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not far from hustler wisconsin | Well, I ordered the Bridgestone Potenza, and was pretty fired up to get it mounted and on the Vision. When I took my wheel into my tireman, we looked at them side to side and i chickened out. It JUST LOOKED TOO BIG. I know it would have fit, and all but I just couldnt go thru with it. cost me 12 bucks to restock the tire.
guess i am a chicken. having a new E-3 put on now.
so theres my darkside tire report. |
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Cold Lake Alberta Canada | Darkside tires are not for everyone. But I do like my potenza. It does look huge but tehy do fit. Maybe next time. Too bad about restok charge.  |
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Fargo, ND |
Yup...they do fit. I've been enjoying mine for 2 years now and looking forward to the 3rd!
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Visionary
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Rancho Cucamonga, CA | How is your gas mileage running dark? |
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Central Wisconsin | Tom, Was the Bridgestone Potenza G 019 the 185/55/16 ? If it was what dealer and where are they located? Been trying to order one from tire rack and it's always on back order.
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Cold Lake Alberta Canada | I didn't notice any difference in mileage, just the tire lasting longer. Tire preferene is like bike preference, some you like some you don't.
The ride was much improved with the Potenza. I don't like to think of it right now as its -20 and several feet of snow on the ground.
The potanza is not studable. LOL
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Willmar, MN | John,
What tire are you using and do you have any clearance problems with your hitch? |
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Central Wisconsin | rf43mn - 2011-02-27 9:49 PM John, What tire are you using and do you have any clearance problems with your hitch? Currently have a 195/50/16. The clearance between the Hitch Doc on both sides is close but haven't had issues from that. I really like the 50 series but don't like the speedo being 3mph high at 60mph. The 185/55/16 would be better.
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Lansing, MI | What is a Darkside titre?
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Visionary
Posts: 1229
Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Darkside, means running a car tire on your motorcycle. There almost as many threads about it as there are for oil. |
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Visionary
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New Bohemia, Va | cook06vegas - 2011-02-28 8:19 AM
What is a Darkside titre?
titre - a method of determining the concentration of a solution
Darkside titre I guess would be doing it in your cellar vs a laboratory.
A Darkside Tire - is another way of being cheap on a motorcycle by using a car tire to extend time between changes. However, some claim phenominal improvements over a motorcycle tire such as traction that improves take offs, stopping distance and handling in the twisties. Car tires cost less than half your typical stock motorcycle tire, and the longevity is 3 to 4 times longer in miles. However, it changes the handling capabilities since a car tire is flat and you have to roll up on the edge in a turn. Many claim that once you get use to the feel and sensation of the car tire, they adapt to it very well. It is also wider and clearance must be observed to prevent damage to your bike.
As a previous poster mention there is tons of discussion on just about every motorcycle forum in the world, and it is a long time favorite among those who ride Gold Wings. it is a long time favorite among those who ride Gold Wings. it is a long time favorite among those who ride Gold Wings.
The bottom line is that it all comes down to the individual to go or not to go to the darkside.
Edited by Cap'n Nemo 2011-02-28 9:03 AM
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Lansing, MI | HA HA! TYPO! I've heard of people running car tires but I didn't know it was called Darksiding... Thanks for the explanation.
Edited by cook06vegas 2011-02-28 9:39 AM
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northwest florida | what tire pressure are you running? |
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orrick, mo | I was running 36psi on the potenza and am running the same on the yokohoma.
I was all ways curious about the darkside. Once I tried I will stay on the darkside as long
as I have a Vision. |
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Posts: 423
northwest florida | I am due a rear tire in the next month or so. I have plans on doing a hitch mid/late summer and was curious as to what hitch you have? Did you do the install? or someone else? This info is very helpful and puts me ahead of the curve.
blue is the fastest color.... |
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Lansing, MI | buzz64077 - 2011-02-28 1:36 PM
I was running 36psi on the potenza and am running the same on the yokohoma.
I was all ways curious about the darkside. Once I tried I will stay on the darkside as long
as I have a Vision.
Do you have any pics?
