Darkside Review ???

[tdragger]

Yeah, if they ran the accident stats associated with tire performance (skids, slides, high sides, lockups) against the members on this and the other board, they would find that the Metzler is the biggest safety hazard.

 

[snuffcityrider]

Seems like it would be hard to judge objectively since there are so many different brands being run. Different tread patterns, air pressures and sizes. Especially widths, I've read and understand what a difference that could make being a once a ponna time darksider myself.

 

[Bigfoot]

i would be more than happy to accompany my Rocket to Oz and let them ride it.

 

[PeteOZ]

I certainly couldn't phrase a response any better than CanberraR3 has, and I would question the earlier statement that the motorcycle advertisers are going to pull their sponsorship simply because a magazine provides an unbiased report on darksiding and we'd be better off not having any such review....... ?????

Somehow, I can't see them seeing a threat from the miniscule percentage of riders who "may" switch to the darkside based on the article. You can be 100% certain that the review will NOT be advocating a move to the darkside, but will simply be providing a well researched review of the pluses and minuses.

I, for one, am really looking forward to that, as it will be interesting to see how the reviewers report handling at very low speeds, which appears to be the only real handling negative that is reported constantly from darkside riders.

Pete

 

[HellFire]

.... You can be 100% certain that the review will NOT be advocating a move to the darkside, but will simply be providing a well researched review of the pluses and minuses.

I think this is exactly why they haven't had many come forward. Darksiders have long put up with off-the-cuff negativity and harsh comments just for having a car tire on their bike. The ones who put up with that and still ride on one do so because they like it and don't care what others think. Allowing a magazine to write about what THEY think of as a personal choice is opening themselves up to ridicule in print. I don't know about you, but myself ... I'd keep my mouth and my bike shut up and keep enjoying the ride.

It would be like having the Jewish religion reviewed by Christians ... the best you can hope for is .... "I see their point, but ....".

 

[CanberraR3]

Darksiders have long put up with off-the-cuff negativity and harsh comments just for having a car tire on their bike. QUOTE]

Hardly surprising that, really.

I bet the first time most people saw or heard of a car tire on a bike they thought it odd. Was only once you get a chance to understand the rationale and read some user feedback that it starts to make sense. I rather think that's what the mag is trying to. There won't be a team of loyal MT users writing a review of CTs, so it's not the same at all as Chistians reviewing the Jews. More like an accademic looking at a slightly non-mainstream religion to see what attracts people to it.

 

[rawlo]

Its a Chioce

I state that it is impossible for a review of a ct based on a leisure ride around the block I have just done 10000 km on my rocket on a ct and I am happy with it but not totally convinced it is the be and all. for me on some rides its the ducks nuts but on others not so.
Rawlo

 

[tdragger]

As much as this writer may come recommended for his objectivity, I'm skeptical that he could provide a truly thorough, objective and otherwise fair review.

First, as said before, a short 300 mile ride around the patch isn't enough. This has to be a long term review. Many of us have said that it takes 1000 miles or so to get accustomed to 1) the idea of running the c/t and 2) develop the muscle memory to adjust to the slightly different handling nuances.

Second, is this reviewer going to ride the bike in the manner that is suitable and appropriate for running darkside? Thrashing an 800+ lb CRUISER around twisties like it is a squid bike is not the proper application of the darkside. Or running 200+ mph down public roads as part of a pissing contest is not the propper application of the darkside. If this reviewer contains his riding within the limits that 90 plus percent of us ride, then he might get the idea of why we extoll the values of the c/t. Cruising, commuting, touring, that's the envelope for the darkside.

Lastly, is this reviewer going to ride the bike like the rest of us average Joe's with all of our less than perfect, inexperienced applications of clutch, brake and throttle. Most of us are going to stomp on the rear brake in an emergency (lock up followed by highside). Count up the accidents in this scenario. Most of us are going to improperly feather the clutch in a spirited launch or exit from a corner and break away the rear tire (hmmm, a few more accidents here). Of course, these accidents were to Rocket owners running the stock Metzler. None, repeat NONE, were to darksiders. I suspect that this writer is somewhat of an experienced rider so he may not be able to relate to the same shortcomings that most of the riding public does.

Riding darkside isn't all about speed and precision. At least it's not for me. Safety and economics are my primary factors for running darkside and it works for me. I feel safer. My bike performs well with it. It feels more comfortable. And it saves me a considerable amount of money. I'm not looking for "validation" from an improperly set up or executed "review" to convince me any other way.

If your writer does proceed with this review, please share with him my comments. Hopefully he will take them into consideration when he puts his fingers to the keyboard. If he is true to his word about an objective review, then hopefully he will listen to us supporters as well as the detractors.

 

[goodfellow]

Seems like it would be hard to judge objectively since there are so many different brands being run. Different tread patterns, air pressures and sizes. Especially widths, I've read and understand what a difference that could make being a once a ponna time darksider myself.

that is correct... different tires will render different ride characteristics, whether m/c or c/t. they must all be set up individually.



greg

 

[Gothlander]

As much as this writer may come recommended for his objectivity, I'm skeptical that he could provide a truly thorough, objective and otherwise fair review.

First, as said before, a short 300 mile ride around the patch isn't enough. This has to be a long term review. Many of us have said that it takes 1000 miles or so to get accustomed to 1) the idea of running the c/t and 2) develop the muscle memory to adjust to the slightly different handling nuances.

Second, is this reviewer going to ride the bike in the manner that is suitable and appropriate for running darkside? Thrashing an 800+ lb CRUISER around twisties like it is a squid bike is not the proper application of the darkside. Or running 200+ mph down public roads as part of a pissing contest is not the propper application of the darkside. If this reviewer contains his riding within the limits that 90 plus percent of us ride, then he might get the idea of why we extoll the values of the c/t. Cruising, commuting, touring, that's the envelope for the darkside.

Lastly, is this reviewer going to ride the bike like the rest of us average Joe's with all of our less than perfect, inexperienced applications of clutch, brake and throttle. Most of us are going to stomp on the rear brake in an emergency (lock up followed by highside). Count up the accidents in this scenario. Most of us are going to improperly feather the clutch in a spirited launch or exit from a corner and break away the rear tire (hmmm, a few more accidents here). Of course, these accidents were to Rocket owners running the stock Metzler. None, repeat NONE, were to darksiders. I suspect that this writer is somewhat of an experienced rider so he may not be able to relate to the same shortcomings that most of the riding public does.

Riding darkside isn't all about speed and precision. At least it's not for me. Safety and economics are my primary factors for running darkside and it works for me. I feel safer. My bike performs well with it. It feels more comfortable. And it saves me a considerable amount of money. I'm not looking for "validation" from an improperly set up or executed "review" to convince me any other way.

If your writer does proceed with this review, please share with him my comments. Hopefully he will take them into consideration when he puts his fingers to the keyboard. If he is true to his word about an objective review, then hopefully he will listen to us supporters as well as the detractors.

Well said, I could not put it better myself.