Darkside, anyone had a problem?

[Conrad]

My nephew works at Costco and they are starting to carry motorcycle tires.  They had him watch of video of car tires failing on motorcycles, mainly in the turns, and they are ordered to NOT mount a car tire on a motorcycle rim even if the customer asks.  Has anyone on this board have one fail?  Or know someone that had one fail?

[Oss]

lets see that video

I dont believe it and I dont run a CT currently

Had a Toyo Proxes T1R and gave it to Bigd earlier this year after running it for a year

No question better braking and wet traction and I cant say for sure but my 0-70 speed was much better as well.  It just wasnt for me at the time

Cobras front and rear now and a Battleaxe patiently waiting its turn for the rear maybe next spring

[R J]

They are trying to cover their a$$ IF one should fail.

Daniel Meyer, Smokin Joe and I probably have the most miles on our bikes with a CT.

I have had 2 nails and one very sharp rock cut out the center of one.  I do not call that a tire failure, I call that a road hazard.

I don't know how many CT's I've had on MGM, but if required I could probably find the information in my gas log book.

Have him sell ya the Costco tire at cost and then go have it mounted somewhere else.

[Jess from VA]

Conrad, here's the deal.  Someone, almost certainly a novice or rookie, riding a rear car tire, may exceed his practical skill level on a car tire, and fail to control the bike leading to a get-off, but I believe there is no known example of fiery death or get-off solely due to a car tire alone (in other words there is no tire failure, only pilot error).  And I haven't ever seen proof (or even heard a story) of a single serious pilot error with car tire either. 

Everyone on this forum who has tried a car tire and not liked it and gone back to a bike tire has cited discomfort, unsteadiness, or failure of confidence, but no actual accident or get-off has been cited to my knowledge.

I seriously doubt there are any videos of car tire failures..... period.

There may well be a video with propaganda against running a car tire on a motorcycle.

No one is likely going to change Costco management's mind on the issue, but send your nephew these videos.

VALKYRIE DARKSIDE VIDEO

SPORT Riding on the Darkside - Triumph Rocket III

Darkside figure 8's in a parking lot

Falken 912 195/55/16 Car Tire on a Goldwing

GL1800 Goldwing with a Kumho Ecsta Runflat C/T

Going over to the "Dark Side" on my Vulcan 2000

No fiery death here.

[big turkey]

Non Motorcycle specific tires are mounted everyday at the BOSS HOSS Factory.

My friend SmokinJoe runs one ,,,,,on three different Valkyries.

He has never had a Car Tire Related Failure, not even a flat.

I don't like the way they ride but he does and saves about 150$ over a regular motorcycle tire.

So the Fiery Death Scenerio does not wash at all.

Big AL

[big turkey]

Here is a Darkside Wing getting down on the World Famous US 129 Dragon.

He looks like he is experiencing Pilot Fun.

[fstsix]

The only hazard i would be concerned with is someone at Costco working on my Motorcycle 

[B]

Thx guys... Taking a visit to that controversial side of life. As of this evening the nutcages are gone & the CT is on...a little maintenance to so & I hope to try it tomorrow.

Just curious of guys notice any less traction on wet pavement in the curves. ?   

[Super Santa]

Personally, I feel the bike is more secure on wet pavement and also in curves.  I think it is better all around.

Just replaced my Goodyear TT a week ago.  I got 35,988 miles out of it.  36,000 miles in right at 2 years.

[B]

Early Bird - what pressure are you running in the CT. I hear Darksiders dunning anthing from 28-42; I'm a little perplexed on where to start. I'm leaning high pressure because I load the Big Girl up, often.

[Super Santa]

I have an Interstate and have been told I load it up pretty good.  I ran 42 front and rear last time around.  I am trying 40 this time.  Avon Cobra on the front.  22,114 on old Cobra.

[B]

Thx

[Tropic traveler]

The only hazard i would be concerned with is someone at Costco working on my Motorcycle  

 Now that's funny..... because it's soooo right!!

