205/60-16 Darkside Tire Owners

cocheese72 · 08-07-2011, 11:12 AM

What PSI did you break in with, and for how many miles? And what are you running with after break in?

**coacha** · 08-07-2011, 11:15 AM

IIRC, 40 psi to start, go down 2 psi every 100 miles or so till you find the sweet spot for you and your bike. I run 34 psi two up and 30 solo but we are a little on the upper side of petite.

waterman · 08-07-2011, 11:22 AM

I ran 40 psi for the first 500 miles and then went down to 34 psi and kept adjusting down till I hit 28 psi.

VulcanE · 08-07-2011, 12:35 PM

Cocheese,start out around 40 psi in the tire and run that for at least 300 miles (this lets the tire "break in" to its new set-up). It will ride like a 2 horse wagon, and not handle well at all. You'll be thinking to your self "OMG, what have I done to my bike" but it is important to break the tire in. After about 300-500 miles, find yourself a long sweeping curve, and run it in both directions, start dropping your tire pressure by 2 or 3 pound increments and run the same curve again. You'll notice each time the "feel" is getting better. Keep making the runs, and tire pressure adjustments, until you find the "sweet spot". Then, after you find the "sweet spot" you'll be amazed at how well the bike rides and handles. Finish up your days ride (you might make some more pressure adjustments). The next morning, check you pressure, this will be your "sweet spot" cold pressure. Mine is 28 psi (cold). When the tire is heated up to operating temperature, it becomes 32 psi.
BTW, I run the GYTT.

cocheese72 · 08-07-2011, 01:23 PM

Thanks, I am making the move from 195 to 205. My 195 is at about 18,000 with the center wear being at the bars. I think I ran this too high, so looking to get the next one better. The 205 Dunlop Signature has a much higher tread wear rating, so should get much better milege just due to that.

VulcanE · 08-07-2011, 02:19 PM

My GYTT has a tread wear rating of 740

cocheese72 · 10-02-2011, 10:14 PM

I finally got around to mounting a Dunlop Signature 205/60-16 tonight. I am running into some bad rubbing issues on the drive shaft. I have plenty of room on the right side though. I replaced wheel bearings as well and not sure sure they are causing issues, but things could be binding up there. I gave up for the night, and tomorrow I plan to take the wheel back out and look them over.

I tried loosening up the differential nuts, but would not help. So right side is rubbing swing arm, left side has at least 1/4".

I hope I can make this tire work, I have not heard of anyone trying this one, so not sure if it is that much wider than others.

08-07-2011, 11:12 AM	#1
cocheese72 Advanced Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Nomad Posts: 524	205/60-16 Dunlop Signature Swingarm Rub What PSI did you break in with, and for how many miles? And what are you running with after break in? __________________ 12 Victory Cross Country 08 Vulcan 900 Custom Login or Register to Remove Ads Last edited by cocheese72; 10-02-2011 at 10:24 PM.
	0

08-07-2011, 11:15 AM	#2
coacha Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Haysville, KS Posts: 6,259	205/60-16 Darkside Tire Owners IIRC, 40 psi to start, go down 2 psi every 100 miles or so till you find the sweet spot for you and your bike. I run 34 psi two up and 30 solo but we are a little on the upper side of petite. __________________ Ron "Coach" Allan, Haysville, KS 1999 Nomad Wine and Red "KawaTanker" 2009 BMW R1200RT 2003 BMW K1200LT "Magic Carpet" DOA 11/7/2015 VBA #00291 IBA # 41995 DS #320 '08 Elkins, WV; '09 Helen, GA; '09 Custer, SD; '10 Stanton, VA; '11 Maggie Valley; '12 Townsend, TN; '13 Estes Park; '13 Blairsville, GA; '15 Eureka Springs; '16 Helen; '18 Custer, SD
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08-07-2011, 11:22 AM	#3
waterman Top Contributor Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 6,530	205/60-16 Darkside Tire Owners I ran 40 psi for the first 500 miles and then went down to 34 psi and kept adjusting down till I hit 28 psi. __________________ Joel "Waterman" 2017 HD Road Glide Ultra 2006 Nomad - Sold VBA 213 VROC 16913 Custer 09: Cortez 10: Crescent City 11: Kanab 12: Estes Park 13: Tahoe 14: Red Lodge 16
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08-07-2011, 12:35 PM	#4
VulcanE Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cartersville, Georgia Posts: 4,838	205/60-16 Darkside Tire Owners Cocheese,start out around 40 psi in the tire and run that for at least 300 miles (this lets the tire "break in" to its new set-up). It will ride like a 2 horse wagon, and not handle well at all. You'll be thinking to your self "OMG, what have I done to my bike" but it is important to break the tire in. After about 300-500 miles, find yourself a long sweeping curve, and run it in both directions, start dropping your tire pressure by 2 or 3 pound increments and run the same curve again. You'll notice each time the "feel" is getting better. Keep making the runs, and tire pressure adjustments, until you find the "sweet spot". Then, after you find the "sweet spot" you'll be amazed at how well the bike rides and handles. Finish up your days ride (you might make some more pressure adjustments). The next morning, check you pressure, this will be your "sweet spot" cold pressure. Mine is 28 psi (cold). When the tire is heated up to operating temperature, it becomes 32 psi. BTW, I run the GYTT. __________________ Cliff "VulcanE" Evans 2005 Blue & Silver 1600 Nomad VBA # 320 VROC # 20381
	0

08-07-2011, 01:23 PM	#5
cocheese72 Advanced Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Nomad Posts: 524	205/60-16 Darkside Tire Owners Thanks, I am making the move from 195 to 205. My 195 is at about 18,000 with the center wear being at the bars. I think I ran this too high, so looking to get the next one better. The 205 Dunlop Signature has a much higher tread wear rating, so should get much better milege just due to that. __________________ 12 Victory Cross Country 08 Vulcan 900 Custom Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

08-07-2011, 02:19 PM	#6
VulcanE Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cartersville, Georgia Posts: 4,838	205/60-16 Darkside Tire Owners My GYTT has a tread wear rating of 740 __________________ Cliff "VulcanE" Evans 2005 Blue & Silver 1600 Nomad VBA # 320 VROC # 20381
	0

10-02-2011, 10:14 PM	#7
cocheese72 Advanced Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Nomad Posts: 524	I finally got around to mounting a Dunlop Signature 205/60-16 tonight. I am running into some bad rubbing issues on the drive shaft. I have plenty of room on the right side though. I replaced wheel bearings as well and not sure sure they are causing issues, but things could be binding up there. I gave up for the night, and tomorrow I plan to take the wheel back out and look them over. I tried loosening up the differential nuts, but would not help. So right side is rubbing swing arm, left side has at least 1/4". I hope I can make this tire work, I have not heard of anyone trying this one, so not sure if it is that much wider than others. __________________ 12 Victory Cross Country 08 Vulcan 900 Custom
	0

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