Darkside update

[Houdini]

After almost three years and 40K miles of darksiding on a Goodyear Triple Tread I was forced to buy a different brand tire.  I wanted the Dyna Beads out of my tire so I could use Ride-On but with three plugs in the tire no shop would touch it except to mount a new tire.  I made a trip to Discount Tire to get a replacement and the GY TT is no longer stocked by them, BTW, if you're a die-hard fan of the TT you'd better get one now because the guy at Discount said they don't sell them anymore except by special order and I was unable to find one anywhere around the Allen area, they may not be around for much longer.  So I inquired, "what symmetrical tread pattern do you have in a 205.60.16"?  The Falken Ziex ZE-512 was the only one in stock and was very affordable at $85 with tax. 

Falken


GY A TT


What a good decision it was to buy this tire.  At 40 PSI it handles and corners much better than the TT.  I noticed immediately, I.E. turning out of the driveway, that this tire leaned with ease.  I headed to the only curvy roads near my house and was grinning at the ease which this tire handled curves and corners.  The biggest differences are the curved profile compared to the flat profile of the TT and the shoulders are rounder compared to the square shoulders of the TT.

I will never go back to a motorcycle tire or a Goodyear Triple Tread again.  I can't vouch for reliability yet but I'll look at other brands before I'd settle for another TT.  YMMV

PS.  With no balancing done on the tire it was smooth as silk up to 93 MPH with 16 ounces of Ride-On in it.

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

Cool running bridgestone right now and very happy with it.

[bigguy]

Nice looking tire. I especially like the look of that water channel in the middle.

[Daniel Meyer]

The TT's are still readily available at the goodyear dealer...mine even mounts them for me...but have gotten uber expensive. I'll probably try out the Falken next time I need one.

[laserpat]

Thanks for the report. Will check out the Falken

[wizard -vrccds#125]

Just make sure it is speed rated !   A Falkin from discount tire tried to kill me at 130 mph ! was not what thy said it was and I did not check for myself ! 

[HayHauler]

Just got off the phone with Lunsford Honda who is fixing up the IS after the crash.  They said that the GY TT had a gash in-line with the tread and said it looked like it was ready to delaminate.  It has 19,000 miles on it.  I will take them my spare wheel with the MT on it to get the bike home.
BUT, I need to find another CT for the Valk.  

I have a Kuhmo 195/55/16 Run Flat on the Wing and it is just like Houdini describes this Falken.  So much like a MT it isn't funny.
EDDIT
Sorry, forgot the pic....

/EDDIT

Hmmm... this Falken I will have to ponder!

Hay  
Jimmyt

[Red Diamond]

Hey Jimmy, what size Falken are you planning on running on the I/S? I have a spare wheel and with all this "Darkside" talk, I'm thinking about trying one. I always wear a flat spot in the middle of the M/C tire anyway, maybe that part could be eliminated.

[Houdini]

I wish I'd seen this one before I bought the Falken, I like the look....

Nexen N5000

[Disco]

Thanks for the report, Houdini.  The Falken is one of the two I am considering for my next DS tire.  Like, in about another 10,000 miles!     The other is the Nexen 5000 that Paxton speaks highly of.   

A Falkin from discount tire tried to kill me at 130 mph !

130?  WT_?  How long were you running at that speed?  Honda-indicated, or GPS-indicated?  What rating was the tire?

Copied from the TireRack website: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?s_kwcid=TC-21265-4293925667-e-235780933&techid=35&

L    75 mph    120 km/h    Off-Road & Light Truck Tires
M   81 mph   130 km/h   
N   87 mph   140km/h   Temporary Spare Tires
P   93 mph   150 km/h   
Q   99 mph   160 km/h   Studless & Studdable Winter Tires
R   106 mph   170 km/h   H.D. Light Truck Tires
S   112 mph   180 km/h   Family Sedans & Vans
T   118 mph   190 km/h   Family Sedans & Vans
U   124 mph   200 km/h   
H   130 mph   210 km/h   Sport Sedans & Coupes
V   149 mph   240 km/h   Sport Sedans, Coupes & Sports Cars

My Valkyrie hit rev limiter at 150mph on the dyno (195/65-16).  That's way over redline.   

