VTX 1800 Tech

Looking for installer in Phoenix area

Ghostlight — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:54:11 GMT

Does anyone have info on who will do this instal in the Phoenix area? I need someone who will do the entire job as I have no lift with enough space to clear the fender on a Neo.
Thanks!

Goodyear Eagle F/1 215/45/18

lowebear44 — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 21:44:30 GMT

Does anyone know anything about this tire got it for $118.00 out the door. Couldn't pass up the price it's for my VTX1800F

Tire size for a 1800 Neo

Ghostlight — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:49:54 GMT

What is the biggest tire I can get under that rear fender on a Neo?
Will a 205/55/16 go without mods?

2002 vtx 1800s

semperfi6871 — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:47:26 GMT

New here
I have a 2002 vtx1800s and am in need of a new rear tire I saw your posts about mounting car tires on my bike so where do I go And find the right tire I have a 170-80-15 rear tire
any help in appreciated

front tires

fubar606 — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 22:38:02 GMT

just started kicking around the idea of the big front tire.
I ride a 02 1800 c the stock rubber is 130/70/18 what size could i use on it?
if i find the size i can look for the tread i like, is there very much info out here
on this

I' now a member of the dark side

lowebear44 — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:11:46 GMT

I originally purchased a Goodyear Eagle F1 but they got the wrong tread design so I got a Cooper Zeon ZPT 215/45/18. The section width is 8.3 and did not have to make any mods, Now of coarse this was on my VTX1800F. I had to deflate the tire to install but no problems. I road for about 100 miles yesturday @ 40 psi I'm going to try 35 today to compair. The only differance I feel is when your going really slow like in a parking lot or starting off in a turn from a stop or slow roll. Other than ...

Goodyear Eagle F1 A/S-C 215/45/18

lowebear44 — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:02:47 GMT

I found out that the section width of this tire is 8.46 how much modifying am I in for guys? And What? THANKS for the feed back !!!

Toyo Proxes R1R 205-55-16 MOUNTED - Never going back!!

lownotesb — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 18:10:00 GMT

All I can say is this tire is a huge improvement over the Metzler 880 that was on before which was huge improvement over stock. You can't buy this Toyo in any regular stores. I got it here. www.TD4L.com about $150 shipped. This tire works unreal. I can't detect any negatives nor any major differences in handling. Actually was driving about 2-3 miles on dirt cobble and it was basically what you would expect for a 600lb bike on gravel. A handful, but I couldn't say there ...

New member of the DARKSIDE

goodwinml — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 02:57:21 GMT

Today I picked up my 2003 1800R from the local Honda Dealer. Had a General Altimax HP 205/60R16 installed on the rear and a new Dunlap on the front. The bike rides like a Flippin' DREAM. Put around 40 miles on it so far with the car tire. The DARKSIDE is AWSOME! Come to the DARSKIDE! I will post pictures on Saturday.

going altamax hp what psi

dcso011006 — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 03:52:01 GMT

hey guys just picked up my general altamax hp h rated 205 60 r 16 and getting it put on sat morning. what psi should i be running at so that i dont get any rub. my shocks are set to 5. i eigh 276 ish and i ride 2 up with my wife. she aint no skinny minnie but no heffer eigher. yeah i know that some of you are sayin 276 holy crap. i do powerlifting and bodybuilding not alot of fat, just a brick hit house. so im just wanting to see what people are running for psi and what you guys think ...

On the path to Darkside-----1st post

Semi — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 19:47:07 GMT

Hi all. I have an 1800R with Metz 880 tires with more then 12K miles. I know sometime next year I will replace set. I already have another Metz 880 front tire, some Dynabeads and an open mind to going Darkside. I had looked for 205 65 16 symetric tread radial tires. Found the following: Michelon Hydroedge, Nexen CP641,Falken Ziex ZE512, BF Goodrich Traction TA,and Nexen N5000 "tires". Looking for anyone who has tried any of these tires. Note that I ...

