flogging dead horses aka darkside

[Crackerborn]

No debate about the virtues (or lack there of), need new shoes on the large girls and of course the Yokohama that I once ran is no longer available. So has anybody used either the Vredestein Quatrac or the Hankook Kinergy 452? if so any input would be appreciated. The local girl still has tread but the tire is over 3 years old and thus gets new. The IS will need shoes as soon as I get back from the Sunshine State in two weeks or so. I really should have dealt with it before the trip but they will get me there. May have to talk my brother into finding his tire equipment while I am there. I plan to stay with 205/60R16. At least Michelin is still making the Pilot Activ so the front isn't an issue.

He says before he looks at sizes, i run 2Xdarkside.

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

I think the Pilot Activ has been discontinued as well. What size are you running on the front for your double darkside setup?

[Skinhead]

Replacing tires that are 3 years old?  Unless they are worn out, you are wasting your money.  It is yours, so you can waste it if you like.

[Pappy!]

On my second Vredestein. Have the new one on now but not back together yet. First one was excellent with good rounded edges so it fell into a corner fairly well. In rain it will put out one Hell of a roostertail so I am told. It did everything it was supposed to do and was only replaced due to age.
Here is the link to a thread I started a couple weeks ago
http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,121696.msg1241177.html#new

[H*GLEG]

I was planning on putting a Michelin Commander III Cruiser Rear on the front for the Double darkside
Wheel Location: Rear
Tire Size: 160/70B17 73V TL/TT
Any thoughts on this replacement.
Thanks

[Jess from VA]

I put a Michelin Commander II on my Valk (a front, in as close a size as I could get - 140 something).

It had no release agent that I could find, was good from the start, stuck well wet or dry and was a very good tire, but only lasted 6-7K.

EDIT: I have no idea if a 160 is OK on a normal 150 front tire.  Of course 130s and 140s are fine.    

[Skinhead]

I just happened across this Youtube video concerning the tire age myth.  As I stated in my post above, it's your bike, do what you want, but thought this might help dispel some of the myths that get spread around.

https://youtu.be/WwbLt8vZH5w

[0leman]

I just listen to the above U-tube about tires.  Was a bit surprised. 

I do question if the 7 year old tire he used would last as long (miles) as the nearer ones.   I have been using the same front tire brand/size for the last 40k miles (Dunlop 404).  I have been getting around 11K miles out of the tires as I live where most of the roads are "chip coated".   I did have one tire get only 9K before it needed to be replaced.  I noticed that it had date stamp that was 4 years old when I got it.   I didn't check it date before have it mounted.   Thoughts?

[Pappy!]

I just happened across this Youtube video concerning the tire age myth.  As I stated in my post above, it's your bike, do what you want, but thought this might help dispel some of the myths that get spread around.

https://youtu.be/WwbLt8vZH5w

Well if that was aimed at me  I can tell you my car tire I just took off was 15 years old....Old enough for you?

[Skinhead]

I just happened across this Youtube video concerning the tire age myth.  As I stated in my post above, it's your bike, do what you want, but thought this might help dispel some of the myths that get spread around.

https://youtu.be/WwbLt8vZH5w

Well if that was aimed at me  I can tell you my car tire I just took off was 15 years old....Old enough for you?

It actually wasn't AIMED at anyone, but was in response  the post that where the poster was replacing 3 YO tires.  My intention was to provide additional information, rather than promulgating the myths that seem to take on a life of their own and become facts.  (similar to car tires don't work on motorcycles and insurance companies will deny coverage).  I would definitely replace tires that show evidence of dry rot, but definitely not solely because of a date stamp.  It reminds me of my kids that come over and want to throw away condiments because they are past the sell by dates.

As I stated, I don't care what people do with their money and their bikes.  Fifteen YO tires on your bike?  Good for you.  Get your money's worth out of them.

[John Schmidt]

I just installed new Falkens on the rear of the trike, the old tires were 11 yrs. old...Kumho 215/5516r. They looked good, had plenty of tread...nowhere near the bars, no cracks but as I said...11 yrs. old. I decided I didn't want to travel a few thousand miles this summer on old tires, having already replaced the front, so invested $350 in a new set of two. I figure I'm good now for as long as I'll be riding, then will pass the trike on to my daughter & husband.

