Specific Darkside question

[39 Chev]

I know this "Darkside" debate has been beaten to death, but I have searched and cannot find an answer to this concern...

If you are running a car tire and you get a flat, does the tire "pancake" instantly? 

What I am getting at is this, on a motorcycle tire the sidewall seems pretty stout.  I haven't gotten a flat in a long time, but the last time I did, the tire did not just collapse.  I could feel it going flat and was able to get the bike to a controlled stop.  If you hit something in the road, will the car tire stay stiff enough to get the bike stopped?

I'm pretty much convinced to go car tire, I just don't want to go into a corner and have a tire go down and end up sliding down the road.

I bought a new set of Avons late last summer and have about 6000 miles on them.  The back tire is just about shot (cupped BAD).  Tire pressure checked before each ride and kept at about 44 lbs.  I ride double 80% of the time and I'm about 285 and the wife about 150, so that could be part of the reason I'm so hard on tires.  I just can't accept that a bike tire is $200 (plus installation) and only lasts 7-8000 miles.  I'm thinking a 205/65x16 or the Austone 175x16 taxi tire. Might as well get a little RPM drop as a bonus...

Any insight would be appreciated!

 

[X Ring]

When I first started thinking about going DarkSide, I was advised to go with a H or Z rated tire due to the stiffer sidewall.  But car tires don't instantly flat on a Valk just like they don't go instantly flat on a car unless there is a blowout.  Tube tires on a motorcycle do go instantly flat when punctured.  There is a way to prevent this.  You can install Ride On tire sealant to prevent flats due to punctures.

Marty

[gordonv]

I delieve it was mentioned over 1 year ago, that someones CT went flat, but it did not totaly deflate, but stayed up rideable. I would suggest to try it. Pull the valve stem and see if the bike stays up, single, then double ridders.

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

Wizard rode his 40 miles without a valve stem. He replaced the stem aired it up and returned from Michigan to Texas on it. I've ridden mine do to 8 psi before I even knew I had a problem. I plugged the tire and rode it until it needed replacing.

[fudgie]

A wing had a blow on a rear last week. Killer her and he is still critical.

[Fritz The Cat]

A wing had a blow on a rear last week. Killer her and he is still critical.

Details?

[Daniel Meyer]

The Valk is better behaved on a flat car tire than a flat MC tire...

The car tires tend to warn ya a bit, the MC tires all tended to be rapid deflations. YMMV of course!

Before I went darkside I tore up several MC tires on the rear of the valk through the constructions zones on my commute. That area has been under construction for my entire lifetime, but that's another story...

$1000 worth of tires in one summer...

The Valk is generally well behaved with a rear flat...use no brake and do only minimal turns, but she'll stay in line.

The MC tires tended to unseat before I would get stopped...she would get MUCH more squirrely when this happened but was still managable.

I've had several rear flats on the CT, most were small objects and gave me plenty of warning. Rode home with a manageable machine and only 3psi on one occasion.

I've had two rapid deflations with a car tire. One with this big-ass pin thing...the other was a BIG piece of metal sticking out of a railroad crossing.


The Valk behaved very well...no squirrelyness, the bike is turnable, and the tires stayed seated.

That help?

[Jess from VA]

No car tire flats for me.  CT sidewalls are made for cars, which weigh a bit more than bikes. 

I do believe having flats is just another in a list of things that car tires do better than MC tires.

[Ricky-D]

Isn't this refreshing !!

All positive comments about the car tire on the Valkyrie.

I'm sure the purveyors of doom and gloom will eventually find this thread and start posting negative comments about how we take our life so carelessly using a car tire.

Myself, I can testify to the positive outcome with a sudden air loss. The bike was very stable and I was able to come to a easy stop on the shoulder of the interstate.

Darkside is a positive improvement is this regard.

***

[old2soon]

Have not had a D/S flat yet. :coolsmiley:M/C tires on road bikes-a couple. :crazy2:An experience i rather not have again. :uglystupid2:For me the D/S(even if i didn't get a firkin cookie)works just fine. :DI wouldn't have bought the second D/S if it wasn't working. :-XI'm not as experienced as some on this board with the D/S but slowly but surely i'm gaining more experience with it. ;)Put the ride on in it for your own peace of mind. :cooldude:You're the one that HAS to be comfortable in the saddle on the machine yer wrenching. And of course your S O if you have one. RIDE SAFE.

