Darkside - Reality hits the road!

[Fla_rider]

Ok- I been on this forum and seen all the post. I know plenty of you use darksided tires. I was wondering if it is worth it. I don't hear many of you talk about the amount of miles your getting between changes. I am on my second set of stones. I have 25k on my bike these stones went on at 14k. I'm thinking these wil do better so I may make it to 30k. Average 15k per set of stones, ain't so bad. So why should I switch to Darkside the back tire? Basically, is it worth it? It's not worth it unless it saves me significantly. Meaning not changing the tire every 30k. Just a little savings is not going to do it. I'd rather just stick with the stones. Let's see the figures, not opinions. Hard facts.

[dickiedeals]

Ok- I been on this forum and seen all the post. I know plenty of you use darksided tires. I was wondering if it is worth it. I don't hear many of you talk about the amount of miles your getting between changes. I am on my second set of stones. I have 25k on my bike these stones went on at 14k. I'm thinking these wil do better so I may make it to 30k. Average 15k per set of stones, ain't so bad. So why should I switch to Darkside the back tire? Basically, is it worth it? It's not worth it unless it saves me significantly. Meaning not changing the tire every 30k. Just a little savings is not going to do it. I'd rather just stick with the stones. Let's see the figures, not opinions. Hard facts.

I'm at 30k on my second Stones debating the same thing. Share some numbers guys..........................Dickie

[Wing'n it]

Some bike tires do last longer than others, but I only got 4k on my new bike rear and it's flat across the tread. I don't really want to be installing tires every 8-10k on my bike. On my 02 Goldwing I ran a CT for over 14k and it still looked like new when I sold the bike but I still went through one front tire. I'm now darkside on my 15 F6.

[DMAGOLDRDR]

I did not go to a CT for the added mileage, I had other reasons. BUT I am at roughly 13,500 mi and the CT shows little wear.

[Hornblower]

I did not go to a CT for the added mileage, I had other reasons. BUT I am at roughly 13,500 mi and the CT shows little wear.

+1 on the reasoning. I have grown to prefer the handling and grip of my CT's. Of course, tire cost being about half that of a MC tire is attractive and I do get longer life but those are secondary reasons for me.

[bob109]

30,300 mile from a General G-Max! I'm on my second one and have two more of the same on hand. At $90.00 a pop from Discount Tire Direct it's a bargin with no sales tax and free shipping

[stepbill]

+1 on the reasoning. I have grown to prefer the handling and grip of my CT's. Of course, tire cost being about half that of a MC tire is attractive and I do get longer life but those are secondary reasons for me.

In Western NC, there are roads that have the groves in them for winter weather. How does your CT track on those? That is the only thing holding me back from getting a CT as I don't like the sway of back and forth when going over them. This happened on my VTX 1300 as the groves in the tires are different than on the GL1800. When I last rode over there on the F6B, I had no sway and it tracked great with the MC tire as the tire pattern is different that the VTX.

[Monk]

Ok- I been on this forum and seen all the post. I know plenty of you use darksided tires. I was wondering if it is worth it. I don't hear many of you talk about the amount of miles your getting between changes. I am on my second set of stones. I have 25k on my bike these stones went on at 14k. I'm thinking these wil do better so I may make it to 30k. Average 15k per set of stones, ain't so bad. So why should I switch to Darkside the back tire? Basically, is it worth it? It's not worth it unless it saves me significantly. Meaning not changing the tire every 30k. Just a little savings is not going to do it. I'd rather just stick with the stones. Let's see the figures, not opinions. Hard facts.

I don't run a CT for the savings. That is a benefit that I like, but it is not my primary reason.

My use of a CT is about safety.

I use a runflat which gives me a margin of safety I cannot get with a motorcycle tire. When I have a flat, I slow down and start looking for a safe place to stop to inspect the tire. I had this happen on New Years Day. I found a service station where I was able to plug the tire and continue my ride. Usually, if a motorcyle tire goes flat you are stuck on the side of the road where ever you managed to get it stopped.

Another safety factor is the additional grip a CT provides, especially in the rain. The Michelin Alpin can be hammered pretty good coming out of a turn on a wet road and it will hold. Sure helps put the mind a ease when caught out in the rain.

So, once again it is about safety and piece of mind for me.

[shooter]

I agree with everything Monk said. One other thing is the margin of safety on the load rating. If you are a big guy its easy to exceed the rating on the MC tire. That 6.5 inch contact patch vs 2 inches is a no brainer. That Alpin is the bees knees.

[3Chief]

My question on this is more where do you get the CT mounted on an MC rim?