Darkside

[mikeymo]

I finally joined the dark side. I put on a SP 5000. Have'nt had a chance to try it yet but hope to tomorrow. I put 28 lbs of air in the tire. Is that enough? I weigh 300 lbs

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by mikeymo

I finally joined the dark side. I put on a SP 5000. Have'nt had a chance to try it yet but hope to tomorrow. I put 28 lbs of air in the tire. Is that enough? I weigh 300 lbs

The recommended method of breaking in a car tire is inflating it to 40 psi and riding it that way for 400 miles, then drop the pressure in increments of 2 psi or so until you find the "sweet spot", which is typically around 28-32 psi.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

I'm going to need tires within the next 4,000 miles and am seriously considering going to the darkside. I live in Boaz, AL and the nearest shop that I have found that will install is in Trussville, AL which is about an hour ride for me.

[strobe]

Originally Posted by mikeymo

I finally joined the dark side. I put on a SP 5000. Have'nt had a chance to try it yet but hope to tomorrow. I put 28 lbs of air in the tire. Is that enough? I weigh 300 lbs

Best pressure for me was around 36 in the same tire. You need to play with the pressure, but 28 is awful low to start, like CJ said bump it up and move down until you get a pressure that works for you.

[MAS Tequila]

Put 40 psi in it or you will not be happy.

The 40 psi for 400-500 mile break-in is for two reasons;
1) To wear off any and all mould release agent
2) To familiarize the new Darksider to the tire

28 lbs will make it seem uncomfortable and you will dislike the ct, you need to become accustomed to it.

Take the advice and run 40 psi for awhile.

MT

[Cajunrider]

Mikey, +1 to what was said above. I started with 40 and stayed there for 150 - 200 miles and dropped to 36. Stayed there for another 100 miles or so and dropped to 34. Then to 32, 30, and have settled in at 28. My SP5000 has nearly 7,000 miles on it and shows little to no wear. I haven't tried 26 psi and doubt that I will. 28 seems perfect for me.

[dkdixie]

I recently replaced a SP with Vredestein Quatrac 2. I "broke in" the SP starting at 42lbs for 500 miles, eventually settled on 33-34lbs for thousands of miles. Tire started wearing in the center big time.

Finally lowered to 28-29 but too late to save the tire. I replaced it at 16K, which was OK, since I've never got more than 9K out of a rear m/c tire, but thought I should have got more mileage.

This time I started at 38lbs, put 200 miles on it and just lowered to 33 where it will be for the next 150-200 miles. Then I'll lower 2lbs at a time to 28-29 looking for the sweet spot.

The Vredestein is same size as SP, 195/60, but is a tad higher and wider. Its also has a more rounded profile.
I know some riders are using 205/60's with success, but I don't think a 205 in a Vredestein would work. I think a 205 in this brand would rub the drive shaft.

I would suggest you start in the 40lbs area as others have stated, but I would not go 500 miles before starting to lower 2-3lbs at a time.

[lonewolf]

+1 on the 40 psi for break in. Thought i found my sweet spot at 34. when i packed heavy for sturgis last year, and was pulling my trailer, bumped it up to 36. Big mistake! i do have visual wear in the center of my tire now. im at 30 psi now trying to get some more miles out of it before replacing. even so, ive gotten more miles out of my sp 500 than i ever did with a stock "stoner".
I am 250+ and ride aggressively in the twisties.
Welcome to the "DARKSIDE" mikeymo !!!

[flavor]

After riding the tire for awhile fiound 34 to 36 lbs worked best for me. So I try to run at 35.

[mikeymo]

Thank you all for your suggestions. I'll set it up to 40 lbs and work from there. Its nice to know you can get online and get good advice. Thanks again

[pablo]

I started out at 24 and have tried everything up to 32. I now have it at 26. The bike feels much more solid and stable with the tire under 27 psi. I'm about 235 lb. and ride 2 up quite a bit. After 16,000 miles the tread is getting pretty thin in the middle.

[dkdixie]

Originally Posted by pablo

I started out at 24 and have tried everything up to 32. I now have it at 26. The bike feels much more solid and stable with the tire under 27 psi. I'm about 235 lb. and ride 2 up quite a bit. After 16,000 miles the tread is getting pretty thin in the middle.

Pablo, Are you planning to replace with same brand and size tire?

[pablo]

Originally Posted by "dk dixie"

Pablo, Are you planning to replace with same brand and size tire?

Since the 195/55/16 (what I have now) & 195/60/16 selection is pretty limited, I may try a 205/60/16. I think I can get one locally instead of ordering and paying shipping. I like the lower profile tire, but maybe with a taller profile I wouldn't scrape the exhaust pipes on tight turns, and the speedometer error would definitely be improved. I like the looks of the General Altimax, so may see if I can find one of those around here.

[Jared]

I run my sp 500 at 35lbs.

[macmac]

Same tire and i settled on 36 psi. 40 in my dirt road drive way 1/2 mile long was a bit to quick in rear end wiggle to suit me. It was very quick back there. 28 will feel good, but probably wear the tire edges hard and fast.

I tried that 28 and loved it, felt like I was glued to the road, but it ate MPGS, and would likey had eatten the tire.

There is a mess of us with that same tire here.