W   168 mph   270 km/h   Exotic Sports Cars
Y   186 mph   300 km/h   Exotic Sports Cars

[PhredValk]

I am riding (when not in winter storage (sigh)) a Falken Ziex ZE-512 205/65R-16 and love it. My tire retailer says it's discontinued, so get one soon! I will  look at Falken again when the need arises, As I hear some problems exist with the GYTT and the Michelin hydroedge (very stiff sidewall). I will try any speed rated .65 tire with a rounded profile that I can find.

Fred.

[BeeSharp]

I have that same tire. It's my first DS experience, so I don't have anything to compare it to.
Only a couple thousand miles on it now and I'm happy with it.

Jim

[HayHauler]

Hey Jimmy, what size Falken are you planning on running on the I/S? I have a spare wheel and with all this "Darkside" talk, I'm thinking about trying one. I always wear a flat spot in the middle of the M/C tire anyway, maybe that part could be eliminated.

The one Houdini suggested. 
205.60.16"?  The Falken Ziex ZE-512

Hay
Jimmyt

[godfire]

I'm so confused!

Still being a round tire guy, and reading all these reports of a CT being just as good or better....now these new CTs are just like a round tire??????? How can you be better, but now just as good? oh.... and I miss you guys more than you miss me 

[Houdini]

I'm so confused!

We know, Jim, we know....

Still being a round tire guy, and reading all these reports of a CT being just as good or better....now these new CTs are just like a round tire?

Here is the main difference

very affordable at $85 with tax.

[Disco]

...and I miss you guys more than you miss me

Not so, Jimbo.   

Here's another main difference:  My CT has over 26.5K miles on it and I'm going for 10K more.  I just did the final drive service and don't really want to pull it apart again for another 10K.

Hi Sly!

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

I ran  a falken 512 and got a wobble at arround 100 mph. It was an H rated tire, later got the same tire in a v rating and no wobble. Just my thinking is the higher the rating the stiff the sidewall. I also know that tire pressure will also come into play  as far as stiffness is concerned. I've  been darkside for close to 100 thousand miles so I've ran a few different brands and rating type tires.

[BnB Tom]

   oh.... and I miss you guys more than you miss me 

  Maybe you could get a pass to do a little trip to God's Country (TEXAS).


   *  By-the-way,  since I now know how to put air in my tires - ALL BY MY SELF - I'm looking for a volunteer to nominate me for an increase in my 'pay grade'    

[HayHauler]

Ok, Chuck, how do you like your Falken so far?  How many miles in 3 days?  I need a new CT and was wondering if I should order one of these?

What do you think?

Hay
Jimmyt

[Houdini]

Ok, Chuck, how do you like your Falken so far?

Lovin' it more every time I ride.  The Falken feels a skosh shorter than the Triple Tred which is fine by me, I like the low look.  I bought the H rated tire but have no intention of running at 130 MPH ever and at 93 it felt great to me, maybe those last seven MPH are the crucial ones; so I think it will server me just fine .     I have about 250 miles on it now and would go buy another one without a second thought.  Order away Jimmy! 

If the tire height is an issue you may want to order the 205.65 instead of the 60.

[HayHauler]

Ok, Chuck, how do you like your Falken so far?

Lovin' it more every time I ride.  The Falken feels a skosh shorter than the Triple Tred which is fine by me, I like the low look.  I bought the H rated tire but have no intention of running at 130 MPH ever and at 93 it felt great to me, maybe those last seven MPH are the crucial ones; so I think it will server me just fine .     I have about 250 miles on it now and would go buy another one without a second thought.  Order away Jimmy! 

If the tire height is an issue you may want to order the 205.65 instead of the 60.

Just goes to show you that great minds think alike.  . Already ordered the 65.  Riding with the MT today on the Valk felt very strange.  Hard to come to a smooth stop with that mostly round tire.  Had to concentrate very hard to be able to stop smoothly and only put my left foot down. 

