Good bye Darkside

[sonny]

Any comments on why you went from the darkside? I didn't like that I had to air the tire every other day. With my body weight the sweet spot was 25 psi. It wasn't enough to keep the tire aired up tight against the lip of the wheel... I guess. It didn't have a hole in it.

I've been kicking the idea around about going with a smaller front tire next time. I've always ran the standard size. Been told the handling will improve with a smaller tire but the ride comfort will suffer. In the area I live the roads are curvy so I guess that would be a positive.

the Michelin commander in that size doesn't have harley wrote on it.

I have run Michelin commander's on my 2010 Fatboy (bought New) for the last 40,000 plus miles. (87,000 total miles) One of the best tires i have ever run on any bike. The Michelin Scorcher was designed for the V-rod and sporties 1200. Leans more toward a sport tire than the Commanders. May not get a lot of miles out of it but it should be a blast on the Rocket. Really do not give a #ats #ss if it says Harley on it. Matter of fact it should add to the entertainment when you blast pass them on their own equipment. Very soon my pipes from Paul should be showing up. Full system 3 into one. Believe you are running the same set up? Been reading the same and figured before the pipes show up might as well go for it and try the smaller front tire along with the Exedra Max. Have 28,000 on the Rocket X (bought new) and have already went through a set of Avon Cobras. The Avon's were standard size and did OK but at low speeds the front would shake a little. Cold weather they sucked. Went to the Darkside out of curiosity. Never had a problem with air pressure ran the tire around 31 PSI. Really liked the way the Darkside ran on the open rode but when it came to around town and rough roads it sucked. Running a Dunlap III up front and trusted it in tight corners but the car tire really made me nervous in a tight turn. I plan on upgrading the back shocks and springs up front at the same time (Ordered progressive springs and Wilber shocks). New to the Rocket and took some time to understand and read about all the different modifications that can been done. Cost effect verse fun factor should have a sweet set up.

 

[Ishrub]

If you got Wilbers rears why not Wilbers or their slightly cheaper Promoto line of matching fork springs?

Lots use Progressive brand progressive (Surprise, Surprise) fork springs with 7 w oil up from 5w stock.
04-12 Triumph Rocket III Progressive Suspension Fork Springs 11-1529

Progressive Suspension - 11-1529 - Fork Springs Kit Triumph Rocket III | eBay

I put Progressive's in mine with 10w oil but I am a 350lb lump. I also have their top of the line Progressive brand 444 model rear shocks.

Whatever you decide on, do some Google AND eBay searches to find best prices WITH postage to your location. Do NOT ignore ebay listings from other countries or posted in other languages or currencies as even after Paypal currency transfer fees and postage these can often be cheaper with exactly the same Paypal and eBay protections.

You can also get Wilbers made but branded Promoto front fork springs:
457742 PROMOTO Fork springs TRIUMPH Rocket III Touring 23 XC 07 | eBay

Promoto Fork springs Triumph Rocket III Built from 04 | eBay

as well as Wilbers branded ones:

Kit Springs fork Wilbers + 2x L Oil WP Triumph Rocket III | eBay

TRIUMPH ROCKET III Roadster Fork Springs stock height | eBay

Do your fork and dust seals at the same time:
Triumph Rocket III 2300 2004 - 2012 Fork Oil & Dust Seal Kit - With Oil

or just fork seals for less:
Triumph Rocket III 2300 2004 - 2012 Showe 3 Fork Oil Seal Kit | eBay

and lower range end rear Wilbers for slightly more than Progressive rears but Wilbers have a large range of higher end rear shocks as well. Wilbers are great quality but you do pay for it.

For most Rocketers Progressive 444 or Hagon / YSS or Shock Factory quality/performance is a good compromise.

Lower grade Progressives would be better than stock as you can specify spring rate.

 

[TRIIICK]

Speaking of tires anyone know how to get rid of belly fat...!!

 

[sonny]

If you got Wilbers rears why not Wilbers or their slightly cheaper Promoto line of matching fork springs?

Do not have them yet. Ordered today. Like the progressive front springs have used them before on other bikes.

 

[sonny]

Speaking of tires anyone know how to get rid of belly fat...!!

Start buying stuff for your bike that leaves less money for food.

 

[Ishrub]

Speaking of tires anyone know how to get rid of belly fat...!!

Liposuction. Strangely may be the most permanent for all its naysayers. The fat cells are actually sucked out of the abdominal area and your arse and thighs if you choose.

FACT: The number of fat cells you have after puberty NEVER changes they just swell with fat globules or shrink when fat is burnt.

 

[mully95]

I have run Michelin commander's on my 2010 Fatboy (bought New) for the last 40,000 plus miles. (87,000 total miles) One of the best tires i have ever run on any bike. The Michelin Scorcher was designed for the V-rod and sporties 1200. Leans more toward a sport tire than the Commanders. May not get a lot of miles out of it but it should be a blast on the Rocket. Really do not give a #ats #ss if it says Harley on it. Matter of fact it should add to the entertainment when you blast pass them on their own equipment. Very soon my pipes from Paul should be showing up. Full system 3 into one. Believe you are running the same set up? Been reading the same and figured before the pipes show up might as well go for it and try the smaller front tire along with the Exedra Max. Have 28,000 on the Rocket X (bought new) and have already went through a set of Avon Cobras. The Avon's were standard size and did OK but at low speeds the front would shake a little. Cold weather they sucked. Went to the Darkside out of curiosity. Never had a problem with air pressure ran the tire around 31 PSI. Really liked the way the Darkside ran on the open rode but when it came to around town and rough roads it sucked. Running a Dunlap III up front and trusted it in tight corners but the car tire really made me nervous in a tight turn. I plan on upgrading the back shocks and springs up front at the same time (Ordered progressive springs and Wilber shocks). New to the Rocket and took some time to understand and read about all the different modifications that can been done. Cost effect verse fun factor should have a sweet set up.

Yeah I ran a Avon on the front with the Exdra on the rear. Had a wobble at low speeds ... around 40 mph. Long story short I threw almost a new tire away and replaced with Metz. Fixed. The motorcycle place I do my tire changes with said that they have seen a lot of problems with Avon on other type motorcycles as well. And... I could never get over 100 mph with the Avon as it wobbled so bad. Put the Metz on and went over 100 like it was nothing. Metz isn't the best tire but it is better that Avon.

 

[Steel]

Yeah I ran a Avon on the front with the Exdra on the rear. Had a wobble at low speeds ... around 40 mph. Long story short I threw almost a new tire away and replaced with Metz. Fixed. The motorcycle place I do my tire changes with said that they have seen a lot of problems with Avon on other type motorcycles as well. And... I could never get over 100 mph with the Avon as it wobbled so bad. Put the Metz on and went over 100 like it was nothing. Metz isn't the best tire but it is better that Avon.

I run the EMax/Avon combo. Had it over 170 with no issues. (Disclaimer * individual results may vary)

 

[Mittzy]

I run the EMax/Avon combo. Had it over 170 with no issues. (Disclaimer * individual results may vary)

+1

 

[rocketjohn]

The Exedra Max is fine on the rear...never skids, and plants itself in turns very nicely.