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Tourer
Posts: 599
New Mexico | Yes, I agree, is like the difference between motorcycles, or even brands of motorcycle tires. I remember on a previous bike changing from Dunlop to Metzlers and having to get used to the difference. It honestly took me a bit more than 200 miles to get comfortable with the Darkside, but most of that was in my head. Bike handles different, some things better & some worse, but overall I am happy on the DS.
And the ever present disclaimer: This is just MHO, the Darkside is not for everyone...
And spending 24k on a bike doesn't mean I have disposable income to throw around (quite the opposite, actually). I want the best bang for the buck while still keeping the performance and safety. I personally think running the DS accomplishes that.
Edited by Boots 2011-12-03 12:09 PM
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Tourer
Posts: 329
scotts valley, California | Is there any known case where a CT failed on a motorcycle? |
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Tourer
Posts: 395
Moravia, IA | Blue Sky Guy - 2011-12-03 2:49 PM
Is there any known case where a CT failed on a motorcycle?
I searched for quite a while and never found anything... |
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Central Wisconsin | Rollin' - 2011-12-03 9:31 AM glighto11 - 2011-12-03 9:05 AM It appears that every post I read supporting the use of a car tire on a motorcycle includes some kind of compromise "that you get used to". The only actual 'positive' statement I have ever heard about going 'darkside' is that it's cheaper. Seems odd to buy a $20K motorcycle and cheap out on the tires. Seems like buying a $50k Travel Trailer and sleeping in you tow vehicle because it's cheaper to heat. My reason, mileage and thread options. I would spend $500 for a tire if it would help me complete a ride. +1 I can afford to mount MT's once or twice a year. However, I would rather mount a CT once every two years and NOT worry about having enough thread for a trip or the MT cupping on the sides.
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Tourer
Posts: 395
Moravia, IA | Increased load bearing for two-up riding while pulling a trailer was my main reason. Depending on the motorcycle tire and the rider/trailer combo - you could be seriously overloading your motorcycle tire. It could potentially fail, it will wear prematurely and when aired up to give it the best shot - its uncomfortable.
Car tires "generally" have a higher load rating, wear longer......and Ive definitely experienced better ride when "fully loaded".
Price.....to me thats just a bonus really. The fact I dont have to go into the mechanic every 2 to 3 months for a new rear tire helps a bunch as well. The car tire lasted 3 times longer....I put it on and traveled hard all year long with ZERO concerns about when/where my tire was going to wear out.
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Cruiser
Posts: 262
Flowery Branch Ga | I have also found that slow speed stability and ease of holding the bike up when stopped have increased with the CT.
Wayne |
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Tourer
Posts: 395
Moravia, IA | wtwhitelaw - 2011-12-04 1:35 AM
I have also found that slow speed stability and ease of holding the bike up when stopped have increased with the CT.
Wayne
Doesnt yours just stand up by itself when you stop, without even using the kickstand. Mine does.
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | aaronrkelly - 2011-12-04 2:20 AM
Increased load bearing for two-up riding while pulling a trailer was my main reason. Depending on the motorcycle tire and the rider/trailer combo - you could be seriously overloading your motorcycle tire. It could potentially fail, it will wear prematurely and when aired up to give it the best shot - its uncomfortable.
Car tires "generally" have a higher load rating, wear longer......and Ive definitely experienced better ride when "fully loaded".
Price.....to me thats just a bonus really. The fact I dont have to go into the mechanic every 2 to 3 months for a new rear tire helps a bunch as well. The car tire lasted 3 times longer....I put it on and traveled hard all year long with ZERO concerns about when/where my tire was going to wear out.
I'm not saying the Vision suspension and other components like bearins are not strong enough, but simply putting higher rated tires on your machine doesn't mean it will haul more. |
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Tourer
Posts: 395
Moravia, IA | varyder - 2011-12-04 5:26 AM
I'm not saying the Vision suspension and other components like bearins are not strong enough, but simply putting higher rated tires on your machine doesn't mean it will haul more.
Really....I figured if I put truck tires on it I could pull my car trailer.
