Darkside , miles and experience

[Relax]

how to check if my keyboard is working


Hey!

It’s soon time for replacing my rear tire, well, it will not happen until next spring, because it is time for setting the bike on stock in 2-3 weeks.
Anyway, this had made me check miles  per  car tire .

I started with car tire in 2006 because I felt I had low miles on the MC tire, about  8-9 000 miles.
My thoughts & feeling about the Darkside years are that the Vredestein  Sportrack 3 tires were the best  tire ( And without doubt best  looking)
The Sportrack 5 I had right after were replaced quickly because I didn’t like it.
When I then installed Goodyear Efficientgrip, it felt like I had the Sportrac 3 again:  More smooth, soft and silent, and more like a MC tire than the others)
When I now checked the miles pr tire , I think it make sense.

Goodyear Hydragrip , approx. 19 000 miles
Pirelli P6000 , approx.  21 000 miles
Vredestain Sportrac 3 ,  15 000 miles
Vredesrain Sportrac 3 (second time) approx. 14 000 miles
Vredestein Sportrac 5 , replaces at 5 000 mile because I didn’t like it)
Goodyear Efficientgrip Performance , approx. 14-15  000 miles

The miles are approximately!
And, yes, I get lower miles than many. The reason is , I guess, I do 80-90% of the miles 2 up . All together ( bike , 2 up  including luggage)  we are about 520 kilo.


I enclosed the pic because I think it says something about how the tire wear on the shoulders.
 

[Bighead]

No chicken strips left on that tire

[ridingron]

what tire do you use for the front?

[Relax]

what tire do you use for the front?

Metzler, Avon , even Bridgestone...lol....
In my speeds, it doesnt influence much what tire on front.
We are rarely above 75 miles/hour  here ..most miles are at 50 m/h or lower.
( It gives good milage per litre though )

[Valker]

Looks to me like you're running too much air.
I get between 36,000 and 53,000 on my DarkSides. But I only run 26# in it. My bike is usually carrying about 450-500 lbs extra.

[Relax]

Looks to me like you're running too much air.
I get between 36,000 and 53,000 on my DarkSides. But I only run 26# in it. My bike is usually carrying about 450-500 lbs extra.

You're right!
I run about 38 psi.

[cookiedough]

I looked around shopping and looks like Sportrac 3 not around the 5 took it's place which you say you did not like at 5K miles.

I also looked for the Goodyear Assurance tripletread and unfortunately could not be found unless I did not search good enough?

Is the darkside going by the wayside?    

need more ideas but might just get a cycle tire to replace the well past due Bridgestone car tire 205/55/16

really had my hopes up on the champiro VP1 checked few months ago and had some left, but all gone now, price was right around 65 bucks is all.

[turtle254]

CROSSCLIMATE+ - SIZE: 205/60R16

[Valker]

I've switched to Perelli P4 Seasons plus.

[Relax]

CROSSCLIMATE+ - SIZE: 205/60R16

Thats a tire I would like to have a closer look at

[Relax]

I've switched to Perelli P4 Seasons plus.

I am now running 28 Psi on rear, instead of 38 as I had.
So far, it works very well I m optimistic about it
I also believe at 28 Psi the need of rounded shoulders are , maybe, not as important, because the tire will "flex" more on the sidewalls with lower Psi..

[The emperor has no clothes]

I've switched to Perelli P4 Seasons plus.

I am now running 28 Psi on rear, instead of 38 as I had.
So far, it works very well I m optimistic about it
I also believe at 28 Psi the need of rounded shoulders are , maybe, not as important, because the tire will "flex" more on the sidewalls with lower Psi..

I have found a lower pressure works well. Although, there is a point that high speed cornering can be adversely affected. If the pressure is too low an unnerving wallowing in high speed sweepers can show itself. Getting the sweet spot dialed in may take a little trial and error. For me it is at 32 psi.

[Relax]

I've switched to Perelli P4 Seasons plus.