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Puddle Jumper
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manitoba canada | what size tire is everyone running ? |
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not far from hustler wisconsin | Tom, it was a 195 55r16. i think.It may have been the 185... Ricks Goodyear in Tomah. 608 372 2050 give them a call ask for Ron or Rick himself. see what he can do for you. he bought some Victory bikes i think from a bankrupt dealer, and had been selling a few there. not a dealer, but i think he would like to be. anyway good luck. I just couldn't get my head used to how big it looked. So I checked around and the new guy in LaCRosse quoted me around 200 for the E-3 plus mounting. I called leisure time in Tomah, and got a price of 229, and I had him do it. I cost me 20 bucks to drive to lacrosse and back so what the heck.... e-3 for another year anyway. or 11000 mi what ever comes first. i was happy with that for a bike tire...i have my hitch finished and am going to bolt it on some night this week and wire the lights. |
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Central Wisconsin | Tom, Thanks for the information. I'll probably give Rick's a call and check on the 185/55r/16. Maybe I'll check around here too. Good luck with your hitch and wiring.
Thanks,
Edited by Thomas 2011-03-01 9:17 PM
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Flowery Branch Ga | Buzz64077----Why the change in brands and your opinion on each tire. Thanks in advance.
Wayne |
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Visionary
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| I wouldn't mind going to the darkside but I corner pretty hard at times and am afraid I would get over to far and go down. Boom.
So how far can you lean over and can you feel when you at the edge of the tread? |
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Visionary
Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va | John - that's a loaded question, before the day is out you will be convinced that a car tire on a motorcycle is so far better than a motorcycle tire on a motorcyle you'll wonder why motorcycles don't come with a car tire from the factory. |
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Tampa, Fl United States | Cap'n Nemo - 2011-03-02 2:02 PM
John - that's a loaded question, before the day is out you will be convinced that a car tire on a motorcycle is so far better than a motorcycle tire on a motorcyle you'll wonder why motorcycles don't come with a car tire from the factory.
Especially from the people that are experienced. once you've gone darkside to wont go back to a motorcycle tire
The only wrong info you'll get from people are the ones that don't have the experience aka haters |
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New Bohemia, Va | Not a hater at all, but you did make my point. |
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| I was on youtube to day and watched all videos of the darkside and it kinda scares me that when you get into a curve you don't have much tire on the ground. I can't tell how far over there leaning cause all the videos are from the bottom of the bike. I do feel I lean more then they did. I looked at my bake tire and I do have wear marks all the way to the edge of the Dunlap.
Wish there was a way to try it before going threw all the work of changing a tire. |
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Visionary
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New Bohemia, Va | John the point that I was making is everybody who has gone dark swears by it. So if you go darkside, you'll stay. I've ascertained that it rides different, and I don't want different. I hope no one hates me for it. |
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orrick, mo | There wasn't any real reason for the change i brands. The only difference was a higher review rating
for the yoko on tirerack.com.
I've only got a couple hundred miles on the yoko but it really doesn't feel any better or worse than the
bridgestone. Not a big dif in price so I thought I would give it a shot. |
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orrick, mo | Sorry I have no pics of the yoko but here a couple pics of the bridgestone in action on Push mountain road in Arkansas. I was doing about 70 when the pics were snapped. Amazing how it goes from flat to almost round.
Edited by buzz64077 2011-03-04 9:53 PM
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Grand Cane, LA | The mis-info on car tires is that you "roll up on the sidewall" which is totally false unless you are running way too much air pressure. With the proper air pressure, the tire actually flexes the sidewall and more tread is on the ground than a typical motorcycle tire. There are a lot of videos out there on the subject, but unfortunately no one puts a camera on the bike with a side view of the tire and how the sidewall actually compresses on the leaning side. I have been able to actually lean more since darksiding my Vision than I was comfortable with a motorcycle tire on it. Proof being that I have actually scraped my floorboards since putting the car tire on and never been able to do it with the Elite 3. Now on another note, there is one thing that I have noticed that is more predominate with the car tire and it is the tendency to follow the road grooves left in asphalt by heavy truck traffic, especially here in Louisiana. But if you learn not to try and fight to get out of them then you will start to hardly notice them. I thought at first it was crazy too to put a car tire on a bike, but now having put on several miles on it, I am a believer. By the way, I am running the Bridgestone Potenza G019 in the 195/55R16 size at 36 psi, but I believe if you have a hitch it has to be the 185/55R16 to fit. The 195/55 is the exact same diameter size as the Elite 3. |
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Cold Lake Alberta Canada | I also run the potenza on my 08 Vision, I run it at 34 psi. I have found the rain handling and breaking superior and the ride much improved. Not that the MC tire didn't work, it worked really well. I just have some friends that are darksiders, so I tried it. Now I will probably have to wait three seasons before I have to change a tire on the rear. And as it is already the norm for me I think I will stay on the dark side.