Seriously though, I have a CT on the back of my '99 {bought it that way} & I don't like it. Handles like crap at low speeds & hunts for the ditches on our highly crowned roads we have here in Florida. Is it a big deal??   NO.  But it takes away from the pleasure of riding, IN MY OPINION. I tried it & overall I don't like it, it is going away soon.
That being said I must say with my experiences with flats on MC tires I actually THINK & FEEL that a CT would be MORE safe & LESS prone to failure on a bike. Reasons... It's understressed on a MC & car tires routinely last well over 60K on cars. I have already noticed the better braking & really good wet weather traction of the CT but like I said that's not enough to convince ME to keep it.
As to the policies of people who mount tires, I don't blame them for being over cautious. Look at some of the idiotic lawsuits that are filed these days & HAVE WON!!!!

CT going BYE-BYE.... Yes TJ, it is yours!!!

[BF]

Not trying to start anything here, but in the "Darkside figure 8's in a parking lot" video, that tire looks like it's got a wobble to it.  Maybe it's just the camera.....don't know.  

However, if I was gonna go Darkside, that Kumbo tire in the other video looks like a winner.  

[Jabba]

I run 32 on the Falken on my STD.  I run 40 on the Altimax of the IS.  I think it's TIRE and Bike dependant.  The softer... the flexier.

Jabba

[B]

BF - I hear ya. I thought I would make an informed decision. Getting tired of not getting a year out of a bike tire even with our short MI riding season.

[franco6]

Been running the hydro 65 for 5ks now , the valk is taking it well. it is more sure footed especialy on water. the only problem I ve experienced is bobbiying at high speed over a 100 it is unstable if the pressure is low. just had a very unpleasant experience a couple of days ago got on the hyway , picked up speed perhaps too much but then sometimes I feel the need! the valk started shaking violently in the rear side to side and banking each time. tought I was a gonner! let off the gas to slow it down and cruise on. turns out the psi was at 30. the slow leek is getting worse (beed seal. cought a glimpse of the oxidation burrs when the dude was mounting the tire. he didn t give a darn ). that michelin all season is very hard. next time i ll get a softer one. this is a 90 k tire, might have to wait a while .
next week its coming off so the rim can get a rub down.
and check the bearings

[Rowdy]

I agree with the Tropic Travller coments to a certain degree    I have a CT on the back of my '99 IS. Handles less than desirable at low speeds & hunts for the ditches on crowned or poorly paved roads. Have to ride with caution, it takes away from the pleasure of riding under certain road conditions.  Not sure I will go back to a car tire either 

However, on he positive side I also have noticed the better braking & improved traction on wet pavement. And it handles suprisingly well on cornors, that's where I expected to notice the difference 

Since I ride in group formation occasionally, the CT tracking at slow speed can become an issue 

Just one riders observation        

[Tundra]

 I can say I tried it, It's just not for me.
I'm going back, nothing I like about it, except the looks when it's parked. One problem, It's been on over a year and I just can't wear it out. I try, but have no visible signs of wear.
 I'm not knockin it, it's just not for me. I believe it takes away from all the wonderfull attributes of the best handling power cruiser out there.

[Novavalker]

I ride an Interstate and I'm on my second CT (an Altimax). The best set up for me was running a Avon Cobra on the front. For now I'm stuck with a Bridgestone on the front because of out of round problems with the Avon Cobra. I bought a Cobra and noticed the front of the bike bouncing at lower speeds and vibration at higher speeds. Bought another Cobra and it too was out of round!!! so....the dealer luckily had a Bridgestone.
I noticed the bike doesn't handle as well with the bridgestone up front. I'll be putting a Cobra on when this one wears out.

As for rough roads ...well we have plenty here in Nova Scotia and my experiance is possitive with the CT. A MC tire with 44 psi is not as comfortable as a CT with 32 Psi on bumpy roads.

