CT vs MT observations.

[SANDMAN5]

Note..these are all from MY experience on both kinds of tire. Not meant to be a base for YOU making any decision on which one works for YOU. FYI only.
1. Normal, every day commuting. Not much difference here except the ct will last MUCH longer.
2. Interstate travel. Ct is big winner! Much more stable in turbulent air from traffic/winds.
3. Backroad cruising. Advantage to ct, but not by a wide margin.
4. Curvy roads at a little higher speed. Same as above. Ct much more stable.
5. Tight twisties. Mt is better going INTO the curve, ct better coming OUT. Ct more stable in
        between.
6. Braking. Again, big advantage to ct.
7. Rutted roads. Not fun on either tire, but I did a little better with ct...maybe because I was     
        expecting it.
8. Wet roads. Advantage ct. Kinda hard for me to tell because I'm always more careful in the rain.
9. Two-up riding. Advantage ct. Wifey says it rides much better.
10. Other, such as price, mileage, "wow" factor, puncture resistance, etc the ct obliterates the   
         mt.
Tires I've used are GYTT, Metz 880, Avon Cobra and Venom, Dunlop oem's and the WORST of  the bunch, the Dunlop E3 (front only). As I said, don't let this be your only source for deciding whether or not to go Darkside, it's just one more piece of the puzzle.
P.S. I posted this because I went from ct to mt (Metz 200) after 50,000+ miles. I now have a couple thousand on the Metz so I'm "used to it". It's ok, but I'm going back Darkside next time! YMMV.       

[Mapper]

I've only run Avon Cobras and Venoms, how do they compare to the other motorcycle tires that you've used?

I'm considering switching to a CT when I move from the California coast.

[Paxton]

Mapper;
I always wanted to see that beautiful bike of yours but you are moving. ???

SANDMAN5;
It sounds like you are spreading the CT Gospel. I am there with you!

[SANDMAN5]

The Avons were between the Metz and the oem Dunlops. I like the Metz
best because of the traction. A front Metz will hold a wet road better than
an E3 on a dry road. (ok, that's an exaggeration...but not by much!!). The
880 Metz won't win many mileage contests but it sticks the best, IMHO.
Haven't tried the new Metz. (888?)
Both the Avons were ok, just didn't like them as well. One, can't remember
which, cupped so bad I replaced it with quite a bit of tread left. (Yes, I kept
a close eye on tire pressure.)

[MarkT]

My own experience, and confirmed by posts from many others, is the GYTT is a poor handling choice among the CTs reviewed here.  You pick almost ANY other CT that has rounded corners and you'll enjoy improved handling over the TT.  Look for posts of "darkside" with "rounded".  Personally I'm using a Yokohama that handles much better than the TT.

[big poppa pump]

Been a month now since I installed the Vredestein sportrac 3. Finally took me g/f out for a ride through Hill Country yesterday. Some nice back roads and a good number of twisties to Wimberley and Dripping Springs. This was her first time on the Valkyrie and I got a thumbs up from her on how well the bike handled in the twisties. I don't think I am ever going back to MT in the rear again!

[musclehead]

I always had really, REALLY good experiences in the rain with my Avon venom R's.

but now I'm a darksider 

[Mapper]

The Avons were between the Metz and the oem Dunlops. I like the Metz
best because of the traction. A front Metz will hold a wet road better than
an E3 on a dry road. (ok, that's an exaggeration...but not by much!!). The
880 Metz won't win many mileage contests but it sticks the best, IMHO.
Haven't tried the new Metz. (888?)
Both the Avons were ok, just didn't like them as well. One, can't remember
which, cupped so bad I replaced it with quite a bit of tread left. (Yes, I kept
a close eye on tire pressure.)

Thanks!

Mapper;
I always wanted to see that beautiful bike of yours but you are moving. ???

Paxton, I'm moving in December/January.  Are you part of the group from SoCal that is heading up this way in a month or so?  Me and a couple other guys were going to meet up with them and maybe head south for a little distance.