Darkside tires are not for everybody but to those of us that have them and like them they are just fine.
The biggest thing is proper tire maintenance, pressure. After all as long as we are all riding thats the important part.
Happy trails everybody. |
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Tacoma, WA | I haven't gone darkside with the vision, mainly because I get really good mileage out of the e3's on it, and handling is just fine. The bottoms of my running boards can attest to that! I did go darkside on my VT700c though, and it is a great ride also. It appears that shaft drive bikes eat tires faster than belt drives, so it is no wonder the goldwingers love them.-----Metalguy |
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Iron Butt
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| Yup, darksiding is the best thing you can do for a motorcycle, I mean, just look at all the road racers that have gone dark side when racing. Clearly it is superior to a motorcycle tire or they wouldn't all be running car tires!
LOL
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Visionary
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New Bohemia, Va | Here's my conclusion on the darksidin' - They are not for every bike
- They are not for every body
- They work best on touring bikes like Gold Wings, Vision, big Harley's because of the rim size
- Will last longer
- With the right air pressure are easy to get use to
- Car tires are cheaper
- There has been no significant failures that warrant not using a car tire on a motorcycle
- Once the rider gets use to the feel the rider can do normal road riding even to the extreme
- Historically, car tires on a motorcycle was a norm when good motorcycle tires were expensive, unreliable and hard to come by
- You don't know until you try it, so don't knock it (so they say)
Personally for me, see #2.
Edited by Cap'n Nemo 2011-03-06 5:05 AM
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Tampa, Fl United States | Cap'n Nemo - 2011-03-06 6:03 AM
Here's my conclusion on the darksidin' - They are not for every bike
- They are not for every body
- They work best on touring bikes like Gold Wings, Vision, big Harley's because of the rim size
- Will last longer
- With the right air pressure are easy to get use to
- Car tires are cheaper
- There has been no significant failures that warrant not using a car tire on a motorcycle
- Once the rider gets use to the feel the rider can do normal road riding even to the extreme
- Historically, car tires on a motorcycle was a norm when good motorcycle tires were expensive, unreliable and hard to come by
- You don't know until you try it, so don't knock it (so they say)
Personally for me, see #2.
Now that's very well said, you have been redeemed by the great motorcyle gods above!!! |
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Akron, Ohio | Turk - 2011-03-06 3:26 AM
Yup, darksiding is the best thing you can do for a motorcycle, I mean, just look at all the road racers that have gone dark side when racing. Clearly it is superior to a motorcycle tire or they wouldn't all be running car tires!
LOL
Just curious as to how much experiance you have with a car tire on a motorcycle? As far as I know, all of us that run a Darkside tire NEVER said they were beter for road racing. However I would dare say that most drag race bikes run them. I also know for a fact that the fastest Vision at the salt flats runs a car tire. JMHO |
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Visionary
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| Ok you have me 3/4's of the way there. BUT I have a lowered vision and now am thinking I might not be able to fit one under the fender.
So is this Bridgestone Potenza G019 in the 195/55R16 (love copy an past) Do you think it will fit or is it the same size as what we have now? Now is a 180/60-16. I'm guessing its not as wide but its taller.
Witch way do run the tread design?
The price is sure right.
By the way buzz64077 thanks for the photos. I can't help but stair over an over.
Every time I see a photo of a vision or in person it just so Dam beautiful. I'm happy I have one.
Edited by john frey 2011-03-06 2:48 PM
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Grand Cane, LA | My Vision is lowered 1 1/2" in the back and 1" in the front and it definitely works with the 195/55. Like I said it is the same diameter as the original tire just wider. There is plenty of room in the fender well. The only thing that is close is the belt guard. There is only about 3/8" between it and my tire in the lowered position. When I jack the bike up to normal height to change the oil, the space increases to about 1/2". If your bike is lowered anymore than mine than you might have an issue that you would have had even with stock tire and that's rubbing under the seat during hard bumps. If you go with the 185/55 it will give you another 1/4" of clearance I believe, but don't quote me on that. Haven't looked at the diameter of the 185 size in quite a while. I am thinking of putting my bike back up to stock height having scraped the floorboards several times and my CFR exhausts. The floorboards I didn't mind so much, but the $650 mufflers were a little harder to swallow.
