F6B Dark Side Riders

[Freak]

I also tried a Pirelli euforia runflat and liked that as well.

[Hornblower]

Yesterday, I added my name to the Darksider's roster. I am officially Darkside #1506. This isn't my first foray into running a CT on the rear. My Triumph Rocket III had one and I remembered liking it a lot. I had forgotten, however, exactly what it felt like. Ah, it all comes back to me now...the feel is definitely different from a MT. I guess I would describe the difference as being more "intentional". The bike will travel in a straight line unless I "intentionally" turn it. To me, this doesn't correspond to "manhandling" but there is a noticeable input required to turn. Personally, I don't find this objectionable but rather, it's something to acclimate to. After a short time, it all feels normal again. Oh yeah, and thanks DeerSlayer for your help in putting this one on. The Kumho RF is a bit on the heavy side and it sure was nice to have some help.

[bstroh59]

Yesterday, I added my name to the Darksider's roster. I am officially Darkside #1506.

So Murgie has handed out over 1,000 numbers since I got mine - 487. Welcome to the Darkside.

There's a lot out there that are riding that have never gotten a number. I've run 2 Kumho's and am now on the Michelin Alpin. I consider my first Kumho for saving my butt and my wife. We took on a 1/4 x 3" lag bolt. Riding 2 up the tire didn't even feel like it was flat. I pulled the bolt, plugged it and ran another 7K miles before I replaced it. My second one had 18K on it.

The Michelin that I am on now, got transferred from my old Wing with 4500 miles on it. I now have 13,500 on my new Wing, so that's 18K on that tire and it looks like it has better than half tread. This one is wearing well and I will probably run another one when the time comes.

I will probably put a Michelin on my wife's F6 when the time comes to replace her's next spring.

[bobbyf6b]

Once again, I think the hydroplaning issue isn't an issue. Trikes have two car tires on the back and Can-Am's have three car tires. Any bike, car or truck can hydroplane if there's enough standing water on the road. Speed must be adjusted for the conditions.

[bob109]

Be it a car or motorcycle tire, the number and design of the "sipes" has a major role in how a tire performs in "wet conditions". A wider tire, in itself, doesn't assure wet traction. Sipes (grooves) which channel the water from between the road surface and tire tread are paramount to reasonable/good traction. Folks tend to forget that upon initial rain contact with the road surface, oil residue is lifting from the pores of the road surface. This provides for many accidents, cycle or car.

Attached are some photos of cycle rain tires. The amount of thread sipes are evident and surpass anything on a normal cycle touring tire.

http://search.yahoo.com/r/_ylt=A0oG7...2btires%2brace

Had some personal experiences with a 250 Avon Venom R on my Suzuki M-109 that scared the sh-t out of me. No matter how good of a rider you think you are, that quickly changes when the a$$ end of your bike starts passing you

[Hornblower]

So Murgie has handed out over 1,000 numbers since I got mine - 487. Welcome to the Darkside.
There's a lot out there that are riding that have never gotten a number. I've run 2 Kumho's and am now on the Michelin Alpin.

Thanks, bstroh59! You're right, I wouldn't be at all surprised if the total number of DS riders is easily double the number on the roster.

The Michelin Alpin is the other tire I seriously considered before I ordered the Kumho. Since you've run both, how would you compare the two? I assume, since you mentioned you would buy the Alpin again, that you prefer that tire. How about a quick comparison? Also, what air pressure are you running? Thanks!

[bstroh59]

Thanks, bstroh59! You're right, I wouldn't be at all surprised if the total number of DS riders is easily double the number on the roster.

The Michelin Alpin is the other tire I seriously considered before I ordered the Kumho. Since you've run both, how would you compare the two? I assume, since you mentioned you would buy the Alpin again, that you prefer that tire. How about a quick comparison? Also, what air pressure are you running? Thanks!

I actually like the Alpin best. This tire does have more of a "rounded edge" then the Kumho, and seems to corner closer to a MC tire. In fact, when I transferred it from my old Wing at the dealership, the mechanic took it the long way around the shop with some corners. He even commented how much better this one felt, compared to some others he had experienced. If you really wonder how it corners, I'll show you how ground my highway pegs are. I don't have any problems taking corners however hard I like too.

I run this one at 36 lbs. cold. I'd like to run it lower, but at least when it gets warmed up, the TPMS will quit flashing. Wear is still looking pretty even, but I haven't gotten a depth gauge to be specific. Overall, this one is wearing better then the Kumho since I have about the same mileage as my best on the Kumho and I still have plenty of tread. I do run the dyna beads. I like the idea of having the tire always balanced.

You won't be disappointed. Just run the Kumho and try something different.

[MichaelG]

I run this one at 36 lbs. cold. I'd like to run it lower, but at least when it gets warmed up, the TPMS will quit flashing.

I have two questions for you:

# 1...can't you simply set the TPMS to the specific pressure you want the tire to be set for, and have it read from that? If you want the tire to be set at 35psi, can't you set the TPMS to 35psi for the rear tire ?

# 2...are you running the BT45 on the front wheel, in a forward mounted direction, or a reverse mounted direction? What kind of mileage are you getting out of the 'stone BT45 mounted on the front wheel? Yes, I do know the BT45 is a rear tire, but I also know that alot of Darksiders like to run the BT45 on the front wheel. Forward or backward mounted ?

[Big Dawg]

# 1...can't you simply set the TPMS to the specific pressure you want the tire to be set for, and have it read from that? If you want the tire to be set at 35psi, can't you set the TPMS to 35psi for the rear tire ?

Honda GL1800 doesn't have adjustable programmable TPMS sensors. It is possible to teach the rear to be the front and vice versa. Since the front tire pressure is 5 pounds lower, that the rear, then we fool the ECM into thinking the rear sensor is the front and now you can run the rear tire at 32 psi without seeing a blinking TPMS light

[bstroh59]

I have two questions for you:

# 1...can't you simply set the TPMS to the specific pressure you want the tire to be set for, and have it read from that? If you want the tire to be set at 35psi, can't you set the TPMS to 35psi for the rear tire ?

# 2...are you running the BT45 on the front wheel, in a forward mounted direction, or a reverse mounted direction? What kind of mileage are you getting out of the 'stone BT45 mounted on the front wheel? Yes, I do know the BT45 is a rear tire, but I also know that alot of Darksiders like to run the BT45 on the front wheel. Forward or backward mounted ?

Miles...........
1. Somebody else answered this, so I won't repeat what he said. It's the pits that you can't program it, but one more thing mother Honda could easily improve.

2. The BT45 on my old Wing had 32,800 on it when I traded and it looked better then my Stone on the new '13 at 12K. I've got 14K+ on it now, and I won't go any distance next spring until I get it swapped. Will definitely go with the Battle ax again. I had the BT45 mounted forward (normal direction) and got along great. I know some have gone backwards for the "torque" in braking, but I was concerned about riding in rain with it backwards.