First impressions of the Darkside

[Alpha Dragon]

Okay, went out for a little ride.  First off, the big ol fatty takes the gravel  better now, and given the fact that I live on a half a mile of gravel road, that's a good thing.  Seemed very smooth, (34 PSI) and no vibration.  Can't see a reason to balance or spend money on Dynabeads, it is smoother than I had before.  (Avon Venom before).

Slow speed manuvouring was fine, no difference.  Twisty's required a little more counter steering to go into the curve, perhaps 20% more.  Nothing I can't get used to in about 5 minutes.

Had it up to 85 mph, and it seems to track straight a little better than before.  I am totally satisfied, and when I got back, I checked and doesn't appear to have any rub marks anywhere.

There is plenty of clearance between the swing arm, perhaps 3/16 of an inch.  I did the nutcage job, so no worries there.  Interestingly, there were some rub marks on the left side nutcage from the old tire!

Thanks for all the help guys...

[don07tncav]

Glad the ride went well. Don't forget to mess with the pressure to find the best setting for you. The Goodyear I ran didn't rub one up pulling a trailer but two up loaded down caused it to rub.

[timk519]

Try an emergency brake maneuver and tell us what you think. 

[oldman]

I agreee with Don

Glad the ride went well. Don't forget to mess with the pressure to find the best setting for you. The Goodyear I ran didn't rub one up pulling a trailer but two up loaded down caused it to rub.

One up, no rubbing, two up rubbing.

Have you tried the tire on rutted paved roads yet???   I do find that my HydroEdge likes to follow the ruts a bit, nothing one can't handle.  But its there.

[don07tncav]

No problems with the General, IMHO almost rides like the Bridgestone fatty I had on it.

[Alpha Dragon]

Well, even though the ride was nice at 34 PSI, I decided that was too soft, so I bumped it up to 44 PSI.  I was not impressed, so took it back to 40 PSI.  I think that will be a good compromise, as it was very stable, felt like it did at 34.  I was suprised to bring it up to 100 mph and see how stable it felt, (more so that my previous AVON rear tire).

[ossvalk]

some have reported vibrations oscillations over 110  but I dont go that fast, so I cant confirm this

altho I dont run one anymore I am glad you are enjoying the rear tire

Consider the 20 bucks for the ride-on.com in the automobile tube

Cheap insurance against a flat tire while going 100 mph or any speed.  Cant use dyna beads when you have ride on in the tire

The car version is NOT the same as the Motorcycle version

[ValkThree]

Well, even though the ride was nice at 34 PSI, I decided that was too soft, so I bumped it up to 44 PSI.  I was not impressed, so took it back to 40 PSI.  I think that will be a good compromise, as it was very stable, felt like it did at 34.  I was suprised to bring it up to 100 mph and see how stable it felt, (more so that my previous AVON rear tire).

I normally run 26 psi - most of the GL guys run 40 or 42 and are getting as little as 6k out of there tires. At 26-28 I get around 30k on the wing and should be getting 40k on the valk.

[Alpha Dragon]

Have about 5000 miles on it, and still happy.  I keep 38 pounds in it, and I like it there fine.  It does follow ruts and other defects in the road, but the bike did that with a regular bike tire on it too, so can't say it is the tire's fault.  Get some comments, for sure.

[ValkThree]

So far I have 31k on my CT and it looks like I will make 40k without a problem - max I ever run is 26psi. This is on my wing, on the valk I run 24psi.
Only run non-runflats as they are softer and handle better.
JMO