I'll do just about anything for a cookie!

[Rocketman]

But did I go too far this time???


First impressions:
I do like how it will stand up on its own without the sidestand (see picture)
The first five or ten miles REALLY SUCKED.  Felt like there was a ledge I was falling off of when I leaned into a turn.  Hard to make fine adjustments right around that edge, since just a little more lean would cause a dramatic shift, right at that edge.
After another ten miles or so, that seemed to go away.  Not sure whether it was a "get used to it" thing, or a "break in the tire thing".  Either way, it's gone.
I spent some time doing tight circles in a school parking lot (no, I had nothing to do with those circular scrapes on your pavement, sir!).    After that, I was a lot more comfortable. 
The ride in to work this morning was mostly uneventful.  Sweeping turns are a new challenge.  They require much more effort than with a MC tire.  Not sure I like that.

Bottom line:
Not sold on it yet, still testing.  I'll take it to the hill country like this, and give it a workout.  If it really sucks, I'll take it off before I go to Alabama again.

[Houdini]

Sweeping turns are a new challenge.  They require much more effort than with a MC tire.

Learn to pull and not push on the bars; it'll be second nature after a few miles.  My initial fellings about the darkside was it was almost like learning to ride a different bike, not learning all over. 

I'll never go back to a M/C tire.

[Daniel Meyer]

Haven't you heard?

Those things cause spontaneous human combustion (flaming death), male pattern baldness, your oil to constantly switch brands (and you HAVE to debate each brand), all the nitrogen to leak out of the air in your tires (resulting in a low nitrogen condition that requires you to buy PURE nitrogen to get it back up to *air* standards), and, if you're not really careful, your driveshaft will poke your eye out...right after your bearings turn into chocolate donuts.

Or so I've heard.

[Houdini]

mmmmmmmmmm ... chocolate bearing-nuts!

Don't DS tires cause squirrels to attack also?

[GreenLantern57]

What tire and size did you install?

[Rocketman]

mmmmmmmmmm ... chocolate bearing-nuts!

Don't DS tires cause squirrels to attack also?

Cookies AND chocolate bearing nuts?  Why didn't I do this sooner???

Unless chocolate bearing nuts is a medical condition, in which case it sounds like something I really want to avoid!.

[Rocketman]

What tire and size did you install?

Triple Tread, 205/60/16.

[RainMaker]

The Goodyear Assurance Triple Tread 205/60/16 seems to be a popular choice - I have 27K on mine so far.

It does take a little getting used to, but once you're comfortable, you don't even think about it being a car tire.  You'll have no problems on the Three Sisters with it.

Ride safely and stay thirsty, my friend.

RainMaker

[SANDMAN5]

What psi you running? Ride it as is for a little while and
then go up or down a couple!

[Rocketman]

I bought the tire from Discount Tire.  They have mounted CTs in the past for other folks, but they told me that it's now national corporate policy not to.  He reported that a car tire blew up the bead as one of their employees was inflating it, and injured the employee.
I'm not wanting to start another debate, just repeating what I was told.

Anyway, for the Houston-area folks:
I went to Carr's Tires (yes, ironic, isn't it?) in Baytown to buy some dynabeads.  On a whim, I asked if he would mount a CT to a motorcycle rim.  He knew about the concept already, had mounted some before, and even had some tire recommendations for me.  I hadn't removed the wheel from the bike yet, and he closes at noon on Saturday, and I didn't want to wait till Monday, or I would have had him do the whole shebang.
Anyway, if you're near Baytown, and looking for darkside mounting (that sounds bad.  Sorry.), I recommend you give Carr's a try.

I ended up finding a local independent shop.  I showed him the rim, and told him what I wanted to do.  I asked him if he would mount it for me.  He said "no problem".
I then went and bought the tire, and returned.  His first words were "That's not a motorcycle tire!"
Someone wasn't paying attention the first time, apparently.  (:
A little more discussion, and 20 bucks cash, and I had it mounted.

Mark

[Rocketman]

What psi you running? Ride it as is for a little while and
then go up or down a couple!

40.  Yes, that was the plan, to vary things up a bit.  Still getting used to it in concept.  I'll change PSI soon.

[Old Geezer Richard]

    Hey Mark , you'll have to play with the air pressure ... when I'm by myself I'll run 34 lbs and 36 riding two up ..... in the winter by myself , I'll air up the tire to 36 when its cool/cold and 38 riding two up .... try airing it down to about 36 and try it and bump it up two lbs at a time .... you'll need to at least put 500 miles to break it in ....I'll never go back yo a M/C tire again   Thanks the Geezer  

[Rocketman]

I told the guy at the tire shop to put it at 40, but it turns out he set it to 38.  So, that's what I'm running now.  I'll play around with it for a while.

[bigdog99]

cookies or no cookies. its phenominal on the highway, contageous in the curves, and the goofy tire lasts forever.
even if i never get a cookie or a DS number, hint hint, i will always want a CT on the back of mine. i've thought of asking someone to trade for an afternoon ride, just to remember what I DONT MISS.
i am sold. and thats all i have to say about dat. even if "life is not about a box of chocolate" cookies. 

