I am always amused at these threads.  Most everyone who rides a Vision absolutely loves it and prefer it over any other bike, but not everyone feels that way.  I liken these discussion to conversations I've had with a Gold Winger or two and even BMWers.  They will agrue that a Gold Wing will do everything better than a Vision, and then some.  But everyone that I know has to stop around that hour to hour and half mark, because that's being safe.  I know it be from riding one is because my body hurts.  I listen to the BMWers and the Gold Wingers in their conversations and hear how they hurt from riding also, they talk about being too hot from the engine, or some other discomfort.  Yet when I tell them how much better the Vision is in those areas they deny they have any issue.  I have finally learned just to smile and listen, knowing what I absolutely know for a fact. 

I've done that same thing with going darkside, having read and consider everything that has been written and said about it.  In all of that reading, even the experts have convinced me that riding a car tire is not for me, with the exception of perhaps the Alaskian highway trip.  

At best these threads bring a lot of humor and content to the forums but nothing more.

Now Don. I promised not to enthrall folks any longer these discussion of the darkside. I wouldn't say they weren't real bikers, they are breaking boundries, afterall. I don't know what folks view of riding fast is but I have stretched the boundries on a Vision without flinching in comparison to any other bike I've ridden. The reason I attribute that to is where the rubber meats (sic) the road. I have an older brother, about 5 years, and there are a lot of things I never tried because of him. He was thoroughly convinced it was the right thing to do, only to find out that it wasn't and then have to pay the consequence for it, even to this day. So, I say live and let live. I'm with you, riding has become a very common thing for me, but continues to have that solid encitement each time I stradle the saddle. I will not become complacent, nor will I compromise. Even the experts have shared enough information that a car tire will never go on my bike unless they quit making motorcycle tires or I go on the Alaskian trip.

By the way ROLLIN' - After you completed your Alaskian trip, how do you think the stock tire would have fared?