Going to the Dark Side

[RadioHowie]

okay. i added an extra zero in the longevity rating. i like that they only gave the Kuhmo a 6.58 on ride comfort. clearly they weren't coming from an 18" rim with low profile tires that needed to be pumped to 40+ psi to protect the rims.

Why'dya link to a Dunlop?

 

[08FJR4ME]

But if you put your moto tire rim on and ride to the mountains will it be half cooked by the time you get there? Are we talking Adirondacks or Rockies?

No I don't think so. Just did the Cats & Daks ride with fresh rubber. Still plenty of miles to go on the PR2's.

If you're ever near Long Island come ride my '07.Better yet, come throw my CT on your bike so you can compare apples to apples.

How about you go on the white and green mountain ride for a real good place to test that CT tire. I plan to be there.

Dave

 

[user 213]

It would be nice if possible to have the above list updated with tire info for each person and mileage sofar. Maybe I am just asking to much?

Anything is possible. Perhaps it would be a good kick off to a new thread for Darksiding info. I'll start the thread and PM the Darksiders to post their current mileage and perhaps a pic of the tire at that point.

In this thread we have now determined that it's possible, not a limitation to traction/handling and has benefits other than longevity, while also noting that there are differences in feel/transition that make it not the choice for everyone. We may be about done here.

 

[RadioHowie]

We may be about done here.

"Say it ain't so, Joe...say it ain't so!"

My nomination for "Thread of the Year".

[SIZE=8pt](although the "Howie Chronicles" weren't too bad)[/SIZE]

 

[ian]

Eric, I'm not much on decals but like your Darth Vader one. Where'd you get it? Ian, Iowa

BTW, I've only got a couple of hundred miles on my Yokohama but so far it's about as advertised on this thread.

First turn out of the driveway-holy $%^, how do I turn this thing?

Got better in a few miles. Not that many tight corners in Western IA but seems OK in the sweepers. Biggest problem so far is between my ears (confidence factor). I imagine once I hit Idaho in late August and run 21 from Lowman to Idaho City and back I should be OK. Thanks for everyone's info.

 

[user 213]

Eric, I'm not much on decals but like your Darth Vader one. Where'd you get it? Ian, IowaBTW, I've only got a couple of hundred miles on my Yokohama but so far it's about as advertised on this thread.

First turn out of the driveway-holy $%^, how do I turn this thing?

Got better in a few miles. Not that many tight corners in Western IA but seems OK in the sweepers. Biggest problem so far is between my ears (confidence factor). I imagine once I hit Idaho in late August and run 21 from Lowman to Idaho City and back I should be OK. Thanks for everyone's info.

The Darth Vadar sticker is actually Doug555's bike. He has some darkside friends in the Wing community that have those and gave him one. PM him and maybe his friend will sell you one.

The confidence factor is a real thing. Took me a while and different conditions before I simply stopped thinking about it and rode how I rode. Then realized that hey, it doesn't change the way I ride. If I want to lean more, I lean more. Smooth is fast for me. B)

 

[dangerdog]

Just ordered the new brake arm. Tire will be next paycheck. Darth Vader sticker the paycheck after. B)

 

[Bounce]

Why'dya link to a Dunlop?

'cause that was the OEM tire i was comparing to the replacement Kumho?

 

[RadioHowie]

Why'dya link to a Dunlop?

'cause that was the OEM tire i was comparing to the replacement Kumho?

Gotcha! :thumbsup:

 

[doug5551]

OK Guys,

By popular demand, I will be the Decal Connection Guy. Here is the silver Darkside sticker on a wing:

I have PMed ian and dangerdog with the contact information to get the decals.

I have 2K miles on my Bridgestone Potenza Grid 205-50-17. I would take a picture, but it looks just like I did when I mounted it. I bought it from a Firestone dealer who had it in stock in West LA. Mounted and balanced for $10 on a Coats Machine by a private party in San Diego. It was easier to mount than a Goldwing tire.

I like the CT and it was stable in the twisties right from the start. It took me the longest time to get used to going over the rain grooves in the concrete on the freeways. There is increased feel of the grooves and with my hightened sensitivity, the feel really bothered me at first. Now, however, I am used to it and it is all normal. I went through a similar process when I first started riding on the freeways on my first bike w/ a moto tire.

Ocfjr is absolutely correct by my experience in saying that the only significant difference is increased turning effort, which will become natural and normal after a while, and it will track grooves in the road more than a moto tire.

As has been noted, be very careful of your first moving turn using the CT. The extra effort needed to turn in will be much greater than you can imagine. MAKE SURE TO REMEMBER TO LOOK WHERE YOU WANT TO GO, OTHERWISE, YOU COULD HAVE SOME PROBLEMS. For me, I got used to it on the freeways w/in a day or two. On day two, I was practicing my one-handed steering while going on LA freeways late at night. So much for it being difficult to turn w/ a CT. It took longer for me to get used to it on surface streets. Maybe a few days and a few hundred miles.

BTW, I still have my 2000 Honda VFR, which takes the corners quite nicely and I am able to switch between the CT FJR and my VFR everyday, sometimes even on the same day, with absolutely no problem. The CT steering effort on the FJR does not make it difficult on the VFR. In fact, it makes me love the VFR even more for its size and handling characteristics. Muscle memory for what is needed kicks in and makes the transition easy. I have a bigger problem adjusting to the different clutch friction zones and efforts.

Feel free to PM me w/ any questions or for the decal contact info.

