New F6 Rider and Darkside Tire

[RobertC]

Hi,

   I just got my new to me 2000 IS about 2 months. I took the long route to get here. Started back riding a few years back with a 2003 VTX1300R, then went to a 2005 Yamaha RSTD. That one was damaged by debris from an 18 wheeler that wrecked, so it was totaled by the insurance company. I had always wanted a Valk, so this was my opportunity to do so...

Anyway, looks like I am going to pick up a GYTT 205/60R16 for my bike and was wondering if anyone knows of a shop east of or in Austin that would mount it. I live just outside Ledbetter, which is near Giddings (east of Austin on Hwy 290). I don't have the adapter yet to raise the bike so would need a place that could remove and re-mount the wheel..

Any info would be greatly appreciated...

[RainMaker]

Check the different threads about the tires that darksiders have chosen.  The Goodyear Triple Tred was my first darkside tire but I moved to what I think is a much better one, the General Altimax HP.  Others are Falken fanatics and I know of some Cooper and Pirelli fans as well.  But most have moved away from the Goodyear due to it's form being a lot more square than the other tires mentioned.

Good luck on finding a place that will remove your tire and put a darkside on it.  Most of the places that will mount a darkside tire require you to just bring in the wheel and you do all the work on removing and re-installing yourself.  But honestly, that's the best way to do it as you will be able to do your rear drive service and make sure it is done correctly. Not sure about rear drive service?  Check the Tech board and get up to speed.  The rear drive is the Achilles heel of these beasts.  If you take care of it, it will take care of you.  The inverse equation is unfortunately also true.  So learn about the rear drive.  Never trust a dealer to know anything about them because most don't and will leave you with ruined splines.

In your area you will find Bullgoose and F-Stop are great to get to know and they will know of most things going on in the Austin area.

Welcome to the insanity!

RainMaker

[Disco]

Welcome AD5ME!

+1 to everything Rainmaker wrote. 

[RobertC]

Thanks for the replies.... I found the thread for a low tech jack adapter and have the material.... Time to start reading and make preparations to remove the rear tire from the bike.. I did it on the previous 2 rides, I guess the size of the IS was a bit intimidating but like anything else a little research goes a long way!!

[RainMaker]

Thanks for the replies.... I found the thread for a low tech jack adapter and have the material.... Time to start reading and make preparations to remove the rear tire from the bike.. I did it on the previous 2 rides, I guess the size of the IS was a bit intimidating but like anything else a little research goes a long way!!

Once you have it apart, it's pretty easy.  I have an Interstate and also a center stand so it's not that difficult once you've done it.  When reassembling, pay particular attention to loosening the four bolts holding the pumpkin to the drive shaft housing, torquing the axle nut back and only then tightening the four bolts previously loosened.  Daniel Meyer has a whole write-up on this.

Good luck!

RainMaker

[BuzzKill]

My advice on finding someone to mount the tire is just find a small locally owned tire shop.  They will probably charge $10-30.  I would also advise replacing the valve stem then to a all metal one, preferably one with the tightening nut on the top side.  Dynabeads or Ride On can always be added later unless you are using a TPS (Tire Pressure monitoring System).

And welcome!

[RobertC]

OK... Built the lift adapter, the wooden one, I am definitely not a welder.. ... Tested it and it worked great!!.. Since I had the bike in the air I decided to go ahead and print instructions for rear tire removal. Used the shock removal method, wasn't comfortable loosening exhaust at the headers..

A few scrapes and bumps later the wheel is on the ground... Now, to get the tire, grease and oil to put her back together... I know, I'm definitely doing it backwards, should have had the parts in hand first....

Thanks for everyone's input....

I do have a lead on a shop in Austin.. Geoff Rich over at Antler Creek Leather pointed me to Austin City Powersports on Stassney Lane..

[SideCar]

Welcome to the crew.

[HayHauler]

My $.02 and it is worth exactly what you pay for it is, I like the Falken Ziex in 205/65/16 flavor.  I liked the first one so much, I bought 2 more so if they discontinued the tire, I would have a couple of years worth of rear tires.  I run mine at 42 psi and I really like the way it handles.
Again, just my $.02.

Hay 
Jimmyt

[Stormrider65]

Welcome to the group.  Great people here.  I've been with a few clubs in the past, but these people know more about this bike than any dealership around.  The Tech board is a good place to do research and if you have any questions, just hit the message board and ask around.  Also cruise the other links on here and you'll have more info than you thought possible.  I run Darkside also and like Rainmaker, I have the General Altimax.  But each to his or her own.   After going Darkside, I won't go back.  I had a lot of help with mine to get it put on, but it was worth every cent.  And a lot of the members here really RIDE.  Great get togethers and even our own rally, Inzane.  Again, welcome to the group.

Walt

[RobertC]

I ended up getting the General Altimax 205/60R16.... Figured I would give that one a go first.... wife is taking it to Austin to have it mounted.... Have to work late tonight and Thursday, should have it on the bike Friday just in time for the Memorial Day Weekend!! Plan on taking it out Sat or Sunday for a good test ride....

[RainMaker]

I ended up getting the General Altimax 205/60R16.... Figured I would give that one a go first.... wife is taking it to Austin to have it mounted.... Have to work late tonight and Thursday, should have it on the bike Friday just in time for the Memorial Day Weekend!! Plan on taking it out Sat or Sunday for a good test ride....

Excellent pick.

You will notice having to countersteer a little more in the curves.  On crowned roads, the bike will want to go towards the shoulder a little more than normal.  Ruts magnetically attract a darkside tire, so give them a wide berth if you can and if you can't, just don't get too rattled as the rear end will seem to be bouncing/sliding around a lot more than a motorcycle tire if you hit a rut on the road.  After about an hour or so, you won't notice the difference that much with the exceptions listed above.

Go up on the general board and post that you have gone Darkside and need your Darkside number.  The Dark Lord will then assign your number and you can then buy the Darkside stickers to prove you know the power of the Darkside.

[HayHauler]

I ended up getting the General Altimax 205/60R16.... Figured I would give that one a go first.... wife is taking it to Austin to have it mounted.... Have to work late tonight and Thursday, should have it on the bike Friday just in time for the Memorial Day Weekend!! Plan on taking it out Sat or Sunday for a good test ride....

I can't remember if the Altimax is a directional tire or not.  If it is, just make sure that they mount it with the rotation going the right direction. 
Enjoy!

Hay 
Jimmyt

[RobertC]

Yep, that was the first thing I checked last night when I got in.... Tire is mounted correctly, cleaned up and ready to go.

[PhredValk]

We can get stickers? Welcome to the board, and to the dark side.

Fred.

[john]

                      you have come to the right house ...         
      a  fine bunch of people