Edited by atvtinker 2011-03-06 11:40 PM
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Rancho Cucamonga, CA | A 195/55-16 is 1.5mm taller than a 180/60-16 or 0.75mm higher above the axle. That's less than a dimes thickness. |
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Chesterfield, VA | Here's another vote for "darksiding". I installed a Potenza G-019 (195/55/16) a few months ago and after the first couple hundred miles I loved the way the tire handled and rode. It felt a little squirrely at first, but from what I understand you have to get a few miles on it to help soften the release molding. Anyway, once broken in, the tire handled extremely well in both slow maneuvering and high speed sweepers and cornering. It does have a tendency to want to follow the contour of the road, but also seems to grip the road better when accelerating and stopping. As far as the different feel, it does take a little more input to initiate a turn. It's a minimal difference...kind of like only thinking about turning with the E3 versus having to physically provide a slight input.
Anyway, I just went back to the E3 because I added a hitch to my bike and there wasn't enough clearance with the car tire. I have a very good deal on a Potenza G-019 with about 2,000 miles on it that is available if anyone wants to try out a car tire. What is the deal you ask?? Well, it's free for anyone who can pick it up from me. I'm in central VA, off route 10 between 295 and 95 (the Rivers Bend area). So if you've thought about trying this, here's an opportunity to do so for the cost of having the tire mounted.
Shoot me a message if interested.
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Moravia, IA | sarvbill - 2011-03-07 8:10 AM
Anyway, I just went back to the E3 because I added a hitch to my bike and there wasn't enough clearance with the car tire.
Im not sure which hitch your running.....but its been reported that going to a 185/55 will give you the clearance you need.
I know on my Vision with the HitchDoc its works just peachy. I also ran the Potenza G019 Grid and really like it.
Good on you passing the tire along..... |
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| You darksiders are driving deeper into the loony bin.
I have found this tire that looks like it has a better rolled edge. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Dunlop&tireModel=S...
Now I looked at the one to. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Dunlop&tireModel=S...
What does a crazy guy do?? |
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Visionary
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New Bohemia, Va | john frey - 2011-03-08 1:47 PM
You darksiders are driving deeper into the loony bin.
I have found this tire that looks like it has a better rolled edge. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Dunlop&tireMod...
Now I looked at the one to. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Dunlop&tireMod...
What does a crazy guy do?? who would thought, read the fine print carefully, you can now ride your bike in the snow.....  oh, I've done that already with the E3's The SP Sport 5000 is Dunlop's Ultra High Performance All-Season radial developed for drivers of sports cars, sporty coupes, performance sedans, and darkside motorcycles. The SP Sport 5000 is designed to provide ultra high performance and all-season versatility by blending traction on dry and wet roads with traction in light snow. �
Edited by Cap'n Nemo 2011-03-08 2:20 PM
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Tampa, Fl United States | Cap'n Nemo - 2011-03-08 3:19 PM
john frey - 2011-03-08 1:47 PM
You darksiders are driving deeper into the loony bin.
I have found this tire that looks like it has a better rolled edge. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Dunlop&tireModel=S...
Now I looked at the one to. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Dunlop&tireModel=S...
What does a crazy guy do?? who would thought, read the fine print carefully, you can now ride your bike in the snow..... oh, I've done that already with the E3's The SP Sport 5000 is Dunlop's Ultra High Performance All-Season radial developed for drivers of sports cars, sporty coupes, performance sedans, and darkside motorcycles. The SP Sport 5000 is designed to provide ultra high performance and all-season versatility by blending traction on dry and wet roads with traction in light snow. ? [/QUOTE
Cap'n Nemo
How come you continue to perpetuate this topic when you have a lack of experience of this Topic ? |
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New Bohemia, Va | I'm getting educated... |
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Rancho Cucamonga, CA | I'm not commenting one way or another. . . my mind is still open
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| Nozzledog - 2011-03-08 11:33 PM
I'm not commenting one way or another. . . my mind is still open
If a picture says a 1000 words, a video can say more. The guy that did this was very good, and took the time to present the video fairly. Same road, same season, same speed, same bike, same camera location.
The one thing that stood out the most for me was the contact patch, and the CT appeared to have just as much rubber on the road as the MT. In a straight line the CT had a larger patch, and that could account for the tire wanting to follow road deformations.
Here is some good questions for the darksiders. What does the bike do differently on a steel deck bridge? Gravel? Sand? Road grooves?