I am now running 28 Psi on rear, instead of 38 as I had.
So far, it works very well I m optimistic about it
I also believe at 28 Psi the need of rounded shoulders are , maybe, not as important, because the tire will "flex" more on the sidewalls with lower Psi..

I have found a lower pressure works well. Although, there is a point that high speed cornering can be adversely affected. If the pressure is too low an unnerving wallowing in high speed sweepers can show itself. Getting the sweet spot dialed in may take a little trial and error. For me it is at 32 psi.

At what speed is  that?

[Willow]

I've switched to Perelli P4 Seasons plus.

I am now running 28 Psi on rear, instead of 38 as I had.
So far, it works very well I m optimistic about it
I also believe at 28 Psi the need of rounded shoulders are , maybe, not as important, because the tire will "flex" more on the sidewalls with lower Psi..

I have found a lower pressure works well. Although, there is a point that high speed cornering can be adversely affected. If the pressure is too low an unnerving wallowing in high speed sweepers can show itself. Getting the sweet spot dialed in may take a little trial and error. For me it is at 32 psi.

At what speed is  that?

Depends somewhat upon the brand of tire (sidewall stiffness) but it certainly can happen as low as 40 mph (67 kph).

[The emperor has no clothes]

I've switched to Perelli P4 Seasons plus.

I am now running 28 Psi on rear, instead of 38 as I had.
So far, it works very well I m optimistic about it
I also believe at 28 Psi the need of rounded shoulders are , maybe, not as important, because the tire will "flex" more on the sidewalls with lower Psi..

I have found a lower pressure works well. Although, there is a point that high speed cornering can be adversely affected. If the pressure is too low an unnerving wallowing in high speed sweepers can show itself. Getting the sweet spot dialed in may take a little trial and error. For me it is at 32 psi.

At what speed is  that?

Once was at maybe 80-85, another time maybe 5 mph faster. It's not a comforting feeling, buts it's easy to fix.

[Relax]

I've switched to Perelli P4 Seasons plus.

I am now running 28 Psi on rear, instead of 38 as I had.
So far, it works very well I m optimistic about it
I also believe at 28 Psi the need of rounded shoulders are , maybe, not as important, because the tire will "flex" more on the sidewalls with lower Psi..

I have found a lower pressure works well. Although, there is a point that high speed cornering can be adversely affected. If the pressure is too low an unnerving wallowing in high speed sweepers can show itself. Getting the sweet spot dialed in may take a little trial and error. For me it is at 32 psi.

At what speed is  that?

Once was at maybe 80-85, another time maybe 5 mph faster. It's not a comforting feeling, buts it's easy to fix.

I would like to know more;)
Did you white more about ut somewhere here?
Fixing  it was adding presse, right?

[The emperor has no clothes]

I've switched to Perelli P4 Seasons plus.

I am now running 28 Psi on rear, instead of 38 as I had.
So far, it works very well I m optimistic about it
I also believe at 28 Psi the need of rounded shoulders are , maybe, not as important, because the tire will "flex" more on the sidewalls with lower Psi..

I have found a lower pressure works well. Although, there is a point that high speed cornering can be adversely affected. If the pressure is too low an unnerving wallowing in high speed sweepers can show itself. Getting the sweet spot dialed in may take a little trial and error. For me it is at 32 psi.

At what speed is  that?

Once was at maybe 80-85, another time maybe 5 mph faster. It's not a comforting feeling, buts it's easy to fix.

I would like to know more;)
Did you white more about ut somewhere here?
Fixing  it was adding presse, right?

I don't remember if I wrote about it before. But yes, adding more air fixes the issue. It's nothing to worry about. A little experimentation with air pressures is all that's needed. From my experience 32 is about right for me.

[Relax]

Thanks!

I was out riding today on roads with  wear- tracks from wheels in each lane . The road could need new asphalt, I felt the tracks was steering my rear a bit more now with lower pressure (28 Psi)  than at 38 psi. At 38 Psi , this tire felt more like a MC tire on such surface.
So, yes, maybe 32 Psi work better.