A CT isn't for everyone but it sure works well for me. I have 45,000 km logged on them in the last 2 years.

[Jack]

9 years on a car tire and never a problem.  Also, have never spoke to anyone with a problem other than not being able to get use to the change in handling.  I think it is more of a mental thing than a problem with the tires.

[HayHauler]

Not trying to start anything here, but in the "Darkside figure 8's in a parking lot" video, that tire looks like it's got a wobble to it.  Maybe it's just the camera.....don't know.  

However, if I was gonna go Darkside, that Kumbo tire in the other video looks like a winner.  

I agree, the tire looks like it is wobbling..  look at the top right side of the tire while moving.  There is a small piece of chrome that you can see that is "blinking" with the movement of the tire/rim.  Also, look at the pipes down the sides of the video, they are rock stable.  Rules out a camera problem.
If I were him, I would take that thing apart and re-torque everything.

Hay 
Jimmyt

[Disco]

Just curious of guys notice any less traction on wet pavement in the curves.

I can't answer that specifically, but HayHauler, 5_19, and I (Goodyear Triple Tread 205/60-16, Toyo Proxes 205/65-16 , and Continental Vanco 195/65-16, respectively) followed 2Valks (stock size MC rear - don't know which) for over 100 miles on the Blue Ridge Parkway on our way to InZane X in July in the rain and fog, and all three of us left wider tracks in turns than he did. 

[HayHauler]

And man do I wish it had been sunny for that ride@@@!!!  Oh, well, I would do it again next week if I had the vacation time.

Hay 
Jimmyt

[valkmc]

I agree with the Tropic Travller coments to a certain degree    I have a CT on the back of my '99 IS. Handles less than desirable at low speeds & hunts for the ditches on crowned or poorly paved roads. Have to ride with caution, it takes away from the pleasure of riding under certain road conditions.  Not sure I will go back to a car tire either 

However, on he positive side I also have noticed the better braking & improved traction on wet pavement. And it handles suprisingly well on cornors, that's where I expected to notice the difference 

Since I ride in group formation occasionally, the CT tracking at slow speed can become an issue 

Just one riders observation        

I wonder if the type of ct has a lot to do with the handling. I have a Goodyear TT with over 25k and do agree the handling is much different than a bike tire at low speeds and I do not mean better, but mine does not look for the ditch on the crowned roads here in Florida. I am not on Highways much but do a lot of riding around Ocala and she stays fairly straight. I no longer notice it unless I am going 5 mph in the parking lot. I know we all are different and I would never tell anyone to use a ct but my std will never see another bike tire. Part of that is I am really happy with the handling, braking and the life of the tire, the other part is I am sick of motorcycle tires that are no better as far as mileage goes than they were when I started riding in the 70's. Just think how much better car tires are today than they were in the 70's.   It sure seems like the tire companies could make a better longer lasting tire for the money. 

[fudgie]

No issues with mine. Unlike some of the others, my low speed handling has improved emencly. I believe it is the tires that D'siders try that make them not like it. Most on here seem to go with a popular tire. I say try another if you dont like it. Its the same as mc tires. You dont like this tire, you switch to a different one. Why is it when you dont like a CT you change back to a MC tire but when you hate a certain MC tire you wait till it wears out before you change it?  ???

[fstsix]

I have a Goodyear TT, was hammered in 3rd and when i hit 4th i was in a slight very slight bend in the road, the rear the bike started swaying, felt like a tracking issue, but going straight i have hit over a hundred many times sense and it has not repeated that sway ? After 2 years my opinion is the CT is the king for cross country or touring tire, The TT looks like new after 2 years but like Tundra the back roads up here have a big crown, and are in bad shape from the snow plows digging them up every winter, I seen this on a different MC site and may change out this winter back to MC tire. Please flame on   if you have heard of this tire please give some feedback, not a big fan of Dunflop or Avon....witch has had a wobble on my front for 18.000 miles so far, but maybe these crooks at the MC tire manufacturers are reading our post and getting nervous about the CT craze that is going on, and know they are loosing sales ?not sure about the speed rating it is showing as a HD tire LOL http://www.dunlopmotorcycle.com/infocenter_news_article.asp?id=212    

[B]

Took the maiden darkside voyage into Hell (MI). I'm impressed...better ride & similar handling. A little squirrelly on gravel & grass at snails pace.  Other than that I thought it handled as good or easier...there are a fair number of curves on the route we ran...A little different from the MT but nothing major.

