 Has anyone tried to darkside an america yet.
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 33
Greenhorn
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OP
Greenhorn
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 33 |
I found a few ct that could work. Looking for any info on those that already have.
If at first you do not succeed, get a bigger hammer!
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Re: Has anyone tried to darkside an america yet.
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,483 Likes: 6
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,483 Likes: 6 |
"Darkside"? Is that like putting a HD muffler on a TBA?  
'04' Black America
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Re: Has anyone tried to darkside an america yet.
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 33
Greenhorn
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OP
Greenhorn
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 33 |
That would be truly dark and even evil of you but no. It's putting a car tire on the rear of your bike.  It's vacation time.
If at first you do not succeed, get a bigger hammer!
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Re: Has anyone tried to darkside an america yet.
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,669
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,669 |
That flipping crazy. Although now I wanna get some 33's and go muddin. LOL 
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Re: Has anyone tried to darkside an america yet.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,685 Likes: 20
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,685 Likes: 20 |
I heard of a few on Rockets. Generally nobody puts them on anything under about 700 pounds and is used solely as a cruiser. If you must do it stay out of the twisty roads or off the throttle if on the twisty roads.
Good luck, have fun, risking your life to save $100 bucks just does not equate to me. I would say "Please don't do that" but you have the perfect right to ride your own ride so I will shut up now.
I try to aggravate one person a day. Today may be your day.
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Re: Has anyone tried to darkside an america yet.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
On the R3 forums car tires is practically a cult, like Apple. I don't think I will be going that route on any of my bikes.
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Re: Has anyone tried to darkside an america yet.
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1 |
Works pretty good on hacks, not so much on lighter bikes like ours.
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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Re: Has anyone tried to darkside an america yet.
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 246
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 246 |
I knew a guy with an R3 who darksided it. He rode fast and aggressively and claims to never have had any problems with the set up. I rode behind him many times and it looked pretty squirrely to me. He'd be up on the side of that truck tire in the turns, and don't get me started on the rooster tail that thing would spray back in the rain. IMO, motorcycle tires are curved for a reason.
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Re: Has anyone tried to darkside an america yet.
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 33
Greenhorn
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OP
Greenhorn
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 33 |
Have you taken a good look at your mc tire after it's been on for awhile? I get about 15,000 out of a ME880 marathon. That's because I use my BA to ride to work 109 miles every day. By the time it gets to 10k for the most part it is in the shape of a car tire and bald to boot. In the old days, the 60s and 70s, the tires that were on my bike looked just like car tires and lasted more like them too. The reason for the shape of the modern motorcycle tires, is to rotate around a corner faster/quicker. And the bonus to the tire companies is you buy more tires. If I were riding my BA strictly on the twisties I would not even consider this, but as a cruiser, I am considering it. It works fine on my touring bike but it would be very bad for my R1. I have been told I am crazy for some of the things I have done in my life, but most people have no idea how much thought goes into the things I do, before I do them. That and being well coordinated and a massive amount of good luck never hurts either.
If at first you do not succeed, get a bigger hammer!
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Re: Has anyone tried to darkside an america yet.
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 457
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 457 |
this is the first i've heard of such a thing... and i'm not yet sure how i feel about it.
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Re: Has anyone tried to darkside an america yet.
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1 |
Quote:
Have you taken a good look at your mc tire after it's been on for awhile? I get about 15,000 out of a ME880 marathon. That's because I use my BA to ride to work 109 miles every day. By the time it gets to 10k for the most part it is in the shape of a car tire and bald to boot. In the old days, the 60s and 70s, the tires that were on my bike looked just like car tires and lasted more like them too. The reason for the shape of the modern motorcycle tires, is to rotate around a corner faster.
Those old tires were a lot narrower, for instance that 4.00X19 rear tire is only a tiny bit over 100mm wide. That's much skinnier than our front tire and much easier to lay into a turn. Also carries far less weight.
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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Re: Has anyone tried to darkside an america yet.
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937 |
kinda seems like buying your mate a prophylactic in lieu of a diaphragm, to save a few bucks.  I believe I'd consider the application, and use the recommended rubber!  
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: Has anyone tried to darkside an america yet.
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720 |
Get a set of those retro looking Coker s , they look like they belong on a car web page
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Re: Has anyone tried to darkside an america yet.
