I said I would never do it, but...........

[idk]

The DS isn't for everyone, no doubt about that @Zonechamp. However, for those that like it, it works.

 

[IMFASTTOO]

Well, my experiment is over - Darkside loses. I put on 1000km over the last couple of weeks riding 2 up and single as well as a lot of slow speed maneuvers. I spent 2 hours in a parking lot going through the drills I learned in the Advanced Rider course I took. Drills like slow speed turns in concentric circles getting smaller and smaller until you can't do it anymore. Figure 8's, weaving cones, veering, panic stops etc. All I can say is a dark side tire on this bike is like taking the power steering out of your car. When you read this thread or others on darksiding the arguments always seem to mention whether you can drag the pegs or take the tight corners. I took those corners without issue, the problems were the light easy corners. When the bike is fighting to remain upright. I can say that in all my days of riding I have never ridden tipped to one side driving in a straight line without wind being involved. Its like you had to lean bike over to a greater degree just to get it to move. A slight lean did absolutely nothing for turning ability. I have since removed my Yokohama and put a brand new Avon Cobra in it's place. My bike feels like it's lost 500lbs, that heavy slow feeling is gone. Could I have gotten used to it? Yes without a doubt, but why? I pretty much disabled my bike to try and save money, never going to happen again. It looked good on paper but it's not for me.I plan on hitting the twisties at Sturgis this year and I don't want to do it riding a bike that feels like a dump truck.

YOU hit the nail on the head a very accurate description

 

[joey fletcher]

Zone

When you described leaning the bike are you saying that you steer the bike just by leaning / shifting your weight?
Maybe you meant you lean with counter steer.

Wow 1000 Km man that is a lot of test riding especially in early spring in Canada. We here in NC USA have had a couple of weeks of good riding weather too.
I am not here to try to change your mind. With less than 16 hrs. of riding time, look at it this way. If a person has never rode a m/c or Rocket III and with only 1000 km how expert would that person be to judge how good or bad a motorcycle is.

I have both m/c tire and a car tire on 2 rear wheels, I love both of them. I have over 11,000 miles on the car tire and a new ish m/c tire apx. 800 miles on it. To me both have a weak and a strong point.

 

[Mouldy]

Thanks for posting your results, Zonechamp. I've been curious about this topic and you seemed to have an open mind about the topic. Haven't been been thrilled with the Metzeler, was going to go darkside but tried the Bridgestone Exedra Max first. Loving it and about $80 to $100 cheaper.

Hi @Dennis B.
Have you done much riding in the wet with the Bridgestone Exedra Max & if so, how's the grip ?

 

[1olbull]

Zone

When you described leaning the bike are you saying that you steer the bike just by leaning / shifting your weight?
Maybe you meant you lean with counter steer.

Wow 1000 Km man that is a lot of test riding especially in early spring in Canada. We here in NC USA have had a couple of weeks of good riding weather too.
I am not here to try to change your mind. With less than 16 hrs. of riding time, look at it this way. If a person has never rode a m/c or Rocket III and with only 1000 km how expert would that person be to judge how good or bad a motorcycle is.

I have both m/c tire and a car tire on 2 rear wheels, I love both of them. I have over 11,000 miles on the car tire and a new ish m/c tire apx. 800 miles on it. To me both have a weak and a strong point.

In my experience the flat square tire lean me left and right on its own as it traverses slightly uneven pavement and seeks plumb.

 

[xlr8tion]

Hi @Dennis B.
Have you done much riding in the wet with the Bridgestone Exedra Max & if so, how's the grip ?

I hit 80 heading to Charlotte on I-77 and my Exedra Max was dealing with it but the rain was moderate.

Thought I was doing 60 as the Triumph gauges print is so small-It was unintentional.

Can't speak for heavy rain as I usually pull over as the siping is not enough to give me the confidence to take that risk.

I am not sure any MT is really up to heavy rain at speed......

 

[IMFASTTOO]

In my experience the flat square tire lean me left and right on its own as it traverses slightly uneven pavement and seeks plumb.

YES of course thats the problem running a flat tire

 

[Dennis B.]

Hi @Dennis B.
Have you done much riding in the wet with the Bridgestone Exedra Max & if so, how's the grip ?

A little bit. Enough to say that I like it better than the Metzeler, but not enough to give a more detailed opinion.

 

[joey fletcher]

Bull

You are absolutely right, it will drift on a uneven road surface but not much. I compare it to riding a m/c at speed on a gravel dirt road.

I think most people are afraid to ride at speed on dirt roads due to the drift or floating as I call it. Me I enjoyed it, I am talking about large road bikes not dirt bikes. Just relax and let it float, I put many 1000's of miles on a V-65 Magna on dirt roads

Mouldy

I have over 11,000 miles on a Goodyear F1 Eagle, which I think is a better car tire to run on the Rocket....LOL
I will not blow smoke up your butt about heavy rain with lots of puddling the Metz is a lot better. If you have that type of weather in your location and ride in heavy rains stay with the m/c tire.
I have had the car tire to hydro plane on the interstate in heavy rain and the way in which I knew it was doing that was the RPM's.
It was like I was pulling in the clutch then letting it back out. The bike did not do anything funny as slide around or quick twitches but I knew instantly that what was going on, was not good, so I slowed down from 70-75 mph to 55-60 mph

 

[Zonechamp]

Zone

When you described leaning the bike are you saying that you steer the bike just by leaning / shifting your weight?
Maybe you meant you lean with counter steer.

Wow 1000 Km man that is a lot of test riding especially in early spring in Canada. We here in NC USA have had a couple of weeks of good riding weather too.
I am not here to try to change your mind. With less than 16 hrs. of riding time, look at it this way. If a person has never rode a m/c or Rocket III and with only 1000 km how expert would that person be to judge how good or bad a motorcycle is.

I have both m/c tire and a car tire on 2 rear wheels, I love both of them. I have over 11,000 miles on the car tire and a new ish m/c tire apx. 800 miles on it. To me both have a weak and a strong point.

Our weather is usually good. I rode in all 12 months last year and so far this year I didn't ride in January but have in February and March. As far as being a judge the only motorcycle i am judging is mine. I am not trying to be an expert, just telling my experience is all. In my opinion the only upside to a car tire is saving money.