Thinking about going Darside....

Hello. I'm new here and came over from the Honda Shadow forum and the VTXOA forum.

I'm going to need a new rear tire before long. I have a trip planned soon to go and visit my dad who is dieing from cancer. I'm strongly considering the Michelin HydroEdge tire for the Darkside choice and I say this because I want longevity out of a tire. I do most of my riding on straight road and I'm not a twisty-hot-rod type rider. Looks like I can get the CT for about $11 cheaper than the MT of my choice but I'm afraid that I will have to buy another new MT if I go that route by the end of summer......and I'm an all-season rider.

My next deal is how can I find someone to mount the tire for me?

Thanks....

I bought a Douglas 205/65/15 for $54 w/tax and been on it for almost 4 years now.


......................twin


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twin1300 wrote:I bought a Douglas 205/65/15 for $54 w/tax and been on it for almost 4 years now.


......................twin


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I got 23,000 miles out of the same tire.

Jerry

Welcome to the madness !
Just kidding, you will love it and I'm sure you wish you had to run more twisties.
In fact any tire shop can mount it. Maybe someone in your hood will chime in later,
otherwise check the members to find someone close by maybe.
Wish you a lot of fun going dark. The Michelin is a great choice.
Good luck with your dad, sorry to read this.
Robert.

Thanks guys. I appreciate it very much. I'm just nervous about it because I don't have money to "burn" so I have to make as wise of a choice as possible. I'm tired of short life motorcycle tires. Seems like every time I turn around, I need to buy another tire or something. With these trips to see my dad....that's 400 miles one way, so each trip will be at least 800 miles and the roads between here and there are almost dead straight. Besides, I'm a cruiser rider and riding twisties aren't one of my choices to get out and do. I just like to ride and see the views as I pass by the creation we've been given.

Y'all keep on chiming in here. I want all the info I can gather.

205 seems a bit on the "wide" side. Is there room under there for a 205 wide tire? I'm 260 pounds and ride 2-up a good bit.

205 fits fine

Now I'm just trying to find a blasted tire near me.!!!

Dennis Peacock wrote:Now I'm just trying to find a blasted tire near me.!!!

Make sure you get the one you want, because it will be there for a while.

Jerry

I've called the major tires stores near me. None stock Michelin tires. May have to try Little Rock stores and see if I have any luck there.

OK...just talked to stores in Little Rock. Closest place to get a Michelin HydroEdge tire is in Memphis, TN...about 3 hours from me. I never knew it would be so difficult to get a CT....price? $167.50

You can get it here for $109 I got my GYTT from these guys and it came really quick, like 2 or 3 days.

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/filterTireProducts.do?cs=205&ar=65&rd=15&counter=1&sw=false&fcb=Michelin&fcpr=*&fcsr=*&fclr=*&x=34&y=9

Order from Tirerack.com and you should have it next day. They have a warehouse in Shreveport, La. Ground UPS is a 1 day ship to Conway.

Many places have the HydroEdge on BackOrder....even Discount Tire Direct.

Dennis Peacock wrote:Many places have the HydroEdge on BackOrder....even Discount Tire Direct.

Yeah i went with the HE because i like the tread pattern on it, have a buddy who works at a maint. shop, couldn't get tire. Finally called 4 or 5 tire shops in town and happened to find one that had just one single tire left. Call around and hope you have good luck.

I just had mine installed, took it out this past Sunday..... Awesome ride !!! Thank you very much for all info...

Van

va1300c wrote:I just had mine installed, took it out this past Sunday..... Awesome ride !!! Thank you very much for all info...

Van

Hey Van, congrats and welcome
We looooove pic's !
Robert.

va1300c wrote:I just had mine installed, took it out this past Sunday..... Awesome ride !!! Thank you very much for all info...

Van

I have decided to go with a Douglas 205/70-15 for now, since I can't seem to find a local source for a Michelin HE tire. I guess my first ride on the dark side will be tonight after I get the wheel back on the bike. I have a friend that has a tire changer at his house, so I will take him some supper and we will change the old MT out for a new Douglas CT. I sure hope I like this change.

Tire Rack now has Michelin HydroEdges in stock.
I ordered one Saturday.
I noticed my Grabber was starting to wear in the middle.
I need a 15 inch tire for a utility trailer I have, so it's going there and
I'm going to try the Michelin, it has a higher treadwear rating.