SP 5000 Darkside Review

[Cajunrider]

Just to update those who may be interested in how the CT is working out on my Nomad.

I pulled my trailer a little over 1,000 miles on the round trip to Hot Springs and rode nearly 400 miles while up there. All of that was 2 up. I had rolled it over 250 miles before the trip. That's a shade over 1,600 miles on the tire. I know it's early but I don't see any wear indications on it yet and it appears that it is handling better each day. The only difference I noticed was a little more pressure needed on the bars while counter steering in the first 100 miles. It could be that the tire '"broke in" quickly or that I quickly got accustomed to the very minor difference. Many of the Darksiders state that for some reason this tire breaks in very quickly. Jesse was following me on the twisty rides Saturday and told me that in leans hard enough to scrape the pipe extensions and floorboards, he saw very little clearance between the tire and the road on the high side. I was very happy to hear that because I am still running the tire at 34 psig. At this pressure, highway rain grooves and bridge grates have very little effect on the bike holding a straight line. I noticed that in road construction areas where there is uneven pavement running parallel with the road, it does feel more pronounced when the CT climbs up or comes down. Nothing severe, just more noticeable. I haven't ridden on wet roads yet so no comment on that at this time. The ride is much softer with the CT than with either of the MC tires I had prior. When my wife says the ride is much better, you can believe that it is. Not much more to say other than I'm happy with my decision. I researched for weeks before reaching it and if things continue going as well as they have, I will not go back to a MC tire. This is strictly my opinion and it is not intended to influence anyone into crossing over. That is a decision that only you can make after researching and more researching. Don't try it simply because someone tells you it's better. That is only their opinion and should not be your deciding factor.

[dogdoc]

We would expect no less.

[dabull]

good review;)

[isaiahsdad]

+1 and agree, Love mine!

[macmac]

i can't wait for you to get 4,000 miles and still be saying "I can't find much if any wear" ... I can't.. I ride 2 up 98%

[lonewolf]

same here! have almost 6,000 miles on my ct now, and still cant see that i have ANY wear!!! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[cactusjack]

I gave my SP 5000 a good workout this past weekend including over 90 miles of twisties on wet mountain roads last Saturday. The bike rode like it was on rails! I felt no slippage at all. The guy riding behind me said it was like riding behind a boat, because the tire throws up a lot of water. I didn't even give the car tire a second thought as I attacked the turns. I have 32 pounds in it now and it feels great. I am extremely happy with the tire. It also draws a lot of curious looks.

[04kaw1500]

I just ordered my sp 5000 can't wait to try it. I will keep ya'll posted

[nomaderwatiamriden]

hey what tire size are you using? THANKS

[blowndodge]

I have 5K on mine and it still mics out to the same depth as new! No wear! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[Cajunrider]

hey what tire size are you using? THANKS

Dunlop SP 5000 195/60-R16

[bigdave]

I picked up my ct today hope to have it put on later this week

[Cajunrider]

What tire did you get Dave?

[watchman]

I will be putting a ct on a friends 1600 Vulcan Classic in the next week or two. Not sure which tire he is getting he said something about a run flat tire recommended on the delphi forum. He is going to put an Elite 3 on the front at the same time.

[reddog]

Hmmm- having perused moving to the darkside myself, I seem to remember reading somewhere that using a runflat is a bad idea for some reason or another. Can someone confirm or refute this? And possibly know why at the same time ;)

[bigdave]

I got the Dunlop SP 5000

[macmac]

If anyone can take a reading in 1/32" of a brand spankin new SP 5000 I'ld like it. I didn't bother to do this at the time...

195/60 R 16

[bigdave]

According to Dunlops website it is 10/32

[macmac]

Thanks I didn't think of looking that way.... i wonder if it is true, in the real world?

[bigdave]

I have the tire in my back room to be put on later this week cant find a ruler anywhere but that depth looks about right

[macmac]

If you happen to be interested most any auto parts store has a proper tool for probably about 5 bucks. Not much of a tool really, but it works.. There is a barrel cylinder ending with a T lug and thru it a pin slider with marking in just 32nd's.