[Big IV]

Thus far I've not had a problem with my car tire that I would not have had on a motorcycle tire. Rubber wears out eventually no matter what the shape. I'm a pleased customer, but to each their own.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

Thx guys... Taking a visit to that controversial side of life. As of this evening the nutcages are gone & the CT is on...a little maintenance to so & I hope to try it tomorrow.

Just curious of guys notice any less traction on wet pavement in the curves. ?   

I've worn out two Goodyear TT's but due to a mishap the guy who mounts my tires had I'm back on a bike tire for now. It's an Avon Cobra and it is a darned good tire. Much better than the old OEM dunlop which was the last bike tire I tried.

That being said, the Avon has less traction for acceleration during cornering that the TT did. I've inadvertently slid it more than once since the change. As far as traction in the rain, I can't say I've noticed any difference but I haven't pushed the Avon in the rain yet so I probably wouldn't have noticed.

The TT was a pretty square tire and it is easier to hold the line I want with the Avon when the road is imperfect. Not sure what my next rear tire will be. I may need two Valks so I can run one of each.

[asfltdncr]

My Goodyear TT was a little tricky when I first put it on and had the tire pressure at about 32.
I put 40 in it now and I believe a little break-in softened the characteristics.  I frankly don't even notice the difference anymore.  I still am carefull when there is a ridge parallel to my direction.  Crowns don't seem to be affect me except on dirt roads but a little speed will fix that.

I almost feel guilty for not feeling guilty about driving in a straight line for a long distance without any thought of how much tire-life I just used up.  Between the CT and the back tire up front, barring a BF nail, I'll be driving on this rubber till 2013.

[RoadKill]

Only problem I have had with a CT is from the ignorant ramblings of the "non-believers"

MANY well informed and experienced riders have tried it and decided it is not for them. I agree with their decision and give KUDOS for learning what the experience is all about

I have been darkside since 2001 (unknown mikeage,speedo died at 60+k)

[alph]

The only hazard i would be concerned with is someone at Costco working on my Motorcycle  

 Now that's funny..... because it's soooo right!!

Seriously though, I have a CT on the back of my '99 {bought it that way} & I don't like it. Handles like crap at low speeds & hunts for the ditches on our highly crowned roads we have here in Florida. Is it a big deal??   NO.  But it takes away from the pleasure of riding, IN MY OPINION. I tried it & overall I don't like it, it is going away soon.
That being said I must say with my experiences with flats on MC tires I actually THINK & FEEL that a CT would be MORE safe & LESS prone to failure on a bike. Reasons... It's understressed on a MC & car tires routinely last well over 60K on cars. I have already noticed the better braking & really good wet weather traction of the CT but like I said that's not enough to convince ME to keep it.
As to the policies of people who mount tires, I don't blame them for being over cautious. Look at some of the idiotic lawsuits that are filed these days & HAVE WON!!!!

CT going BYE-BYE.... Yes TJ, it is yours!!!

just out of curiosity, have you tried different air presures?  i've been told that raising the presure to 40psi makes a world of difference. (don't know myself, never riden a CT before.)

[NITRO]

I have the GYTT and have put on 2,000 miles in the last two weeks. I've ridden in lots of rain, rough roads, gravel, and a 12 mile stretch of grooved pavement at 65 mph and not had any issues. The bike "deflects" a bit on ridged roads, but it's not big deal. I just don't see what the fuss is about. I've gone darkside and see no reason to go back.

