DS-CT Why did I wait so long....

[kpmhspirit]

I finally put on the Dunlop SP 5000 last weekend. I mounted it myself with the HF tire changer. It took a bit of doing to get the 2nd bead on. Ended up using tire irons rather than the bar. My son had to help and he learned a few new cuss words.... http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif but we got her on. The beads seated at about 70-80 psi using soapy water.

Took the bike out for about 60 miles up to now and I really love the ride. It's very smooth. Noticed it particularly going over RR tracks and such. I'm still a bit timid with fast cornering but that may be more psychological as I expect the bike to trying to right itself though I did have to countersteer a little more than I'm used to. I guess I'll get used to it eventually.

Overall, the ride is really great and I'm really glad I went to the CT. I'm running at around 40 psi right now and will keep it for about 500 miles or so. Then start to drop a couple of psi every two hundred miles or so to find the sweet spot. From what I've read on the forums this seems to be the way to break in the tire.

Anyway, I was on the fence for a long time but it was a good decision to finally hop off and do it... :)

Just my 2 cents,

Pete

[cactusjack]

Welcome to the Darkside, Pete! I felt the same way - "why didn't I do this 2 rear tires ago?"

You'll get the feel for it soon enough and then you won't even think about it anymore.

[kpmhspirit]

Thanks, CJ. That's what I'm hoping for and I don't think I'll be disappointed...

Pete

[dkdixie]

Welcome to the Darkside Pete!

I think you are doing the right thing starting at 40-42lbs for the first 500 miles or so. Then start dropping air pressure couple lbs at a time to find your "sweetspot."
I really liked my SP at 33-34lbs, but tire wore in the center big time. I've since dropped to 28-29.

Scott's right, after a few hundred miles you'll forget you have a ct back there....

When you get comfortable, be sure to add your results to the car tire database.

http://darkside.nwff.info/database.php

[Cajunrider]

Welcome to the DS Pete. You won't be sorry that you crossed over. As you said, the ride is so much smoother. It is more of a psychological thing to be timid about cornering with the new tire. You will get more and more comfortable with that as you ride more. Just take your time, as Scott once told me, take baby steps.

[VulcanE]

Welcome to the "DarkSide", like everyone else has said, after a couple of hundred miles, you won't even notice the difference. Everything will become automatic, and if you get on a bike with a MS rear tire, you'll have to concentrate on how to ride it. ;)

[blowndodge]

Car tires are cool, but truck tires rule!!! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[kpmhspirit]

Thanks to everyone for the help and support. I'll update the database.

BD, I saw your picture of the tire with over 6,000 miles and no wear. That's pretty amazing. I get only around 8-9,000 out of a m/c tyre so anything over that will be gravy. I hope I'll be good for a couple of years at least!

Thanks again,

Pete

[bigdave]

Welcome to the Darkside only took a few days to get use to the ct but now i dont even notice it other than the smoother ride and better handling

[cactusjack]

Car tires are cool, but truck tires rule!!! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

...and guys who press their clothes at a Nomad rally are tools!

[Kawhead]

Well Pete, I can't welcome you to the DarkSide because I suffered a deer strike on my last Nomad with the CT. Right now I'm a DarkSide enthusiast. :) The Nomad I bought has a lot of tread left on the M88Os http://s2.images.proboards.com/tongue.gif and it'll be a few thousand miles before I get back on a CT. It took just as long to get use to MT again as it did to get use to the CT.

Like DK said my sweet spot was 33 psi. I know your breaking the tire in, but 40 psi was a little to squirrely for me.

I found it very rewarding to mount my tires as well. That was two thrills to sit back and smile about. And a third thrill is when folks tell you "You can't do that" to either task.

Enjoy yourself and ride safe.

[Jared]

Welcome to the Dark Side....The more you ride, the more happy you'll be that you made the change!

[kpmhspirit]

Welcome to the Darkside only took a few days to get use to the ct but now i dont even notice it other than the smoother ride and better handling


Well Pete, I can't welcome you to the DarkSide because I suffered a deer strike on my last Nomad with the CT. Right now I'm a DarkSide enthusiast. :) The Nomad I bought has a lot of tread left on the M88Os http://s2.images.proboards.com/tongue.gif and it'll be a few thousand miles before I get back on a CT. It took just as long to get use to MT again as it did to get use to the CT.

Like DK said my sweet spot was 33 psi. I know your breaking the tire in, but 40 psi was a little to squirrely for me.

I found it very rewarding to mount my tires as well. That was two thrills to sit back and smile about. And a third thrill is when folks tell you "You can't do that" to either task.

Enjoy yourself and ride safe.

Thanks, guys. Took a 150 mile ride today and like the CT more and more and getting used to the cornering. Still at 40 psi for a while. Seems to handle pretty good at that but will eventually get down to the sweet spot. Hope I recognize it when I get there.... :)

Pete

[dkdixie]

Welcome to the Darkside only took a few days to get use to the ct but now i dont even notice it other than the smoother ride and better handling


Well Pete, I can't welcome you to the DarkSide because I suffered a deer strike on my last Nomad with the CT. Right now I'm a DarkSide enthusiast. :) The Nomad I bought has a lot of tread left on the M88Os http://s2.images.proboards.com/tongue.gif and it'll be a few thousand miles before I get back on a CT. It took just as long to get use to MT again as it did to get use to the CT.

