First day in the DARKSIDE

Well, after a few years of contemplation, I went and did it.....jumped over into the Darkside, via the very popular Austone Taxi tire.
After an entertaining Sunday, with my local auto mechanic (also an avid Harley rider) assisting me with the tire mounting, bead balancing, metal valve stem install and the ever important spline lube, I got the ol' gal out this morning, for a 90 mile jaunt to check out her new rear sneaker.
And WOW! Was I ever pleased. I anticipated a considerable amount of adjustment, but was shocked at just how similar the ride was to a MC tire! I live in the Adirondack Mountains of Northern New York, so I headed for some perimeter roads that circle local lakes (Friend's Lake, Loon Lake and Brant Lake) to evaluate the results of my Darkside experiment. Here's what I experienced on this first day of darkside dabbling:
First: There was NO challenging changes to the overall ride.
Second: The Valk sits slightly higher in the rear end, as the Austone is taller. But the height change was minimal, and I simply adjusted my backrest back about a quarter inch, and all seemed right again. This added height also has the rig leaning slightly steeper on the stand when parked. But, I like that, as whenever I park along a roadway with a slight rise in the middle, the Valk was always a bit too upright for my taste.
Third: The Taxi tire is nicely curved along the outer edges. But, because the sidewalls are not as gradually rounded as a MC tire, she seems to drop into the turns a bit more independently. Not a negative...just a small acknowledgement and adjustment.
Fourth: The taller tire DOES lessen RPMs on the open highway. Not a lot, maybe 150-200 rpms at 70 MPH. But it IS a pleasant side effect, and I found myself not dreaming of a sixth gear as much as I did previously.
Fifth: The taxi tire was pretty much the same width as the MC tire that it replaced, so, no major fabrications or sub fender doctoring was required. (although my rig had the nut-cage removal already done by its former owner for no good reason that I can discern.
Sixth: When rolling straight down the superslab, the wider contact patch of the auto tire, made me feel like the bike was solidly anchored to the road surface. I will assume that the same contact patch will help in sudden stop situations.
Seventh: The taller larger tire is a unique accessory, and it gives me one more topic to gab about, in addition to all the praise I always heap upon the Valkyrie line. (I tend to drive away more friends that way)
Lastly: Even John, my HD/Car mechanic, was impressed with the look and ride of my Darksided big black Valkyrie. (She sports a Batwing fairing and HD bags, so maybe he was more at home than he thought he'd be) He said he was taken aback by the smoothness and power of a 13 year old carbeurated beast. Considerable praise from a V-Twin fanatic.
So, all in all, (thus far) I'm very pleased with my car tire venture. I see MANY pleasant miles awaiting me. (more than I'd been getting on the MC rubber) And, I can honestly say, if you're considering the Darkside, what are you waiting for? Ride safe all.
Mike in New York