Best Darkside Tire??

[Bob E.]

Well, I've finally had it.  My latest Avon Cobra rear is about shot at just 6700 miles.  It isn't into the wear bars yet, but almost.  I might be able to squeek another 1000 out of it at most, but I doubt it.  I am pretty disappointed in short life of a tire that costs close to $200.  My last Avon rear (Venom) went about 9000 miles and the best I ever did was the E3 which went 10,000.  Anyways, I've finally decided that my next rear tire will be a Darkside tire.  I figure for the price, what have I got to lose to try it??

So, I've done some reading around here and was just wondering what is the current consensus on the best or most preferred darkside tire.  I've seen many are running the Goodyear Assurance Triple-Tread, the Cooper Zeon, Michelin Hydroedge, and Advan, and I think I saw a reference to a Falken tire.

I'm leaning towards the Goodyear in 205-60-16 because they are more readily available than the Cooper or the others, at least around here.  But if one of the others is way better, I'll get one wherever I need to.

Thanks for the opinions!

[Ricky-D]

My personal feeling is any car tire is a good one and I just looked for a good tread pattern and an acceptable speed rating. Going on-line was a good thing since I got a 130 buck tire for half price, and delivered at that. There are many tire offers and easy to find on E-Bay by simply searching the tire size numbers.  I got a 205/55/16 and for sure my next tire will be a 205/60/16. It more closely matches the original circumference of the stock M/C tire.  You should go ahead and remove both (sides) nut retainers in the fender.

[sandy]

My last 3 Avon Venom rears went 16 - 18K miles. Pressures were kept at 46PSI. Find out why you aren't getting the mileage out of them. My front Venoms get 25-27K.

[Bob E.]

I have no idea how some folks get that kind of mileage from their tires.  I maintain 45psi in my rear tire all the time, checked with 3 different gages.  I ride solo 99% of the time although my weight at 280 is close to some slimmer couples.  I don't do burnouts, but I do ride somewhat aggressively on familiar roads.  I don't often drag footpegs, but my highway pegs have the corners ground off of them.  The only thing I can guess is because of the roads I ride and the type of riding I do, my tires are ground off at a pretty quick rate.  Most of my riding is commuting over back roads a short ways (8 miles each way) to work and back.  They are pretty windy and rural roads with lots of hills.  For the most part, I wear fronts and rears at close to the same rate, except for the Metzelers that these Avons replaced.  The rear Metz was shot in about 5000 miles while the front went a little over 7000.  That is why my front tire is only showing about 4700 miles, while the rear is closer to 6700.

[Novavalker]

I have a General Tire HP Alitmax 205 60 R16  and have put 6000 miles in the last two months. It still looks new and it handles well. A Goodyear Assurance Triple tread is also a good choice. Either way you won't regret making the switch.

[frosty]

I've had the Goodyear F1 Aqua tread. Got around 32K out of it. It handled like a car tire. Lean in let off and stands back up. I now have the Toyo Proxies. More of a rounded edge. Handles more like a m/c tire. Getting good mileage out of it so far with good handling and a smooth ride.

[BF]

Make sure it's a run flat. 

[Thunderbolt]

on the Valk and the Rocket.  Valk is 205-60-16 HP550 and Rocket is 225-60-16 Potenza Re960AS.  Both are high speed rated like V or Z.   I looked at some of the others and one reason for choosing the Bridgestones is the stiffer sidewall.  Some of the others, I think the Goodyear was one that didn't appear to me that it would hold the bike up if the air exited quickly.  I think the Bridgestones will.  neither of these are cheap, around $150 each, but they will outlast several motorcycle tires.

[fudgie]

Hankook K-106. Cant tell to much different then the Metz 200, except better traction. Best looking tread I've seen. Got mine local for $70. I think I got a discount to.

[Bob E.]

Thanks for the suggestions, guys.  You have actually performed the opposite of what I was trying to accomplish...which was to narrow down my list.  Now I have a bunch more reading to do...lol!!!   Keep 'em coming!

