No longer running the dark side

After a few thousand miles running a DS tire on my 07 Stratoliner I've decided to go back to a MC tire.

There is one reason for my decision: High speed handling.

The GYTT had a tendancy to wobble at high speeds. (90 mph+) Not a death wobble, but a wobble nonetheless.

This may or may not have been caused by the amount of weight used to balance the tire on the MC rim.

I made the choice nonetheless because it's my opinion that any strange handling characteristics at high speeds are undesireable, and I like to go fast.

To all of you still running the DS; Thank you for all your support and good luck & happy trails.

Derrick
I too had a wobble on my bike at high speeds. After tuning and trying different things I can now run wide open with no wobble issues.
Don't be a stranger .... we don't hate ya. This site is foremost a riding site that just happens to specialize in darksiding.

Come back and visit

See you out there
Smokey

I too have a wobble at high speed. I think it starts about 75 or 80. What did you do to correct it?

No problem rickjames! Sorry it didn't work out for you! It's not for everyone!

I don't have any wobble issues with none of my darksides at all and Smokey and I and some others have been to 125 mph quite a few times!


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

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Did you try dynabeads? I've been up and down the range of speeds on my bike and no wobble at any speed. But I have dynabeads front and back.

Let us know if going back to a mc tire fixes the wobble.

Rick I agree, Let us know how it handles going back to a mt. Curios to know if you find anything you liked better about the ct. I still have a little wobble at 95, but I only get there when I'm passing someone, so it something I can live with. don't be a stranger. your experience can prove useful.

Jerry

I had my 2007 Vstar begin to wobble pretty bad at 110 mph. I noticed anytime I hit about 100 plus, a front end wobble began. I am not too concerned due to the fact that I normally travel at 70. I do have a 185 65 R15 all season Yokohama on the rear. I have approximately 1600 miles on it and really love it now. I was a little scared of the corners at first due to the change in handling. I have grown acustomed to the change and I am dragging floor boards now. I have approximately 43,400 miles to go on this tire.

What size of tire did you run????

Just interested, I'm running a GYTT 215/60/17 & I have had no problems, heck I take most my curves at that speed... & No problemo....
BTW, did you have to alter your fender when you put your tire on?
My tire rubs the inside of my fender just very little when I hit a bump.

We aint haters here. Let us know what you find not that you have stepped over to the other side. Just messin with ya. Really would like to find out what your thoughts are.

Peace and Blessings.
Moon

The wobble might be a sign that your sanity has left your brain and your ass is in control. Cmon guys 90, 100, 110 miles per hour. If you travel these kinds of speeds you crazy and I hate to say it you should up your life insurance so your family will enjoy your parting the planet for motorcycle heaven.

starider wrote:The wobble might be a sign that your sanity has left your brain and your ass is in control. Cmon guys 90, 100, 110 miles per hour. If you travel these kinds of speeds you crazy and I hate to say it you should up your life insurance so your family will enjoy your parting the planet for motorcycle heaven.

Shoot, waddya talkin about? My wife and my momma both uped my life insureance when I bought this bike. But I gotta say the bike handles so much better now with the Darkside tire and I have also slowed down a tad too. Im enjoying the smoothness of the tire more and more. Down to 36 psi and just rolled 9000 miles on it. No wobble at any speed and I am using Dyna beads.

Peace out

I hate to dredge up dead threads, but I can't help myself with this one.
One of the things that I have noticed running dark is that any issues you have with the front end of your bike become amplified when you go dark, for example a bad tire on the front will feel worse, a slight shimmy becomes a full on wobble and though not really a problem your front tire pressures become a little more critical to the life of that tire. When I hear someone mention a front end wobble on a bike running the darkside that magically goes away when they switch back to a MCT, I automatically think loose head bearings in the steering. I can't begin to count the number of times I've had friends with bikes that describe a front end shimmy and it turn out to be the bearings aren't adjusted correctly, check them out and check them frequently.
CAD

I agree that the problem may be the head bearings. Had a similar problem with a former motorcycle. I thought the frame was weak at first. After torquing the nut on the yoke it resolved the issue. But, a tire that has delaminated plies will give you the same feel.

thanks for being honest,