Official Darksider

[Cajunrider]

Hey Brad,
My soft puny SP 5,000 195/60 16 car tire is getting mounted right now. I was going to make the trip to Hot Springs next weekend on the rear Cobra but the shop mounting my front tire recommended against it. It is worn badly in the center of the tire. Pulling the trailer on a round trip to Tennessee and to Custer and back did the tire in. Just a shade over 6,000 miles. :(" title="" border="0"/> Certainly not enough miles to go with another rear MC tire. I will start with 40 psig and go the 500 miles before dropping a couple of pounds at a time. They also mounted my front Cobra that I have been having since before the trip to Custer. If it doesn't get 15,000 miles I'll never purchase another Avon tire. Any advice would be appreciated.

[blowndodge]

It's about time Mitch!!! Good job. Take it easy on the tire for awhile.

[phenrichs]

Wait a minute, Hot Springs? As in SD? Gotta see the mamoth dig. They unearthed a new skull a week after we were there.

[lw]

OP, this would be Hot Springs, Arkansas

[cactusjack]

Well Mitch, you're in good company now since I ride a soft, puny SP5000 too. Welcome to the soft, puny darksiders club!

[macmac]

That 40 psi ain't written in stone. I tried that and things were seriously out of hand in sand and gravel, and that was just on my 1/2 mile diveway.

Way to quick handling. The first thing I did was drop to 24 psi after that, and that was great, just like I was glued to the curves..

Until I romped it up a bit, and that was fine but catching up to traffic i abruptly slowed and got a shimmy, not much but i felt it, So I did it again and got it again..

Then I added air to 35 psi, liking that better, then another 1/2 pound for kicks and that was still an improvement no more shimmy..

Now I run 36. All that above was with in my first 80 miles, hardly any break in..

I have apx 4,000 on it now, see no wear trust it totally, can't force a shimmy if i try. But that 40 psi ain't in stone..

I rode LA east once, and no roads there are like mine here and no roads in Cali are like yours...

[blowndodge]

Sorry guys, I guess you were born with a soft puny one!!

[macmac]

Hey I resemble that. my pinky finger turns hard left.. The Pink Panther did that with her brother, Mr Estwing 23 oz hammer.

[dkdixie]

Welcome to the Darkside Cajun!!

[Cajunrider]

Thanks guys. I'll pick up the bike in the morning and get my first ride on the darkside. I'll take it slow and easy to get the feel of it. There is a nice twisty little blacktop just a few miles from my home. There is little to no traffic on it so I can vary my speed in the curves. Hey Brad, I've had nightmares of being soft and puny. That was scary! ::)

[Idaho]

No experience on the Dunlop darkside. I put the Continental Vanco-8 on, fluffed it up to 43 lubs and rode the tar out of it. Not a bit of problem. Handles BIG mountain twisties with ease. Rode it on gravel and dirt last weekend, not a problem. I guess it is just individual preferance.

[Cajunrider]

Picked up the bike this morning and took my first darkside ride. I took it on the twisty road I mentioned earlier and I find it handles very well. Not much of a difference to speak of in comparing the CT to the MT. I am carrying 40 psig in the tire and will hold it there for at least a couple of hundred miles. I took the first few curves slowly and took the rest of them progressively faster. It handled the curves much better than I expected. I do still have the 35 mph front wobble when decelerating, even with new front and rear tires. Only when holding the bars very lightly. Don't know what to say about that. I need to take a close look and see how much weight he put on the rear rim while balancing the tire. I also want to hook up the trailer and pull it to see if there is any sway. All in all, with the 28 miles I've rolled, I'm happy. :) I still can't get over the Cobra wearing out in the center with only 6,000 miles. ??? The stock Bridgestone held up for over 10,000. Had to be the 2 up and trailer towing that ate up the center of the tire so fast. Shouldn't have to worry about that for awhile. ;)

[blowndodge]

Thoses early "wear outs" are a think of the past Mitch I'm thinking Idaho and I will get 50K minimum on our truck tires. Probably end up selling the thing with that tire on it someday!

[Cajunrider]

If I can get 25 - 30K on mine I'll be happy. While washing the bike I noticed no weights on the back rim. I thought maybe they used Dynabeads so I called and inquired. The mechanic told me that the balance was so close he didn't have to add any weight. I suppose he's telling me the truth because I don't notice any vibration. I dropped the air pressure from 40 to 38 and will take a ride 2 up later this afternoon when it cools off. Looks like my speedo is off a little more than it was. Coming home I was indicating 70 mph and there was no way I was moving that fast. Felt more like 60. I'm all set for Hot Springs, AK next weekend. Ready to roll!

[blowndodge]

Yea, it's a little shorter tire than stock. Either a GPS or SpeedoHealer. Like we discussed in Custer the shorter tire will aid you riding two up and pulling your cool trailer!

You and the Mrs. have a safe trip Mitch. Full CT write up upon return !!!!