Re: Exploring the Darkside

feeds@yuku.com (Chicago) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:52:24 GMT

195/65-16's are very close in diameter to our 180/70's and what I would try if I didn't have three Valk-sized D206's in my garage.

Re: Exploring the Darkside

feeds@yuku.com (Fredrider) — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:58:31 GMT

Stan,

Last Sat. I was surprised to learn that the Can-Am Spyder uses Kenda tires specifically made for that trike and particularly that the rated tire pressure is 13-17 psi. That seemed fairly low to me, for car or for motorcycle tires, but I wonder if the low tire pressure is on purpose to make it easier to take the turns like has been recommened for using car tires on a motorcycle.

Re: Exploring the Darkside

feeds@yuku.com (ragtop69gs) — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 15:46:55 GMT

toasted311 wrote:

Hey folks, found this thread when searching for other VTX darkside related posts.

Anyways, we've got a forum dedicated solely to Darkside MC riding. Valks, GWs, VTXs, Zukis, Yammies, Shadows, one sport bike and even a little Shadow 600.

Check out the Vt1100 section for any tire size info and feel free to ask any questions.

Re: Exploring the Darkside

feeds@yuku.com (tonythecarguy) — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 10:02:21 GMT
alepel,
it is just running a car tire. I think it was derived from all the naysayers doom and gloom regarding putting a car tire on a bike.

Re: Exploring the Darkside

feeds@yuku.com (alepel) — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 07:57:53 GMT
Say guys....can we back up for a minute here. Can someone please explain to me what this term "Darkside" is suppose of mean. I must have missed the meaning somewhere.

Re: Exploring the Darkside

feeds@yuku.com (toasted311) — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 03:01:55 GMT

Hey folks, found this thread when searching for other VTX darkside related posts.

Anyways, we've got a forum dedicated solely to Darkside MC riding. Valks, GWs, VTXs, Zukis, Yammies, Shadows, one sport bike and even a little Shadow 600.

Check out the Vt1100 section for any tire size info and feel free to ask any questions.
http://vtxdarksiders.forumotion.com/honda-vt-1100-f16/
...

Re: Exploring the Darkside

feeds@yuku.com (West Tn Dawg) — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 21:25:07 GMT
This guy loves the car tire.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&sspagename=ADME%3AB%3ASS%3AUS%3A1123&viewitem=&item=380014518826

I did have a...

Re: Exploring the Darkside

feeds@yuku.com (ragtop69gs) — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 22:20:29 GMT
All reports from people already running a CT say cornering was improved over the MT. They say it just feels a litte different (not bad, just different) when leaning into the turn and that after an hour you don't notice it. Only way to know for sure is to try it myself. I can always go back.

Re: Exploring the Darkside

feeds@yuku.com (bamaTrider) — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 21:33:05 GMT
What I have gathered so far is that when the CT is run at 10# under PSI, the contact patch is close to the MC tire when in the turns. Since the suggested PSI of a tire is based mainly on the weight of the vehicle on the tire, then the lower air pressure in the CT allows it to flatten out more on the edge of the tread, and as a result increases the contact patch by allowing it to flex more easily. I think I said that right.

Stan

Re: Exploring the Darkside

feeds@yuku.com (CleRider) — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 12:16:38 GMT
Jay,

Did a little more research on this topic. Started reading some articles with a lot of physics (not my strongest subject), motorcycle and car tire design, contact patch sizes and changing dynamics of a tire at rest, in motion going straight and in motion within a turn.

I came away with a couple of thoughts:

- Motorcycle tires are designed such that the contact patch size and shape does not drastically change when a tire is in a curve.

- Car tires...

Re: Exploring the Darkside

feeds@yuku.com (texcritter) — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 00:01:48 GMT
Not sure...but will give him a call this weekend and find out.

Re: Exploring the Darkside

feeds@yuku.com (ragtop69gs) — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 21:17:55 GMT

Chicago wrote:
What size and brand of Car Tire was he running?

A lot of the vtx 1800 riders are using a 205/60-16 . 205/55/16 . 195/55/16 Some may be to wide for our swingarm. The 1800 VTX uses a 5" wide wheel.

Re: Exploring the Darkside

feeds@yuku.com (Chicago) — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 13:35:04 GMT
What size and brand of Car Tire was he running?

Re: Exploring the Darkside

feeds@yuku.com (texcritter) — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 00:47:11 GMT
One of my club Brothers was on his third car tire on his VTX when he traded it in for a 2008 VTX. he has averaged about 30K between tires since switching to ct's. He is a very agressive rider including riding the Dragon several times and he switched to a ct less than a week after buying the new bike. He runs standard mc tires on the front because he says he isn't crazy.

Re: Exploring the Darkside

feeds@yuku.com (bamaTrider) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 22:25:19 GMT
With all this talk of car tires being too flat treaded for a motorcycle has gotten me to noticing the older version tires on restored bikes. Yesterday I went to a local show and noticed that all the old restored HD had what looked like car tires on them......front and back. In fact, they looked very much like todays radials for auto's. If it was good enough back then, then it should be good enough now. The only exception would be if you are the type who likes to scrape body parts in the...

Re: Exploring the Darkside

feeds@yuku.com (ragtop69gs) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 17:02:21 GMT
When I find one that fits and I have test rode, then you'll all be the first to know. Stay tuned.

I am trying to find some used tires for test fitting. All the shops around here have had their scrap tires picked up in the last few days so it may take a week or so to find the sizes i'm looking for.

Re: Exploring the Darkside

feeds@yuku.com (burninfilm) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 07:10:40 GMT
Please keep us informed. I have read both negative and positive comments about the car tires and will really appreciate your findings...Bob <><

Re: Exploring the Darkside

feeds@yuku.com (rod rounds) — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 21:12:40 GMT
Jay,
If you find a c/t that fits, don't keep it a secret.

ROD

Re: Exploring the Darkside

feeds@yuku.com (alepel) — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 11:20:54 GMT

No matter what I find, some people still won't agree that it's a good thing to do.
Jay...that is true. But if all of us reading this were to be affected by what the Nay-sayers think, none of us would riding and enjoying motorcycles.

Re: Exploring the Darkside

feeds@yuku.com (ragtop69gs) — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 04:45:19 GMT

alepel wrote:

ragtop69gs wrote:
All I can say is there are enough happy darksiders to make me want to try it out.
Most all the negative on this subject has been from people who never tried it.

Jay....from what I've read I like the approach you are going to use to experiment with the CT. Just be careful.

Its good that...

Exploring the Darkside

feeds@yuku.com (ragtop69gs) — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 17:17:11 GMT
I have been looking into trying a car tire on the rear and have a few tire prospects I'm looking at. Does anyone know the width of our swingarm close to the area where the tire tread is (up near the swingarm pivot)?

If this all works out I'll have some ride reports, pics and tire sizes to post up in the next few weeks.