darkside question.

snarleybill08 · 10-31-2009, 11:59 AM

thinking about trying a ct. what is the best brand and size to use? are they hard to seat on the rim, and dismount? i have a tire mounter and balancer. i am a little leary about using excess pressure to seat the bead. i have heard of wing guys blowing the rim apart. i can machine my rim to the diameter of a car rim where the bead seats if necessary. im not worried about getting the widest tire just the one that handles and lasts the longest. what kind of tire life can i expect? bill

lonewolf · 10-31-2009, 01:16 PM

go to to "darkside" forum on delphi! will answer alot of your questions! you are going to find that each person has a personal choice. some tires are more popular than others. good luck, become informed and do your research on going to the darkside. not trying to be an ass, just want anybody that is considering this to do their homework!

Yellow Jacket · 10-31-2009, 01:33 PM

Bill, it's not necessary to machine your rim. It will work fine as is. You also should be able to get the bead to seat without using excessive pressure. You might need to lube the beads real good depending on the particular tire.

A few sizes that will fit are:

185/75-16
195/55-16
195/60-16
195/65-16
195/70-16
205/60-16

(Some of these sizes may not be available.)

Check out some of these sites:

http://darkside.nwff.info/
http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/CarTire/home.htm
http://forums.delphiforums.com/DarkSiding/start
http://lifeisaroad.com/stories/2004/...eDarkSide.html
http://www.motorcycle.com/news/news3570.html
http://www.tomfranken.com/Darkside/Default.htm

bigdave · 10-31-2009, 02:24 PM

im running a 195/60-16 Dunlop sp5000 and it only took 40 psi to seat it

**Cajunrider** · 10-31-2009, 02:36 PM

Same here Dave.

VulcanE · 10-31-2009, 07:15 PM

I'm running the Goodyear Assurance TripleTred 205/60-16, and it seated at 40 psi. It is a great riding and handling tire.

**Jared** · 11-01-2009, 02:30 AM

My Dunlop Sp5000 took 40psi to seat and the metzeler took 65psi. I used the harbor freight tire mount when mounting mine. The car tire take the same amount of effort to mount as the mc tires do.

dkdixie · 11-01-2009, 04:54 AM

My Dunlop SP5000 took 51lbs to seat, but it was on a cold day last November.

In the next few weeks, I'll be having the Vredestein Quatrac 2 installed.

macmac · 11-01-2009, 08:20 PM

2 Summers ago I mounted a Dunlop SP 5000 in 195/60 R 16, by hand in a apple crate. To seat it I had to make adjustments 5 tries and never exceeded 51 psi.

I was using silicon spray as the lube because i wanted a dry innner tire to try Dyna Beads.

Whjile it was a pain the tire refused to seat 4 times, it wasn't all that bad.

I had 9,000 on the very dead brick, and now have 15,500 on the bike. With these miles I have 7/32nds of tread left to burn off... The tire began life with 10/32.

So I am pleased. This 6,500 if i was on a brick would be nearing the 7,000 miles I had in early Fall, and the reason i rode to 9,000 on a dead tire. (No sence putting on a brand new tire to park for the bike for winter IMO)

And IMO this tire does everything a MC tire does, but better.

There is one problem... NH repaired a lot of roads this summer, many more roads than I ever saw in the past.

My new ft is a Dunlop mc 251 radial with no beads and no weights to balance. The SP 5000 has just under 2oz of beads as i lost some being clumsey in the install.

Well Mista this ride is so smooth on new pavement it simply scares me. And I thought I hated frost heaves and pot holes

chief · 11-13-2009, 10:13 AM

I am also very pleased with the same rear CT Mac is running. The ride is so smooth. I don't even give the CT a second thought anymore. I have actually taken a turn near my house faster and more controlled than with the Metzler 880 Radial, and it's a turn that is difficult to take fast. 25 mph recommended, I can take it at just over 50mph. No I'm not crazy just wanted to push the tire to see what it can do. I probably wont do it again, but I know I could. I guess us darksider's are like test pilot's.

blowndodge · 11-13-2009, 11:09 AM

The true "Stud" Nomad riders are running a Conti 8 ply 185/75/16 truck tire!!!

Just thought you should know!

