First ride of the season, no mechanical issues.........BUT...

[Tonysax]

  I have been busy and finally found the time to get the bike ready to at least take a jaunt around town. Every season I have one thing to address, (mouse nest in air box, vacuum leak, ignition trouble) never anything major . Today she started right up ready to go. I notice the rear tire is a few lbs low. So I figure I'll just run to the gas station 2 miles away to get air ( I have a compressor, I was just antsy to ride). I get 100 yards from the gas station and my rear end felt like it was in sand. I turned of the road onto a side street. The rear tire was way way flat/ bead broke free from rim (Avon Venom 3yrs old with less than 5k) I did pick up a finish nail 2 yrs ago and put a plug in it.

 Now Big Al not too long ago started another DARKSIDE thread, agreed with several people (who actually wants to start the debate again). Just go to the tech board. Well as I walked 2 miles home to fetch my trailer, my mind was working overtime. I have an chance to try it on my bike since I'm pulling the tire (Tourer/Bags/rails and such). I get to also buy a MC Jack.

OH I also learned that those nice 40" truck stacks I put on puts the bike longer than an 8 foot trailer. Hadda rooster the bike sideways.

I'm heading to the tech board .... Got some readin to do.....

[Willow]

  (Avon Venom 3yrs old with less than 5k)

Just my opinion, but you should stay away from riding on a car tire.  While a car tire can work and work well on a Valkyrie it is definitely not recommended for the very casual rider. 

[X Ring]

I agree with Willow.  I was off my Valk for 3 1/2 months.  When I climbed back on last week it was like I was having to climb the DarkSide learning curve all over again.  As infrequently as you ride, you'd have to do every time.

Marty

[Big IV]

I think the patch and the low air pressure bit you. Plugs work fine at full pressure. Less than full pressure and they are liable to cause all sorts of trouble or cause no trouble at all. Tires are tricky that way.





When shopping for motorcycle tables you might want to look around. My Dad has a full size table and he loves it. It works well for the random bikes that he buys. It is almost to short for my Valk, but I can squeeze it on. It lifts fine.

Our neighbor has a bike lift that he keeps trying to let us borrow because he thinks it is superior. It is a smaller, easier to move, frame only job. The idea is that this small square should lash to the frame and hold the bike steady. Only problem is that HDs must have narrower frames that the Jap bikes we've tried putting on it in the past. And bike without bottom frame rails...well my neighbor just doesn't understand that not all frames are created alike.

[Moonshot_1]

Yeah, agree with Willow too. If you are only putting on less than 2k a year, the darkside wouldn't be for you. There is a difference in handling characteristics that takes a few miles to acclaimate to. I'm fairly certain you would not like the experience.

Been running a Goodyear Triple Tred for going on 2500 miles now. Just put it on late last year. I love it. It handles well. But the first 20 miles I was wondering if I had made a mistake. Almost went back to a MC tire. It isn't that it handles badly, just different and not what you might expect. Gave it some time, played with the air pressure and got it to handle really, really well. I don't even remember I'm on a car tire now.

But to get there takes some time. And at less than 2k miles a year, well, that's just not enough time. If you are putting on 1k a month, then yeah, it's worth looking into and giving it a try. Couple weeks and 500 miles and you will know if it is right or not. Couple months and 500 miles won't do it.

[Tonysax]

  Thanks everybody for the advice from the wise and respected riders. I had a riding rut and couldn't put alot of miles on the last 3 yrs. But, it's like being the little brother going to play kickball with the big kids and being told "go home kid , you don't play enough". When I'm told "you shouldn't or can't" I get a stubborn way about me (for good or bad). I see it as a bar being set, you shouldn't go Darkside unless your willing to put 1000 miles a month on the clock.
  I can only respond "oh yeah?", and go putting at least 1k a month on to show I can play. NOTE, I will certainly bow and apologize to Willow and the rest if everyone was right. But I love a challenge/reason to take the bike out.

Tony

[X Ring]

Maybe not a grand a month but you should be at least a regular rider.

Marty