[Tropic traveler]

The only hazard i would be concerned with is someone at Costco working on my Motorcycle  

 Now that's funny..... because it's soooo right!!

Seriously though, I have a CT on the back of my '99 {bought it that way} & I don't like it. Handles like crap at low speeds & hunts for the ditches on our highly crowned roads we have here in Florida. Is it a big deal??   NO.  But it takes away from the pleasure of riding, IN MY OPINION. I tried it & overall I don't like it, it is going away soon.
That being said I must say with my experiences with flats on MC tires I actually THINK & FEEL that a CT would be MORE safe & LESS prone to failure on a bike. Reasons... It's understressed on a MC & car tires routinely last well over 60K on cars. I have already noticed the better braking & really good wet weather traction of the CT but like I said that's not enough to convince ME to keep it.
As to the policies of people who mount tires, I don't blame them for being over cautious. Look at some of the idiotic lawsuits that are filed these days & HAVE WON!!!!

CT going BYE-BYE.... Yes TJ, it is yours!!!

just out of curiosity, have you tried different air presures?  i've been told that raising the presure to 40psi makes a world of difference. (don't know myself, never riden a CT before.)

Yes I have tried different pressures. 38,32, & 28 psi. I like 28 the best BUT it still exibits all the bad characteristics that I don't like, just not as much. I also have made a couple of "high speed tests" with the CT since I last posted... Not good. Squirrely & not smooth. Not a big consideration however.
Looking real hard at a set of those Shinko 757's from J&P as the front tire on the '99 is old & weather cracked.

[Oldswimr]

best discussion on CT's to date, imo. On the verge myself for next Spring. This forum is invaluable. I met a gentleman from Raleigh NC this weekend, he had a TT on his VTX. Said he loved it, no issues, except frustrated about not doing it sooner. That's the second one I've seen on a VTX in these parts.

[HayHauler]

I've had my Goodyear TT 205x60x16 for about 6000 miles now, including riding through Tennessee and North Carolina, and though it is different, I like it.  I rode the Dragon, Cherahala Skyway, and the Blue Ridge Parkway with this tire and loved every minute of it.  I'm not going back.

There will be those that say I will die a flaming death with that CT, but peace of mind and stability count for something, at least in my head. 

And that is the point I am trying to make, the rider has to make their own decision, noone can make it for them.

Ride what you want, equipped how you want, JUST RIDE!!

Hay 
Jimmyt

[Tropic traveler]

I've had my Goodyear TT 205x60x16 for about 6000 miles now, including riding through Tennessee and North Carolina, and though it is different, I like it.  I rode the Dragon, Cherahala Skyway, and the Blue Ridge Parkway with this tire and loved every minute of it.  I'm not going back.

There will be those that say I will die a flaming death with that CT, but peace of mind and stability count for something, at least in my head. 

And that is the point I am trying to make, the rider has to make their own decision, noone can make it for them.

Ride what you want, equipped how you want, JUST RIDE!!

 

Hay 
Jimmyt

Totally agree! I was curious to ride a CT Valk mainly to see what the fuss was all about. Now I've ridden on a CT enough to honestly assess & know I don't like it, BUT..... I completely understand some of the attraction to riding with one.
However I will take issue with anybody advising someone who has not ridden on a CT telling them "there is no difference". There is, both good & bad.
I would also take issue with anybody preaching the "flaming death" line about a CT. 
The "truth" lies somewhere in between the extremes we all have seen posted on this very board & each rider knows their own "truth" about it. 

[therapist]

Wow...a sane discussion about Car Tires...how refreshing.  All I will add is-

ALL CAR TIRES ARE NOT EQUAL...PLEASE DON'T LUMP THEM TOGETHER.

It's like saying, "I tried a carrot and didn't like it, so I won't be eating vegetables any more".

[fudgie]

ALL CAR TIRES ARE NOT EQUAL...PLEASE DON'T LUMP THEM TOGETHER.

+1