Good Dark Side article

[98valk]

http://www.roadandtrack.com/voices/why-so-called-darksiders-prefer-auto-tires-on-their-motorcycles?src=soc_fcbks

Naturally, not everyone is thrilled about this Darkside business and compelling arguments against it have been made. But some of these arguments fail to take into account the development gap between car and bike tires. Sure, the cornering loads are way different on a bike tire than a car tire — but what if a car tire is just so much better that it has enough reserve performance in that situation anyway? Remember when Grassroots Motorsports ran a Honda Odyssey against an E-Type around an autocross and the van won? That is the power of continuous development.

The war between the Dark Side and the, um, Light Side is getting more heated. Some group rides are excluding Darksiders. Police are ticketing them. Harsh words are being exchanged and the size of various genitalia is being questioned on all sides. This will get worse before it gets better. At some point, one of the tire OEMs is going to “certify” a car tire for bike use, raise the price twenty percent, and clean up. Depend on it.

[John Schmidt]

Interesting indeed. When they talk about side loading capacity on a car tire not as good as a bike tire, I disagree. Have you ever watched a slo-mo of a race car taking a turn? All four tires, and especially the front ones, are distorted sideways. With the weight of a car doing it that's a lot more side loading than a bike will ever place on it. If I run into someone that's a major naysayer I've found it's useless to try and talk to them....whether you're for or against car tires. They have their mind made up and aren't interested in facts disturbing their theory. I usually just move on with a smile. 

[old2soon]

I'm over 62400 miles on the D/S. My retort to those who accuse me of running a car tire I borrowed from Carl-Willow. As can clearly be seen it is on a M/C hence it is a M/C tire. And those that have ZERO experience on the D/S most generally are the loudest about not using them.  I M H O-some one that has a D/S choice mounted and then runs it less than 2500-3000 miles HAS NOT given it a fair shake. I don't argue about it any more but I ask them to lead out and then they can look at my tail lights in the curves.  RIDE SAFE.

[gordonv]

If I run into someone that's a major naysayer I've found it's useless to try and talk to them....whether you're for or against car tires. They have their mind made up and aren't interested in facts disturbing their theory. I usually just move on with a smile. 

It is no different than talking politics, abortion, firearms or capital punishment.

There are those who will have an intelligent discussion about it, but still stay to their ideas.

Then there those who are totally ignorant of it (feelings), and are completely closed minded.

Then the ones who will listen and think about it, and come to their own conclusion.

I'm sure others could say this better than me, but that is fairly simplified I hope?

[98valk]

read the readers comments esp. the one who's initials are B.S. fits the popus a$$hat perfectly who road a D/S bike 500 ft and now says its a death trap.  

[Yfx4]

So what if I use a CT on my bike? If B.S. thinks it is not safe......don't ride with me. Otherwise STFU and stay out of my life.

[HayHauler]

So what if I use a CT on my bike? If B.S. thinks it is not safe......don't ride with me. Otherwise STFU and stay out of my life.

AND, out of my way!
hehe

Hay 
Jimmyt

[97Valk_CT_Euless]

Wow...  I'm not a darksider but I don't understand the vitriol coming from the "Anti-Darkside" community.  Why those against it have to be so vile in their obvious contempt for anyone that dares to stray outside the lines is beyond me.  It's as if someone intends to force THEM to use a car tire...

Youd think they were declaring their favorite motor oil was better than the other guys...

Just an observation.

[Skinhead]

Wow...  I'm not a darksider but I don't understand the vitriol coming from the "Anti-Darkside" community.  Why those against it have to be so vile in their obvious contempt for anyone that dares to stray outside the lines is beyond me.  It's as if someone intends to force THEM to use a car tire...

Youd think they were declaring their favorite motor oil was better than the other guys...

Just an observation.

They are obviously liberal democrats.

[Oss]

I liked riding the DS tire on Hay's wing better than the 55 series DS tire on my I/S

So I ride a 200-60 Excedra Motocickletire on my I/S now and very happy

One day I will put a 200-60 CT on my spare wheel just because I can

[97Valk_CT_Euless]

They are obviously liberal democrats.

I thought the argument style sounded familiar! 

[DarkSideR]

Wow...  I'm not a darksider but I don't understand the vitriol coming from the "Anti-Darkside" community.  Why those against it have to be so vile in their obvious contempt for anyone that dares to stray outside the lines is beyond me.  It's as if someone intends to force THEM to use a car tire...

As children they were beaten if they colored outside of the lines...

[old2soon]

As an old drag racer roundy round racer and occasional street racer ya just gots ta keep tryin different things.   All 3 of my D/S choices at one time or another I have overpowered with that fine internal combustion engine our Valkyries are supplied with. When the M/C specific tire was still on my machine IT got overpowered a LOT.   After my P G R mission today I wuz guilty of fracturing some of the Missouri speed limits!   NONE of my tire choices have EVER given me cause for concern in the triple digit range!   Myself-I like having the extra meat and the longevity of a D/S on the rear of my M/C. I too do not understand the vehemence some have with MY-emphasize-MY-tire choice. Some believe I will die the fiery death of my ignorance. IF it is attributed to my D/S choice they can tell my smoking corpse-told ya so!   Now-about my oil choice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   RIDE SAFE.