Aspect Ratio

rowie — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 17:23:13 GMT

New to this forum (not new to VTXOA) and I'm thinking about the darkside as my Avon R is starting to wear out. I'm interested in what people think is the best aspect ratio for my ride ('02 1800 Retro w/cast wheels), which is largely 2-up with my wife on board. I was thinking (and might be over-thinking) based on many years of car racing experience that it would make sense to get quite a "sticky" car tire, meaning more "wet weather high ultra performance" (in cars this translates ...

Innertube useage

thumprr — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:46:59 GMT

Hello. I am the proud owner of a VTX1800S. I hope to go to the Darkside soon. I plan on using a tube with my car tire. I just wonder how a person would balance their tire? I have been reading lots here but have not seen this asked any where. Thanks in advance for sharing your input on this.

Speedoheal ?

Flintknapper — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:50:39 GMT

I read somthing about "Speedoheal", but not sure what it is.
Does any one know what that is, or I'm I jsut going crazy'er?

Joined the Darkside

jetvtx1800 — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 20:33:39 GMT

Well I finally went to the Darkside this past weekend on my 02 1800 C with a Potenza 205/60/16. Had it put on and we had to grind down the fender strut "ears" just to make sure it didn't rub. I do alot of 2 up riding about 400# lbs total and I started out withthe shocks at 5 and the psi at 40. The ride was stiff and it felt like the turns I was on the edge of loosing the back end becuase the tire was going off the edge. I moved the shocks back down to 3 and lowered the psi ...

Newby, 205/70/15 on a 2003S?

wilcoxks — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 05:05:35 GMT

Hi, new to the board. To help get my speado a little closer and gear up alittle, I'd like to run a 205/70/15 on my 1800 2003S model. Thanks to all who have shared mods and tips here. I' ve been reading about going darkside for about a month. My rear Dunny is shot so it's time. I've ordered the 3M product to seal the spokes and the new bushings to install while I've got her tore down.Does anbody know of some one running this size GYTT. Stock shocks and I'm hopeing not to have to do any mods. Thanks ...

Going Darkside....1800S

270 — Tue, 05 May 2009 13:06:16 GMT

Hello Guys,,I have an 1800S,, and want to go Darkside,with a tube, I would like to find someone that has the same bike and pick there brains , as to any problems with installation or what they think of the car tire,since they have installed it.
Im a high mile guy,, and 5 or 6 hundred a year is to much for tires,,car tire seems to be the answer.
Thanks for any and all help.

21K

mark_1bx — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 22:01:33 GMT

OK didn't quite know where to put this so I'm dumping this here. I have a '04 Retro w/"C" powder coated wheels to match the two tone of the bike. I've been running Darkside since May, 2007. I installed a GY TT 205-60-16. The reason I'm posting this is just to update everyone (who's interested) on my CT's tire life and overall bike performance. Another reason I'm posting now is in the past I did not remember exactly when I mounted the tire. This week I found the recite ...

GYTT on an N

Bull117 — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 23:01:01 GMT

I'm putting a GYTT 205/60-16 on an N Tues...from what I gather, no mods necessary to the fender or swing arm, but wanted to confirm while I have the rear wheel dropped.

Bull

Tires

T Spurlock — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 01:26:25 GMT

I have over 1200 mile's on the goodyear tire. Love everthing about it. Just getting used to it. Everthing is great.
'Thank's for everyone's help. I am glad that I found this fourm and all the people on it. They all have told me the truth without paying out the nose . Thank's again!!! T. Spurlock

1800 Retro Tire help needed

airborne — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 03:44:37 GMT

Hey Guys, New on The Darkside. I have been reading post on tires and sizes and have come to more questions. I have an 02' 1800 Retro all stock. I usually ride alone with little load. I would like to have a hidden hitch and a trailer while I wait to get another highway bike for the wife and I. Yesterday had a tire go on the interstate, road debris i think, coming back from AL. It is now back here at the house and I want to make a good chose on tires front and rear. I'd like to eventualy have ...

Shaft Rub

Pointman — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 01:25:22 GMT

Getting a bit of shaft rub and while I don't think its a serious issue I want to resolve it. When I mounted the tire it had a good credit card plus of clearance but as its broken in and loosened up it is now rubbing slightly. The tire is a General Altimax HP 205/60R16 so its not an unknown one and I'm running 37lbs. I've seen comments on putting a flat spot on the shaft cover but as its a structural part of the swing arm I'm just a little leery of doing that. I LOVE ...