Thanks again! 

[petevenne]

Have about 400 miles on Goodyear Assurance Triple Tread.. Started @ 35psi and then dropped to 32psi seem to wallow brought back up to 36psi with 42 psi in Avon Venom.. Now feels like stock... While I was at it went to the local truck stop and picked a set of 36X4 slash cut truck stacks.. Packed fiberglass around the piggies and painted inside black and almost as quiet as a stock 1500 Wing.. Mama is happy with smoother and quieter ride.

[Jess from VA]

Well Bob, people state different reasons for going darkside, but I agree with you.  I have had it with having to get a new rear tire every ten months (8-11K).  If I had unlimited money and time, I would run bike tires because they handle better (I have done the learning curve on darkside, and it is fine, but I will never prefer a car tire to a bike tire, except for longevity).

I just went thru the study and decision making on choice of tire a few months ago, including reading on other forums on other bikes.  I think you are better off with a 60 than a 55, and the nut cage mod is best done rather than only first cutting up your tire with a full load and the wife on the back in a sharp turn a long way from home.  I think speed rated tires with stiffer sidewalls are a mistake because you need the sidewall to flex to get better handling (less impairment) in the curves on the rear of a motorcycle.   An R speed rating is plenty, considering even these are designed to carry the weight of a car thru the corners.

I went with the Goodyear TT as it seemed to be the most popular tire with plenty of happy reviews.  Although the compound rating is very high (740), indicating a harder compound, it handles good in all weather.  I was concerned with balance, and was prepared with dyna beads to be installed thru the sidewalls on the mounting machine, but my Goodyear balanced up with a single one-ounce weight (better than any bike tire ever did).  Also, I won't run it a pound under 40 psi....the lower the pressure the bigger the wallow.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Goodyear&tireModel=Assurance+TripleTred&partnum=06HR6ATT&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes&place=53

However, it was a close decision with the General Altimax HP, which has been described as the most motorcycle-like riding car tire you can get, and with a softer compound (440).

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=General&tireModel=Altimax+HP&partnum=06VR6AMAXHP&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes&place=11

There are certainly others, and I spent some time walking around at Blue/Grey looking at car tires in person (as opposed to on-line), and SmokinJoe's Cooper Zeon X2S had as nice a rounded edge as I've seen.

http://www.coopertires.com/html/products/tires_uhp.aspx

I also liked everything I read about the Toyo Proxes TR1, but it only comes in a 55 for the Valk, and I wanted a 60 tire.

http://toyotires.com/tire/pattern/proxes-t1r

[Bob E.]

Thanks Pete and Jess.  I also believe that I'd be better off with the 60-series over the 55.  So that also eliminates the Cooper Zeon, I believe.  And there aren't very many Cooper Tire Dealers around here anyways.  Same with the Toyo.  I could probably have someone order one, though, but again, it is a 55.

So that leaves the Altimax and the Triple Tread.  I'm thinking I'll go with the Triple Tread at this point.

[vanagon40]

I went with the Altimax because I have always liked and had good luck with General tires on my cars . . . .

But the deciding factor was most likely the $30 savings over the TripleTred.

[Jess from VA]

Thanks Pete and Jess.  I also believe that I'd be better off with the 60-series over the 55.  So that also eliminates the Cooper Zeon, I believe.  And there aren't very many Cooper Tire Dealers around here anyways.  Same with the Toyo.  I could probably have someone order one, though, but again, it is a 55.

So that leaves the Altimax and the Triple Tread.  I'm thinking I'll go with the Triple Tread at this point.

Well, I have another decision to make.  I have two '99 ISs (a dresser and a supervalk).  I put the Goodyear on the SV.  I only have the last thousand (maybe) miles to go on the IS Metzler, and will go car tire there too.  I would really like to try the General Altimax for my own riding comparison, but for pure consistency of handling when switching between bikes, I should go Goodyear again. 