I'm not asking what is better or worse, but what is different?
Edited by sgiacci 2011-04-10 12:27 AM
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seattle, wa | In the above video, it looks like when you have the car tire leaned over in a corner, there isn't many tread grooves in contact with the road in order to disperse water.
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Iron Butt
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| It also doesn't look like he's leaning over very far. |
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Rancho Cucamonga, CA | There are other videos on youtube that show darksiders scraping pegs in the corners, but the video quality is very poor.
I did notice that the same run took 9 seconds longer with CT.
My question, why not run a CT on the front also? If your argument holds for the back, why wouldn't it hold for the front? I know there is one guy on this forum that does, but everyone else says no way. How come? |
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Tampa, Fl United States | Nozzledog - 2011-04-10 12:09 PM
There are other videos on youtube that show darksiders scraping pegs in the corners, but the video quality is very poor.
I did notice that the same run took 9 seconds longer with CT.
My question, why not run a CT on the front also? If your argument holds for the back, why wouldn't it hold for the front? I know there is one guy on this forum that does, but everyone else says no way. How come?
I would like to know also about running a car tire up front as well |
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Tampa, Fl United States | handyhiker - 2011-03-06 2:56 PM
Turk - 2011-03-06 3:26 AM
Yup, darksiding is the best thing you can do for a motorcycle, I mean, just look at all the road racers that have gone dark side when racing. Clearly it is superior to a motorcycle tire or they wouldn't all be running car tires!
LOL
Just curious as to how much experiance you have with a car tire on a motorcycle? As far as I know, all of us that run a Darkside tire NEVER said they were beter for road racing. However I would dare say that most drag race bikes run them. I also know for a fact that the fastest Vision at the salt flats runs a car tire. JMHO
Can you share your experience about running a car tire up front please!!!!! |
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| Nozzledog - 2011-04-10 11:09 AM
There are other videos on youtube that show darksiders scraping pegs in the corners, but the video quality is very poor.
I did notice that the same run took 9 seconds longer with CT.
My question, why not run a CT on the front also? If your argument holds for the back, why wouldn't it hold for the front? I know there is one guy on this forum that does, but everyone else says no way. How come? Finding one that would fit would be a challenge, and besides the benefits are lost on the front. The wear on the rear tire is much greater due to the weight distribution favoring the rear. |
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Moravia, IA | Nozzledog - 2011-04-10 11:09 AM
There are other videos on youtube that show darksiders scraping pegs in the corners, but the video quality is very poor.
I did notice that the same run took 9 seconds longer with CT.
My question, why not run a CT on the front also? If your argument holds for the back, why wouldn't it hold for the front? I know there is one guy on this forum that does, but everyone else says no way. How come?
Well its just in a parking lot....me practicing tight left turns. Just messing around but here is a link. Running a 185/55-16 Bridgestone.
http://youtu.be/FwdgdqkpR2Q |
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| Went up to pick up sarvbill's tire he was giving away (thank you very much), and found that a CT is so versatile that it can even be used as a back rest.
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| Anyone have an alternative to the Bridgestone Potenza G 019 the 185/55/16. I can not find anyone that has them in stock.
Edited by lonestarrider 2011-04-18 4:41 PM
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Fargo, ND |
I ordered one from Tire Rack and they are expecting them shortly...
per my invoice -
185/55R-16 Bridgestone Potenza G 019 Grid Estimated 05/07/11 $93.00
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| Yeah the web site does show the same date. I was going to try them out, but I need a tire now, I have a big piece of rubber missing from my tire. I guess, I go ahead and order one and put it on for the next tire change, unless someone has any suggestions.
Thanks John for your help.
Flatsix - 2011-04-18 4:53 PM
I ordered one from Tire Rack and they are expecting them shortly...
per my invoice -
185/55R-16 Bridgestone Potenza G 019 Grid Estimated 05/07/11 $93.00
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Moravia, IA | The General Altimax is also a great DS tire....generally even better regarded then the Potenza. Can you find it? |
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Cabot Arkansas | lonestarrider - 2011-04-18 4:41 PM
Anyone have an alternative to the Bridgestone Potenza G 019 the 185/55/16. I can not find anyone that has them in stock.
Try Sears ,they carry them down here in L.A. (lower Arkansas) |
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Quad Cities, IL | Has anyone else seen the May issue of MCN (Motorcycle Consumer News)? Coincidentally, the "Motorcyle Justice" article is about darksiding. The question basically asks about how an insurance company could/would act on a claim if the bike was running on the darkside.
