Huge difference Dbl Darkside to M/C tires

[Hook#3287]

Man, it's been a while since I priced out M/C tires. Sticker

Close to $500.00 for a pair of M/C tires, either Chromes, Dunlop's, Michelin's or whatever. And half were out of stock.

My original Tourer is up for new sneakers, has always been on M/C tires and with 120K on her, I was thinking of keeping her that way.

Instead, Dbl Darkside for just about $200.00 with tax and delivery.

Now, all my ladies will be styling, wearing the same rubber.

[Jess from VA]

Man, it's been a while since I priced out M/C tires. Sticker

Close to $500.00 for a pair of M/C tires, either Chromes, Dunlop's, Michelin's or whatever. And half were out of stock.

My original Tourer is up for new sneakers, has always been on M/C tires and with 120K on her, I was thinking of keeping her that way.

Instead, Dbl Darkside for just about $200.00 with tax and delivery.

Now, all my ladies will be styling, wearing the same rubber.

It's been quite a long time.... but as I vaguely recall, the ladies don't wear the rubbers.   

[da prez]

   T R A N S G E N D E R, do not ask  , do not tell.

                                           da prez

[The emperor has no clothes]

I think I'm stuck on my DDS setup.  Even if I didn't save close to a grand each year because of them, I'd still stick with it.

[Bret SD]

I think I'm stuck on my DDS setup.  Even if I didn't save close to a grand each year because of them, I'd still stick with it.

What flavor on the fronts meat? I'm thrilled with the Zeetex on the rear and the front needs a new skin soon.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I think I'm stuck on my DDS setup.  Even if I didn't save close to a grand each year because of them, I'd still stick with it.

What flavor on the fronts meat? I'm thrilled with the Zeetex on the rear and the front needs a new skin soon.

I've been running Michelin Pilot Activ 150/70.

[Bret SD]

I think I'm stuck on my DDS setup.  Even if I didn't save close to a grand each year because of them, I'd still stick with it.

What flavor on the fronts meat? I'm thrilled with the Zeetex on the rear and the front needs a new skin soon.

I've been running Michelin Pilot Activ 150/70.

I'll check it out, thanks mucho

[Valker]

I run Car Tire rears usually from bestusedtires.com and these ( https://www.denniskirk.com/shinko/se890-journey-touring-tire.pfp544731.prdf?fs=544731 ) for fronts. All three of my Valks run the same tires.

[Valkorado]

I run Car Tire rears usually from bestusedtires.com and these ( https://www.denniskirk.com/shinko/se890-journey-touring-tire.pfp544731.prdf?fs=544731 ) for fronts. All three of my Valks run the same tires.

This is what I did last time on Ruby, really liking the se890 with the Zeetex LTT in back.

[Bret SD]

I run Car Tire rears usually from bestusedtires.com and these ( https://www.denniskirk.com/shinko/se890-journey-touring-tire.pfp544731.prdf?fs=544731 ) for fronts. All three of my Valks run the same tires.

This is what I did last time on Ruby, really liking the se890 with the Zeetex LTT in back.

I'm with you guys, found this one on eBay, it looks to be the perfect tire for me, I like the look of it and reviews are good. Along with the Z it should be a winning combo.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/150-80R-17-Shinko-SE890-Journey-Touring-Radial-Front-Tire/333795745226?epid=171324958&hash=item4db7c6ddca:g:5qEAAOSw8DNfySdC:sc:ShippingMethodStandard!92130!US!-1

Valker, thanks for the lead on blem tires, they have some Champiros I may want to put on my 84 300SD Mercedes diesel.. and the price is definitely right!

[Valker]

These are what I run for rear tires. They are lasting an unbelievable number of miles (I've not worn one out yet) and for more than others I've run. They measure out to over 60,000 miles if they continue to wear evenly.
https://www.bestusedtires.com/shop?sizeAll=205%2F65R16#/filter:brand:Pirelli

[msb]

Question...I understand the whole Darkside thing, and am not debating it at all so it's not my intention to divert this thread into a Darkside vs MC tire debate...God forbid we don't need to go back in time on this
I'm just genuinely curious about the likes, advantages, etc of the Double Darkside route in particular. Disclaimer...had my Interstate for 20 years and over 200,000 km...all on MC tires. Have considered a car tire (Austone) in the past and tried others (not on my bike), but other than the thought of a cost savings and longer tread life have never thought that was enough for me to switch from my - for the last 8 years or so - beloved Avons (maybe next year though, when I'm fully retired and my income is a little more limited ). What I'm really intersted in is hearing more about the Double DS on our Valkyries. Thx

Hook...FYI, I just purchased a new set of Avon Chromes from a dealer in Montreal QC late last year...$507 delivered to me here in BC. That's in Canadian dollars...@ current exchange rate that's about $398 USD. I thought it was a pretty good deal.

[Valker]

I can only speak for myself, but I can see both sides of the Car Tire/Bike Tire discussion. I agree that the bike tires are easier/better handling on tight, twisty roads when those roads have dry pavement or bumpy surfaces. I switched for traction and load capacity issues.  Double darkside intrigued me so I tried it. The rear on the front seemed to handle better than with the front bike tire, but I never found an acceptably sized rear tire so I went back to stock size. I am NOT trying to debate anybody on this, I'm simply sharing my experiences on three Valkyries over 250,000 miles shared between the three.

[Willow]

Avons are good tires.