I think I'll go with the General, there can't be that much difference in the ride between the two.  The General won't likely last as long, but as long as it at least doubles normal MC tire life, it's all good.

[Bob E.]

I looked at the Altimax and they actually have it at Sears here locally for about $40 less than the Triple Tread.  But they have 2 models of the Altimax...a 92H and a 92V...I'm guessing the H and V are the speed ratings??  So I would want the 92V, right??

[Bruce J.]

I put about 32K on a Goodyear TT until, late last season,a long nail went thru the bead rendering it unrepairable. I estimated that it was good for another 5k miles. It always performed well, particularly in heavy rain. Just for something different, I replaced it with the Falken ZE912 based on another forum member's comments on how well it performed in the NC mountains. It immediately felt much more light and nimble in handling. I only have about 5K on it. but, so far, I'm happy. I haven't had much opportunity to test the Falken in heavy wet conditions, but I expect it to perform well. Also, it was cheaper than the TT.

[Jess from VA]

I looked at the Altimax and they actually have it at Sears here locally for about $40 less than the Triple Tread.  But they have 2 models of the Altimax...a 92H and a 92V...I'm guessing the H and V are the speed ratings??  So I would want the 92V, right??

I don't know what people are running specific to the Altimax, but I'll bet the V is a much stiffer sidewall, so less flex in the corners

H 130 mph 210 km/h Sport Sedans & Coupes
V 149 mph 240 km/h Sport Sedans, Coupes & Sports Cars

I don't do much 130, so I would think the H would be the better tire for Valk. 

[Jess from VA]

I put about 32K on a Goodyear TT until, late last season,a long nail went thru the bead rendering it unrepairable. I estimated that it was good for another 5k miles. It always performed well, particularly in heavy rain. Just for something different, I replaced it with the Falken ZE912 based on another forum member's comments on how well it performed in the NC mountains. It immediately felt much more light and nimble in handling. I only have about 5K on it. but, so far, I'm happy. I haven't had much opportunity to test the Falken in heavy wet conditions, but I expect it to perform well. Also, it was cheaper than the TT.

OK, so discounting that you went from a well used Goodyear to a new Falken, do you think the Falken handles and rides better than the Goodyear when it was pristine?

[Bob E.]

I looked at that Falken tire too.  It appears to be an asymmetrical tire...unless I was looking at the wrong one.

[Bruce J.]

Re comparison to a new TT, I can't say for sure. My memory says that the TT tried to stand up more than the Falken.

Re Asymmetry, yes it is. I didn't realize it until I got it home. I mounted it so that the inside is on the inside for right turns, figuring that they are a tighter turning radius. I don't know if it makes a difference. I can drag pegs going both ways and it feels very stable. I'm not sure what the asymmetry design really does, maybe it's mostly marketing hype.

[Novavalker]

I looked at the Altimax and they actually have it at Sears here locally for about $40 less than the Triple Tread.  But they have 2 models of the Altimax...a 92H and a 92V...I'm guessing the H and V are the speed ratings??  So I would want the 92V, right??

I have the 92H.

[john]

i don't know ... sounds awful tuff ...     
dunlop E3 ... psi 45 - 50 lbs
20,000 miles ... 

[Bone]

The 92 describes the tires load carrying capability. The "92" and the letter (S, T, H, V etc.) are the Service Description and actually provide two different types of information.

Read more here:

http://www.tiresafety.com/images/Tire%20Replacement%20Manual.pdf

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I run a Cooper Zeon 2XS and have it on all three of my Valkyrie's . I don't think you could find one that sticks better in the twisties but you pay for the " sticky " by not getting a million miles out of it like some do with the tires that come stock on Grandma's Buick.

[Novavalker]

I run a Cooper Zeon 2XS and have it on all three of my Valkyrie's . I don't think you could find one that sticks better in the twisties but you pay for the " sticky " by not getting a million miles out of it like some do with the tires that come stock on Grandma's Buick.