 

[Willow]

... At 38 Psi , this tire felt more like a MC tire on such surface.
So, yes, maybe 32 Psi work better.

  

I run 40 pounds in mine.  I know it will wear the middle more quickly but I'll gladly trade tire life for handling.  I prefer a tight ride with either a motorcycle tire or a not-specifically-marketed-for-motorcycle tire.

[Jess from VA]

... At 38 Psi , this tire felt more like a MC tire on such surface.
So, yes, maybe 32 Psi work better.

   

I run 40 pounds in mine.  I know it will wear the middle more quickly but I'll gladly trade tire life for handling.  I prefer a tight ride with either a motorcycle tire or a not-specifically-marketed-for-motorcycle tire.

'
Me too Carl.  I get just a little more center wear at 40, but still got 37K out of my first GYTT.  The GYTTs on both my bikes now are both at 40, and not worn out yet.

Low 30s PSI wallow and wiggle too much for me.  

[Valkorado]

[I prefer a tight ride with either a motorcycle tire or a not-specifically-marketed-for-motorcycle tire.

+1.  42 psi in a Zeetex feels tight and right.

[Relax]

[I prefer a tight ride with either a motorcycle tire or a not-specifically-marketed-for-motorcycle tire.

+1.  42 psi in a Zeetex feels tight and right.

Zeetex ZT1000 is it?

Very rounded shoulders

Looking good!

[TrapperAH1G]

I have about 100 miles on my new Comtrac tire.  Weather here isn't good for riding now.  The tire I bought is for light vans & small trucks:

Vredestein Comtrac 185/75R16C 104/102R BLK MFG#:8714692040238.  Got it at vulcantire.com.  $104 plus $32 shipping. 

I run a Zeetex CT1000 on my Shadow VT1100 Tourer in the same size.  It reduced my rpm's nicely on highway drives.  Expected the same thing on my Valk but don't see any change from stock tire. I'm at +/- 3500 at 75.  Tread pattern on both tires is very similar.  I have about 8K miles on my Zeetex and it shows hardly any wear at all.  Would have put one on my Valk but couldn't find it in the size I wanted.

No issues rubbing....someone had mentioned in an earlier post that it might be too tall.  Running stock shocks, mid setting and LOTS of space left, no bottoming.  I'll be going to shorter shocks next year.  Running 38 psi to start and it handles well, but I'm also taking it easy for at least the first 500 miles or so. 

BTW, I use RideOn in all my tires to balance (and hopefully seal if ever necessary).

I'll have to research posting pics, haven't tried on this forum.

[Bret SD]

[I prefer a tight ride with either a motorcycle tire or a not-specifically-marketed-for-motorcycle tire.

+1.  42 psi in a Zeetex feels tight and right.

+2. I love the Zeetex, it grabs like velcro on tight turns as well as speedy sweepers and rides smooth as silk on the highway. Rear braking much improved as well as a solid grab on hard acceleration.. I'm very pleased with this tire as it's my first foray into DS tires and I was unsure of how I'd like it. 42 psi is perfect.

Thanks Seth! 

[RWhitehouse]

I kept my Austone at 40-45. Less than that and it'd feel weird in faster corners. I had about 30k on that tire when I sold the bike, and i would have expected probably at least another 10k out of it. (Solo riding in a Tourer model)

The "taxi tire" was unobtanium for a couple years, however now both Universal Vintage and Coker Tire list a "Maxxis taxi" tire in the same 175/80-16 size as the popular Austone.

Note the one time I had my Austone off to inspect/lube the driveshaft, I noticed it had been very slightly rubbing the top of the fender presumably when the rear suspension bottoms. Can tell it was just barely kissing the underside of the fender, enough to rub dirt off but not much more. Never noticed it while riding, but something to note. That was with oem shocks.