In short, the legal answer is, and I quote from the article, "It is prima facie negligence to run car tires on a motorcycle, period." Basically this means that the motorcycle rider is negligent without any further proof required. But then the question to be resolved in a lawsuit (or insurance claim) is "was the negligence the direct cause of the injury". There is much more to the answer in the MCN article that I thought many would be interested in reading.
For me, this would also be a major factor in my decision to run a darkside or MC tire.
Thought it was pertinent FOOD FOR THOUGHT on the subject. Me, I just replaced both tires with MC tires...so I have a while to ponder the whole thing before I make any further decisions on the subject. I would be curious of how any of your insurance companies responded to an injury/accident claim while running on the darkside. |
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New Bohemia, Va | I hate to poke here, but I still have found no earthly reason to run a car tire on a motorcycle except to be cheap. |
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Tourer
Posts: 412
Fargo, ND |
If that's the only reason you can find Cap'n...go with it! Make it yours!
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Tourer
Posts: 395
Moravia, IA | HLUSN8 - 2011-04-19 8:10 PM
Has anyone else seen the May issue of MCN (Motorcycle Consumer News)? Coincidentally, the "Motorcyle Justice" article is about darksiding. The question basically asks about how an insurance company could/would act on a claim if the bike was running on the darkside.
In short, the legal answer is, and I quote from the article, "It is prima facie negligence to run car tires on a motorcycle, period." Basically this means that the motorcycle rider is negligent without any further proof required. But then the question to be resolved in a lawsuit (or insurance claim) is "was the negligence the direct cause of the injury". There is much more to the answer in the MCN article that I thought many would be interested in reading.
For me, this would also be a major factor in my decision to run a darkside or MC tire.
Thought it was pertinent FOOD FOR THOUGHT on the subject. Me, I just replaced both tires with MC tires...so I have a while to ponder the whole thing before I make any further decisions on the subject. I would be curious of how any of your insurance companies responded to an injury/accident claim while running on the darkside.
Odd....I asked my insurance company and they said as long as it was a DOT legal tire for use on the road then it didnt matter.
Cap'n Nemo - 2011-04-19 8:14 PM
I hate to poke here, but I still have found no earthly reason to run a car tire on a motorcycle except to be cheap.
That and load handling is the only reason I do it. The Bridgestone is rated at 1201lbs and the Dunlop E3 is rated at 992lbs. 2 up and pulling a trailer Im either very close or I am overloading the stock tire.
That extra 200lbs gives me some piece of mind. I also was very, very skeptical on the handling compromise so I had an E3 at the shop when we put the car tire on. After mounting it the mechanic test rode it.....everyone was really surprised.� He noticed no difference in handling. Ive also noticed no perceivable difference - Im not Valintino Rossi though.�� I dont think its something everyone should/will do....but Im enjoying not having to buy tires every 8-10K miles....so far I have 22K on the Bridgestone and its easily got half tread left. Ive been practicing low speed tight turns in a parking lot and have found the car tires doesnt hold me back any at all. My skill, however, is....but Im working on it... lol
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Tourer
Posts: 599
New Mexico | Nozzledog - 2011-03-08 10:33 PM
I'm not commenting one way or another. . . my mind is still open
I've watched this video over and over, and it appears to me the Darkside has less rubber on the road during a hard turn, and the rubber that is making contact does not have tread up the sidewall the way a motorcycle tire does.
My boss told me today a friend this last weekend in Colorado had recently installed a car tire on his Harley and caused him to go down. Now granted, I don't know the model of bike or tire, or the experience level of the rider, and maybe tire was new. But still... Has anyone heard of an accident caused by a darkside?
I'm at 12k miles, and really trying to decide. I am cheap, but also am intrigued by the professed traction and smoothness of a darkside.
Edited by Boots 2011-04-19 9:03 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va | all I know is, I'm open to the idea, but keep coming up no everytime, and the only one I'm discussing it with is me.
But two experienced riders that I hold in high regards laugh at the notion. One says, "I wouldn't want to be riding it when it blows" citing two incidents he was familar by other riders. The other just says "Cheap B*stards!" |
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Tourer
Posts: 395
Moravia, IA | Cap'n Nemo - 2011-04-19 9:09 PM
all I know is, I'm open to the idea, but keep coming up no everytime, and the only one I'm discussing it with is me.
