One Week Later and 486 miles onthe HydroEdge

czech Mon Apr 25, 2011 6:18 pm

It's been 486 miles and 1 week since I started on the Darkside. The Hydro 205/65/16 on my VTX 1800C-3 is much stabler than the old MT's were. I just completed a 350 mile round trip over several days where I was able to experiment with different pressures, mostly old blacktop 4 lane roads with pressed rock in them. The Hydro held secure and firm thru moderate 70mph sweepers . While I didn't expect a smooth ride due to bad road conditions, the hydro performed flawless in smoothness and grip. Never once did I feel like the tire would slip with me. Started at 40 lbs , now down to 36 lbs with rear preload set on 4 for 1 person. I would like to try preload set on 3 as some minor road holes produced a jar.Tire tracked true at all times. Will go even lower to 34 lbs for the same trip this weekend.
The countersteer is not very noticeable now as I get used to it and use my wrists to push the bars down into a turn for better control and feel. Overall ,it is a much smoother ride, better road control , way better upright stability , just plain ole' scary stopping ability and YOU become more confident on a mental level with your bikes handling performance qualities and your safety.

Czech