Maybe doing this darkside thing

Got a nail and some chunks missing out of my MC tire so I'm looking in to this darkside thing.

I've met several people that have darkside already and they love it.

Issue for me is going to be getting the CT on.

Looking into some tire shops to see if they will do it.

I want to get back to riding so if I can't find a shop to mount it I'll just go to the bike shop and get another MC tire.

Actually thought of attempting it myself but I have no experience with tire changes or the tools needed to do it.

Seen some say this is for experienced riders only.
I've only been riding since last April and only since about May on the VTX.

Some used to say the World was flat. If you had started with a ct they would say a mt is to rounded it will slide right out from under you in a corner. Thing is someone will always say something, and it will always be the one that hasn't tried it.

Jerry

That was good someone remember that for me.

Exactly what I was thinking.

However I have a family of riders (dad, uncle, aunt, granddad, granduncle) that will all tell me I'll go down in a ball of flames over this.

I live in Indianapolis and been told of a couple chain dealers that have done this in the past.
I'll call em up tomorrow and see if I can get in there.

I'm going to try to get a General Altimax RT 205/70/15.
Few guys on vtxcafe have that.

If tire shops refuse I'll just go get another MC tire.

I could probably plug my Metz (that I just put on in April...) but around the nail there are a bunch of weird chunks missing from tread.

My Dynabeads are supposed to be here tomorrow.
If I get off work in time I'll try to run to a tire shop.

No garage so I have to get the bike up on my stand and run and grab tire and get it all back into shed before bed.

Might not get this done until Fri afternoon supposed to be storming that day.

Watch out with a new ct in the stormy weather. The mold release will make for a slick ride. After the mold release is wore off you cant find a better ride in the rain.

Jerry

No I mean I'd have bike up on stand getting rim on and off in storms.
No garage. :-(

Ok. If you are using stock exhaust dont forget to turn the exhaust bolts around. Clean the sline gear and put a little Moly paste on it. then repeat that every 15,000 miles. Seems like a chore, but you wont be replacing tires so a little preventative maintainance helps.

Jerry

Only thing I'm not sure about is how to talk car tire dealer into mounting on MC rim.

Discount tires did one of mine. If they wont look for a mom and pop shop.

Jerry

Probably would be less likely to question it if I already had CT on rim.

Several people mentioned local chain doing it so I should be fine.

Well had no time to call tire dealers so probably going to end up with another MC tire.

Really want to get back to riding.

I'll try in AM but dealers probably don't have the tire I need in stock.

I HAVE A 2004 VTX 1800C WITH 11K ON IT....I WAS USING A BRIDGESTONE G850 180-70-16...TIRES THREAD SHOWING AT 6000 MILES,READ THE DARK SIDE FORUM AND PRINTED COPY OF LIST OF USABLE CAR TIRES FOR 16" REAR WHEEL THE BRIDESTONE TIRE COSTS 200+ $ SO I DID MY RESEARCH AND WATCHED ALOT OF YOU TUBE VIDEOS OF DARKSIDERS MAKING VIDEOS OF THEM RIDING THEIR MOTORCYCLES WITH CAR TIRES(I WAS IMPRESSED BY WHAT I SAW) SOOO I PURCHASED A BRIDGESTONE POTENZA 195/55/16 AND MOUNTED IT ON MY VTX...THE CAR TIRE ONLY COST ME 30$ "HUGE SAVINGS" BY GOING TO THE DARKSIDE...I'VE BEEN RIDING BIKES FOR YEARS AND WAS GETTING TIRED OF BUYINGMC TIRES EVERY 5K TO 6K MILES WHO WANTS TO PAY 200 BUCKS ON A TIRE THAT ONLY LAST A FEW MONTHS...ANSWER NOT ME!!! SO ANYWAY THE CAR TIRE PERFORMS GREAT!!! I HAVE BETTER TRACTION,IT RIDES SMOOTHER AND GOT THE BIKE UP 90mph AND NO PROBLES...I REALIZE THAT A CAR TIRE IS SHAPED TOTALLY DIFFERENT THAN A MC TIRE AND CORNERING MIGHT BE A ISSUE WITH A CAR TIRE...THAT BEING SAID...I WAS VERY CAUTIOUS WHEN CORNERING,IN THE TURN IT DOES TAKE A LITTLE MORE PUSHING INTO THE CURVE WHILE TURING BUT AFETR A FEW HOURS OF RIDING AND CORNERING YOU GET USED TO THAT FEEL...YOUR BRAIN ADAPTS TO THE CHANGE...ANYWAY THE ONLY POTENTIAL PROBLES I SEE IS TURNING CORNERS ON DIRT OR GRAVEL ROADS...BE MINDFUL AND CAUTIOUS ALWAYS AND MAKE YOUR TURNS A LOT SLOWER THAN YOU WOULD ON A MC TIRE...BECAUSE HERE IS WHERE YOUR BIKE COULD COME OUT FROM UNDER YOU!!!!SOOO THAT BEING SAID...AS LONG AS YOUR NOT ACTING LIKE A DUMBASS AND PUSING THE BIKE TOO HARD AND FAST DURING THE CORNERING OF YOUR RIDE .YOUR CAR TIRE WILL BE THE BEST INVESTMENT YOU EVER MADE!!!I PLAN ON GETTING 40K OUT OF THESE TIRES AND ENJOY THE $$$ I'M SAVING WHILE DOING IT...HAIL TO THE DARKSIDE AND HAPPY MOTORING

Yea I'm aware of the benefits.
When I go meet other VTX riders the MC tire users are less than the darksiders.

Waiting for sunrise so I can get bike jacked up and go tire hunting.

No go.

Tire dealer told me no.

So I'm still on a MC tire for now.

Maybe next year.

If the first girl you ever asked out on a date had said no would you have never asked another? why give up so easily for something so good?

Jerry

jedishon wrote:If the first girl you ever asked out on a date had said no would you have never asked another? why give up so easily for something so good?

Jerry

Well said!

Well it was either let the bike sit for ANOTHER week or more while I tried to find dealer to do it, or just go to the bike shop and get a new MC so I can ride the bike.

I'd rather ride.

I'll still look into it next year maybe.

Looks like I can get a decent deal on a spare rear rim.
Got a guy that can mount tire for me.

Still nervous about the insurance issue.
Fairly new rider and had few close calls already.
I just see me hitting someone and getting denied because of CT.
But...with the CT should stop faster and not wreck???
Rear end going sideways not fun.

Going down in ball of flames would just look cool.

Looked over my motorcycle insurance policy and not find any reference to automotive tires.

Found out I'm not covered for radiation or tanks...

Just wanted to let you know that "Indy Tire" in Castleton and Carmel will mount CTs for you. Just had my General Altimax HP mounted up today. Ask for Nick and tell him Jon sent ya. HTH!

Indy tire told me GTFO when I wanted to mount my tire last year. Might be an age thing and I don't look crazy enough.

Should have the spare rim next week.