Like DK said my sweet spot was 33 psi. I know your breaking the tire in, but 40 psi was a little to squirrely for me.

I found it very rewarding to mount my tires as well. That was two thrills to sit back and smile about. And a third thrill is when folks tell you "You can't do that" to either task.

Enjoy yourself and ride safe.

Thanks, guys. Took a 150 mile ride today and like the CT more and more and getting used to the cornering. Still at 40 psi for a while. Seems to handle pretty good at that but will eventually get down to the sweet spot. Hope I recognize it when I get there.... :)

Pete


Keep it at 40 for at least 500 miles. Then lower 2lbs at a time until you find it. You'll know it when you get close.
Also, be sure to adjust the air pressure and rebound on your shocks. I run 18lbs and set on 3....but that's me. You'll find shock pressure has a lot to do with ride and handling.
Suggest you get a tire depth gauge if you don't have one. About 5.00 at most any auto supply store.
Check your depth at least once a month. If you see the center wearing more, lower the pressure.
If you visit the Darkside forums you'll find a lot of comments on car tires wearing in the center in general and Dunlop SP5000 in particular.

[lonewolf]

welcome to the darkside!

[kpmhspirit]

"...Keep it at 40 for at least 500 miles. Then lower 2lbs at a time until you find it. You'll know it when you get close.
Also, be sure to adjust the air pressure and rebound on your shocks. I run 18lbs and set on 3....but that's me. You'll find shock pressure has a lot to do with ride and handling.
Suggest you get a tire depth gauge if you don't have one. About 5.00 at most any auto supply store. Check your depth at least once a month. If you see the center wearing more, lower the pressure.
If you visit the Darkside forums you'll find a lot of comments on car tires wearing in the center in general and Dunlop SP5000 in particular. ..."


Thanks for the tips. I've got a tire gauge so will keep an eye on the tread and adjust pressures as you suggest. I'm running progressive shocks but will try different adjustments to see how it runs.

Pete

[kpmhspirit]

welcome to the darkside!

Thanks, LW. Wish I had done it sooner...!

Pete

[Idaho]

Pete, now you will know the power of the Dark Side.

[bucfan11]

I keep mine at 38-40. I ride two up most of the time. If I get much lower than 37psi the Nomad feels a little drunk. I've got 8000 on my ct and it looks almost new. I'm guessing 20-25K on it before I need to replace it.

[kpmhspirit]

Pete, now you will know the power of the Dark Side.

I hope so. I'll sell my soul so as not to have to change tires every 8,000 miles.... http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

Pete

[kpmhspirit]

I keep mine at 38-40. I ride two up most of the time. If I get much lower than 37psi the Nomad feels a little drunk. I've got 8000 on my ct and it looks almost new. I'm guessing 20-25K on it before I need to replace it.

I'm still at 40 psi but haven't got more than about 160 miles on it yet. Too much work and short days now. Maybe this weekend I'll get a few miles on and start working on finding that sweet spot.

Pete

[pablo]

I've tried higher psi, but my tire feels best at around 27 psi. It's got over 12,000 miles and hardly any wear. I did 27 psi, two up, for the last Texas VROC ride and had no problem keeping up in the twisties.

[kpmhspirit]

I've tried higher psi, but my tire feels best at around 27 psi. It's got over 12,000 miles and hardly any wear. I did 27 psi, two up, for the last Texas VROC ride and had no problem keeping up in the twisties.

Good to know. What tire are you running? Also, are those about 16" apes with stock risers? Just curious. I've got 13.5" but with phat 2 risers and they look about the same height.

Pete

[goose]

Another welcome to the DS. 8500 miles on mine and I still haven't went up in flames, YET!

[kpmhspirit]

Another welcome to the DS. 8500 miles on mine and I still haven't went up in flames, YET!

Thanks, Goose. and I don't think you will.... :)

Pete

[pablo]

I've tried higher psi, but my tire feels best at around 27 psi. It's got over 12,000 miles and hardly any wear. I did 27 psi, two up, for the last Texas VROC ride and had no problem keeping up in the twisties.

Good to know. What tire are you running? Also, are those about 16" apes with stock risers? Just curious. I've got 13.5" but with phat 2 risers and they look about the same height.

Pete

I'm running an Achiles ATR Sport 195/55/16. This is a little lower profile than most others are running.

The Apes are DCS 18" x 1 1/4" Ape Hangers with stock risers. I used to have 16" x 1" apes with 2" risers, but they got bent into the windshield when I hit a deer. These feel much more solid.

[kpmhspirit]

Good to know. What tire are you running? Also, are those about 16" apes with stock risers? Just curious. I've got 13.5" but with phat 2 risers and they look about the same height.

Pete

I'm running an Achiles ATR Sport 195/55/16. This is a little lower profile than most others are running.

The Apes are DCS 18" x 1 1/4" Ape Hangers with stock risers. I used to have 16" x 1" apes with 2" risers, but they got bent into the windshield when I hit a deer. These feel much more solid.

Cool, thanks.

Pete