My year on the darkside


Well said! This is an honest and logical explanation!
No unsupported claims of a car tire performing better than the tire designed for the machine.
Thank you! May you enjoy every mile you ride.
 
Being Open Minded I have been trying out a Brigdestone Excedra Max and while the low speed handling is not as nimble on a DS (245/50/16) as it is on the bridgy, I never had any problems craving the twisty stuff on a DS but I also am not a small bloke so having a bit of upper body strenght probably helps and I will more than likely go back to a DS.
Must say it is refreshing to see a civil conversation on the subject by obviously open minded people who have Either tried one or are prepared to listen others opinions with out offering unnecessary sarcasm
 
Apart from the OEM tyre, I have used a 245/50, several 225/55, and a 215/55. The problems you mentioned are definitely more pronounced with the 245 and almost non-existent with the 215. However, the diameter of the 215 is slightly less than the OEM tyre and I did not like the higher engine speed that resulted. For me, the 225 is the best option.
 

Yeah, at higher speeds it felt a bit more secure, less likley to sweep out from under you with the car tire. I'm not small either. 6 even and 260 ish.
 

Mate,
I have a good friend that has raced in years past as I have, He had ridden darkside for 10 years! I have spent time on his V2K (same as mine) and was surprised to find it worked better than I had expected.
I did not like the constant side to side flop (pressure) of the bars in my hands caused by the car tire trying to stay on the flat tread.
Cornering was not a problem and the bike did not flop once it was on the edge as I thought it would; however, there is no way I would trust it as much as a good motor tire in a hot corner. I was comfy up to approximately 75% of my abilities - no more. Uncle!
I have absolutely no problem with the use of a car tire for monetary purposes (did I say HUGE monetary purposes?) and - NO it won't instantly kill you!
My ONLY issue is with claims made that a car tire performs better than the tire engineered for the motorcycle. I am aware of NO "advantages" that are supported by scientific testing and data. My only caveat to this would be perhaps drag racing. I would also really like to see some comprehensive brake testing comparing the two types of tires.
My head just can't get around the fact that darksiders are always searching for the "best" shaped car tire and always running various pressures below the recommended levels and counting on sidewall flex to compensate for the car tire not being designed to lean. Sidewall flex, same as frame flex is NOT conducive to positive performance handling. Nuff said. Respectfully,
1olbull
 
You don't run the tyre under pressurized. Most people run between 28 and 32 psi, which is what they generally run when on cages. The reason that you don't put 42 psi in is that there is more tread on the ground so you don't need to run the higher pressure.
 

I followed TD on Saturday for a few hours and tried to watch that DS tire as much as I could. I have never ridden one but have determined that I don't always like having a narrow front tire paired with a fat back tire. The M-109 and Victory Hammer come to mind. I just didn't like their slow speed turning on city streets where I commute most of the darn time. But back to TD's bike, I watched in the slow and in the tight curves and never saw anything that came close to being dangerous or unsteady; not that I could tell from my spot. Now then, how well or how much of a difference is there between the classic or Roadster and my Touring bike is there when it comes to back verses front tire widths? I put a lot of miles on my bikes and know how expensive changing tires becomes 2-3 times each year. Has anyone here went DS on an R3T?
 
I did with my R3T and I love it, would never go back to a rear motorcycle tire. I have given up on trying to argue with guys who say D.S. tires are dangerous and not engineered for motorcycles, most of them are talking out of their asses as the have never done it.
That's fine with me ,they can stay with their motorcycle tires.
Mac
 
I also have tried a car tire on my Rocket. An Eagle tread, I thought looked cool and beefy. I tinkered with the air pressure for a little bit. The tire shop, when asked, thought I should be ok down to 25 lbs. I was trying to get the edge to not be so noticeable when I cornered. Yes, the cornering takes a little more finesse. One thing I quickly realized was; don't 'goose' it when passing somebody on the edge of the tire... it will slip. My wife gets the' Heeby jeebies' when she feels the edge ride up, or when the road is uneven and you feel every little crack. She first told me to never put another one on... but know is wanting me to put the 'normal' one back on before I even get the tread wore down on the car tire. I think I'll be stalling on the early change... When I put the car tire on I was looking for a smoother ride, which I do get when I am going straight down the road. Last year, I discovered I am also do for rear shocks and a front forks rebuild. I guess I'll see how much riding I get in this year.