[Valkorado]

I kept my Austone at 40-45. Less than that and it'd feel weird in faster corners. I had about 30k on that tire when I sold the bike, and i would have expected probably at least another 10k out of it. (Solo riding in a Tourer model)

The "taxi tire" was unobtanium for a couple years, however now both Universal Vintage and Coker Tire list a "Maxxis taxi" tire in the same 175/80-16 size as the popular Austone.

Note the one time I had my Austone off to inspect/lube the driveshaft, I noticed it had been very slightly rubbing the top of the fender presumably when the rear suspension bottoms. Can tell it was just barely kissing the underside of the fender, enough to rub dirt off but not much more. Never noticed it while riding, but something to note. That was with oem shocks.

I attest to this.   My rubs were through the paint and scuffing the metal near the top front of both rear fenders.   We ride two up fairly often,  and this was unnerving.   I was running Progressive 444 heavy duty shocks,  FWIW.

I've since started running Zeetex CT-1000s in back.  No more rubs and I prefer the handling over the 'stones.

[Led]

I was never sure, when I went "Darkside" as to what pressure to run.   So I filled it up to "Car" spec's.   About 32 pounds......

WRONG!!  That thing was squirrelly as hell in the corners.  Now I run the same pressure as the front tire,  about 40 pounds.   

I MUCH prefer to wear out a tire faster,  than end up in the ditch,  or cross a lane in front of a car.....going through a corner.

[Valker]

I was never sure, when I went "Darkside" as to what pressure to run.   So I filled it up to "Car" spec's.   About 32 pounds......

WRONG!!  That thing was squirrelly as hell in the corners.  Now I run the same pressure as the front tire,  about 40 pounds.  

I MUCH prefer to wear out a tire faster,  than end up in the ditch,  or cross a lane in front of a car.....going through a corner.

To each their own. I have about 130,000 miles on the Darkside, and I prefer 28# in the rear car tire with 42# front.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I was never sure, when I went "Darkside" as to what pressure to run.   So I filled it up to "Car" spec's.   About 32 pounds......

WRONG!!  That thing was squirrelly as hell in the corners.  Now I run the same pressure as the front tire,  about 40 pounds.  

I MUCH prefer to wear out a tire faster,  than end up in the ditch,  or cross a lane in front of a car.....going through a corner.

To each their own. I have about 130,000 miles on the Darkside, and I prefer 28# in the rear car tire with 42# front.

I think there are a lot of variables with "car tires". Sidewall strength and construction may play a big part in this. I've found 32-34 psi is about right for my current configuration. 40 psi is about right for my front.

[0leman]

I think there are a lot of variables with "car tires". Sidewall strength and construction may play a big part in this. I've found 32-34 psi is about right for my current configuration. 40 psi is about right for my front.
[/quote]

I agree with Meat, I have had three different CT on my Valk.  Each one a little different in what tire pressure they wanted.   Generally they ranged from 28-34 psi.    The present one,  I am keeping the tire at 30. 

[Skinhead]

I've been running darkside since 2008, double darkside for probably the last 3-5 years, Here's my experience:

2003 Standard,

Bridgestone Potenza 205/60R16 - installed in emergency due to Metzler rear down to steel belts 350 miles from home, Sunday, No MC tires available.  Good handling tire and convinced me to never go back to MC tires.

Pros:  Longer lasting, better braking and wet handling
Cons: none really, slight bump steer at low speeds, uneven surfaces.

Goodyear Tripletread (currently on bike) 205/60R16

Pros: same as Bridgestone
Cons: Handles like crap, All the same cons as Bridgestone only much worse.

1999 Interstate

Birdgestone Potenza - same as Standard
Austone Taxi Tire (2 times)
Absolutely loved this tire
Pros: most like a MC tire of any I've tried.  Great mileage, handling, braking.  Lowered Highway cruising RPM by about 200.
Cons: Rubbed on fender over severe bumps and increased lean angle while on side stand due to added height.  I quit using this tired due to the bottoming out issue, the side stand lean can be corrected using a wooden block when parking.