[NCGhostrider]

I recently went back to a Goodyear TT.  The first I mounted back in 05, loved it.  When that bike was dispersed by the ex-wife, I waited a bit (read: wore out the tread on the current bike, was in a hurry and mounted another AVON).  At the time, I was having vibration problems, and the stealer wanted to try an new tire.   Turns out it was the u-joint... another story.

Anyway, I haven't quite got this one scrubbed in, but the few miles I have put on it have already made a difference in how it handles from when I pulled out of the drive until I got home.   I personally love it (just as I did last time), the bike handles much better in some cases, but takes a different effort to corner, I did say different..not worse.

I have already gotten quite a few comments, and that flaming death thing so far that some of us kid about, and others insist will happen...well.. I figure a good car tire that doesn't delaminate, rumble or otherwise wear out prematurely is better than a flaming death on crappy technology motorcycle tires.  My opinion only..don't flame me too hard!!   

It may also be a rider size thing, I am a pretty big ole' boy, maybe load makes a difference to those of us that likes the CT.   Anyone? Anyone?


Get up dead horse.. get up..

BTW, my Goodyear neaded no weights to balance.   The Avon I took off had more than I want to mention.   

[Houdini]

It may also be a rider size thing, I am a pretty big ole' boy, maybe load makes a difference to those of us that likes the CT.   Anyone? Anyone?

I'm a massive 200#'s and I love my CT 

[Jess from VA]

I do like how it will stand up on its own without the sidestand (see picture)
The first five or ten miles REALLY SUCKED.  Felt like there was a ledge I was falling off of when I leaned into a turn.  Hard to make fine adjustments right around that edge, since just a little more lean would cause a dramatic shift, right at that edge.
After another ten miles or so, that seemed to go away.  Not sure whether it was a "get used to it" thing, or a "break in the tire thing".  Either way, it's gone.

Rocketman, that almost perfectly describes my first experience with the same GTT tire.  Give it some time.  I too seriously pondered the question of whether I was getting better at riding it OR whether the tire was acclimating to the bike.  I do believe it is some of both, though I think it takes a minimum of 5-700 miles for the sidewalls to loosen up a little (so the necessary amount of pressure applied in counter steering the bike thru corners and sweepers decreases).

Give it some time and practice;  practice and use counter steering; and keep it at 40 psi.  

I'll never go back to a bike tire (on a Valk) either.

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

Small tire shop in downtown Highlands, Texas. I think it is named Lumas  or something like that. Wheel off bike 7.50 for mount no questions ask. He has don't several for us.

[bigguy]

I just slung a piece of rubber off my rear tire and am thinking seriously about the dark side. I see you went back with a 205/60/16 GoodYear triple tread.
I've got a Dunlop E3 (180/70/R16) on it now.
The tire you selected is only 3mm taller, but a good 35mm (or almost 1 1/3 inch) wider.
Did you have to mod you bike in any way to make it fit?

[Houdini]

Bigguy, no mods were necessary when I installed mine but I went ahead and did the nutcage mod just in case the tire rubbed when two-up.

[Houdini]

even if i never get a cookie or a DS number, hint hint

bd99, you have to request a DS #, they are not automatically given out.  I'll try and find the email address when I get home tonight or maybe someone who has it handy will post it.

[BnB Tom]

I told the guy at the tire shop to put it at 40, but it turns out he set it to 38.  So, that's what I'm running now.  I'll play around with it for a while.

 That 38 cold will probably give you the 40 (warm) you're looking for after a couple of miles.

AND whether you're 2 up and how you've got yer shocks set will make a bit of a difference in the handling.

  . . at least in my case.

Welcome to the dreaded Dark Side 

[Rocketman]

I have decided there is something wrong with my tire gauge, since this morning I checked tires, and got a different reading every time I checked it.  Sometimes high, sometimes low, but never the same.

So, task #1 at lunchtime today is to get a good gauge.  Task #2 is to set the tires to where I actually want them.

[Daniel Meyer]

I have decided there is something wrong with my tire gauge, since this morning I checked tires, and got a different reading every time I checked it.  Sometimes high, sometimes low, but never the same.

So, task #1 at lunchtime today is to get a good gauge.  Task #2 is to set the tires to where I actually want them.

LOL! YES! I always tell folks...you've GOT to have three. Check 'em frequently and replace the one that disagrees with the others.

My bud James ran his wing with air pressure 15 pounds low for YEARS because he had the fancy honda dial gauge and it was reading 15 pounds high.

I rode it once and said, "Dude! Put some damn air in the tires!"

We had it all sorted out shortly afterwards.

[Jess from VA]

These have been my favorite for a few years.  Accuracy to a half pound gives confidence. 

I have long ago thrown all my pencil air gauges in the trash.

Accutire:   http://accutiregauge.com/

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005AXI4?ie=UTF8&tag=accutiregauge-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00005AXI4

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000B6JJUK?ie=UTF8&tag=accutiregauge-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000B6JJUK