But two experienced riders that I hold in high regards laugh at the notion. One says, "I wouldn't want to be riding it when it blows" citing two incidents he was familar by other riders. The other just says "Cheap B*stards!"
I dont know the circumstances of the blowouts....but any tire not properly inflate or taken care of can blow. There are literally thousands upon thousand of Goldwing riders running car tires....I havent heard of any "car tire specific" failures. A failed tire....like I said....car tire or motorcycle tire.....your run it low or hit something in the road and damage it....well its going to potentially fail.
For the record I have lots of other motorcycles....and they all run motorcycle specific tires. So Im not a motorcycle tire hater....nor will I put a car tire on ANY motorcycle. It has its place....
Boots - 2011-04-19 9:02 PM
I've watched this video over and over, and it appears to me the Darkside has less rubber on the road during a hard turn, and the rubber that is making contact does not have tread up the sidewall the way a motorcycle tire does.
My boss told me today a friend this last weekend in Colorado had recently installed a car tire on his Harley and caused him to go down. Now granted, I don't know the model of bike or tire, or the experience level of the rider, and maybe tire was new. But still... Has anyone heard of an accident caused by a darkside?
I'm at 12k miles, and really trying to decide. I am cheap, but also am intrigued by the professed traction and smoothness of a darkside.
Well the tire is shaped so much different its hard to really tell nor do I know how you would figure out the contact patch.
As for traction. I "feel" (again, no way to measure this really) that I have MORE traction.
My house sets on a sharp corner. In 5 years of motorcycling and riding this corner I know this thing like the back of my hand. I can take my sport bike and break the rear tire loose and drift the rear around this corner.
On my Vision with the E3 I could as well....
With the car tire....I cant get it done. I get it leaned over a bit.....crack open the throttle and it hooks up....lightens the front end and its done.
To me that means I have *more* grip. Again, cant measure it or give scientific reasons....its just "seat of the pants".
Even better is the wet traction. In the rain the car tire gives me a phenomenal amount of grip compared to the E3.
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 29
| Boots - 2011-04-19 9:02 PM
Nozzledog - 2011-03-08 10:33 PM
I'm not commenting one way or another. . . my mind is still open
I've watched this video over and over, and it appears to me the Darkside has less rubber on the road during a hard turn, and the rubber that is making contact does not have tread up the sidewall the way a motorcycle tire does.
My boss told me today a friend this last weekend in Colorado had recently installed a car tire on his Harley and caused him to go down. Now granted, I don't know the model of bike or tire, or the experience level of the rider, and maybe tire was new. But still... Has anyone heard of an accident caused by a darkside?
I'm at 12k miles, and really trying to decide. I am cheap, but also am intrigued by the professed traction and smoothness of a darkside.
IDK. Looks to me like the contact patch each tire makes to the road is about the same except the CT has a lot more going straight. The right CT has tread that carries up the side a bit and more contact going straight could hepl braking and accel on slick conditions. Great video's. I've seen the one of the CT before but not a comparison between the two. Awsome!
Edited by 40vegas 2011-04-19 9:42 PM
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New user
Posts: 1
garland u t | i just put a car tire on vic vis .i like the wait limit on the car tie 1200lb and the bike tire is 800lb so car tire is safer when loaded for long trips and dam it handels so go that in corner you tend to push a little |
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Tourer
Posts: 395
Moravia, IA | fredh - 2011-04-19 10:35 PM
i just put a car tire on vic vis .i like the wait limit on the car tie 1200lb and the bike tire is 800lb so car tire is safer when loaded for long trips and dam it handels so go that in corner you tend to push a little
I also thought it handles almost as good.
....almost being the keyword.
The Vision and my Goldwing both handled superb with fresh E3s.....but after 3 or 4K it started going downhill fast.
No matter what I could NOT keep an E3 from cupping.....I religiously checked tire pressures.....I always had cupping, happened on both bikes (and to another Goldwing rider friend of mine as well).
The car tire isnt AS crisp as a fresh E3......but its a damn sight better then one with 4K on it.
Alternatively on my Goldwing I went to Kenda Cruz - a cheap tire that I would never have ran but someone recommended it to me. I tried it out and had none of the cupping issues I had with the E3. The Goldwing still has a MC tire on it. Recently its moved on to a new home since I never rode it much after getting the Vision. |
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