handled very close to a M/C tire and he rides the NE PA roads. If anyone has ridden around the Delaware River you could understand the need for a responsive bike, lots of camber changes in the road and steep hills. Anyway that is why I went with the Falken. |
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Tourer
Posts: 395
Moravia, IA | wroman - 2011-04-24 6:31 PM
Well my rear wheel is off and my Falken 195/55/16 is wait for a trip to the shop in the AM. A local repair shop is doing the work. They also did my fork fluid change. They mainly do metric. I chose the Falken because a GL1800 rider on their darkide forum said that tire handled very close to a M/C tire and he rides the NE PA roads. If anyone has ridden around the Delaware River you could understand the need for a responsive bike, lots of camber changes in the road and steep hills. Anyway that is why I went with the Falken.
Ive heard good things about that tire as well.....let me know how you like it.
My Potenza has 30K miles on it......and its got half tread left......but I may change it out just to try something else. |
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Central Wisconsin | wroman - 2011-04-24 6:31 PM Well my rear wheel is off and my Falken 195/55/16 is wait for a trip to the shop in the AM. A local repair shop is doing the work. They also did my fork fluid change. They mainly do metric. I chose the Falken because a GL1800 rider on their darkide forum said that tire handled very close to a M/C tire and he rides the NE PA roads. If anyone has ridden around the Delaware River you could understand the need for a responsive bike, lots of camber changes in the road and steep hills. Anyway that is why I went with the Falken.  Last year I installed the Falken Ziex ZE 512 195/50R/16 which has been a GREAT tire. I went with the 50 series account of the hitch doc. However I don't like the 3mph fast reading at 60mph. If anyone knows a way to adjust the speedo? Without changing to a 55 series, I'd be tickled pink.
Edited by Thomas 2011-04-24 9:31 PM
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Tourer
Posts: 395
Moravia, IA | Thomas - 2011-04-24 9:28 PM
Last year I installed the Falken Ziex ZE 512? 195/50R/16 which has been a GREAT tire. I went with the 50 series account of the hitch doc.However I don't like the 3mph fast reading at 60mph.? If anyone knows a way to adjust the speedo?? Without changing to a 55 series, I'd be tickled pink.>
No way to adjust that I know of.....I actually like the fast reading. I have a tendency to run a little fast anyways.....so this way I can run 65 to 68mph......and really not be speeding all that much. Mines more like 5mph off though.
Edited by aaronrkelly 2011-04-24 11:28 PM
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Tourer
Posts: 432
Gettysburg, 2008 Tour Premium | Well maybe Thomas can say how the Falken is wearing. I expect the potenza will beat the Falken from what was reported but a around half the price of an E3, so what. |
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not a debate...need darkside opinions
