Darkside review

[RLD]

Mounted a 195/60/R16 Bridgestone Turanza EL400 tire last weekend. I have previously used 205/65-16 tires for about 40000 miles but switched back to Avons when we moved to a metro area as the wider tire pitched the bike sideways on the rough roads we have here. Decided to try the above mentioned tire and so far, with about 300 miles, on twisties and in rain, it works very well. The tire has a rounder profile than the previous tires and a wear rating of 300. I've noticed no pitching at all. So far, I'd give it a big thumbs up.

[RLD]

Another note: I weighed the old , used Avon Cobra; 27 lbs; This new car tire; 30 lbs. So very little weight penalty with this tire.

[SANDMAN5]

Which 205-65 had you used?

[RLD]

I wish I could remember, but it was over 4 years ago.

[bigdog99]

did you save diameter, or do you lose speed with a smaller diameter?
my 205 55 really shows up on the tach, dropped to about 30 mpg at 80 mph.

[Disco]

A 195/60-16 is 9mm shorter in the sidewall height than a 180/70-16, so rpms will increase at the same speed. 

A 195/60-16 is taller in sidewall height than a 205/55-16, so rpms would decrease at the same speed.

[RLD]

I originally used the 205/65-16 to decrease RPM's by 2.2%. The 195/60-16 is slightly smaller than stock, so the rpm's are up 2.7%.

BTW: a 205/55-16 is down 4%.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/tirecalc.php

[RLD]

Here's a picture of my new tire, nice and round (for a DS tire)

Code:

http://vrcc.photostash.com/vrcc_2505/IMG00071.jpg

Here's a picture of my previous tire with 26000 miles, note the round vs square appearance.

Code:

http://vrcc.photostash.com/vrcc_2505/RearTireWith26000Miles.JPG

[RLD]

Try again

Here's a picture of my new tire, nice and round (for a DS tire)


Here's a picture of my previous tire with 26000 miles, note the round vs square appearance.

[RLD]

Just got back from a ride in Minnesota's bluff country. Lots of corners, hills, even a few gravel roads and this tire is fantastic. Even on rough gravel, the pitching is very minimal. After a few miles, you don't even think about it. Would highly recommend. 

BTW, this is where the MN VRCC ride will be help in August. Don't miss it.

[T.P.]

HEY RANDY! up at 12am wow,    I don't do the dark side but for those who do, wouldn't it be a good idea to put all of the dark side tire pics and information on a sticky ?   T.P.

[Red Diamond]

I have an extra set of wheels and am thinking about mounting a CT to try it for a while on the Tourer. I am traditional with my mechanics and like stay that way, but a lot of riders are going to the
CT, curiosity is starting to get the best of me.

[RLD]

up at 12am wow

I call it "Sunday night insomnia". Not sure if it's too much sleep on the weekend, or too much thinking about what I need to do during the upcoming week, but it happens a lot.

put all of the dark side tire pics and information on a sticky

Sounds like a great idea to me, but obviously someone elses decision.

Update: I rode in this morning in a downpour, and this tire hooks, in the rain, like no bike tire I've ever owned. The front wheel will start to lift before breaking traction. I've probably ridden 50k on car tires now, but this one beats the previous two in every way, except for the look of the wide tire. I will find what brand the previous tire was in the photo, just haven't yet. It's buried somewhere at home.

Planning to ride tonight, if you're interested. Probably from about 3:30 till 8:30 or so. The only thing that will change those plans is if it's just to humid, I'll ride in almost any weather, hot and humid just drains me. I am a northern boy after all.

[SPOFF]

Here's a picture of my new tire, nice and round (for a DS tire)

If you were to hang a camera underneath, you'd discover that at over 20 mph, centrifugal force makes the tire noticably rounder. In fact, my BF Goodrich basically looks like a motorcycle tire at speed. Though I haven't proved it with a camera, I suspect Z-rated tires that a lot of darksiders prefer will keep a squarer profile at speed. I had a Z-rated Yokohama on back and it felt like a car tire. I switched to a $70 station wagon tire and it feels like a motorcycle tire. But this is my wild-ass theory--your mileage may vary.