Dark side first test drive.

[CASABROKER]

Put a Dunlop sp5000 195/60/16 used that tire because of I needed clearance for my custom hitch.  Wow,  I can hardly tell the difference. Seems to turn about the same leaned her over quite a ways.  Mostly noted the difference at very low speed.  We'll break the tire in and go from there running 40 psi at first.  I think I am going to like it.  Good learning curve doing the spline and drive shaft maintenance as well.

[tank_post142]

remember to do your rear end maint. every 10,000 miles even though you are not changing the tire!

[Farther]

Looks like an interesting tread design.  Got any pictures of the tire on your bike?  http://dunloptires.com/dunlop/display_tire.jsp?prodline=SP+Sport+5000&mrktarea=Performance&evar1=goo|sp_-_ps|sp_sport_5000_phrase|dunlop_sp5000|phrase

[CASABROKER]

@ farther the one you link is the asymetrical design of of the sp5000 mine is symetrical.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Dunlop&tireModel=SP+Sport+5000+Symmetrical

[dr.danh]

If not came up to ruts in the road at a traffic light. Be cautious. Only drawback I've found.

[F6CTrider]

I think I may have found my NEXT tire!

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Goodyear&tireModel=Ultra+Grip+Ice+WRT&partnum=06TR6UGIWRT&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

I only have 23K on my GATT so it may be another three years or so, but the Ultra Grip Ice WRT looks kinda cool!

[valknomad]

Congrats.. I think the pro's out-weigh the con's. 

[cajundood]

first test drive here as well. been researching for months wieghing the pros and cons. reading posts. i just replaced the front about a week ago and decided against going to the darkside.
well....this past weekend i was on a ride and someone in the group pointed out that i had cords showing on my rear tire. so i milked it coming back home, pondering whatever will i do for tomorrows ride. (we ride every weekend) so that evening i went to the local used tire shop. they couldnt locate a 205/65r16 but instead found a bridgestone turanza 205/55 r16. guy wanted $20 for the tire and could mount it on my spare rim for an additional $5 WOW!! so i figured what the hell. i was in a bind for a tire so why not give it a road test.
so here i am at midnight sat. night with bike on lift learning how to remove the old wheel. watched dags video couple hundred times...then called Fudd (thanks buddy)
got the wheel changed after 6 hours of work. woke up next morning early and took bike out for test ride in order to learn to ride a bike again. wow.. ....bike rode great. i went looking for bad roads and ridges to see how much it would fish-tail on me. (not so much as i expected) rode around in a parking lot doing slow turns and even though the tire tends to want to go straight it'll turn with a lil more effort. met everyone for the days ride and put 125 miles on it that day. heres pic right after i mounted it. (didnt even have the saddlebags back on yet)

sooooo......the fact that i was in a bind made my decision for me.
so i'm now gone to the darkside and love it!!!
the tire has pretty good tread but now i will purchase that triple tread from one of the members here and mount it on the spare rim. cuz now i'm hooked.....

[CASABROKER]

You're lucky that mc tire didn't blow on you.  So far the darkside seems to be working for me.