FOR THOSE UNSURE ABOUT GOING TO THE DARKSIDE (car tire)

[cajundood]

after reading and posting for months about whether or not to switch over to the darkside, i found this video on youtube........still undecided but the video is unbelievable. camera mounted on the underside of a darkside bike.....WOW WOW
http://youtu.be/QwSSXHanpv0

[Hoser]

Dag from VRCC Norway made that video   some time back, it says a lot without any words.  Riders choice is my opinion.  To each his own.  Hoser 

[R J]

I'll just say I run 36# in mine.   As Hoser says, to each his own, and I'm an own with a Goodyear Triple Tread.

This is like 8 or 9th CT, 1st Goodyear TT.     Some were short lived due to road debris, and 1 to a very sharp rock on the Alcan Highway.

I'll never go back as long as I can find someone to mount a CT for me.

As Forrest Gump would say:
“That's all I have to say about that.”

[garyheskett All 49 x 3 st.louis]

I thought about a CT for about 10 years and didn't do it because all the mags say not to.  Then the owner of St. Louis Honda took a mc trip to Alaska and put a run flat CT on his Wing for the trip.
Well, I finally put on the General Alti-max and have over 30,000 miles on that tire.  No problems for me at all.  I am like many that say,  "I'll never go back to a mc tire". 

[Davet261]

Are there any clearance issues?  Are there any modifications necessary???

[Tim H]

This one was my favorite thread.  Load both videos at the same time so you can see them side-by-side how the same or more tread is always in contact.

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,2758.0.html

It'd showed me how dangerous MC tires are.  There's barely anything on the pavement when it's upright. 

[Rio Wil]

I'll just say I run 36# in mine.   As Hoser says, to each his own, and I'm an own with a Goodyear Triple Tread.

This is like 8 or 9th CT, 1st Goodyear TT.     Some were short lived due to road debris, and 1 to a very sharp rock on the Alcan Highway.

I'll never go back as long as I can find someone to mount a CT for me.

As Forrest Gump would say:
“That's all I have to say about that.”

RJ.....when were you on the Alcan?

[75GL1000]

i have purchased a 205 55 16 bridgestone potenza for my 99 Valk, interstate.  Got the old tire off and thought i would just slide the unmounted potenza under it to see how it looks.  Teh unmounted tire will not clear the drive housing and the swing arm to slide in.  Has anyone else run into this.  I would hate to mount the tire and it not fit, then i can't return the tire.  Look forward to you help.

[olddog1946]

i have purchased a 205 55 16 bridgestone potenza for my 99 Valk, interstate.  Got the old tire off and thought i would just slide the unmounted potenza under it to see how it looks.  Teh unmounted tire will not clear the drive housing and the swing arm to slide in.  Has anyone else run into this.  I would hate to mount the tire and it not fit, then i can't return the tire.  Look forward to you help.

Although I don't have a bridgestone, I do have a Federal 535 205/55/16 on my bike.. You bet, it is a tight fit, has to be forced up in there, but it will fit, and a credit card drags if inserted between the tire and swingarm. I put 15000 miles on it without a single problem, til just over a week ago, when I had the left rear wheel bearing come apart, then it rubbed..was only a few miles from home, brought it back, changed the bearing and all is good again.

[75GL1000]

Thanks, i'm putting new wheel bearings in while it's apart so maybe i can avoid that problem,  i'll greaser up and see what happens.

[wild6]

Un-inflated tire may be fatter.  I run the Potenza G019 205/60 and it fits fine (Did the washer mod instead of removing the nut cages).
Remember to loosen the four nuts holding the final drive to the swing arm.  Tighten them again AFTER torquing the axle.

[75GL1000]

Mine is the G019 series also,  Sounds like i need to read a little more before i put the wheel on.  Didn't see anything on the washer mod? or the drive housing bolts.

[wild6]

Mine is the G019 series also,  Sounds like i need to read a little more before i put the wheel on.  Didn't see anything on the washer mod? or the drive housing bolts.

The washer mod spreads the rails and thus the nut cages.  With a 55 series tire, and oem-length shocks, you may not need it, but it can't hurt (just a little effort).

Always loosen the four final drive nuts before torquing the axle to avoid spline wear (and worse).

Search is your friend.  There's lots of info here.

[John Schmidt]

Re. getting the tire/wheel into the fender area, I've found that once the tire is inflated and seated on the rim, I have more clearance to work with if I let most of the air back out. Leave just enough in there to keep its shape, usually 10-15 psi. It must be that the inflated tire expands at the sidewall just enough to give you trouble when trying to put it into place. I usually can get it to go in by rolling it in place at a slight angle with the top leaning slightly away from the right side. Once in place, you can straighten it up to mesh the splines.

[BonS]

I had to deflate my 205/55-16 Fuzion ZRi to get it in place. Very tight fit. Did the nutcage mod and only have a credit card's clearance but all is well @ 35 psi.  

[Daniel Meyer]

Unmounted tire will generally not fit (wider). Gotta be mounted on the rim.