Double Darkside on an 1800c

dromega — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 16:13:35 GMT

Hi! I posted this a response to a thread I was reading. But I think it was in the wrong place. Hope this is the right one. My 2007 VTX1800c (130/70 R18 front 180/70 R16 rear) is about to finish its stock Dunnies, and am interested in Double Darksiding (never do things 1/2 way) I figure the GYTT 205/60 16 is a safe bet and I like the design of it. Maybe a Potenza grid. Leaning hard toward the GYTT. It's the front I can't sort out for Double Darksiding. Tire specs say Radial. ...

ERGO ENGINE GUARDS

X-GUY4HIM — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 22:26:13 GMT

If anyone has the newer version #4502, please let me know. I just got a set friday and they look like the old ones that has wiped out a lot of people. Thanks

ERGO ENGINE GUARDS

X-GUY4HIM — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 22:25:46 GMT

If anyone has the newer version #4502, please let me know. I just got a set friday and they look like the old ones that has wiped out a lot of people. Thanks

Need Advice ASAP

SonsX — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 21:22:15 GMT

My son just got his 2003 VTX1800R Great ride less than 3000 original miles. The tires are old enough i don't trucst them. I ride a 2006 Goldwing, he has seen the CT on the wing and wants to do the same to his VTX. My question is what CT goes on on this bike. Has anyone done a double darkside on VTX. i have it on my Wing. But i don't know the right combination on a VTX. Please help me.

The new tires are on

Huzzunga_Din — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 02:32:09 GMT

[b]I would like to start by thanking all the member who replied and messaged me about this installation. Especially Larry and his friend who offered to have me come down to Olkmulgee on Saturday night and they would help me mount the tire using their machine. I was too wiped out after a 10 hour day of overtime plus a couple hours of work at the house. The local Honda store mounted the Metzler, and the C/T as well. I went with the GY TT 205/60/16R as Larry suggested. Joy & I did the rear ...

AIRBOX MOD vs AIR INTAKES

X-GUY4HIM — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 12:56:43 GMT

Hi all I have a question for you gearheads. I have researched air intake systems like hyperchargers, barons, thunder tornado,etc. from almost $300 -$900. On my VTX 1800, I just completed the desmog, secondary air,etc. While I was at it, I cut away all but the base plate on my factory airbox and even ventilated the air cover, Now all you see now is the sides of the K&N air filter and the vented air cover. Man...What a difference in power, I really gotta hang on now!!! I guess I added ...

bfg tires?

fishvtx — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 22:51:43 GMT

I have decided to go to the darkside and I have been doing a lot of searching for tires. Has anyone tried using BF Goodrich tires? I haven't seen anyone saying they have used them on here and thought maybe they weren't worthy of consideration. BF Goodrich Traction TA have a good looking tread and are easy to find and easy on the wallet. The speed rating may be a bit low, but I don't do a lot of high speed riding. I know BFG truck tires are well known for having very stiff sidewalls so maybe ...

2005 1800 Retro wheel swap

Huzzunga_Din — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 14:15:59 GMT

I have found some cast wheels for sale, stock C model wheels, and I am thinking about making an offer on them. I have also found just a rear cast wheel for sale, described as off an "1800 VTX pulled for a trike build". My bike has the 15 and 17 the stock C is a 16 and an 18. I am wondering if everything is a direct bolt on for my rotors from my R to the C, going from spoked to cast. It is tempting to seal the spoked wheel, and run it, being a 15 as opposed to a 16, and ...

GYTT, Shock preload

Darbre — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 15:26:06 GMT

I've got about 1,100 miles on my tire. The only thing I find that I don't like is the handling in bumpy curves. Bike seems to hop a little bit over the bumps. Preload has always been a mystery to me, not sure which way to move. Shocks are stock, set on 3 now. Ride 2up all the time with our combined weight about 400#. I've found that 40psi on the tire feels best to me. What would you guys do first to try to eliminate the bounce? I ride an 05 1800N3. Thanks

old dark side forum reader New darksider wants to be

badpapi24 — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 00:20:17 GMT

ok i ben reading for long time this forum and join couple months back and never get to do my darkside mod cause allways something happened now i need a tire cuz my stock donut is no more driveable . now i have the money and a good mechanic in town the is goin to do the work for me he never done a ct on a bike but he say he will can someone recomend me a tire size and brand for a 2006 vtx 1800n and there is something i have to tell this mechanic . any help will be apreciated ...