[Valkorado]

Today's world is full of dangers, and CT's aren't one of them.  If these concern you, it might be time to re-focus.

Now that's a great counter to the flaming death crowd.   

[uturn]

fer the heck of it, i tried a mud and snow tire because it felt soft and squishy on the sides. i get a lot less crack following from the crown, and it feels perfect on a slippery wet turning road. im thinking about getting a spare back wheel to go back and forth between a high performance racing ct and my mud and snow for the rainy season.

either one sure beats the dunlop that was on it!

[Ricky-D]

Yep, I found the same thing,,,and to me is the best

aspect of a car tire on my Valkyrie.

Namely: The reduced influence of ruts and rr tracks

on the stability of the bike.

This was the first thing I noticed.

***

[98valk]

fer the heck of it, i tried a mud and snow tire because it felt soft and squishy on the sides. i get a lot less crack following from the crown, and it feels perfect on a slippery wet turning road. im thinking about getting a spare back wheel to go back and forth between a high performance racing ct and my mud and snow for the rainy season.

either one sure beats the dunlop that was on it!

some Goldwing riders use a run-flat in that style and swear by it and had use an all season before that for comparision.

[HayHauler]

Oss, you can ride my Wing anytime you are in the area.

It has a 195/55/16 Kuhmo RunFlat on it.  Hard to spin on dry pavement and awesome in the downpours.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Kumho&tireModel=Ecsta+SPT+XRP&partnum=955VR6KU31XRP&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

Oss and I like it, that's all that matters.

Hay 
Jimmyt

[BonS]

I don't want to start another oil thread but, for me, personally (and my wife) I don't like run flats at all. If you like them fine, to each his own. My short list of issues with them is: they're heavy and that's a lot of unsprung weight that our shocks struggle with dampening, they don't have any sidewall give so they're harsh riding, they don't go flat when deflated so you might be riding on a flat without knowing it (unless you have a TPMS system), they can't be patched (according to the manufacturers), they're 1.5X more expensive in general, they're hard to find when looking for a quick replacement, their tread life considerably shorter than a conventional tire, and finally, they're a b*tch to get on and off a rim without tearing up the tire run-flat insert or bead. Otherwise I run CT's on both my Valks and will never go back.

[Willow]

I don't want to start another oil thread but, for me, personally (and my wife) I don't like run flats at all. If you like them fine, to each his own. My short list of issues with them is: they're heavy and that's a lot of unsprung weight that our shocks struggle with dampening, they don't have any sidewall give so they're harsh riding, they don't go flat when deflated so you might be riding on a flat without knowing it (unless you have a TPMS system), they can't be patched (according to the manufacturers), they're 1.5X more expensive in general, they're hard to find when looking for a quick replacement, their tread life considerably shorter than a conventional tire, and finally, they're a b*tch to get on and off a rim without tearing up the tire run-flat insert or bead. Otherwise I run CT's on both my Valks and will never go back.

Yes, Bon, but other than those few things do you find the run flats acceptable?

[HayHauler]

I don't want to start another oil thread but, for me, personally (and my wife) I don't like run flats at all. If you like them fine, to each his own. My short list of issues with them is: they're heavy and that's a lot of unsprung weight that our shocks struggle with dampening, they don't have any sidewall give so they're harsh riding, they don't go flat when deflated so you might be riding on a flat without knowing it (unless you have a TPMS system), they can't be patched (according to the manufacturers), they're 1.5X more expensive in general, they're hard to find when looking for a quick replacement, their tread life considerably shorter than a conventional tire, and finally, they're a b*tch to get on and off a rim without tearing up the tire run-flat insert or bead. Otherwise I run CT's on both my Valks and will never go back.

Yes, Bon, but other than those few things do you find the run flats acceptable?

My Wing has the full Traxxion suspension, so it rides a little harsh in the first place and I think can handle the extra weight.  I have the Doran TPMS installed and works great.  I don't put my own tires on, I have a dude named Jose do it.  He has 2 of those fancy "mag wheel" machines, but did complain about it being hard to mount.
My buddy Charlie (LandElephant) was saved by his run flat tire one night after riding to dinner with the Houston VRCC folks.  The ride got "squishy" and he pulled over.  He limped it to the next gas station, called me and I brought out my spare wheel with a good tire on it.  I don't know that a standard tire would not have performed the same, but it worked for Charlie.

These are just my experiences with run flat tires and not meant to start a flame war.

I have a Falken non-run flat on my Valk and 2 more in the garage waiting on next Spring.  I DO however notice that the Wing seems to take small pot holes and road seams rougher than the Valk.

Hay 
Jimmyt