Passed through to the Darkside

Sin City Stan · 03-26-2010, 10:43 AM

Took the bike in Tuesday for a CT and a heat shield install. Got it back yesterday morning. CT took a half hour. The factory povided heat shield/delflector took the rest of the time. They actually had to call Kawasaki to get additional time OKd for the install. The top two screws in the radiator bracket were frozen. Ended up drilling them out.

The bead set with 50 PSI. Dydnabeads were installed.

As for the new 205/65/16 car tire, it replaced the stock "stone"(6500 miles). The installer inflated it to 34 PSI even though the work order said 40 per my instructions. I was in a hurry and figured I would air it up at home.

Big mistake. I had to take turns very slow or the rear end would start sliding out from under me. Couple that with 20 MPH winds gusting to 40 made the ride home tentative.

Got home and checked the air pressure and it was 34 as stated. Aired it up to 40. Put the GPS on the bike and went for a short ride. The GPS and speedo were always within +1 or -1 so I called it "dead on". With the winds I really didn't push the turns.

This morning on the way to work it was still windy but not as bad as yesterday. Each turn I came to I pushed a little harder. The rear end stayed put. I'm not taking turns as hard as before as I'm still in the break in period for the tire but I'm comfortable that the tire will stay underneath me now.

Observations:
The tire is almost an 1 1/2" taller and I actually noticed the 3/4" higher seat. Turning is a little different. Slight turns are about the same. But when turning there seems to be a point where extra turning pressure must be excerted before the lean angle can be increased. Once you hit and go past that point the amount of pressure to maintain or increase the lean angle is less. Going past that point has been a little unnerving for me because of the initial problem with the rear end sliding out, although I'm about past that now.

I also noticed the ride was smoother on a short patch of rough road I travel and the tire does not follow grooves in the road.

I'm going to have fun with this.

205/65/16 Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max

heath3n · 03-26-2010, 10:50 AM

I was hoping someone with an 09+ would do this first. :) I'll be following your updates closely on this should I decided to go darkside sometime in the future. Enjoy!

VulcanE · 03-26-2010, 12:52 PM

Welcome to the darkside. Give yourself some time to get used to the tire being on the bike. After a few hundred miles (and you getting more accustomed to the tire), you'll start dropping the pressure, and the ride and handling will keep improving.
Enjoy the new feel, it only gets better.

**Jared** · 03-26-2010, 03:17 PM

Welcome to the darkside. Like what vulcane said, in a week or two you'll forget it's even back there.

**Idaho** · 03-27-2010, 07:21 AM

I would bet that your problem with the tire slipping in corners when first installed was more an issue of the new tire mold release agent rather than the pressure.

Like others have said, after just a little riding on that tire you will forget that it is not a MC tire and enjoy the ride.

lonewolf · 03-27-2010, 08:13 AM

I agree with Idaho, would bet the sliding problem had more to do with a new "slippery" tire than the actual air pressure. Thats why i took it fairly easy in the turns until i got that crap worn off. The "break in" on these tires is debatable, but the mold relaease is real. Welcome to the DARKSIDE !!!!

nomad561 · 03-27-2010, 08:26 AM

Welcome to the Darkside and to the world of not changing tires every 8000 - 10000 miles.

dkdixie · 03-27-2010, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lonewolf

I agree with Idaho, would bet the sliding problem had more to do with a new "slippery" tire than the actual air pressure. Thats why i took it fairly easy in the turns until i got that crap worn off. The "break in" on these tires is debatable, but the mold relaease is real. Welcome to the DARKSIDE !!!!

+1

**Kawhead** · 03-27-2010, 01:00 PM

The best part about having a CT is listening to the nay sayers moo, bleat, and whiny.

I'm wish there was a way to mount a tandem axle to make the chickens cluck. So I can tell 'em cluck you to.

<marquee> <(')</marquee>

pooker · 03-27-2010, 02:40 PM

Here is my ride,..............................
http://s71.photobucket.com/albums/i1...n/Dark%20Side/

pablo · 03-28-2010, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pooker

Here is my ride,..............................
http://s71.photobucket.com/albums/i1...n/Dark%20Side/

Great pictures. What kind & size of tire is that?
Paul

pooker · 03-28-2010, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pablo

Quote:

Originally Posted by pooker

Here is my ride,..............................
http://s71.photobucket.com/albums/i1...n/Dark%20Side/

Great pictures. What kind & size of tire is that?
Paul

The tire is a "General Evertrac" 205/60-16

Sin City Stan · 03-28-2010, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wandering Nomad "Darksider"

Welcome to the Darkside and to the world of not changing tires every 8000 - 10000 miles.

8-10K miles??? I got 6500. Look forward to not having to change the rear tire every year.

bigdave · 03-28-2010, 09:38 PM

Welcome to the Darkside like others have said in a week or two you will forget its a CT

metalman · 03-29-2010, 08:39 PM

Will the 205/65/16 Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max fit on a 2006 Nomad. I'd like a taller tire to get the speedometer error eliminated.