[littlebiglee]

For touring I  am using the Altimax ina 205-65-16 which is larger in diameter. I turn less RPM's it rides smoother, is quieter,handles great and my gas mileage improved. I ride two up most of the time and still have plenty of power. I just cut the bolts off shorter and they do not rub. I am happy!

[cajundood]

went to the darkside about two months ago out of necessity and i love it..
in my opinion it hardly changes the ride at all. i actually find myself aiming for ridges and imperfections in the road to try and make her dance on me, so i'm not surpriesed later. she rides fine though.
. if youre unsure....do what i did....my first c/t was too short and too wide, but it cost me $25 and$5 to get it mounted.  after riding on it for about two weeks i realized "darkside" is where i wanted to be, so i ordered a new tire in the correct size. i've since put around 1000 miles on it and its great.
but......TO EACH HIS OWN! thats why i suggest a trash tire first. if you find you don't like it, you're not out $130.
.


.

[Fritz The Cat]

Knew a guy a couple of years ago who darksided his Valk. This was before I had a Valk. I asked him how he liked it. He said he didn't, said it "handled funny". He went back to a MC tire. Never tried it myself but always wondered what the appeal was other than the mileage.

[CASABROKER]

195/60/16 dunlop sp500 sport no mod needed plenty of clearance. Increases rpm by 200 at 75 .  1 k mi. now breaking in can hardly tell the difference.  Probably never go back, can't see why. 

[fudgie]

Never tried it myself but always wondered what the appeal was other than the mileage.

Cuzz its cool!    Ride is great, esp loaded up and 2 up. She noticed a difference. Traction is increased ALOT. You can lay marks accross a entire intersection without it breaking loose uncontolable.  Rain/wet surface traction is awesome. My tire contact patch is only 1'' wider then my old Metz 200.

[teadream42]

Hey! My husband just went to the Darkside today! Totally loves the taxi-tire that he got on line and I watch from my bike as he test drove  today. It was perfect! I'll try it myself on my VTX soon.

[BIG--T]

Has anyone put a 200/60/16 wth no mods?

[valky1500]

With no wheel bearing mods you're going to have clearance issues plus wheel bearings going bad very soon.

But you will have a better ride until those issues begin that is. 

[Ricky-D]

With no wheel bearing mods you're going to have clearance issues plus wheel bearings going bad very soon.

But you will have a better ride until those issues begin that is. 

Whatever you may think about the affect the car tire may on different parts of the Valkyrie, what you state above is not true.

There are some who suppose the same, but all are badly mistaken.

***

[BIG--T]

With no wheel bearing mods you're going to have clearance issues plus wheel bearings going bad very soon.

But you will have a better ride until those issues begin that is. 

Whatever you may think about the affect the car tire may on different parts of the Valkyrie, what you state above is not true.

There are some who suppose the same, but all are badly mistaken.

***

Thanks Ricky I hope it ain't true because I'm fixing to find out in a little while. Btw, It's a BS 200/60/16 MC tire.

[valky1500]

With no wheel bearing mods you're going to have clearance issues plus wheel bearings going bad very soon.

But you will have a better ride until those issues begin that is. 

Whatever you may think about the affect the car tire may on different parts of the Valkyrie, what you state above is not true.

There are some who suppose the same, but all are badly mistaken.

***

What you say isn't true and I do is from experience in which seems to be something you're lacking here. 

[Gryphon Rider]

With no wheel bearing mods you're going to have clearance issues plus wheel bearings going bad very soon.

But you will have a better ride until those issues begin that is. 

Whatever you may think about the affect the car tire may on different parts of the Valkyrie, what you state above is not true.

There are some who suppose the same, but all are badly mistaken.

***

What you say isn't true and I do is from experience in which seems to be something you're lacking here. 

[Willow]

With no wheel bearing mods you're going to have clearance issues plus wheel bearings going bad very soon.

But you will have a better ride until those issues begin that is. 

Whatever you may think about the affect the car tire may on different parts of the Valkyrie, what you state above is not true.

There are some who suppose the same, but all are badly mistaken.

***

What you say isn't true and I do is from experience in which seems to be something you're lacking here. 

Based on a whole lot of riders not having the same experience you profess I'd have to conclude that you dabbled in some speculation regarding cause and effect associated with your experience. 

[valky1500]

I agree with what you are saying and can say the same. With no matter who you are addressing this matter too, it is true for everyone.

It also goes to say that giving ones opinions is normal and everyone does it. But claiming them as right for everyone but not having experience in the matter being discussed, is called false advertising or fallacy for short.

Let me explain:
To sit there and say buy and use Valkyrie parts only because they are made and designed for the bike is one thing. To turn the subject around by talking about running CT's for example, is not what those Valkyrie parts were made or designed to do.

I am sure that there are as many different opinions as people who come in here. Some have this experience to share in these matters being discussed and others have opinions. They both want to share with those who want to know. BUT It's someone who has the choice to make. So let it be an informed one.

That's why people come into this forum. They want answers for a choice to begin with.

thanks.

[valky1500]

Something I just realized here:
It would sure help a lot by using quotes as to who and what you are responding to.

Sorry for that.

thanks.

[valky1500]

Are there any clearance issues?  Are there any modifications necessary???

