Going to the Dark Side

[user 213]

Let ME be the first to ask the pertinent questions here:

1 - Does she think you're crazy for Darksiding your FJR

2 - What does she ride?

3 - Is SHE interested in the Darkside?

ps: Let me add my congratulations. At our advanced stages in life, finding a soul-mate is truly a special gift.

No, Wing/F650GS (twin) both pimped for LD riding, no.

Sorry, no sisters either.

 

[LowAndSilent]

The tire has arrived...now I just need to find someone/someplace around the area that's willing to assist with the tire change. That'll have to wait till the brake bar comes in, as the one from Farkle Masters is backordered for a few weeks.

First perceptions...this thing is huge. A lot wider than the MT (eyeballing it looks to be half an inch on each side). The bead looks like it'll fit the rim all right, though...it's just the tread area that is wider.

Edit: Also...being dyslexic, I totally missed something when ordering the tire. It's listed as an "XL" or Extra Load tire. Anyone know of any issues with this? On a car it usually translates into better feel/feedback. Don't know what it would do on a moto.

 

[TriggerT]

I received my Michelin Pilot Exalto today, and I have already confirmed that my local shop has no issues in mounting it for me. I was happy to see that the tire has a very round edge profile. Now if the snow, salt, and cold would go away, maybe I could actually ride the bike one of these days.

 

[user 213]

The tire has arrived...now I just need to find someone/someplace around the area that's willing to assist with the tire change. That'll have to wait till the brake bar comes in, as the one from Farkle Masters is backordered for a few weeks.

First perceptions...this thing is huge. A lot wider than the MT (eyeballing it looks to be half an inch on each side). The bead looks like it'll fit the rim all right, though...it's just the tread area that is wider.

Edit: Also...being dyslexic, I totally missed something when ordering the tire. It's listed as an "XL" or Extra Load tire. Anyone know of any issues with this? On a car it usually translates into better feel/feedback. Don't know what it would do on a moto.

I've had great experience with America's Tire, tell them you need a tire mounted for your trike. They can't balance it though, but moto shops don't seem to mind doing that to an already mounted CT.

No issue with the XL rating that I am aware of. I'm pretty sure my Exalto is also that identical version.

 

[LowAndSilent]

The tire has arrived...now I just need to find someone/someplace around the area that's willing to assist with the tire change. That'll have to wait till the brake bar comes in, as the one from Farkle Masters is backordered for a few weeks.

First perceptions...this thing is huge. A lot wider than the MT (eyeballing it looks to be half an inch on each side). The bead looks like it'll fit the rim all right, though...it's just the tread area that is wider.

Edit: Also...being dyslexic, I totally missed something when ordering the tire. It's listed as an "XL" or Extra Load tire. Anyone know of any issues with this? On a car it usually translates into better feel/feedback. Don't know what it would do on a moto.

I've had great experience with America's Tire, tell them you need a tire mounted for your trike. They can't balance it though, but moto shops don't seem to mind doing that to an already mounted CT.

No issue with the XL rating that I am aware of. I'm pretty sure my Exalto is also that identical version.

Thank you both! I don't have an American's Tire, but I believe that's the same as a Discount Tire. I'll call the one right down the street and see if they'll be able to fit my wheel on their changer. That may just work.

As for balancing, I've had good experience with Dyna Beads, so I'll be going with them again. I just need to remember to put in the amount for a car tire, not a moto tire. Though, I had considered trying Ride On.

 

[user 213]

Any decent tire shop with a modern rim clamp tire machine should be able to do the mounting w/o issues. Whether they choose to do so is another story. Good luck with the Discount Tire place, should be a no brainer for them.

 

[garyahouse]

The tire has arrived...now I just need to find someone/someplace around the area that's willing to assist with the tire change. That'll have to wait till the brake bar comes in, as the one from Farkle Masters is backordered for a few weeks.

First perceptions...this thing is huge. A lot wider than the MT (eyeballing it looks to be half an inch on each side). The bead looks like it'll fit the rim all right, though...it's just the tread area that is wider.

Edit: Also...being dyslexic, I totally missed something when ordering the tire. It's listed as an "XL" or Extra Load tire. Anyone know of any issues with this? On a car it usually translates into better feel/feedback. Don't know what it would do on a moto.

Though I'm still waiting for my exalto to arrive, my local Yammie shop said they'd install it. They were unfamiliar with the FJR Forum, or the DS concept, but were all ears as I recounted for them my journey to the dark side and what so many of you fine people have had to say. They said they'd mount and balance it for me if I'd be willing to sign a waver form. 40 bucks per tire and they'll lube up the splines for free. Gonna be in the mid sixties to low 70's all week end. Looking forward to learning what Lord Vader meant when he said, "LUKE... IF YOU ONLY KNEW THE P-O-W-E-R OF THE DARK SIDE!!!!!
GARY IN TAMPA

 

[RaYzerman19]

Also...being dyslexic, I totally missed something when ordering the tire. It's listed as an "XL" or Extra Load tire. Anyone know of any issues with this? On a car it usually translates into better feel/feedback. Don't know what it would do on a moto.

On mine, I don't see any XL designations... there are two Exaltos, one is the PE2 and the other is the A/S. Check the photos on Tire Rack to see which one you have (tread pattern/sidewalls). You want the A/S.

 

[TriggerT]

Installed the Exalto this morning. Now all I need is for all the damn snow to go away so I can ride.

 

[03HiYoSilver]

I'm still waiting for my exalto to arrive, my local Yammie shop said they'd install it. They were unfamiliar with the FJR Forum, or the DS concept, but were all ears as I recounted for them my journey to the dark side and what so many of you fine people have had to say.

