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I have a "Double Dark" side... updates: 10.25.11

12K views 160 replies 37 participants last post by  Andy Cote 
#1 ·
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Okay, I picked up the car tire today from the shipping place.

Dunlop Winter Sport ROF 175.60.R16 About $155 delivered from Tire Rack.

Initial impressions:

It is not as TALL as the Michelin PilotGT I am running now.

I have to figure this will lower the back a bit. But this shouldn't be a problem as I am having a bit of trouble reaching the ground since I installed the Corbin seat.

It has a lot of tread and I like the pattern. It makes me feel like Studley Hungwell just looking at it.

I specifically picked this tire because:

1. The bottom appears more round than most other CT's, which I am hoping will help the handling. The Valkyrie has a 205 Goodyear and it does have a rear wander on uneven surfaces and stands up faster out of the curves.

2. The 175 seemed as wide as I dare go... although I have heard of folks running the 195 with only 3mm on either side. That is a bit tight for my taste and it seems it would make removing the rear tire a complete bee-otch. (The Valk is a complete nightmare... I usually end up getting frustrated and just pulling the rear rend too.)
 
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#27 ·
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DrifterTex wrote:
I think I am going to have go over.....
Drifter,

We have cookies...

That wintersport 175 sure looks nice on the bike. I have the wing entirely tore apart and the Valk is on the stand getting brakes. Gonna have to drive the cage tomorrow.
 
#28 ·
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Ok guys ... I am really interested in this. Just got back from 1800 miles of western mountains this weekend and took the remaining tread off my E3 on the rear (I guess 50 miles of new chip seal wasn't the best idea DOH!).
Looking at the Wintersport for my '91 Interstate ... couple questions:
I assume you're using a standard MC front tire? I have an Elite II with a few housand miles left. The handling issues are WITH a MC front tire or "double darkside"?
The really big question is mounting ... did you do it yourself or find a shop to do it on the side? I've read of people being rejected because they didn't buy the tire, liability etc. Then somebody said it was a definite 2 man job ... is it doable with a set of irons and muscle?

Love this forum ... :applause: Pat
 
#29 ·
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jpelmer wrote:
1.) I assume you're using a standard MC front tire?
2. )The handling issues are WITH a MC front tire or "double darkside"?
3.) Did you do it yourself or find a shop to do it on the side?
4.) I've read of people being rejected because they didn't buy the tire, liability etc.
5.)Then somebody said it was a definite 2 man job.
6.) Is it doable with a set of irons and muscle?
I will try to answer the questions I can... I hope others will jump in here and fill in the gaps. Bear in mind, I am not an expert and have a IQ only nearing the level of a complete retard.

1.) At this point, I have a PilotGT on the front... but it is my intention to take the front darkside as well with a rear Bridgestone Battleaxe mounted backward.

2.) See above. I cannot attest to the handling of this bike at this time. I have the thing completely "TOE-UP!" (tore up) I am installing a factory CB which pretty much requires me to take about half the bike apart... along the way I am doing upgrades and replacing filters, plugs and such. And then, because I am compulsive about such things... yesterday I ripped the handlebar switches off and have been having a go at cleaning and re-conditioning those too. I suspect the bike will be on the stand till November at the rate I move. (I have a job... a very hard one! Working on the bike is therapy for me.) Because we do not really have a winter in Texas... this is as close to a "winter service" as I get. We ride year round... and i need this bike to be ready for Spring Break in March.

3.) I have a local shop I use for things like this. When I put the Goodyear on the Valk he thought I was crazy for mounting a CT. These days... he told me it is becoming increasingly popular and commented that he really liked the look of that tire on my rim.

4.) That did not happen with me... but he hasn't been confronted with mounting the front tire yet. We'll see... I may draw up release of liability docs just in case.

5.) He said it was a total Bee-Otch to mount that tire. But he did have help... and a nice machine.

6.) I could not say... many attest that it is.