No....but it does mean that the failure point wont be the tires..... |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Without getting into a long drawn out reason, to which you already know, the rationale to "haul more" just doesn't make sense. What does make sense is you move your failure point off of the tire to somewhere else if you haul greater than the load rating of the bike. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 825
, WI | Another tire pressure monitoring system - http://www.bigbikeparts.com/Inventory/Navision/13-318?catalogNo= |
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Tourer
Posts: 444
Bay of Gigs, WA | I have a sport bike for fanging around the side roads, but the Vision is for the slab. It makes sense to me to install equipment that reaches for the long haul, and has a relatively armored surface, such as that afforded by the deep tread of a car tire. A run flat seems great insurance if blindsided by some shrapnel or other on a desolate mountain road, with no bars on the phone (or within walking distance). |
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Cruiser
Posts: 244
| Another one joins the darkside on his vision. A 185/55R16 Bridgestone Potenza (have a trailer hitch on). Better stopping, can really press on that brake peddle without the rear wheel locking up. I would venture to say it cut my stopping disatance by 25%, better handleing than the woren out E3 (20K). I had a Potenza on my 650 Burgman before it got hit. 20K, only 1/2 gone & handled just as good as when it was new. After long hot rides the tire tempature was always 1/2 of what the front tire temp was. This always gave me a good safe secure feeling. |
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Tourer
Posts: 388
Salisbury, NC | I use a Michelen Primacy 195/55/16 at 41psi. The filter is a Purlator PL14610 with Valvoline MC 4 stroke 20w-50(Part # 743). ET PS this tire has over 15000 on it.
Edited by etspastimes 2012-04-09 4:51 PM
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Tourer
Posts: 395
Moravia, IA | Rick Farrar - 2012-04-09 2:43 PM
Another one joins the darkside on his vision. A 185/55R16 Bridgestone Potenza (have a trailer hitch on). Better stopping, can really press on that brake peddle without the rear wheel locking up. I would venture to say?it cut my stopping disatance by 25%,?better handleing than the woren out E3 (20K). I had a Potenza on my 650 Burgman before it got hit. 20K, only 1/2 gone & handled just as good as when it was new. After long hot rides the tire tempature was always 1/2 of what the front tire temp was. This always gave me a good safe secure feeling.
That Bridgestone Potenza is one excellent darkside tire. That was my first.....it had 27K miles on it and still had 3/32 tread on it when I pulled it. Wore dead even.....always provided excellent service.
Sadly when I went looking they were backordered everywhere.....some said discontinued. I choose something else. Its working well but its not the Potenza.
Good choice. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 232
| Put a Dunlop wintersport 175/60-16 rf on today 36psig.Went for a ride of about 125miles the thing handles and rides great better that the Wing with it's c/t. Got up to about 100mph No problem ..all's well in my little world. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | TRELL - 2012-04-09 9:23 PM
Put a Dunlop wintersport 175/60-16 rf on today 36psig.Went for a ride of about 125miles the thing handles and rides great better that the Wing with it's c/t. Got up to about 100mph No problem ..all's well in my little world.
hey trell i was just looking into a 175/60-16 car tire for my 2011 vision.. when i had a 08 vision i had a 195/60-16 and it was great.. but this time i dont want that large of a tire just in case i decide to mount a Hitch..
Im looking at a GoodYear assurance fuel Max 175/60-16
i ride with alot of goldwingers and one had a 195 and went to a 175 and he said the 175 felt easier to lean/turn. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 935
Rockford, IL | Arkainzeye - 2012-04-09 9:29 PM TRELL - 2012-04-09 9:23 PM Put a Dunlop wintersport 175/60-16 rf on today 36psig.Went for a ride of about 125miles the thing handles and rides great better that the Wing with it's c/t. Got up to about 100mph No problem ..all's well in my little world. hey trell i was just looking into a 175/60-16 car tire for my 2011 vision.. when i had a 08 vision i had a 195/60-16 and it was great.. but this time i dont want that large of a tire just in case i decide to mount a Hitch.. Im looking at a GoodYear assurance fuel Max 175/60-16 i ride with alot of goldwingers and one had a 195 and went to a 175 and he said the 175 felt easier to lean/turn. I'm going to be installing a Hitch-Doc with the 185 Potenza tire within the next week or so. From everything I've read it will fit without rub. Guess I'll find out.....soon
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | Lotzafun - 2012-04-10 9:04 AM
Arkainzeye - 2012-04-09 9:29 PM TRELL - 2012-04-09 9:23 PM Put a Dunlop wintersport 175/60-16 rf on today 36psig.Went for a ride of about 125miles the thing handles and rides great better that the Wing with it's c/t. Got up to about 100mph No problem ..all's well in my little world. hey trell i was just looking into a 175/60-16 car tire for my 2011 vision.. when i had a 08 vision i had a 195/60-16 and it was great.. but this time i dont want that large of a tire just in case i decide to mount a Hitch.. Im looking at a GoodYear assurance fuel Max 175/60-16 i ride with alot of goldwingers and one had a 195 and went to a 175 and he said the 175 felt easier to lean/turn. I'm going to be installing a Hitch-Doc with the 185 Potenza tire within the next week or so. From everything I've read it will fit without rub. Guess I'll find out.....soon
yeah i wanted a 185 but i was worried about my abs system and the 185/55 not being as close to the Oem diameter as the 175/60 or the 195/55 |
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Tourer
Posts: 395
Moravia, IA | Lotzafun - 2012-04-10 9:04 AM
Arkainzeye - 2012-04-09 9:29 PM TRELL - 2012-04-09 9:23 PM Put a Dunlop wintersport 175/60-16 rf on today 36psig.Went for a ride of about 125miles the thing handles and rides great better that the Wing with it's c/t. Got up to about 100mph No problem ..all's well in my little world. hey trell i was just looking into a 175/60-16 car tire for my 2011 vision.. when i had a 08 vision i had a 195/60-16 and it was great.. but this time i dont want that large of a tire just in case i decide to mount a Hitch.. Im looking at a GoodYear assurance fuel Max 175/60-16 i ride with alot of goldwingers and one had a 195 and went to a 175 and he said the 175 felt easier to lean/turn. I'm going to be installing a Hitch-Doc with the 185 Potenza tire within the next week or so. From everything I've read it will fit without rub. Guess I'll find out.....soon
Yes it will.