**glwilson** · 11-13-2009, 07:29 PM

The REAL stud's bike comes stock with a 180/65 R16 81H tire....

jmilucky · 11-13-2009, 07:46 PM

oh brother, another stud convention. Having said that,

Jim <---- is running the funlop 5000 on his 1600 no seating problem and Kumho's CT's on both his and his wife's wing's. If you're uncomfortable then stick with MT's. You'll know when you're ready to switch. The Darkside sites posted by Yellow Jacket are great resources.

Yellow Jacket, thanks for your help and support with my transition.

Jim

**glwilson** · 11-13-2009, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmilucky

oh brother, another stud convention. Having said that,

Jim <---- is running the funlop 5000 on his 1600 no seating problem and Kumho's CT's on both his and his wife's wing's. If you're uncomfortable then stick with MT's. You'll know when you're ready to switch. The Darkside sites posted by Yellow Jacket are great resources.

Yellow Jacket, thanks for your help and support with my transition.

Jim

10-31-2009, 11:59 AM	#1
snarleybill08 Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 273	darkside question. thinking about trying a ct. what is the best brand and size to use? are they hard to seat on the rim, and dismount? i have a tire mounter and balancer. i am a little leary about using excess pressure to seat the bead. i have heard of wing guys blowing the rim apart. i can machine my rim to the diameter of a car rim where the bead seats if necessary. im not worried about getting the widest tire just the one that handles and lasts the longest. what kind of tire life can i expect? bill Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

10-31-2009, 01:16 PM	#2
lonewolf Advanced Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: central mn. Posts: 545	darkside question. go to to "darkside" forum on delphi! will answer alot of your questions! you are going to find that each person has a personal choice. some tires are more popular than others. good luck, become informed and do your research on going to the darkside. not trying to be an ass, just want anybody that is considering this to do their homework! __________________ Kawanow # 370 2007 red and titanium nomad Darksider
	0

10-31-2009, 01:33 PM	#3
Yellow Jacket Top Contributor Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Fayetteville, Georgia Posts: 5,792	darkside question. Bill, it's not necessary to machine your rim. It will work fine as is. You also should be able to get the bead to seat without using excessive pressure. You might need to lube the beads real good depending on the particular tire. A few sizes that will fit are: 185/75-16 195/55-16 195/60-16 195/65-16 195/70-16 205/60-16 (Some of these sizes may not be available.) Check out some of these sites: http://darkside.nwff.info/ http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/CarTire/home.htm http://forums.delphiforums.com/DarkSiding/start http://lifeisaroad.com/stories/2004/...eDarkSide.html http://www.motorcycle.com/news/news3570.html http://www.tomfranken.com/Darkside/Default.htm __________________ Bob KawaNOW/VBA 210 Green/Silver 2006 Patriot Guard Riders 2009
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10-31-2009, 02:24 PM	#4
bigdave Sr. Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Burnsville, NC Posts: 1,589	darkside question. im running a 195/60-16 Dunlop sp5000 and it only took 40 psi to seat it __________________ David "BigDave" Hall Burnsville NC VBA #477 2007 Red and Silver Nomad (traded 4/10/2014) 2013 Blue and Black Voyager
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10-31-2009, 02:36 PM	#5
Cajunrider Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: (SE Louisiana) Posts: 8,340	darkside question. Same here Dave. __________________ 2016 Electra Glide Ultra Limited CVO Palladium Silver / Phantom Blue 110 cu in SE 2012 Electra Glide Ultra Limited (Traded 6/22/16) Tequila Sunrise / HD Orange Vance & Hines true dual headers Rinehart 4" slip ons Screamin Eagle Super Tuner Screamin Eagle Stage 1 intake Dyno tuned H.O.G.# 4514015 2007 Nomad 1600 (Traded 6/23/12) VBA #482 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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10-31-2009, 07:15 PM	#6
VulcanE Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cartersville, Georgia Posts: 4,838	darkside question. I'm running the Goodyear Assurance TripleTred 205/60-16, and it seated at 40 psi. It is a great riding and handling tire. __________________ Cliff "VulcanE" Evans 2005 Blue & Silver 1600 Nomad VBA # 320 VROC # 20381
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11-01-2009, 02:30 AM	#7
Jared Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Greeley, Colorado Posts: 6,772	darkside question. My Dunlop Sp5000 took 40psi to seat and the metzeler took 65psi. I used the harbor freight tire mount when mounting mine. The car tire take the same amount of effort to mount as the mc tires do. __________________ Jared VBA #1051 (Former President)
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11-01-2009, 04:54 AM	#8
dkdixie Sr. Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Blairsville in N. GA mountains Posts: 1,623	darkside question. My Dunlop SP5000 took 51lbs to seat, but it was on a cold day last November. In the next few weeks, I'll be having the Vredestein Quatrac 2 installed. __________________ Dick Campbell Blairsville, GA 2008 Red & Black Nomad 1600 (retired) 2009 1900 Yamaha Stratoliner (retired) 2013 1900 Yamaha Stratoliner 2018 CanAm RT Limited Spyder (Sold) 2014 Goldwing Roadsmith Red Trike (Sold) 2019 Goldwing DCT Roadsmith Copper & Black Trike VBA #243 Darkside #115 Patriot Guard Rider American Legion Rider
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11-01-2009, 08:20 PM	#9
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	darkside question. 2 Summers ago I mounted a Dunlop SP 5000 in 195/60 R 16, by hand in a apple crate. To seat it I had to make adjustments 5 tries and never exceeded 51 psi. I was using silicon spray as the lube because i wanted a dry innner tire to try Dyna Beads. Whjile it was a pain the tire refused to seat 4 times, it wasn't all that bad. I had 9,000 on the very dead brick, and now have 15,500 on the bike. With these miles I have 7/32nds of tread left to burn off... The tire began life with 10/32. So I am pleased. This 6,500 if i was on a brick would be nearing the 7,000 miles I had in early Fall, and the reason i rode to 9,000 on a dead tire. (No sence putting on a brand new tire to park for the bike for winter IMO) And IMO this tire does everything a MC tire does, but better. There is one problem... NH repaired a lot of roads this summer, many more roads than I ever saw in the past. My new ft is a Dunlop mc 251 radial with no beads and no weights to balance. The SP 5000 has just under 2oz of beads as i lost some being clumsey in the install. Well Mista this ride is so smooth on new pavement it simply scares me. And I thought I hated frost heaves and pot holes __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
	0