I have that tool from the old days when requests were made for remaining tread depth.

Last year when I mounted the CT I didn't know the conversations would go this waym and had no idea so many other guys would think to experiement.. Before I did i was dead against the idea too...

How wrong I can be...

[metalman]

Is anyone running a 195/65-16? If so, what tire? I'd like a little taller tire than my 195/60-16.

[sharps45100]

Metalman, I'm looking into getting a Vredestein Comtrac in 195-65-16 and you might be able to get that in 195-75-16 look at this website www.tiresbyweb.com (http://www.tiresbyweb.com)

[croxy]

I've been reading all of the darkside information with great interest. Someone asked about whether or not using a run flat tire is a good idea or not.

I have runflats on my car but also have pressure sensors to tell me if I lose air pressure. Without that I think you would want to be very vigilant about checking your air pressure as the tires are only designed to run without air for a certain distance. Could be dangerous if you did not know that you had lost air pressure and went too far on it.

Just my thoughts..... ???

[billmac]

Appreciate the objective review. I plan to follow up with a CT in my future.

[Jared]

9K on my dunlop sp 5000. I love it! I only wish that it came with white walls. :)

[sarge1057]

Is the Dunlap SP 5000 the tire of choice when going to the dark side?

[metalman]

sharps45100, Thanks for the link. Got to get on a PC to use the site. My Mac's browser doesn't display the search icon. Why are you going to use a winter tire?

[Jared]

Is the Dunlap SP 5000 the tire of choice when going to the dark side?

It seems to be for the Nomad.

[isaiahsdad]

On motorcycles, the single most important component is the tire. It's condition, and quality are what keeps us from crashing. The most important factor in any tire is the amount of pressure to keep that tire inflated. The reason cages have tire monitors is because run flats can go a long way before they often will explode into little pieces. Running a run flat on a motorcycle is a serious issue and one that is fraught with danger. It is extremely important that a motorcycle tire retains its pressure at all times, a way for us to gage the pressure on the road is how the tire responds. A run flat is designed to not loose it's size and shape until you can get in to service the tire. It is designed to appear as though it is in good working order and even when flat it can continue to perform. A study was done years ago and forgive me if I can not find it on the internet, but that study showed that 93% of run flat tires failed catastrophically. This failure was due to the driver thinking they could go longer than the 50 miles the manufacturer suggested, or they ran the tire in conditions that degraded the tire more than normal, I.E. heat, poor road conditions etc. All of these failures occurred on automobiles with tire pressure indicators and the driver failed to act appropriately. That is a 93% failure rate. Now on a motorcycle, there is no pressure monitor system and it is highly possible for a driver to travel a hundred miles or more, with a flat tire and not even know it. In this time, without the rider knowing, the tire could, and in most case, would fail, catastrophically. The concept of a car tire on a motorcycle is one thing, the concept of a run flat is a whole different story.

[sharps45100]

Metalman, scroll down and you will see a summer tire. Although i am looking at their studless winter tire. I like the tread on it. Also asked about it on darkside forum. Said to go for it. Only drawback is that its $185.00, but if I get 20,000 to 30,000 miles out of it it is worth it. Supposed to have great traction.

[croxy]

That confirms what I thought about run flats being used on a MC. Not a good idea.. :-/..I must say the whole darkside idea does intrigue me.....maybe..... http://s2.images.proboards.com/cool.gif

[reddog]

Thanks for clearing up that run-flat idea ;) I knew I'd read about it somewhere...

[jmilucky]

9K on my dunlop sp 5000. I love it! I only wish that it came with white walls. :)

Jared,

it was great meeting you when you landed in Florida - I'm now riding the SP 5000 on my '06 Nad and bought two Kumho's for the wings. Also will be running the BATAX rear on the Wing's front. Handling has been same as the Meztler's once you forget about what's on the back. Seems to be a softer ride - I do mostly touring so I'm enjoying the ride.

Jim