It's a sexy tire. IMHO... The WS is the Jennifer Lopez of darkside tires. It has a nice, round bottom. Which should make it pleasant to ride. But we'll see... when ever i get this thing put back together.
 
#30 ·
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I appreciate the feedback ... if I do this it will be the start of winter service for me too ... first time I'll have the plastic etc. off and just too tempting to do all the stuff the PO didn't have a clue about. Just too bad I only have about a month and a half before it's just too much bother :) There's always next spring ...
Thanks, Pat.
 
#31 ·
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Would going to a 175/65 or 175/70 regain that 3/4" and if so, does anybody know where to get one?
 
#32 ·
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mikeyrx wrote:
Remember to keep a piece of 1x6 in the trunk to back the rear wheel onto when you want to use the center stand. (Unless you are really in good shape ! ) That 3/4 in. makes a big difference in the effort necessary to put the bike up.
That was one of my concerns when I went with a Formoza. Same size as the Dunlop W/S. Its all about the technique. It may be a "tad" more than with a stock but I can still get it on the center stand fairly easily without an extra piece of wood under the back tire.
 
#33 ·
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pwhoever wrote
That was one of my concerns when I went with a Formoza. Same size as the Dunlop W/S. Its all about the technique. It may be a "tad" more than with a stock but I can still get it on the center stand fairly easily without an extra piece of wood under the back tire.
That's good to know.. thanks.

t
 
#34 ·
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Here is some information regarding an 1800 running a Kumlo run flat. This guy ran the track on his 1800 with his newly fitted car tire.

First video is the car tire and the tire on the bike. the second is the bike with the camera mounted on the side showing the twisties.

[flash=425,344]http://www.youtube.com/v/oVps8RPkUjE&feature=player_embedded&hl=en&fs=1[/flash]


[flash=425,344]http://www.youtube.com/v/jm_pR_v3tJI&feature=player_embedded&hl=en&fs=1[/flash]
 
#36 ·
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What I had to do was call a couple shops and explain what I was doing. I also let them know that I was willing to pay cash and didn't want a receipt so then there was no paper trail. 1 shop happily obliged and the other said ok as long as I sign a waiver. I went to the first one as it was closer anyway. You might try that approach. If that still doesn't work, you might find one of the forum members out there who mount their own tires.
 
#37 ·
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jpelmer wrote:
So did a little searching today and came up with bupkis ... anybody know a shop that will mount a CT on a MC rim in the Seattle/Tacoma area?

Thanks. Pat
Seattle Cycle Service in Mountlake Terrace mounted mine.

Their website: Seattle Service

$30 mounted and balanced.

[align=center][sup]Seattle Cycle Service
7032 220th St SW
Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043
Phone 425-778-4333 [/sup]
[/align][align=center][sup][/sup][/align][align=center][sup]Located behind former Silver Dollar Casino[/sup][/align][align=center][sup]SW corner of 220th & 70th


[/sup][/align]
 
#39 ·
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jpelmer wrote:
Thanks Larry ... have a call into them and hope they call back with a good word.
What tire are you going with?
 
#40 ·
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Just a thought for you: I have been running a Federal 175/60-16 on my GL 1500 for almost 2 years now. I carry a piece of 1x6 in the trunk to back the rear wheel onto when I need to put it on the centerstand. I cannot get the bike up on the centerstand without doing this.
Mike Mullins (Mikeyrx)
 
#41 ·
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I put a Winter Sport ROF on my 1500 this spring
There was a little weird feeling the first couple of times that I leaned it over and the rear moved a little bit to catch the edge.
My local shop made me sign the ticket that it was a CT and not their liability.
I have not had a problem with putting it on the center stand. I stand on the center stand pad and pull up on the grab bar of the seat
Caution: When you apply the rear brake, the bike will want to stop, real fast.
I have almost 3,000 on mine and have not had a problem.
Most seem to like theirs at 41 psi, so that is where I keep mine.
 