What tire pressure are you running?

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I run a Cooper Zeon 2XS and have it on all three of my Valkyrie's . I don't think you could find one that sticks better in the twisties but you pay for the " sticky " by not getting a million miles out of it like some do with the tires that come stock on Grandma's Buick.

What tire pressure are you running?

I've been DarkSide for years now and at first I ran 40 psi like most at the time was runnin' but the Cooper will last alittle longer if you run 35 psi. I think 35 psi also plants it better in the curves.

[Farther]

This probably an ignorant NOOB question but why don't the tire manufactures use materials and construction of the auto tires with the geometry of the MC tires?

[Old Geezer Richard]

Hey BobE , I have  been running a Michelin Pilot 205-55-16 ( with a Avon up front ) since Dec. and 7500 miles later its great and boy does it stop in the water ..... I should have gone with the 60 or 65 series because of the  slight mpg drop off , but no complaints here .... I'll be shopping around and reading the forum on the pro's and con's on the 65 series tire and what brands .... I'm very impressed with the Michelin Pilot , I hope it comes in the 65 series or 60 anyway ..... so anyway go Darkside you won't be disappointed I 'm not !

[Ricky-D]

This probably an ignorant NOOB question but why don't the tire manufactures use materials and construction of the auto tires with the geometry of the MC tires?

Well they do! Sometimes better materials.  The high cost is dictated by sales/development/market.

The design is the reason for low mileage results.  You are normally only running on a couple of inches of tire.

Darkside........ Ya.   At least get decent mileage on the rear.  And a lot less expensive tire to boot!

[PapaHotel]

  I have been running a GY TT for three seasons. Up until about a week ago I hated it, but was too cheap to change. I had heard a ways back that the Dunlop E3 was a good match for this tire. Up until a week ago I was running an Avon Venom.
  As a pair, I have always preferred the Avon over the Dunlops, but I can say categorically that in THIS application the E3 is the hands down choice if running a GY triple tread on the rear. I has to due to FEAR and I mean the gee who is in control here type of fear. With the old setup, I could be shaken awake as I crossed county lines and foound new pavement samples. I have run Pikes Peak and have run over blacktop repair sections and found the hunting of the tires in truck ruts. All of them were SCARY with the Avon front. The other thing with the Avon was a need for heavy counter-control when turning.
  NOW?? Well it handles like a civilized motorcyle with a bit of awareness, rather than waitng for the next scare. It isso cliose to having a motorcycle tire that I might not change back if and when I wear out this Goodyear.

[petevenne]

Ok .. Got ole Valk back today ..After a 1000 mile experiment.. I'm back to a Dunlop Elete 3.. If I lived in Florida or Texas without a turn or frost heave I would run the CT. But here in the Live Free Or Die State. Our roads are being neglected due to budget cuts are filled with open sore frost heaves and 60 year old concrete Re-paved over thump roads.. If your state has nice flat roads with no turns or curves the CT is for you.. I plan to replace rear tire every 8 K at least my bike will handle like a Valk is ment to handle..

Pete, Concord, NH

[DeathWishBikerDude]

I went with the cheapest 205/60/16 tire I could find as an experiment.
The Falken ZX-512 has worked great,why should I do any more experimenting?
$73 at discounttiredirect.com.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Ok .. Got ole Valk back today ..After a 1000 mile experiment.. I'm back to a Dunlop Elete 3.. If I lived in Florida or Texas without a turn or frost heave I would run the CT. But here in the Live Free Or Die State. Our roads are being neglected due to budget cuts are filled with open sore frost heaves and 60 year old concrete Re-paved over thump roads.. If your state has nice flat roads with no turns or curves the CT is for you.. I plan to replace rear tire every 8 K at least my bike will handle like a Valk is ment to handle..

Pete, Concord, NH

IMO that's where the car tire really shines ..." The Curves " I'm on my 6th set of foot pegs on this bike and it's needin' new ones soon.