[R J]

Have not had a D/S flat yet. M/C tires on road bikes-a couple. An experience i rather not have again. For me the D/S(even if i didn't get a firkin cookie)works just fine. I wouldn't have bought the second D/S if it wasn't working. I'm not as experienced as some on this board with the D/S but slowly but surely i'm gaining more experience with it.
Put the ride on in it for your own peace of mind. You're the one that HAS to be comfortable in the saddle on the machine yer wrenching.   And of course your S O if you have one. RIDE SAFE.

I reworked your message so it was readable.    Got to have spaces before and after your smilies.

[old2soon]

O-K three lashes mit da wet noodle. I have really GOT to rekemember to have my coffee before i do anything.  Durn Navy training just keeps slippin away.  Thanks R J.  RIDE SAFE.

[fudgie]

A wing had a blow on a rear last week. Killer her and he is still critical.

Details?

Woman dies from injuries following motorcycle crash
Updated: Friday, 06 Jul 2012, 8:52 AM EDT
Published : Friday, 06 Jul 2012, 8:52 AM EDT

Rod Hissong
KOSCIUSKO COUNTY, Ind. (WANE) - The Allen County Coroner's Office has released information on a woman that has died following a motorcycle crash in eastern Kosciusko County Thursday afternoon.

According to a Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department report, Thomas C. Harwood, 44, Bourbonnais, Illinois, was traveling on U.S. 30 near County Road 450 East around 3:30 p.m. when his rear tire had a "blow-out."

Officials said the bike immediately began to skid and then flipped on the road, according to witnesses.

Harwoods passenger and wife, Paula Harwood, 39, Bourbonnais, Illinois, was thrown from the motorcycle and apparently struck by another motorcycle.

Paula Harwood had sustained injuries to her head, according to the report.

Thomas Harwood was seriously injured as he struck the pavement. He's currently listed in serious but stable condition at Parkview Regional Hospital.

[Hoser]

Isn't this refreshing !!

All positive comments about the car tire on the Valkyrie.

I'm sure the purveyors of doom and gloom will eventually find this thread and start posting negative comments about how we take our life so carelessly using a car tire.

Myself, I can testify to the positive outcome with a sudden air loss. The bike was very stable and I was able to come to a easy stop on the shoulder of the interstate.

Darkside is a positive improvement is this regard.

***

I am not darkside, but never have and never will denigrate any rider's choice  of equipment.  I would expect the same consideration for my choice. That's all I got to say about that.  Hoser  

[JaysGone]

For giggles.
I have ridden my RoadStar using a Conti Vanco2 light truck tire with zero nada not a drop of air when brand new.
Around my complex at up to 25 mph.
Not a single problem the sidewall is that stiff.
I have the same size tire and type but a different brand on the Valk.
To be replaced next week with a new Vanco 2.
Heck the tire alone weights in at 39lbs............
But having more torque the the R* which is a torque monster in itself.
Ill have to consider the same experiment agian.
My only fear might be spinning the tire on the rim empty with the shaft drive.
Short of a blow apart with a sudden loss of air.
Im feel pretty confident in a CT or in my case a LT getting me home in one piece.


Edit:
Got my new Vanco2 today.
Im a bit piturbed.
Its a light weight 21 lb tire made in Romania.
Not like my 2 year old German brick made Vanco 2.

It does have the same tread design and from all ouward apperences looks the same.
But
Its not much different then the Tiawanese made Sunny brand I wanted to replace it with.
I guess in the end.
Ill keep the new tire as the spare for both bikes if needed..............sigh.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

I've experienced rear flats with a GY TT and a General Ultramax. Both got down to single digit pressure. Both behaved well. I think I could have made it a long way on the TT, seemed to have very strong sidewalls.

[39 Chev]

THANK YOU!!! everyone for your input.  That was the only thing holding me back...

Looks like a Darkside is in my future.  I'm thinking either the Falken ZE-512 in 205/65r16 or the Austone.  I'm not familiar of this Conti Vanco2 tire that JaysGone is talking about.  How about some more info JaysGone?

[X Ring]

THANK YOU!!! everyone for your input.  That was the only thing holding me back...

Looks like a Darkside is in my future.  I'm thinking either the Falken ZE-512 in 205/65r16 or the Austone.  I'm not familiar of this Conti Vanco2 tire that JaysGone is talking about.  How about some more info JaysGone?