#42 ·
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I should of also stated that very few, very very few ever go back to MC tire. The stopping power alone will sell you. I didn't care about the cost savings, I was looking at the increase in safety. And that tread pattern is awsome looking.
 
#43 ·
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mikeyrx wrote:
Just a thought for you: I have been running a Federal 175/60-16 on my GL 1500 for almost 2 years now. I carry a piece of 1x6 in the trunk to back the rear wheel onto when I need to put it on the centerstand. I cannot get the bike up on the centerstand without doing this.
Mike Mullins (Mikeyrx)
Same tire here but no extra wood. Like I said, it's all in the technique. I gotta do it everytime I fuel up. Demotte isn't too far away. Maybe I can slide by there sometime towards the end of the month and give you a hand. I used to have a lot at Lake Holiday right off I-65 and State Road 10 so I am somewhat familiar with the area. If interested, send me a PM....
 
#44 ·
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us385south wrote:
Dark Side: adj.~ American vernacular slang.
A colloquial term derived from the supposed Jedi culture first described in the Star Wars movie series. This term is commonly applied to the practice of mounting automobile tires on heavy cruiser or touring motorcycles. Members of this motorcycling sub-sect are often referred to as “dark-siders” and are considers a rogue element within most motorcycling circles. Popular belief among cycling mainstream culture claims dark-siding results in instantaneous “crash and burn” death scenarios. Yet strangely, no real evidence of this has ever surfaced from any substantiated source and the practice seems to be gaining in popularity.
See Also: Dark Lord, Sith, Squid(s) and “We have cookies!”.
Nice.
 
#45 ·
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larryinseattle wrote:
jpelmer wrote:
Thanks Larry ... have a call into them and hope they call back with a good word.
What tire are you going with?
Ordering the Dunlop Wintersport 175/60/16 today from TireRack.com. Talked to the guy at Seattle Cycle service and though he sounded reluctant he said he would do it. Might just try it myself first, can't hurt.



Will post a pick when I get it mounted up.
 
#46 ·
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not trying to hijackthe thread but ... WHERE DA DAMN COOKIES !!:jumper:



















Got my tire yesterday ...



Spent 1 hour trying to break the bead on the old one, inexperiance showing I'm sure.



Spent 45 minutes getting the dang valve stem in (cut the old one out). Ended up just pulling with a pair of channel locks trying not to damage the rubber or the 90. Going to go with bolt on patch boy from now on.



Spent an hour muscleing the tire on ... it's doable but a stone cold bee-atch. I'll probably have it done next time. Had to take the wheel to the local Les Schwaub to get the bead set. My little pancake compressor just didn't have it. All is swell ... well



BIG TIP -If you want to test fit the wheel to see if everything is good, do it BEFORE you grease the splines. I didn't. (I'll regret it I'm sure as I didn't static balance the tire. Going to try dynabeads and if anybody tells me I'm crazy and stupid, I guess I'll figure out how to get the wheel back off ... but I didn't see it.) Could not get it back out as the wheel would pull away from the 5 pins and did not have enough room to get the tire back out ... live and learn.



Found out my luggage frame is tweaked (probaly from a layover) and a PO knew this as they left a bolt out of the left side. Reason ? Can't get the muffler reattached at the rear with all the frame bolts in ... more muscle with the right sequence and I now have all the bolts.



Have new rear brake pads installed (and should do the front soon I guess) and everything is cleaned up nice and spiffy.



Ok, waiting on some speed bleeders for brakes and dyna beads for the tire before I can try this bad boy. I'll give some feedback on the tire when I get things wrapped up.



We iz DARKSIDE !! :applause:



Thank you to the ABSOLUTE BEST GW forum on the net. You guys and gals have given a hack garage mechanic the confidence to try this stuff and suceed.



:bow::bow::bow::bow::bow::bow::bow::bow:



Pat
 
#47 ·
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Not a highjack... I have been on sites like that, where everyone is really uptight about every word posted... thread nazis.

I ain't like that... glad to see you are getting into the spirit of things...