It's not quite right to say car tire or MC tire. There are many different types of "car tires".  They perform differently on a Valkyrie.  Get the right not designed for motorcycle tire on your Valkyrie and it will brake better, perform better on wet roads, and you can hardly tell a difference in handling.  Get the wrong one and you can definitely feel the difference.

I've not tried the darkside on front but my understanding is that thicker longer lasting tread is the difference. 

[Jess from VA]

Darkside (205 60s) on rears of two bikes for 10+ years.  Never going back.

I tried a (reversed) rear on front for better tread depth (radial, not bias), but the size was a compromise (130 not 150) (Avon Roadrider), and it was the worst/slipperiest tire I ever had in my life, and it was gone at 7K (even with extra rear tread depth), a thousand miles less than I get out of my proper ME880 150 radial fronts.  There are probably better tires, but that experiment was my last experiment, and I'm sticking with Metzler fronts.

[Hook#3287]

I've had 5 different C/T's and Willow is right, there are many different C/T and they handle differently.

The one I've found that handles the best is the Hankook Optima.  Liking the 195/60 as it's thinner than the 205's.

Because I have more than one bike, I am able to go from C/T to M/T instantly.  (Seems like that option is ending)

There is a difference absolutely.  Not huge at all (with the Hankook) and both have advantages/disadvantages over the other, but the C/T seems to have more advantages.  Then main one is less tire changing. 

I know the general consensus is to take the rear apart at every 10K, but I went 80K on my first Valk and had no issue when I finally inspected, so I'm going till the tire needs changing.

Running with Dunlop D404 rear reversed on the fronts.  There is 50% more tread on the rear D404 compared to the front D404 and at $79.00 delivered it's hard to beat.  It handles as well as any other front tire I've run.  At least as well so that I can't tell a difference.

21 years later, so maybe I don't ride as aggressively as I used too. 

Then again, maybe not.

[Hook#3287]

I run Car Tire rears usually from bestusedtires.com and these ( https://www.denniskirk.com/shinko/se890-journey-touring-tire.pfp544731.prdf?fs=544731 ) for fronts. All three of my Valks run the same tires.

This is what I did last time on Ruby, really liking the se890 with the Zeetex LTT in back.

I'm with you guys, found this one on eBay, it looks to be the perfect tire for me, I like the look of it and reviews are good. Along with the Z it should be a winning combo.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/150-80R-17-Shinko-SE890-Journey-Touring-Radial-Front-Tire/333795745226?epid=171324958&hash=item4db7c6ddca:g:5qEAAOSw8DNfySdC:sc:ShippingMethodStandard!92130!US!-1

Valker, thanks for the lead on blem tires, they have some Champiros I may want to put on my 84 300SD Mercedes diesel.. and the price is definitely right!

Does one of those tire changer/holders come with the tire?

[Bret SD]

I run Car Tire rears usually from bestusedtires.com and these ( https://www.denniskirk.com/shinko/se890-journey-touring-tire.pfp544731.prdf?fs=544731 ) for fronts. All three of my Valks run the same tires.

This is what I did last time on Ruby, really liking the se890 with the Zeetex LTT in back.

I'm with you guys, found this one on eBay, it looks to be the perfect tire for me, I like the look of it and reviews are good. Along with the Z it should be a winning combo.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/150-80R-17-Shinko-SE890-Journey-Touring-Radial-Front-Tire/333795745226?epid=171324958&hash=item4db7c6ddca:g:5qEAAOSw8DNfySdC:sc:ShippingMethodStandard!92130!US!-1

Valker, thanks for the lead on blem tires, they have some Champiros I may want to put on my 84 300SD Mercedes diesel.. and the price is definitely right!

Does one of those tire changer/holders come with the tire?

Haha, yes, delivered by the holder right to your door!

Unless you read the small print  

Running with Dunlop D404 rear reversed on the fronts.  There is 50% more tread on the rear D404 compared to the front D404 and at $79.00 delivered it's hard to beat.  It handles as well as any other front tire I've run.  At least as well so that I can't tell a difference.

What size do you run on the front? The price is a factor in my decision now so I'd like to take a look at Dunlop. What advantage do you get from reversing the rotation on the front? I like the idea of super long lasting tires on my bike, the Zeetex on the rear has several thousand miles on it now and still looks new.

[Jess from VA]

There have been many discussions of the reverse rotations (of rear on front tires).

It is not for water dispersal.  Studying most modern bike tire tread patterns shows they will disperse water either way..

The reason is in the factory cord construction of the tires.  They are reversed so there is not cord stacking on hard braking, which could result in a traumatic delamination of the cords/tread.  

Rears on front should be reversed on the wheel (and it's up to you to see it done at any shop you use, otherwise they'll follow the arrows).  Some don't and we've had no bad reports, but...

And this has absolutely no application to car/truck tires. They never come in fronts and rears, and routinely get rotated (or should). 

[Bret SD]

There have been many discussions of the reverse rotations (of rear on front tires).

It is not for water dispersal.  Studying most modern bike tire tread patterns shows they will disperse water either way..

The reason is in the factory cord construction of the tires.  They are reversed so there is not cord stacking on hard braking, which could result in a traumatic delamination of the cords/tread. 

Rears on front should be reversed on the wheel (and it's up to you to see it done at any shop you use, otherwise they'll follow the arrows).  Some don't and we've had no bad reports, but...

And this has absolutely no application to car/truck tires. They never come in fronts and rears, and routinely get rotated (or should). 

Thanks Jess, that helps a lot. I remember working at my dad's auto shop as a teenager, back then you couldn't reverse the direction of radial tires when we rotated them.