10k

spud1800r — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 00:54:11 GMT

Well, I hit 10k miles on the Ct today. Just gets better.... Hankook K-105 205 55 16 started at 40psi last year, dropped to 38psi this spring and it felt a little better, dropped to 35psi 3 weeks ago and WOW way better. Definatly a smoother ride at 35. Should i try lower???? Tire shows no wear, on the flat or the edges. Even had a new experiance today, took a hard right turn out of a stop sign, got on it in 1st and the tire broke loose and spun WTF!! Ok enuff of that, ...

Volunteering myself

bleedscarlet — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 19:23:38 GMT

I'm in central NJ and I'm darksided, and I love it.

If anyone's curious, darkside or just thinking about it, I'm putting my baby up for test rides. I have an Eagle F1 tire. If you want to make the trip here, I'm definitely willing, but I'm also willing to make a short trip (<100mi) to you if you want to meet halfway or something, just throwing it out there

looking for a darksider

dcso011006 — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 02:40:38 GMT

hey im looking into joining the darkside. im not sure yet. i would love to get in contact with someone taht lives in northern illinois that has a darksider vtx1800. i have never seen or rode one and would like to answer acouple of my questions before i venture into the dark. handeling stuff like that. so let me know

First Post...tube question

Buckeye_rider — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 03:24:42 GMT

Newbie here. Been looking at this site for a while and I am flat out impressed by the knowledge of the riders who post on this forum. Took the plunge to register tonight and I look forward to learning alot from you folks. I ride an 03 VTX Retro S model and I want to go Darkside after reading about the benefits of slapping CT on my bike. I have 13,345 miles on the bike and am on my second set of Dunlops, with my ass still sore from having to buy new meats for my ride so quickly. I read quite ...

1800 C Rub

n2thex — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 23:51:25 GMT

Hello all. Rather than endure the flaming that seems to go on in vtxoa I thought I would ask people that are actually open minded about this. I have a 03 1800 c model and I am running a hydro edge 205 and it shows rub on both sides. I have done some trimming on my fender rails but dont know what exactly to trim and how much. Also after about a years worth of riding I am also rubbing on the swingarm. I took a socket and created a small "dent" where the tire was rubbing the swing ...

Question ?

Anonymous — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 00:25:49 GMT

I will be joining the Darkside tomorrow, will my Bridgestone Pontenza 205/60R/16 make my speedometer more accurate ?
My bike is a stock 2005 VTX 1800C.
Thanks

Rear fender mod for HE 205 65 16

Wayne Laton — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 23:07:12 GMT

HI, I am new to the Darkside and I have been reading about the HE Tire on 1800's. Well I went out and got one for my Bike. It is a 205 65 16. I have a 2003 1800R. My question is how much do I need to grind off the fender bracket and do I grind the entire lenght or just part of the bracket ? Any help with this will be more than welcome, I am having the tire changed thursday and I want to have the fender mod compleate befor I get the tire back. Thanks Wayne Laton, Charlotte, N.C.

I'm Stepin Over Need Advice

BigRedX — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 23:34:34 GMT

I bought a Nexen n2000 205 /50//16 tire anyone forsee any problems

Progressive Suspension rear shocks with Darkside, what size shocks?

2002vtx — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 18:10:25 GMT

I bought a set of used 10.5" progressive rear shocks for my 2002 VTX 1800c, unfortunately they won't work with the darkside GYTT tire I have installed. So here is the question, what size rear shock should I get? 12.5"

Best Price ??

Anonymous — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 12:42:04 GMT

I think I have decided on a Bridgestone Potenza G019 205/60/16 for my move to the Darkside, who has the best price ?
Any advice is also appreciated for my move to the Darkside.
Thanks.

Brand new Darksider. I like the ride but......