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 544
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 544 |
Quote:
Get a set of those retro looking Coker s , they look like they belong on a car web page
i'm doing that soon! i'm getting a 450 - 18 for the front.
Last edited by Jryan; 04/10/2012 7:53 PM.
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Re: Has anyone tried to darkside an america yet.
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 33
Greenhorn
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OP
Greenhorn
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 33 |
Appearance is not the goal, frugal use my money is. A $140 tire that only lasts 15k miles or less eats up the savings I am getting by riding the bike as compared to drive a cage. The cost of fuel per gallon is the same for diesel and mid grade. The bike gets twice the mileage. The tires for the bike are only a little cheaper. but 4 on the truck get almost 60k, It takes 8 tires on the bike to travel that distance. Making my savings almost nil. Other than the enjoyment of the ride and less pollution, it doesn't make sense. Especially if you have to put up with the lunatics I have to on the 108 mile round trip. Add to that how much rubber is being wasted on the mc tires, the environmental footprint is no better either. Like I said, I do think things through for awhile before I do them. Now is the time for gathering info on whether or not the America could use a car tire without adverse affects. So if you have some info I it I would like to hear it. I am still on vacation.
If at first you do not succeed, get a bigger hammer!
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Re: Has anyone tried to darkside an america yet.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,630 Likes: 7
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,630 Likes: 7 |
Quote:
On the R3 forums car tires is practically a cult, like Apple. I don't think I will be going that route on any of my bikes.
Do you really have to drag that other thread over here?
We all like to think of ourselves as rugged individualists. But when push comes to shove most of us are sheep who do what we are told. Worst of all, a lot of us become unpaid agents of whoever is controlling the agenda by enforcing the current dogma on the few rugged individualists who actually exist.
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Re: Has anyone tried to darkside an america yet.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Hey, I didn't start it...
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Re: Has anyone tried to darkside an america yet.
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1 |
I think your cost-benefit analysis is off track. One set of Kenda or IRC tires runs around $200 if you mount them yourself. A single tire for my Chevy HHR costs more than $200 making a set of four tIres cost the more than 4 sets of motorcycle tires rendering the 60,000 miles a wash.
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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Re: Has anyone tried to darkside an america yet.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,124 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,124 Likes: 13 |
restated: At a rate of 15,000 miles per tire, it takes 4 tires on the bike to travel 60k (60k/4=15). Rather than the math which now is like splitting hares can you say Hasenpfeffer?, the darksiders are hating having to change their tires every time they think to look at them it seems. And the RIII from what I've heard gets way less than 15K miles per motorsickle tire. Charlie could chime in as he has gone through some tires. And that funkytrumpet dude too. 
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: Has anyone tried to darkside an america yet.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,335
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,335 |
I don't know about anyone else, but in 15,000 miles both my tires are used up. Actually on both the America and the Tiger my front and rear tires wear at about the same rate.
Commuting 109 miles a day to work comes out to be well over 25,000 miles per year. So lets say between riding to work and pleasure you put about 30,000 miles on the bike per year. That comes out to be at least two sets of tires and one chain & sprocket kit per year. If you do it all yourself the cost is approximately $800.00 per year ($300 per set of tires & $200 for chain kit).
Your saving per year in gas, assuming your bike gets twice the mileage as your car could be as much as $3000.00, with gas costing an average of $3.90 per gallon.
Bottom line I understand why you want to save some time & money on the rear tire by using a car tire, but I don't think the savings is worth the lose of performance in both handling and fuel. I don't know for sure, but I would think a car tire would reduce your gas mileage at least 2-5%.
Tom
Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
Benjamin Franklin, US author, diplomat, inventor, physicist, politician, & printer (1706 - 1790)
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Re: Has anyone tried to darkside an america yet.
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 33
Greenhorn
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OP
Greenhorn
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 33 |
The ME 880s I use cost about $240 if I mount them myself and I do. They last 15k miles, it takes 4 sets to get to 60k miles right? My Michelin's on my 3/4ton dodge diesel cost just shy of $900 mounted ( I don't have the tools to do that myself. ) and get 60k miles on them. Your Kenda's will not make it to 15K miles with my use. Everyone has to understand that everybody else does not use their bike like you do. Most of my use is 75 mph on highways, straight up. That is why there is so much rubber being wasted on the outsides of my tires. Again, I have not said I am doing this, I am looking into it.  I have to go back to work on monday.