With no wheel bearing mods you're going to have clearance issues plus wheel bearings going bad very soon.

But you will have a better ride until those issues begin that is.  2funny

[Rio Wil]

Are there any clearance issues?  Are there any modifications necessary???

With no wheel bearing mods you're going to have clearance issues plus wheel bearings going bad very soon.

But you will have a better ride until those issues begin that is.  2funny

HUH.....this statement simply isn't true. The wheel bearing mod has nothing to do with clearance and there is no proof of the wheel bearings wearing out any earlier.  I have 170K miles on my IS with the last 100K on car tires......when do ya think the bearings are scheduled to self destruct?? :crazy2:Just crazy talk

Oh sorry, the part about a better ride is true....

[cutter]

Guess my wheel bearings didn't get the notice. I have a CT and 230000+ miles and have the origional bearings front and rear..... 

[valky1500]

Are there any clearance issues?  Are there any modifications necessary???

With no wheel bearing mods you're going to have clearance issues plus wheel bearings going bad very soon.

But you will have a better ride until those issues begin that is.  2funny

HUH.....this statement simply isn't true. The wheel bearing mod has nothing to do with clearance and there is no proof of the wheel bearings wearing out any earlier.  I have 170K miles on my IS with the last 100K on car tires......when do ya think the bearings are scheduled to self destruct?? :crazy2:Just crazy talk

Oh sorry, the part about a better ride is true....

That's an expected answer and it's focused on generality's. That is also focused on another argument entirely and not to what I am responding to. Let me elaborate and get past that.

There is but I have no arguments concerning Honda wheel bearings being made deficient, bad or anything of the sort. As a matter of fact, Honda made parts are superior when used for what they were designed for and that is my point. That is another argument entirely and not to what I am responding to here. That is someone elses' cup of tea.

Let me put the focus on those 2 things that I suggested in my earlier statement above concerning the mods when changing over to a CT:
#1- there is a weak spot concerning the rear wheel and using larger tires. It's the single row bearing on the left side rear wheel.
#2- when changing that single row bearing to a double row, the same bearing that's on the other side (right). That added space effects the clearance of the tire and the wheel alignment is changed when its a bigger tire.

The added space on the axle that is taken up from the new double row bearing can be eliminated by taking it off of the spacer and with those two changes the problems will disappear.

Ask me how I know. 

[valky1500]

Are there any clearance issues?  Are there any modifications necessary???

With no wheel bearing mods you're going to have clearance issues plus wheel bearings going bad very soon.

But you will have a better ride until those issues begin that is.  2funny

HUH.....this statement simply isn't true. The wheel bearing mod has nothing to do with clearance and there is no proof of the wheel bearings wearing out any earlier.  I have 170K miles on my IS with the last 100K on car tires......when do ya think the bearings are scheduled to self destruct?? :crazy2:Just crazy talk

Oh sorry, the part about a better ride is true....

That's an expected answer and it's focused on generality's. That is also focused on another argument entirely and not to what I am responding to. Let me elaborate and get past that.

There is but I have no arguments concerning Honda wheel bearings being made deficient, bad or anything of the sort. As a matter of fact, Honda made parts are superior when used for what they were designed for and that is my point. That is another argument entirely and not to what I am responding to here. That is someone elses' cup of tea.

Let me put the focus on those 2 things that I suggested in my earlier statement above concerning the mods when changing over to a CT:
#1- there is a weak spot concerning the rear wheel and using larger tires. It's the single row bearing on the left side rear wheel.
#2- when changing that single row bearing to a double row, the same bearing that's on the other side (right). That added space effects the clearance of the tire and the wheel alignment is changed when its a bigger tire.

The added space on the axle that is taken up from the new double row bearing can be eliminated by taking it off of the spacer and with those two changes the problems will disappear.

Ask me how I know. 

...and those problems are:
#1- clearance issues and
#2- early wheel bearing wearing out or breaking.   

[sugerbear]

are you saying you put a double row bearing in and reduced the spacer to fit?

[Gryphon Rider]

I let my car's (Saturn) engine oil drop too low.  At the same time the bearing on the accessory belt idler pulley failed.  I added oil and changed the idler pulley bearing and the car runs fine now.  Now I know that the next time my oil gets too low, I should be ready to buy an idler pulley bearing.

[vanagon40]

. . . .  It also goes to say that giving ones opinions is normal and everyone does it. But claiming them as right for everyone but not having experience in the matter being discussed, is called false advertising or fallacy for short. . . .

Remember, valky1500 is the rider who explained the multiple vacuum lines to the petcock, the reserve plunger, and the need to "reset" the plunger before filling the tank.  Re: Petcock again?

[valky1500]

. . . .  It also goes to say that giving ones opinions is normal and everyone does it. But claiming them as right for everyone but not having experience in the matter being discussed, is called false advertising or fallacy for short. . . .

Remember, valky1500 is the rider who explained the multiple vacuum lines to the petcock, the reserve plunger, and the need to "reset" the plunger before filling the tank.  Re: Petcock again?

  That's very true and I gave up on that issue fast because it's a lost cause since I changed to Pingle years ago but so what.