Darbre — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 02:22:45 GMT

Mounted my wheel tonight. No rubbing. Ride good but seems a little loose. It follows ever imperfection. A friend of mine has a shop with a bike lift and he helped me. The shop is in the back of his property. Driving out on the grass was very un-nerving. You have to ride between the carport and the house. Normally I go right through. Not tonight. Put my foot down several times getting through. I've got a 1800N. Installed a Goodyear TT 205/60/16 with 34#. I'm riding solo right now but 95% of my ...

Darkside with Hidden Hitch

Zym — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 05:12:23 GMT

Finally got around to mounting up a tire. It's a Kumho Ecstra 195/55 RF 16. Yea, that RF stands for run-flat. Couldn't believe how incredibly stiff those low-profile sidewalls were. I could about stand on top of the tire without wrinkling it - unmounted! However, it went on relatively easy using some spoons and care. No issues seating the beads at all. I went with the 195 width because I wasn't real sure a 205 would fit with the hidden hitch. So, had to settle for the only profile ...

tire sizing

moondog — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 19:22:53 GMT

just purchased a hannigan bandito sidecar for my vtx1800c. the lower support bracket bolts on to the "Y"muffler bracket i presently have a 200 metzler on the rear.it is too big for the bracket to fit properly so i have to go to the stock 180 my question is this-is the car tire size that everyone uses for the vtx 1800 wider than a 180? i would like to be able to use a car tire but i need a size the same as or slightly narrower than a stock 180. any help is greatly appreciated-Thanks ...

Darkersiders? in Austin, Texas

Flintknapper — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 17:56:50 GMT

I'm going to the darkside, and I have a 02' 1800C; from want I have been reading, the Michelin 205/65/16 is the tire I want. Can someone please answer a few questions I have? Will I need to modify anything on my bike (02' 1800C), to mount the CT? Anybody on this site live, in or around, Austin, Texas? Were would be a good place to have the CT mounted, can anyplace do it, are do they need to have done it (MT to CT) before? I'm looking forward to the ride. Thanks, Flintknapper

New Darksider and Michelin HE report

stater61 — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 02:23:37 GMT

Hello all, I finally had to replace my Dunlop Elite 3 after 16,000 + mi. I thought about the Triple Tread but couldn't find one locally and didn't have time to order one if I wanted to take a planned trip to Albuquerque this last weekend. I was told it would be 7-10 business days before one could be delivered. They could get me a Hydro Edge the next day so that made up my mind for me. I picked it up Friday afternoon and started the process of getting it on the bike. It was a chore getting ...

Went Darkside Today...One Question..

wb9uze — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 03:03:14 GMT

Installed the Michelin Hydroedge 205/65-16 and with the 1300 rear it's a great combo. Speedo is about 2mph fast which means if I'm at any speed limit I'll probably not get stopped. Now to the question. I put 42lbs in the tire and had the shocks were on the low setting. The thing rode like a Cadillac and handled great. Rode about 80 miles on it. Didn't hear any rubbing or notice any problems after checking it several times. When we got back I noticed ever so faint mark on the right side ...

New DarkSider 205x60x16 Michelin Primacy HP w/DynaBeads

brain7368 — Sat, 16 May 2009 16:40:05 GMT

Well got my rear tire put on late friday at Freedom in Marion AR. They told me psi was 41 seemed alittle mushy 2up. Rechecked psi this morning showed 37, adjusted air to a comfy 45psi. Max psi on this tire is 51. Could feel the rode alittle better and wasn't mushy in curves. Between yesterday and this morning we logged around 100 miles. So far couldn't be happier, handling seems good and ride is excellent. Going to keep a close eye on it all week. Next saturday momma and I are Smokey bound for ...

Dynabeads

dsspunkler — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 05:34:19 GMT

Been on the Darkside for awhile now and love it. I've put about 1,500 on my CT and have lead weight for balance. My ?'s are, I have no idea how much goop the tire dude used or didn't use. Has it been long enough to assume that anything inside has dried up or doesn't it dry up? I've ordered the beads and am looking to install them soon. Also I ordered 4oz. 3 for the rear and 1 for the front. Sound about right? also should i remove my exsisting lead on the rims? Thanks in advance. also check out ...