Darkside?

[Doc809]

Told you I had a flat on the phat lady Friday afternoon from the weekend before.  Tried to air her up to ride to the shop but the air was coming out as fast as I was putting it in.  Had to trailer her (what a horrible sight).  Manged to get her to the shop only to see tread splitting etc.  So, woohoo a new rear tire.  Asked the tech if I could go darkside with the LeaterLyke bags/bolts that cannot be changed or reversed.  What I got I never expected.  I got a 15 minute lecture about it being not legal, no contact patch, no insurance coverage, not being able to turn into a corner, on and on and on.  So I thought I would pass on the information that all you darksiders are gonna die a terrible, flame filled death the next time you get on the lady. (sarcasm font intended).

[Disco]

Do tell...
Did you ask him a serious question expecting, or at least wanting, a serious answer?   
Or, did you tee him up just for fun so you could listen to a bunch of regurgitated blather most likely containing zero personal experience???   

[Valkpilot]

So I thought I would pass on the information that all you darksiders are gonna die a terrible, flame filled death the next time you get on the lady. (sarcasm font intended).

You're right.  I disappeared in a ball of fire 50,000 miles ago.

[RainMaker]

Makes you wonder about his information on other subjects related to your Valk.  Hmmmmm  ???

[HayHauler]

Same here VP,  but only 30,000 miles o smiles so far.  Uh, um, flaming death. 

Hay
Jimmyt

[Serk]

I gotta give Rockwall Honda a big thumbs up... They mounted my darkside tire without batting an eyelash. No sermon, no fire and brimstone, nothing but "It'll be about 20 minutes" and they mounted and balanced it just like any other tire...

[Stormrider65]

I have tried to have an open mind(at least whats left of it ) on a lot of things.  After talking to everyone I could and actually riding one, I can't see any reason not to try it.  Hell, it makes sense to pay $100 or a bit more rather than $200+ for a scooter tire.  No contact patch??  Yeah, right.  Cornering???  Please!!!   Handling??  Just pay attention and go for it.   I am not the brightest crayon in the box, but I know when something works.  There was something on YouTube showing the contact patch.   I think is was from Dag in Norway.   I love mine.  Glad I went Darkside.   Thanks to all who helped me convert over.  The transformation is now complete.

Walt

[Stealth Biker]

Got up Saturday morning to get the bike ready for a ride.  Had to repair some loose lighting connections.  Checked the tire pressure since I had not ridden for a couple of weeks.  13 psi in the rear tire.  Must be a bad reading - nope 13 psi was the actual pressure.  The rear tire has approx 750 miles on it and a nail embedded in the tread, you've got to be kidding me.  I did finally get to try out my tire repair kit, it worked great.

Is it time to bite the bullet and go Darkside?  Seems like it might be.  Now I just have to find somewhere to have a car tire mounted and balanced.  Sounds like the Dealers are not a good option?  If anyone knows of a tire shop in the Granbury area who will mount and balance a car tire, let me know.

Signed,
Potential Darkside convert

[Serk]

There was something on YouTube showing the contact patch.   I think is was from Dag in Norway. 

Yup, it was Dag... And if I recall correctly, he initially made the video to show how bad darkside was, but after making it decided to try it for himself... (I believe he eventually switched back to MC tires, but not 100% positive of that.)

Here's the MC tire version:

Valkyrie MC Tire

And the Darkside version:

VALKYRIE DARKSIDE VIDEO

[Disco]

(I believe he eventually switched back to MC tires, but not 100% positive of that.)

I believe that is correct.

[hotglue #43]

Most of our miles are getting to and from somewhere.....  the center part of the mc tires were always wore out in 8,000 miles.....and we usually take 9,000mile plus trips....  so that always meant a rear tire change on the road..... With the CT..... 13,000 miles... and no visible wear.  Seemed to do OK in the twisties... and is superior on the straight roads to and from.....so far.. I like the CT....
 BTW... if ya can help it..... don't get a tire change in Canada.... talk about pricey!!!!!!!!  

[Tim H]

The video go beyond words!  That's kinda what they do, but I'm very happy to see in action what the tire does.  At no point did I see less tire on the road than the MC.  The driver appeared to be going fairly fast, not a slow poke like me.  I'm looking forward to doing this when my back wears out.

[Lyn-Del]

Maybe it would be useful for a few darksiders to drop by this shop and demonstrate the abiitity of the c/t to carry the Valk safely?

[Jess from VA]

I got a 15 minute lecture about it being not legal, no contact patch, no insurance coverage, not being able to turn into a corner, on and on and on.

Interrupt him, ask him if he's ever actually ridden a darkside bike (beyond around the block), and when he says no........... tell him to shut up.  My lecture would have only lasted about 15 seconds.

[us385south]

I have found that those who seem to be most vehement about "converting" me are the motorcycle mainstreamers.  Who oddly seem overwhelmingly determined to "re-convert" me back to a light side tire based solely on the fact they think is is so, so wrong.  Most of them actually know very little and are little more than rubber pushers.  Nearly all are simply shooting from the hip about the legality and insurance issues.

I actually had a dealer refuse to inspect my bike on this basis... after a call to TxDOT reporting them, the service manager emailed me to personally apologize.  When I responded by saying I didn't really care how he felt, I just expected him to adhere to the letter of the law... and he had illegally denied to inspect my bike... he sent me a $200 gift card as consolation.

Boy, I sure am glad I cashed that sucker in before they went out of business... and yet, I am still riding darkside... and just took my 1500 Goldwing darkside too.



Gallery here: http://culleynet.com/zen/Goldwing%20Tech/winter-service-2011-12/

[5_19]

Got up Saturday morning to get the bike ready for a ride.  Had to repair some loose lighting connections.  Checked the tire pressure since I had not ridden for a couple of weeks.  13 psi in the rear tire.  Must be a bad reading - nope 13 psi was the actual pressure.  The rear tire has approx 750 miles on it and a nail embedded in the tread, you've got to be kidding me.  I did finally get to try out my tire repair kit, it worked great.

Is it time to bite the bullet and go Darkside?  Seems like it might be.  Now I just have to find somewhere to have a car tire mounted and balanced.  Sounds like the Dealers are not a good option?  If anyone knows of a tire shop in the Granbury area who will mount and balance a car tire, let me know.

Signed,
Potential Darkside convert

I take mine to Streamline Cycles on 198 Frey street in Stephenville. You have to take just the wheel and tire to him because he only works on HD. He has never seen my bike. Charges about $15-$20.