I rode my Vision two up (approx 560lbs of people) all across the US with that setup pulling a trailer.....it would rub occasionally in a hard bump.....but then thats alot of weight in passengers to......you probably wont have that much weight. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 160
Lennox, SD | I also joined the Darkside a week ago, installed a Dunlop Winter Sport RF 175/75r16.
It was a little tough to mount on my own but I finally won the battle.
Running 36 psi and at about 200 mile I like it a lot. It is a little different at slow speed parking lot turns but it should be easy to get used to.
Waiting on my tire pressure monitor now to keep tabs on the pressure. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 880
Orlando, FL | OK, gotta give my 2 cents. I say run whatever you want. That's the nice thing about living in America. You get to choose!
You want to run a tractor tire on your Vision? Go for it.
You want straight pipes? Go for it.
You want NO2? Go for it!
Want a CT? Go for it.
You want to make it a trike? Go for it.
You want to add rock band speakers that can be heard for miles and shake your bike?? Go for it.
You want to go helmet-less (assuming your state law allows) GO FOR IT!
Just enjoy the ride. It's your ride, so color it however you desire and run with it.
Everyone has their "druthers" and we should honor that person's choices. When turbobuick started this thread he simply stated that he went Darkside and liked it. And he wanted to know what tire pressure others were running. A simple and reasonable request to fellow riders! He didn't ask for advice or opinions about going Darkside, just about tire pressure.
Personally, I can see both sides of the debate. The Wing and the Vision are very big bikes that are not crotch rockets and I bet very few of us wear off the tread from edge to edge. Most stay fairly upright. So perhaps car tires are a good choice for some. Me, I'm just chicken and therefore don't see myself experimenting with a CT. That's MY choice. But if the Darkside is your thing .......... ENJOY IT and RIDE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT!!
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | MaddMAx2u - 2012-04-10 8:36 PM
OK, gotta give my 2 cents. I say run whatever you want. That's the nice thing about living in America. You get to choose!
You want to run a tractor tire on your Vision? Go for it.
You want straight pipes? Go for it.
You want NO2? Go for it!
Want a CT? Go for it.
You want to make it a trike? Go for it.
You want to add rock band speakers that can be heard for miles and shake your bike?? Go for it.
You want to go helmet-less (assuming your state law allows) GO FOR IT!
Just enjoy the ride. It's your ride, so color it however you desire and run with it.
Everyone has their "druthers" and we should honor that person's choices. When turbobuick started this thread he simply stated that he went Darkside and liked it. And he wanted to know what tire pressure others were running. A simple and reasonable request to fellow riders! He didn't ask for advice or opinions about going Darkside, just about tire pressure.
Personally, I can see both sides of the debate. The Wing and the Vision are very big bikes that are not crotch rockets and I bet very few of us wear off the tread from edge to edge. Most stay fairly upright. So perhaps car tires are a good choice for some. Me, I'm just chicken and therefore don't see myself experimenting with a CT. That's MY choice. But if the Darkside is your thing .......... ENJOY IT and RIDE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT!!
was people actually debating NOT to use it on here? i thought they went from tire pressure to which darkside tire worked BEST for them and in which size...?? |
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Cruiser
Posts: 222
Barefoot Bay, FL United States | My opinion only, but a suggestion on the Hitch-Doc is to install the bolts "UP" from inside the wheel well, rather than down from inside the tour pack (if you have one). That way, if you decide to remove the tour pack, you just remove the nuts, and the hitch stays in place, and there is plenty of clearance for the tire, whether it is a CT or MCT. '08 VV with a little man-bling. Chrome IS a color!! |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1109
| I'll have to agree with Max, it's not for me but if you like it,go for it. You payed for the bike,do whatever makes you happy. |
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All Dark Siders (car tire) please step inside