You might have more posts faster than me as i am moving a bit slower... i took the day off to wash and polish the valk which is my daily rider these days.

Waiting on my last part for the wing to arrive...

Doesn't that tire look sexy on the bike...
 
#49 ·
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jpelmer wrote:
larryinseattle wrote:
jpelmer wrote:
Thanks Larry ... have a call into them and hope they call back with a good word.
What tire are you going with?
Ordering the Dunlop Wintersport 175/60/16 today from TireRack.com. Talked to the guy at Seattle Cycle service and though he sounded reluctant he said he would do it. Might just try it myself first, can't hurt.
Walter might have been hesitant just because you called and asked about mounting a car tire. Perhaps he thought you were fishing for something related to it. He mounts them all the time.

Looks to me you got it done!! Good job.

I am sure you learned quite a bit about your motorcycle doing it yourself. That is over my head. My next tire change, I might take the wheel off and put it back on but I take the wheel to a shop to have it mounted.

I was down to Enumclaw today on a ride with the GWRRA. Very nice day for a ride.
 
#50 ·
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larryinseattle wrote:
jpelmer wrote:
larryinseattle wrote:
jpelmer wrote:
Thanks Larry ... have a call into them and hope they call back with a good word.
What tire are you going with?
Ordering the Dunlop Wintersport 175/60/16 today from TireRack.com. Talked to the guy at Seattle Cycle service and though he sounded reluctant he said he would do it. Might just try it myself first, can't hurt.
Walter might of been hesitant just because you called and asked about mounting a car tire. Perhaps he thought you were fishing for something related to it.

He mounts them all the time. I bought my front tire from Motorcycle Warehouse and had it shipped directly to him and brought over my car tire.
I will definetly remember him if I wear this tire out before I upgrade. Absolute sore shoulder muscles right now from taming that bee-atch. Got it done myself though which I wasn't sure I could do. Just a few irons and a lot of goop.
 
#51 ·
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Just a little update ...



Fretted all night about not checking the wheel balance before buttoning it up and this mornig tore it all down again (getting faster :) ). Managed to keep the spider snug and monkeyed the wheel off. Static balance - well crap, that was 20 min. I didn't need to waste. About as fine as possible. Will still put in the dyno beads when they arrive.

You know, getting tab a into slot b while aligning boltdis very tedious ... then when you forget a step (routing release cables !!) and have to do it all over again, well let's just say it's a good thing all that plastic looks good when you get done 'cause it shore is a pain.



All done, all shiny and clean - now the need for a test ride.



Wow - seems really low. I'm 6'2", could easily flat foot and stand up before ... now seems like I got 4-5" below the crotch when I stand up and stopping at a light is a new experiance. Have to learn not to slam my heel down.



The ride - WOW ... smooth, quiet, solid. I think it actually stays ina corner very nicely with no need for additional counter-steer.Don't have a lot of real twisties around, but made due with a couple back and forth corners and it is very smooth. Goes into a corner and simply holds that line until you want to comeout. I think I used to have to over-steer with the E3 and handle the bike a bit more than now. Maybe just wishful anticipation and wanting it to be better, but I truely believe the cornering is superior.

Ran over some rough new road and felt very smooth. Hit some squiggles and the bike handled very well. Would have crabbed all over the place before but now seems very solid and seems to plow through the lines.



The downside - I'm sure I'll get used to it but the increase in RPM does 2 things. One; it makes me really want that extra gear ... when you're used to loping along about 2500 - 2700 and now winding up to 3000 easily, it just sounds wrong. Two; around town speeds are not as pleasant. 35 - 38 mph around town was nice just under 2000 RPM in OD. Now feels like I am lugging too much. (This sounds wrong to me as I re-read to proof. If the RPM are higher, OD should be stronger at 35 - 38 mph ... hmmmmm).

As I said I'm sure I'll get used to it, but right now I really don't like the higher RPM.



Overall a spectacular move and one I'm going to enjoy for some time.



Thanks.

Pat
 
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