11-13-2009, 10:13 AM	#10
chief Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Eureka, California Posts: 91	darkside question. I am also very pleased with the same rear CT Mac is running. The ride is so smooth. I don't even give the CT a second thought anymore. I have actually taken a turn near my house faster and more controlled than with the Metzler 880 Radial, and it's a turn that is difficult to take fast. 25 mph recommended, I can take it at just over 50mph. No I'm not crazy just wanted to push the tire to see what it can do. I probably wont do it again, but I know I could. I guess us darksider's are like test pilot's.
	0

11-13-2009, 11:09 AM	#11
blowndodge Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington City, Utah Posts: 16,474	darkside question. The true "Stud" Nomad riders are running a Conti 8 ply 185/75/16 truck tire!!! Just thought you should know! __________________ I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited There are two types of Harley riders. Those that trailer them and those that push them. The most Interesting Man in the World "Find the things in life you don't do well and don't do those things" Member # 0005
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11-13-2009, 07:29 PM	#12
glwilson Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: North Central Illinois Posts: 8,575	darkside question. The REAL stud's bike comes stock with a 180/65 R16 81H tire.... __________________ "During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." "You can have your own opinion, but not your own facts." *Former VBA NCR Assist Regional Leader* Formerly: 2004 1500FI Bronze Nomad: 2009 & 2014 HD Ultra Current Rides: 2017 HD Ultra Limited & 2011 Can Am Spyder RTS-SE Attended: VBA National Rallies 2009, 2011, 2015; VBA/NCR Regional Rally 2010, 12, 14, 16 and several rides throughout with regional members. VBA Member #652 HOG Member #3935417
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11-13-2009, 07:46 PM	#13
jmilucky Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Palm Bay Florida Posts: 415	darkside question. oh brother, another stud convention. Having said that, Jim <---- is running the funlop 5000 on his 1600 no seating problem and Kumho's CT's on both his and his wife's wing's. If you're uncomfortable then stick with MT's. You'll know when you're ready to switch. The Darkside sites posted by Yellow Jacket are great resources. Yellow Jacket, thanks for your help and support with my transition. Jim
	0

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