03-26-2010, 10:43 AM	#1
Sin City Stan Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 3,746	Passed through to the Darkside Took the bike in Tuesday for a CT and a heat shield install. Got it back yesterday morning. CT took a half hour. The factory povided heat shield/delflector took the rest of the time. They actually had to call Kawasaki to get additional time OKd for the install. The top two screws in the radiator bracket were frozen. Ended up drilling them out. The bead set with 50 PSI. Dydnabeads were installed. As for the new 205/65/16 car tire, it replaced the stock "stone"(6500 miles). The installer inflated it to 34 PSI even though the work order said 40 per my instructions. I was in a hurry and figured I would air it up at home. Big mistake. I had to take turns very slow or the rear end would start sliding out from under me. Couple that with 20 MPH winds gusting to 40 made the ride home tentative. Got home and checked the air pressure and it was 34 as stated. Aired it up to 40. Put the GPS on the bike and went for a short ride. The GPS and speedo were always within +1 or -1 so I called it "dead on". With the winds I really didn't push the turns. This morning on the way to work it was still windy but not as bad as yesterday. Each turn I came to I pushed a little harder. The rear end stayed put. I'm not taking turns as hard as before as I'm still in the break in period for the tire but I'm comfortable that the tire will stay underneath me now. Observations: The tire is almost an 1 1/2" taller and I actually noticed the 3/4" higher seat. Turning is a little different. Slight turns are about the same. But when turning there seems to be a point where extra turning pressure must be excerted before the lean angle can be increased. Once you hit and go past that point the amount of pressure to maintain or increase the lean angle is less. Going past that point has been a little unnerving for me because of the initial problem with the rear end sliding out, although I'm about past that now. I also noticed the ride was smoother on a short patch of rough road I travel and the tire does not follow grooves in the road. I'm going to have fun with this. 205/65/16 Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max __________________ Oldest Saloon In Nevada http://www.pioneersaloon.info/ "Sin City Stan" Henderson, NV VBA #01004 VROC #29365 2004 Nomad 1500L5 +100 "The Bike" 2009 Nomad 1700 (past) 2004 Vulcan Classic 800 (past) 2010 Cortez - 2011 Crescent City - 2012 Kanab - 2013 Estes Park Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

03-26-2010, 10:50 AM	#2
heath3n Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Iowa City, Ia Posts: 111	Passed through to the Darkside I was hoping someone with an 09+ would do this first. :) I'll be following your updates closely on this should I decided to go darkside sometime in the future. Enjoy!
	0

03-26-2010, 12:52 PM	#3
VulcanE Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cartersville, Georgia Posts: 4,838	Passed through to the Darkside Welcome to the darkside. Give yourself some time to get used to the tire being on the bike. After a few hundred miles (and you getting more accustomed to the tire), you'll start dropping the pressure, and the ride and handling will keep improving. Enjoy the new feel, it only gets better. __________________ Cliff "VulcanE" Evans 2005 Blue & Silver 1600 Nomad VBA # 320 VROC # 20381
	0

03-26-2010, 03:17 PM	#4
Jared Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Greeley, Colorado Posts: 6,772	Passed through to the Darkside Welcome to the darkside. Like what vulcane said, in a week or two you'll forget it's even back there. __________________ Jared VBA #1051 (Former President)
	0

03-27-2010, 07:21 AM	#5
Idaho Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Pocatello, Idaho Posts: 5,241	Passed through to the Darkside I would bet that your problem with the tire slipping in corners when first installed was more an issue of the new tire mold release agent rather than the pressure. Like others have said, after just a little riding on that tire you will forget that it is not a MC tire and enjoy the ride. __________________ Idaho (aka Curmudgeon) Blue Knights Idaho III VBA #110 VROC #24864 IBA #49753 2007 Nomad 86,000 miles Bud Smalley Pocatello, Idaho Idaho Jack Adapter Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

03-27-2010, 08:13 AM	#6
lonewolf Advanced Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: central mn. Posts: 545	Passed through to the Darkside I agree with Idaho, would bet the sliding problem had more to do with a new "slippery" tire than the actual air pressure. Thats why i took it fairly easy in the turns until i got that crap worn off. The "break in" on these tires is debatable, but the mold relaease is real. Welcome to the DARKSIDE !!!! __________________ Kawanow # 370 2007 red and titanium nomad Darksider
	0

03-27-2010, 08:26 AM	#7
nomad561 Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Pasco , Wa Posts: 1,445	Passed through to the Darkside Welcome to the Darkside and to the world of not changing tires every 8000 - 10000 miles.
	0

03-27-2010, 01:00 PM	#9
Kawhead Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: 6th Floor up at the The Nervous Hospital up in East Central State, NC Posts: 7,454	Passed through to the Darkside The best part about having a CT is listening to the nay sayers moo, bleat, and whiny. I'm wish there was a way to mount a tandem axle to make the chickens cluck. So I can tell 'em cluck you to. <marquee> <(')</marquee> __________________ ??-Mar.2,2012 "Rocky" My Beloved Dog RIP Mike Tripp VBA#767 '96 800 Vulcan Classic 06 1600 Nomad 07 1600 Nomad "The shoes you buy at the Salvation Army is already been broke in"- Aunt Kawhead
	0

03-27-2010, 02:40 PM	#10
pooker Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Limoges, Ontario Posts: 392	Passed through to the Darkside Here is my ride,.............................. http://s71.photobucket.com/albums/i1...n/Dark%20Side/ __________________ 1600 Nomad 2008 Candy Fire Red/Metallic Diablo Black The best 'GPS' is a full tank of gas! Wild Bill A.K.A. Wild Bill,Pookers KawaNOW #00906 VNOG # 030
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03-28-2010, 09:38 PM	#14
bigdave Sr. Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Burnsville, NC Posts: 1,589	Passed through to the Darkside Welcome to the Darkside like others have said in a week or two you will forget its a CT __________________ David "BigDave" Hall Burnsville NC VBA #477 2007 Red and Silver Nomad (traded 4/10/2014) 2013 Blue and Black Voyager
	0

03-29-2010, 08:39 PM	#15
metalman Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: KY (summer) - FL (winter) Posts: 144	Passed through to the Darkside Will the 205/65/16 Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max fit on a 2006 Nomad. I'd like a taller tire to get the speedometer error eliminated.
	0

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