[Jim in Idaho]

Yokohama Avid Envigor   205/60R16  92V

rumors of it's demise have plagued the internet for the past two years but they keep coming back in stock at SimpleTire.   Ordered this Tues (5/24)  Shipped Wed. (5/25)

Love this tire!!

Jim in Idaho

https://simpletire.com/brands/yokohama-tires/avid-envigor#v=1&tireSize=205-60r16&mpn=110132122&stmodel=avid-envigor&stcategory=all-season&sttype=passenger&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=G_Shopping_Region_10&utm_content=Passenger_Competitive_LowProfit&utm_term=&utm_creative=378241177642&gclid=CjwKCAjw5fzrBRASEiwAD2OSVzYDR63I3vDwcyRIw7q3UTv2shOPXhfxWY08mWUJ-ehZoLhSPQKBuxoCxesQAvD_BwE

[Crackerborn]

The Yokohama Avid Envigor in 205/60 is (was) my tire of choice. In all honesty I have never figured out how many miles I could get on the Yokohama since I change the tire at the 4th spline lube. Since there are only two points of contact with the road I prefer to make sure those points are solid. I haven't been able to find it so thanks for the heads up. Unfortunately the Michelin Pilot Activ in 130/90-17 isn't available at the usual sources so the front darkside is now an issue.
I've now arrived to the not so sunny sunshine state and will spend some time on the web while visiting with the family. I have historically put around 20-25k on that Michelin before it dishes out. That is double the usual life of any tire specifically for the front. The last few years I have not put the normal miles on either of the large ladies and just feel new shoes are in order even if not completely necessary. The IS used for this trip will have shoes upon return if not before since I added about an extra 1k miles this trip so far dodging frog stranglers. And for much needed wind therapy in the Appalachians.

Taking a cage to O-ville later today since I doubt the bride would appreciate getting off a nice dry aircraft just to get soaked on the lady.     

[Pappy!]

Finally had a chance to ride my new rear tire. A Vredestein Quatrac from Tire Rack.
After a few car tires on the back I have to say this is by far the best of the bunch! You don't even know you are on the dark side. Rolls into a corner as if it was meant to be on a bike instead of a car. Quiet as a mouse and super smooth. Pressure is at 35psi right now for starters.
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Vredestein&tireModel=Quatrac

[..]

I mentioned Darkside to 3 of the local bike club members.

Youd'a thought I had materialized the Devil.

Their eyes popped, forehead veins bulged etc

They'd never heard of it and even photos of tires on my bike didn't help.

One of them told me the other day that all his bikes had over 100,000 miles on them.
No, I didn't ask if he'd ridden the miles. It's a small town.

When I do see him he tells me of rides he's been on. Maybe 60 mile round trip bar hopping and that he keeps at least 10 miniatures in his saddlebag in case anyone needs a shot along the way.

[Avanti]

When his eyes are blurry the number 100 appears to look like 100000. He has been in the saddle bag to often.

[Jess from VA]

I had a (Hog-bike) cop pull me over a few years ago (before the summer of love).  He just wanted to check out my paperwork (and maybe my supervalk).  There was no moving violation.

He looks at the darkside and tells me my rear tire is low.  Well it wasn't low it had the normal 40psi, but to the uninitiated the flat bottom made it appear low.  A flat bottom bike tire is low.  (he did not take a close look)

I did not try to educate him, he didn't want to be contradicted, so I said..... I'll check it right away.  Thanks for pointing it out sir.

Had I pointed it out as a car tire, I might have got a further lecture, or he might have gone looking through the various codes to see if it was a violation he could write me for, or some other trouble.... for me.  Of course I had a valid state safety inspection sticker (and they do not fail car tires; DOT approved is all that is required).  I've had many annual safety inspections on two dark side valks, and not one inspector has ever even noticed or commented on it.  Because it's not really a safety inspection, it's a tax.  

Sometimes it's better to be polite, than smart.

[..]

When his eyes are blurry the number 100 appears to look like 100000. He has been in the saddle bag to often.