I love my Darkside. I'm running a BFGoodrich g-force COMP-2 225/55R16. The traction is superb, and I still scrape peg in the twisties just as much (if not more) than I did with the Avons I ran previously. The slow u-turns takes a little more effort, but it's still very doable. I have no problem outmatching my wife on her XSR900.
I am no aficionado of car tires on a motor, but I do understand the nuisance and expense of tire replacement.
My cross country ride to the Wall and many parts in between from Tacoma, WA was 11,500 miles in exactly 6 weeks.
I began with brand new tires front and rear. I had to find, locate and then pay dealers for THREE tire replacements before I got back home.
I tried CT for a day and 250 miles. I'll never go to a car tire, BUT frequent tire changes is a PITA and bokoo &&&&.
All the regular tire shops around here would not mount the DS.
The Yamaha dealer in Flemington did. As mentioned, the Gold wing crowd loves em and the Yammy dealer accommodates.
I tried several different tires for the Touring. There always seemed to be a compromise between grip and longevity so I didn't feel like I was getting the best tire for the machine.
The tires I liked needed to be replaced at least twice a year. That's a big inconvenience.
I change my own tires, partially because I'm cost conscience (frugal, cheap whatever ) and partially because I don't like the inconvenience of taking the bike to a shop then re-checking their work when I get it back home.
Like several of the people here have stated; I wanted to try it so I could "know" for myself.
It took a little time to get used to and I think it took the tire about 1k miles to break in and get comfortable. The tire handles GREAT under triple digits. I'm hoping a different CT may work better next year (at least up to 120 on a closed track ).
It's not really about money. I just put a tire on my RM and went with the OEM Dunlops. They aren't cheap but they are a good tire for the machine.
When a MFG makes a MT for the Touring that will get 10k+, not slip sideways from a moderate start and give decent wet traction; I'll pay what they ask.
I'm cost conscience (frugal, cheap whatever ) and partially because I don't like the inconvenience of taking the bike to a shop then re-checking their work when I get it back home.
It's not really about money.
When a MFG makes a MT for the Touring that will get 10k+, not slip sideways from a moderate start and give decent wet traction; I'll pay what they ask.