 

[Larry33319]

And a picture of the Darkside Decal on an FJR. VBG Yokohama Advan S 4 650 miles.

 

[Bounce]

Why'dya link to a Dunlop?

'cause that was the OEM tire i was comparing to the replacement Kumho?

Gotcha! :thumbsup:

the rest of the story

https://www.bikes-n-spikes.org/sti/wheels/wheels.html

 

[RadioHowie]

Why'dya link to a Dunlop?

'cause that was the OEM tire i was comparing to the replacement Kumho?

Gotcha! :thumbsup:

the rest of the story

https://www.bikes-n-spikes.org/sti/wheels/wheels.html

Good stuff. Any speedo correction needed?

 

[Catfish]

How about you go on the white and green mountain ride for a real good place to test that CT tire. I plan to be there.
Dave

I'll be doing some REAL testing in the next few weeks.

 

[Bounce]

Why'dya link to a Dunlop?

'cause that was the OEM tire i was comparing to the replacement Kumho?

Gotcha! :thumbsup:

the rest of the story

https://www.bikes-n-spikes.org/sti/wheels/wheels.html

Good stuff. Any speedo correction needed?

not anything obvious. i think the taller sidewall compensates for the smaller diameter rim. total ground clearance is as nearly the same as to be difficult to determine.

 

[ian]

I did my second longish ride today. You're right Eric, the CT is no longer an issue. I'm amazed how easy it is to ride through a sweeper. I'm even pretty comfortable in slow corners in town. You nay-sayers really ought to give it a try!

However I have a few questions and would appreciate any comments:

I think I can feel that the CT feels heavier (as in unsprung weight, CT is about 10 lbs heavier-right?) than the MCT; not an issue, just an observation.

I feel I need to readjust my suspension with the CT. I'm getting some wallowing when pushing hard in a sweeper (2X posted speed or higher) and hit a bump, kind of feels like a low tire would. BTW, I don't ride triple digit speeds. I have the group buy Eibach (sp) front springs and a Penske rear shock (8300 series) both from GP Suspension. I am running 31 lbs pressure rear and 40-42 front. Anyone else experience this? I'd appreciate the fork and shock settings of anyone running comparable equipment. I weigh about 205 geared up and ride without a passenger. TIA Ian, Iowa

 

[user 213]

However I have a few questions and would appreciate any comments:I think I can feel that the CT feels heavier (as in unsprung weight, CT is about 10 lbs heavier-right?) than the MCT; not an issue, just an observation.

Yes, that is correct.

I feel I need to readjust my suspension with the CT. I'm getting some wallowing when pushing hard in a sweeper (2X posted speed or higher) and hit a bump, kind of feels like a low tire would. BTW, I don't ride triple digit speeds. I have the group buy Eibach (sp) front springs and a Penske rear shock (8300 series) both from GP Suspension.

This is typical of a rear shock issue. How many miles are on your current shock? Possibly just need a bit of adjustment. Try a bit more rebound and perhaps check the sag to see if the pre-load is still where you want it.

I am running 31 lbs pressure rear and 40-42 front. Anyone else experience this? I'd appreciate the fork and shock settings of anyone running comparable equipment. I weigh about 205 geared up and ride without a passenger. TIA Ian, Iowa

I'm heavier at nearly 300 in gear and running 30R/42F pressures with a Wilbers shock and 800# spring, recently rebuilt by GP. (last winter, before the CT). Hmm, so 20k+ on the shock rebuild already. So far I haven't experienced that wallowing feeling that I associate with a worn shock. Especially noticeable with the bike loaded up.

This hasn't been talked about that much, but was brought up a couple of times that the extra unsprung weight of the CT would possibly be harder on shocks. Still, unless you have 30k+ on the shock, it should only be a matter of adjustment at this point.

 

[Catfish]

I feel I need to readjust my suspension with the CT. I'm getting some wallowing when pushing hard in a sweeper (2X posted speed or higher) and hit a bump, kind of feels like a low tire would. BTW, I don't ride triple digit speeds. I have the group buy Eibach (sp) front springs and a Penske rear shock (8300 series) both from GP Suspension. I am running 31 lbs pressure rear and 40-42 front. Anyone else experience this? I'd appreciate the fork and shock settings of anyone running comparable equipment. I weigh about 205 geared up and ride without a passenger. TIA Ian, Iowa

I'm 225# in gym clothes scraping the deodorant off my arms. I'm running Sonic 1.05 KG/MM and a Penske triple adjustable out back. I had 25,000 on my Penske and just sent it back for a rebuild. Night and day after I got it back. When I had that shock built for the FJR I had them make it 1/2" longer than stock to get a little more weight on the front. At this rebuild it was also resprung as Penske told me the spring that was in it was about 100# light for what I was doing. My bike is in rally mode with tail dragger and about 40# of tools in the right saddlebag. I'm running 50psi front and rear with the original hammered Metzler up front with 8,500 miles on it. How many miles are on your shock since the last rebuild? If it's under 20,000 I'd see how the bike feels in the same turns, same speeds, same day if possible, but with say 40psi in it.

I know you did a lot of testing to come up with the 31psi but now you need to continue testing. At least you have a base number that you can always go back to.

 

[SouthernCruizer]

Just came across this pic on the killboy site, and thought it fit in with this thread. Looks like this particular darksider is comfortable in a moderate lean turn on a rather large Valk.

 

[Bounce]

level the picture so that the bank in the road is horizontal and you'll quickly see that, while leaned for a wing/valk, it's still not leaned by much.