We shall see.  Should be here Wed. but I won't. 

Hay
Jimmyt

[Red Diamond]

According to calculations, the 65 is approximately 3/4" taller than the 60. If I remember my numbers correctly the CT 60 is only about 1/4" lower that the 70 M/C tire for the Valkyrie. In "taller" or "lower", I'm referring to overall diameter. That being said, the 60 series would sit you about 1/8" lower than M/C tire and the 65 series would sit you about 1/4" higher. My .02 worth.

[HayHauler]

I started off with a 205/55 GY TT and it rubbed on the fender bolt.  I reversed the bolt and shaved the head off of it and it still rubbed.  I switched to the 205/60 GY TT and all was good in the world.  Until I was getting ready to pick up the fat girl from the shop and they showed me a split in the tire.  I have about 25k on it I think, so it was probably time.



I came home, read this post from Houdini, and ordered the 205/65.  I will let you know how it fits.

Hay  
Jimmyt

[Disco]

That's a crazy looking flaw!      Glad they caught it.   

I have an idea about what may have caused it, but wonder what others might suggest the explanation is. 

[HayHauler]

Well, one thing could be that it sat on the side stand for almost 3 months.  It IS on the left side. 
What is your guess?

Hay
Jimmyt

[Disco]

An initial puncture or tear spread by hard and fast twisties?  

[Valkpilot]

Well, one thing could be that it sat on the side stand for almost 3 months.  It IS on the left side. 
What is your guess?

Hay
Jimmyt

My Toyo Proxes developed a bulge anomoly along approximately the same line at about 19k miles.

Odd coincidence.

[Houdini]

Well, one thing could be that it sat on the side stand for almost 3 months.  It IS on the left side.
What is your guess?

I guess that these car tires are not engineered to lean the way we make them do and if there is any flaw or weakness in the tire we will expose it.

I can hardly wait to get out and abuse mine some more. 

[TXFireman07b]

Whatever flaws the car tires present, sounds like most who have them appreciate having them over the mcs. They are much cheaper and last longer and the learning curve to ride them is really not as bad as one might think. I am very pleased with mine and if it ever wears down enough to need replacement I think maybe I will go with Houdinis recommendations as well. Safe and happy riding everyone. Keep the curved and Flat/curved rubber down on the road!!! Look forward to riding with some more of my friends soon.

[Stealth Biker]

I just bought a GY TT from Discount tire about a month ago, they did not mention that is was being discontinued.  Every time I read a darkside update new opinions seem to fly around.  My initial research before purchasing the GY TT led me in that direction.  Now I've got 30,000 some odd miles to decide if it was a good choice or not.

After the initial 500 miles on my first darkside tire I am forming my own opinions.  I did have to do every mod to prevent fender rubbing.  I upgraded to Progressive shocks at the same time so can't say for sure which helped more, the tire or shocks.  Twisty roads still require a firm push, the bike is still smooth on FM roads at triple digits, slow speed turns in parking lots are not an issue, and the bike stops as good or better than before.  I found that out on the initial test ride after going darkside - rode 8 miles to town, refueled and headed out to test the tire on some curves and an Acura pulled right out in front of me with another car coming up on my left side.

Thanks to all who have posted their opinions and especially the How To's for nut cage removal, washer mod and rear tire removal / rear spline service. 

[HayHauler]

Just to set the record straight.  I am not staying with the MT.  I have just received my new Falken 205/65/16 and will get it mounted next weekend.  I can't wait.

Hay
Jimmyt

[RainMaker]

I just bought a GY TT from Discount tire about a month ago, they did not mention that is was being discontinued.  Every time I read a darkside update new opinions seem to fly around.  My initial research before purchasing the GY TT led me in that direction.  Now I've got 30,000 some odd miles to decide if it was a good choice or not.