Vedestran 205/60R16 - Good tire, no longer in production

Yokahoma Avid envigor - good tire currently running double Dark with Bridgestone Battle axe rear on front, normal rotation.  No complaints.  

[Led]

I was never sure, when I went "Darkside" as to what pressure to run.   So I filled it up to "Car" spec's.   About 32 pounds......

WRONG!!  That thing was squirrelly as hell in the corners.  Now I run the same pressure as the front tire,  about 40 pounds.  

I MUCH prefer to wear out a tire faster,  than end up in the ditch,  or cross a lane in front of a car.....going through a corner.

To each their own. I have about 130,000 miles on the Darkside, and I prefer 28# in the rear car tire with 42# front.

BEATS ME how you do that.   But I don't "ride" through a corner.   I tuck it in hot, and accelerate out.   More like "road race" style.  

Maybe riding style has a lot to do with it?   Maybe I should go back to a MC tire next time.......?????    SUCKS that MC tires wear so fast.......and I don't have a "Sponsor" to keep putting new rubber on........Lol!!!!  

Don't see any car tires here!!!!    Enjoy!!!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQFt-uPGHWc

Isle of Mann......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRWp9rhfS_0

[Jess from VA]

I'm with you LED, anything less than 38-40 psi, and I get rear end squirm and wiggle in the turns (and it isn't my shocks or bushings). 

But all my car tires have been the same tire, and I'm sure different tires act differently with different PSIs. 

The very first time I took my CT out for a test run I thought I had 40, but I had 30, and when I got home I was ready to abandon the whole idea.  Then I found a tire gauge.  WTF?

Besides individual tires, I also think individual riding styles and local geography has something to do with it.  My pegs and floorboards are always ground down on the edges, and they get ground down more every time I go for a ride.

I get a little center wear from 40 psi, but I can live with the 37K I get on those tires.   

[Skinhead]

I didn't see any Valkyries either.  What's your point?

Awesome video.  It's easy to see why some people die doing that.  I'm just glad they didn't make bikes like that in my yute.

[Led]

I didn't see any Valkyries either.  What's your point?

Awesome video.  It's easy to see why some people die doing that.  I'm just glad they didn't make bikes like that in my yute.

Yea......no Valk's in those Vids......but sweet Jesus!!!   Going 200 mph........on a STREET course through Town?    

That takes a set of NUT's!!!!    

I know my Valk is a Cruiser.......but out of habit, I ride the same way...???

In Upper Michigan....me and my Gal, all loaded down, were going 130 mph.   Left My Buddy and His Wife on their Harley .........IN THE DUST!!  Lucky they did 90!!   

[Valker]

To each their own. I have about 130,000 miles on the Darkside, and I prefer 28# in the rear car tire with 42# front.

BEATS ME how you do that.   But I don't "ride" through a corner.   I tuck it in hot, and accelerate out.   More like "road race" style.  

My pegs are regularly ground down, so I think we may ride similarly. My main requirement for a car tire tread is no big tread gap near the sidewall. I like tread like on the tires I'm running.

[..]

A Champiro lasts about 13,000 miles.




That's at 34psi.

I've scrubbed off the sides on my current Champiro at about 11,500 miles 

I have a new in the garage waiting to be fitted.

[Skinhead]

Paul, you need to come to MI to get the rest of your money out of that tire. 

On second thought, you're probably better off where you are, there are hidden cost everywhere.

[..]

Paul, you need to come to MI to get the rest of your money out of that tire. 

On second thought, you're probably better off where you are, there are hidden cost everywhere.

 

[Fazer]

I've got a brand new set of Chromes sitting behind me in my office that I plan to install when I finally decide to switch out the ATT.  I experienced some slippage in wet weather last fall that scared me enough to contemplate the change.  Only have about 14,000 on the ATT and it still looks good.  Having second thoughts about replacing.  been running 40#.  I'll probably keep it until my next rear end service, or when the front wears enough to warrant the change.  I have not noticed any rubbing, as others have mentioned.