It's a truck tire.  I'd stay with the Falken.  I'm running a 60 series on my I/S and thinking about getting a couple to put in storage for it and my Tourer.

Marty

[MrKris]

Car tires on bikes don't go flat, they burst into flames at any given time.

I just got an email from UPS, my Falken Ziex 512 is sitting at my front door at home.  Beads from Quackenbush are supposed to be here tomorrow.  I'll be back on the Darkside this weekend, I just need to put the tire changer back together.

[X Ring]

Car tires on bikes don't go flat, they burst into flames at any given time.

I just got an email from UPS, my Falken Ziex 512 is sitting at my front door at home.  Beads from Quackenbush are supposed to be here tomorrow.  I'll be back on the Darkside this weekend, I just need to put the tire changer back together.

Make sure you buy the silver airport firefighter pants so you don't get burned.   

Marty

[JaysGone]

THANK YOU!!! everyone for your input.  That was the only thing holding me back...

Looks like a Darkside is in my future.  I'm thinking either the Falken ZE-512 in 205/65r16 or the Austone.  I'm not familiar of this Conti Vanco2 tire that JaysGone is talking about.  How about some more info JaysGone?

It's a truck tire.  I'd stay with the Falken.  I'm running a 60 series on my I/S and thinking about getting a couple to put in storage for it and my Tourer.

Marty

I did edit my post today.
I may have been mistaken for the last 2+ years as to the weight of the tire.
But Id swear the UPS tag back then was for 39lbs.

Marty
This tire has more then exceded all my expectations.
The RoadStar is a very different animal then the Valk but as a tire Id expect no less of it on the Valk.
Im not new to Darksiding. Ive got over 100K on several bikes over the last 25+ years.
The Conti is built like a brick.
The fact that is a truck tire is what originally sold me on the whole idea of using it.
The only advantage a CT might have over this tire is being able to get a Uni-directional  tread pattern.
Im not an aggresive rider so Im in it for longevity and braking in the rains here 8 months out of the year as I commute daily on my bikes.

Now here is Continetals site with a description of the Vanco2 in the sizes generally available for the tire in the USA.
http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/us/en/continental/automobile/themes/light_truck_%26_suv/utility_van/vanco2/vanco2_ps_en,tabNr=3.html

The 195-65-16 is a European tire.
Not used as OEM on anything sold here in the USA.

Its generally hard to find and only one place has it and even that is very infrequent.
Last time they had the tire was over a year ago.
The site used to give the current number available or left.
They no longer do.

http://ssl.delti.com/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?dsco=135&Cookie=nextag_Continental&details=Ordern&typ=R-143181&ranzahl=4&nichtweiter=1

5 day delivery guys.
From Portland Thursday to my door here in Florida today not bad.
The tire is a close size replacement for the OEM Valk size.
No mods had to be done to my Valk what so ever to mount its current 195-65-16 "Sunny" LT.
I have had this on my R* for 2 years and 17K miles.
Im extremely happy with it as its terrific here in the rain with excellent braking.
I commute daily with one bike or the other and the tire does every thing I could expect of it and does it well.
I cant say how it handles if your a peg dragger as Im not.

Heres a pic or 2 of it on my R*.
I currently have a "Sunny" on the Valk and its as good but I was originally under the impression it was a lighter weight tire and intended to mount the Vanco in its place.
Now Im not so sure.
I will how ever keep it at least as a spare for both bikes.

New Sunny on the Valk

New Conti in 2010

Last month same tire with 17K and 7/32nds left began with 9/32nds I expect and easy 25K+ out of this tire.
Ive found most tires wear a bit faster in their later life then at 1st.

[Disco]

I bought my bike in August '07.  It was 7 years old and had 3,570 miles.  I replaced old oems with Avon Venoms at 4,000 miles.  I ruined the rear with two flats by 9,200 miles and went Avon Cobra.  I was DS on the late GL1800 so, after riding a friend's GYTT and not liking it at all, I replaced the Cobra rear with the narrower, but asymmetrical Continental Vanco in 195/65-16 at 24,118 miles.  It was highly recommended by a friend and I rode the peepee out of it for two years, 32,627 miles, and most of the states in my map below.  It was a great tire, handled well, and was much more neutral to me than the GYTT.  When I replaced it two Saturdays ago with a Falken Ziex 512 205/65-16, it was still not at the wear bars.

The improvement I felt with the Vanco over the GYTT is similar to the improvement I feel with the Falken over the Vanco.