After the initial 500 miles on my first darkside tire I am forming my own opinions.  I did have to do every mod to prevent fender rubbing.  I upgraded to Progressive shocks at the same time so can't say for sure which helped more, the tire or shocks.  Twisty roads still require a firm push, the bike is still smooth on FM roads at triple digits, slow speed turns in parking lots are not an issue, and the bike stops as good or better than before.  I found that out on the initial test ride after going darkside - rode 8 miles to town, refueled and headed out to test the tire on some curves and an Acura pulled right out in front of me with another car coming up on my left side.

Thanks to all who have posted their opinions and especially the How To's for nut cage removal, washer mod and rear tire removal / rear spline service. 

Many have put miles on the GYTT, including me, and it is a good Darkside tire. I am on the General Altimax now and it seems to be about the same as the Goodyear. Maybe a better rider could tell the difference - I can't.

You will get good service out of it.

RainMaker

[HayHauler]

They still sell the GYTT.  They have rem all over the country. 
http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/tires/goodyear/size/viewProductDetail.do?pc=30669
This is the "new" version it seems.  Note the AS at the end.  Pretty sure I got my original TT for $128. 

Hay
Jimmyt

[Ken Tarver]

AS   all season?

[HayHauler]

I think so.  My last one didn't have that on the sticker.
 

Hay
Jimmyt

[HayHauler]

Well, I just got my Falken 105/65/16 mounted and I rode it about 20 miles.  I am going to like it. It seems to have a pretty rounded profile.  I did have to trim the head off of the fender bolt, because it was rubbing the tire sidewall. 
With the shocks off I lowered the bike down to check the clearance. 
I took it for a test ride with no air in the shocks to see if it would rub with the tire way up in the fender.  It didnt rub.  I out air in the shocks and it rode like a dream. 
I'm back in the saddle on the dark side!!
Here's a couple of pics of the profile of this tire. 




Hay
Jimmyt

[Paxton]

If you cruise @ over 100 MPH everyday over 3 hours at a time, do find the best rated tire you can find. PLEASE DO! 

However, if you ride 85 MPH on the average, imho, ANY car tire even the least expensive would do just fine. 

On the Valk I went with a NEXEN N5000 (205/65/17)... brand new, TOTAL $89. On the VTX1800,
I went w/a NEXEN N2000 (205/60/70)... $133. 

After overall performance comparisons, hands down, the less expensive tire (NEXEN N5000 205/65/17)... brand new
it is my choice for keeps.
It is way softer and more flexible... remember that after all, it is an inexpensive tire.

Notwithstanding, I reason (or Not!) that ANY Car tire approved for the market MUST be capable of carrying the weight of a car
and handle the resulting G-forces... ???

Insofar as my motorcycles are Cruisers and I generally ride 70 - 90 MPH on the open road, I can't imagine this inexpensive tire will fail
on any motorcycle... well, not any more than the best M/C tire. 

Indeed expensive c/t tires give a harsher ride and because the sides are stiffer (a good thing), they are less flexible on turns and such...
(IMHO, not as good of a thing). 

Just sharin'...

"Do as you say; not as I do."

[/i]

[HayHauler]

I was just trying to state that the 205/65/16 was a viable option for us Darksiders.   It fit, but barely. 

Unless you have different rims than stock, I don't see how the 205/65/17 would fit.  Probably a typo I guess. 

I ran a 205/55/16 GYTT that rubbed badly.  Switched to a 205/60/16 and all was well. 

After Houdini put on the Falken 205/60/16, I thought I would try the 205/65/16. Success!!

This tire is a little taller than the 60 series tire and should lower the highway Roma a bit. 

Hay
Jimmyt

[Houdini]

should lower the highway Roma

ummm .... what's highway Roma?

On the VTX1800, I went w/a NEXEN N2000 (205/60/70)... $133.

That's cheap for a 70" tire.     

[franco6]

0.02- been running the 205/65/16 for over year and half (michelin hydro somethin) yes it is hard but cornering dry or wet there s no better. I d rather be on it than any mc tire when braking hard. it just doesn t like going over 110 mph(unless its 2-up, loaded)  LOL