Well you could have knocked me over with a feather... it is funny to see these folks never admit (to the mechanically unwashed) this Forum exists... but when you ask a fairly technical question or problem... see them scurry off behind closed doors to research them on the FJR forum on the computer and then say now and later... never heard of this FORUM. Tickles me since we all Know Better.

Good Luck with the Tires... they look great!

 

[fljab]

Well you could have knocked me over with a feather... it is funny to see these folks never admit (to the mechanically unwashed) this Forum exists... but when you ask a fairly technical question or problem... see them scurry off behind closed doors to research them on the FJR forum on the computer and then say now and later... never heard of this FORUM. Tickles me since we all Know Better.

+1! I'm not a Darksider yet, but I do go in to my local Yam/Suz shop and usually know what I want and ask for. I've often even had the p/n's in hand. This forum along with other LD sites I go to are a wealth of info!

 

[doctorJ]

Installed the Exalto this morning. Now all I need is for all the damn snow to go away so I can ride.

Trigger, it looks good. That is the same tire I've got. I've now decided that it isn't dangerous. In fact, I don't think much about it at all even in cornering now. Yes, it is different but have gotten used to it. About the only concern I have to wait and see is how the rear shock handles it and if the front tire wear is more than usual. Let us know what you think after you've given it some time.

doctorj

 

[garyahouse]

Wow, that picture came out great. Still waiting for my Exalto to arrive, so thought I'd take care of some dark side prep work. I spent a couple hours measuring, cutting, drilling, and grinding my new brake strap. I used the same 3/16 x 3/4 inch steel recommended on this forum. It was 5 bucks at Lowe's. My sawzall, tape measure, center punch, drill, and a bench grinder were all I needed. Time consuming, but easy enough. The strap is completed and the paint is drying. Tomorrow, I'll mount it to the bike and everything should be ready to mount the new tire.

Gary

 

[TriggerT]

Yeah, the Nikon SLR my wife and I got for X-Mas last year takes some good photos. I made my brake bar out of 1/4" stainless steel, which I got for free from a metal supplier I use at work. He cut the pieces to length for me, so all I had to do was drill the holes (not an easy thing in stainless until you buy the right bits) and then grind off any sharp corners.

As far as the extra wear on the shock, I just had my Penske rear shock rebuilt by Traxxion Dynamics. It has a slightly heavier than standard spring, and I also put one of their shock socks on to help protect the seals. Before I had it serviced it had gone just over 40K miles, and had just started to leak a little bit. I doubt I will get 40K miles in this year, so unless the shock fails a great deal sooner with the CT than it did with the PR2's I had been running, I wont know what the difference will be until next year.

I will be very interested to see how the front wears. In the past, I have gotten up to 14.5K miles out of a set of PR2 tires, and even then they were only worn in the middle. I commute 160 miles per day on STRAIGHT slab, so the darkside concept sounds like it is right up my alley. We'll see.

 

[doctorJ]

Trigger, did you install your Penske yourself? I've put on one shock/spring myself on a different bike but not on the FJR so just wondering how hard it is if I have to do it one of these days. How did you decide on the Penske as opposed to others (ohlins, works, wilbers etc.)?

doctorj

 

[TriggerT]

Removing the stock shock is harder than installing the Penske, IMO. You will need to unplug a few connections just behind the stock rear shock to remove the hard to soft adjustment without cutting the cables.

I had bought the Penske used about 2 years ago, and got a good deal on it. That was the main factor in choosing a Penske. FWIW, I had 38K miles on the stock one when I replaced it, and I think it could have gone a few thousand more since it wasn't leaking yet. Keeping it clean helps a lot.

 

[user 213]

I will be very interested to see how the front wears. In the past, I have gotten up to 14.5K miles out of a set of PR2 tires, and even then they were only worn in the middle. I commute 160 miles per day on STRAIGHT slab, so the darkside concept sounds like it is right up my alley. We'll see.

You shouldn't have a problem with front tire wear... I now have 17,600 on the front PR2 and it's getting close to 'done' but still has some life left. That includes a two week, 13k period and lots of slab, though probably more twisties than your commute. This is more mileage than I've ever gotten from a front tire, btw. :blink:

 

[TriggerT]

This is more mileage than I've ever gotten from a front tire, btw. :blink:

I wonder why that would be, and why it seems to differ so much. Maybe the same reasons tire wear differs so much form one rider to another, and from one part of the country to another.

Oh, and by the way, since I posted the pic, does that make me number 37, or does the count need to be updated?

 

[user 213]

This is more mileage than I've ever gotten from a front tire, btw. :blink:

I wonder why that would be, and why it seems to differ so much. Maybe the same reasons tire wear differs so much form one rider to another, and from one part of the country to another.

Oh, and by the way, since I posted the pic, does that make me number 37, or does the count need to be updated?

It's my first PR2, that's why it's more mileage than I've gotten before on a front tire.

You need to scroll down to Part 2 of the FAQ. I'm adding the other good bits to the Part 2 FAQ and will ask the Admin to delete the other posts in the FAQ thread shortly. Because of the software change, I can't easily edit the original FAQ post w/o having to re-do every bit of code again, thus the Part 2.

Welcome to the Darkside TriggerT, you are Darksider #43 and have been added to the FAQ (part 2),list.

 

[juniorfjr]

This is more mileage than I've ever gotten from a front tire, btw. :blink:

I wonder why that would be, and why it seems to differ so much. Maybe the same reasons tire wear differs so much form one rider to another, and from one part of the country to another.

Oh, and by the way, since I posted the pic, does that make me number 37, or does the count need to be updated?

It could be, he's a more svelt OCFJR.

I too have the penske and it was not any problem installing. After removing the original, there is a big hole in the middle.

There is a little bit of fennagling how to get the remote res in.