2006 VTX 1800 N - Want to go to the Darkside.

Wow! Just found out about the Darkside and I need new tires. I have looked through the posts but wanted to know if anyone has experience with the 2006 1800N S3. Need both front and back, I really like what I am reading and seeing. Thanks and I am looking hearing what the pros and cons as well as options are. Kozak

Nozak,

A friend of ours is runnning a darkside on his 1800N. Let me see if I can find pics of it!

Welcome to our site and you will love the darkside!

............bobby

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does mine count?

Kozak wrote:Wow! Just found out about the Darkside and I need new tires. I have looked through the posts but wanted to know if anyone has experience with the 2006 1800N S3. Need both front and back, I really like what I am reading and seeing. Thanks and I am looking hearing what the pros and cons as well as options are. Kozak

howdy, i have a 2002 1800 retro. i went to the dark side about 1500 miles ago. i spent around 4 months reading every thread i could find-both pro and con. take it from me and listen to the dark siders that are doing it or have tried it. as for the others, opinions are like ass holes..everyone has got one! unfortunatley if you have never tried it, how can you say anything intelligent about it!

I went to the Michelin 205/65-16 Hydro Edge directional tire (key word-directional-just like your stock m/c tire!) I am running 44 pounds of air and dyno beads for balance. I am running an Avon Cobra Radial front tire also with Dyno beads. I have not experienced any weird quirks like some have reported. not sure if it is the match of tires or not, but i totally love the ride.

A 205/55 fits great and fills out that fender perfectly. I opted for the Bridgestone Potenza re-01 mainly for it's looks. If I had to do it again, I would not remove the fender. It's a PITA. I've got the shocks on 2 and the psi at 45 balanced with dyna beads although it was pretty well balanced before the beads. It's a very comfortable ride. Good Luck.

twistedrcpilot wrote:

A 205/55 fits great and fills out that fender perfectly. I opted for the Bridgestone Potenza re-01 mainly for it's looks. If I had to do it again, I would not remove the fender. It's a PITA. I've got the shocks on 2 and the psi at 45 balanced with dyna beads although it was pretty well balanced before the beads. It's a very comfortable ride. Good Luck.

Except for the wicked left lean you got going on there............. J/K.... Thanks for chiming in to help!

...............bobby

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twin1300 wrote:

twistedrcpilot wrote:

A 205/55 fits great and fills out that fender perfectly. I opted for the Bridgestone Potenza re-01 mainly for it's looks. If I had to do it again, I would not remove the fender. It's a PITA. I've got the shocks on 2 and the psi at 45 balanced with dyna beads although it was pretty well balanced before the beads. It's a very comfortable ride. Good Luck.

Except for the wicked left lean you got going on there............. J/K.... Thanks for chiming in to help!

...............bobby

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Grrrrrrrrrrrr.......I don't really notice the lean anymore. I think I wore the left side of the sidewall down enough to balance it out. A buddy of mine who is really big into the tunner cars said I should put a small spoiler on the left side to compensate.

twistedrcpilot, I assume you made the forks the same height in the tripple tree. When you reinstalled the front tire did you line up the mounting mark on the front shaft? Only other thing I could think of is that when the tire was put in the mold it wasn't centered perfecty and the left sidewall is a little shorter than the right......You really know how to confuse a person......Congradulations.....

Jerry

Hey really appreciate all the input. What are the Dyna beads you all are talking about? Will a typical motorcycle tire shop do the installation? It is looking like the 205 can be installed without modifications or taking the fender off. What about ride and wear? I hear the bike is better balanced and the tire gets about 3 times the typical wear. Thanks again will report what I discover on my journey to the Darkside.....REALLY LOVE THE LOOK ON THE 2002 N, LIKE THE LICENSE PLATE INSERT ALSO.

Kozak
Here is the link to the dynabeads.... innovativebalancing.com
Some shops will do the install other wont. Just have to check around.
Everything else you stated is true IMHO.....

Jerry

jedishon wrote:twistedrcpilot, I assume you made the forks the same height in the tripple tree. When you reinstalled the front tire did you line up the mounting mark on the front shaft? Only other thing I could think of is that when the tire was put in the mold it wasn't centered perfecty and the left sidewall is a little shorter than the right......You really know how to confuse a person......Congradulations.....

Jerry

Wait a tick, What is this mark you speak of?

twistedrcpilot wrote:

jedishon wrote:twistedrcpilot, I assume you made the forks the same height in the tripple tree. When you reinstalled the front tire did you line up the mounting mark on the front shaft? Only other thing I could think of is that when the tire was put in the mold it wasn't centered perfecty and the left sidewall is a little shorter than the right......You really know how to confuse a person......Congradulations.....

Jerry

Wait a tick, What is this mark you speak of?

I am waiting also for this answer!


...............bobby

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On the shaft there is a groove. On the 1300 it is on the right side as you are facing the bike. This groove should be lined up with the opening on the fork before tightening the bolts on the fork that hold the shaft/axel.... If it is not lined up right your front breaks will wear out faster and your wheels could be out of alignment (front to rear).....

Jerry

Here is a GoodYear Triple Tred 205-60-16 on an 2006 VTX 1800N Spec 3





There is little room under the fender. I mean like 3 credit cards clearance, but it doesn't rub at all. I am big guy to start with and load the shocks each time I ride. We placed 3 ozs of Dyanbeads in the tire once we had it mounted on the wheel. Remember to let the air out of the tire prior to trying to install it back on the motorcycle, it won't fit if you do not.

Nice job Roy!....looks great! Welcome to the darkside!


......................bobby

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I have that same tire...looks awesome! Enjoy the ride man!

205/60-16