Double Dark Side--New Report

[Fazer]

Flat rear tire on the way home from work last Thursday night.  Not a nail but some type of slice, thru the tread.  Could not get plug to hold.  I had purchased an Austone Taxi Tire and Dunlop 404 rear tire for the front and had wanted to wait until winter to install, but since I had lots of riding plans for the weekend, removed both wheels and had the local Cylce Specialties shop mount the new tires.  Went ahead and serviced the rear end while I had wheel off, even though only about 8,000 since last service.

To the report...

Shop had inflated both to 40 psi, so I left them there.  Rode to Columbus and back on Sat afternoon on both back roads (going up) and highway (back home).  Handling was a bit "funny."  More noticeable on the highway.  Sort of like it feels going over a steel grate bridge.  Not terrible, but something I wanted to try and alleviate.  Harshness I felt in the front end with previous tires was greatly improved.  Decrease in RPM made 75 on the speedometer feel much better.  All in all, very pleased.

Sunday, I signed up to ride with a local Meet Up group to ride from Taylor Mill in northern Kentucky to Cynthiana, KY for lunch, back across the Ohio on a ferry in Augusta, KY and eventually back home.  Before leaving that Sunday morning, I let 2 lbs out to 38 psi on the rear only, and ride was much better.  The "squirllyness" was gone, and I put 160 miles on a tank of gas without hitting reserve riding on mostly country roads at 55-60 and some highway.  Filled up and could only get 3.7 gallons in.  That is 43.2 mpg!!!!  Had been averaging about 35 mpg.  Will keep track and see how it goes around town, where I do most of my riding.

Will let a little more out of the rear, down to 36 psi, which seems to be the sweet spot according to my searches on the forum.  If anyone has experience with this combo I would appreciate feedback.

Very happy with new ATT and rear Dulop 404 (installed backwards). 

[MarkT]

When I first installed the ATT I filled it to the usual 34# I've been running darkside tires at.  I got some swerving, bump steer. This was before Inzane last year.  Front is a BT45 bias in 130/90-17, typically at 38#.  Local reports are the ATT likes higher pressures.  I bumped it to 43# and it was like a new tire, tracks well now.  Contrary to your report.  Go figure, and I hate such inconsistencies. Maybe it's the front tire.  Now running at 40#.  Then there's which shocks, at which preload, and the weight of the rider.  I just changed the rears from a 444-4020 damper w/ 140/200 springs at full preload, to 444-4057 dampers with 140/200 springs at 3/4 preload. Too many variables.