My bike needs a paint job... something I'll probably do after I move to Virginia.  (Going with fast black)

[SANDMAN5]

My own experience, and confirmed by posts from many others, is the GYTT is a poor handling choice among the CTs reviewed here.  You pick almost ANY other CT that has rounded corners and you'll enjoy improved handling over the TT.  Look for posts of "darkside" with "rounded".  Personally I'm using a Yokohama that handles much better than the TT.

I've read that, too. It only makes me yearn for the Darkside even more! I thought
the GYTT handled GREAT!! I can only imagine how good my next choice will handle.
I've got at least until late next year to figure out what that will be.....but I WILL
have a Metzeler front tire! 

[Pappy!]

Also installed a Vredestein sportrac 3 around 6 weeks ago. Removed a CT to do this. My last CT was very squared off. The new one has both rounded corners and the tread cross section is crowned as well giving it about as close to an MT cornering experience as you will get.
When in the market for CTs look at the high performance winter or snows. They are usually a softer compound and many will have the crown across the tread.

[Mapper]

When in the market for CTs look at the high performance winter or snows. They are usually a softer compound and many will have the crown across the tread.

Funny that a Floridian would have a use for snow tires!     

[Ghost]

Once I learned how to adjust the air pressure to my riding style I am very happy with the CT. I had the hardest time lowing the air pressure to what makes the bike work best. I got this now.  Its amazing how just a few pounds make it like a new Bike.

[fudgie]

My Hankook K-106 handled better then the Vr Sportac. But its not made anymore. 

[Wewaman]

This is my first and only CT so far; General Altimax I have put about 3000 miles on it and I love it.  I have noticed that my front MC tire which still has good tread, doesn't seem to be holding the road as well as it did 3000 miles ago.  I will switch to a Metz 880 and see how that feels. 
So far SO GOOD     

Wewaman

[wdvalk]

I am regularly running over 80 mph, I found that ct get wishy washy around 85 to 90 mph,mt are much more stable at those speeds

[Pappy!]

When in the market for CTs look at the high performance winter or snows. They are usually a softer compound and many will have the crown across the tread.

Funny that a Floridian would have a use for snow tires!     

That's what ya' get for assuming!
The Vredestrian we are running are not snow tires.
But, in reading up and researching CT to run on the Valk the trend toward a more crowned cross section started coming up on high perf snow tires. Just thought I would pass that little tid bit on.

[big poppa pump]

I am regularly running over 80 mph, I found that ct get wishy washy around 85 to 90 mph,mt are much more stable at those speeds

Runs perfectly fine even @ 100+ mph!

[Moonshot_1]

I am regularly running over 80 mph, I found that ct get wishy washy around 85 to 90 mph,mt are much more stable at those speeds

On 2nd CT and both were/are very stable at the higher speeds of 90+ mph.

[Mapper]

When in the market for CTs look at the high performance winter or snows. They are usually a softer compound and many will have the crown across the tread.

Funny that a Floridian would have a use for snow tires!     

That's what ya' get for assuming!
The Vredestrian we are running are not snow tires.
But, in reading up and researching CT to run on the Valk the trend toward a more crowned cross section started coming up on high perf snow tires. Just thought I would pass that little tid bit on.

I'm actually still a Florida resident    Lived in Jacksonville and Pensacola area, but graduated high school in L.A.  (that's Lower Alabama... Ft. Rucker area)   

I saw that the Vredestrian Sportrac 3 is a Summer "super performance" but doesn't look like the company makes it anymore, not found on their website.  The Vredestrian Snowtrac 3 looks pretty cool.

Definitely keep us all updated on what you guys find... there are probably more than just me sitting on the fence as to what kind of tire to put on our bike next. 

[WNGD]

I'm running an Altimax HP (really nice mirror image tread from center and rounded shoulders) darkside on the rear and Metz 800 on the front. Great set up. Look into the Nexen N5000 as well, well reviewed for motorcycles.