If at first you do not succeed, get a bigger hammer!
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Re: Has anyone tried to darkside an america yet.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Quote:
And the RIII from what I've heard gets way less than 15K miles per motorsickle tire.
I replaced my R3's stockers at 7547. Probably could have gotten to 8000 if I wanted to push it. The most I got out of a rear Avon on the America is around 10,000 (probably a bit less). The fronts go closer to 12,000. That was a lot of slab miles, less twisty and city driven miles.
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Re: Has anyone tried to darkside an america yet.
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1 |
Quote:
Your Kenda's will not make it to 15K miles with my use.
Not my Kendas, on the America I'm an avowed Avon user. I misunderstood your post as seeking economy but Metzlers put me straight on that.
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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Re: Has anyone tried to darkside an america yet.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 381
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 381 |
I am about to darkside on my speedmaster. The 185/65 is a half inch shorter than the 180/70 that I have been running. Bike has 100,000 miles on it and just think that could have been on only 2 tires.
I have been running darkside on my R3T since last summer and have 20,000 on a 205/60 16 Toyo. If motorcycle tires were free, I would not change back. The time and money wasted by replacing it every 8,000 to 12,000 miles would not be worth it.
In the first 40,000 miles of the rocket's life, I went through 4 rear tires. So the I am not just saving $100 on a tire. More like $500 on 5 tires I wouldn't have to buy.
Lots of people talk of how bad car tires are for motorcycles but how many of them have ridden on one.
The early bird gets the worm but the second mouse gets the cheese!
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Re: Has anyone tried to darkside an america yet.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821
Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821 |
Quote:
Lots of people talk of how bad car tires are for motorcycles but how many of them have ridden on one.
I'm not going to either.
I can see the obvious. Leaning is how you steer a bike so the tires are an integral part of the handling. A motorcycle tire's contact patch actually gets larger as you corner to maintain maximum traction; using a car tire the contact patch will get much smaller, compromising traction.
But hey; it's your ass, use what you like.
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
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Re: Has anyone tried to darkside an america yet.
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 33
Greenhorn
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OP
Greenhorn
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Posts: 33 |
Loosing a 1/2" would not hurt me much as I run the 19 tooth front sprocket on mine. And your right, if you haven't tried it, an opinion is nothing more than a unproven theory. My only concern is the BA is much lighter than my Venture, and I wonder if there is enough weight to make the rear act like a heavier bike does when using the car tire? The side flex I see on the vids I have watched on the bigger bikes may not work on the lighter bikes. So tire pressures would probably be very important. When will you be putting it on? I have about 2000 on my new 880, so I wont be changing for a little while.
If at first you do not succeed, get a bigger hammer!
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Re: Has anyone tried to darkside an america yet.
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937 |
Well, one thing is for sure. You need to stop waiting for an answer here, it ain't gonna come, as we've seen.
Those who HAVE done it, say it's ok.
So, "JUST DO IT"!
And let us know.
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: Has anyone tried to darkside an america yet.
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1
Second Wind
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Second Wind
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1 |
If ya do it just remember bias ply not radial. I have seen sportsters and triumph choppers with them on. All i can say is try it and report back or not. i may be gonna do it myself.
I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.
Edgar Allan Poe
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Re: Has anyone tried to darkside an america yet.
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1 |
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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Re: Has anyone tried to darkside an america yet.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,268 Likes: 15
Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,268 Likes: 15 |
Talked with a Goldwinger one day who told me he installs/ runs his front tire in the reverse tread design becuase it doubles the life of the tire and all the other kids were doing it. 
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Re: Has anyone tried to darkside an america yet.
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Well Ed, I guess there's nothin' like a pictorial to shed a little light upon a subject, eh?!  Yep, my feelings in this regard are I wouldn't do this "modification" on a friggin' bet, 'cause there IS a reason why they make car tires AND motorcycle tires, and THAT pictorial you've just supplied us here would be one Reason No.1 why I wouldn't "place a bet" on MY life while tryin' to save a few bucks in the short term!  (...of course I can now hear the next reasonale for this pictorial from the "Car Tire/Save A Few Bucks Crowd" around here: "That guy just doesn't ride very well!"...riiiiiight!...well, in THAT case, just LOOK how much friggin' rubber is contacting the friggin' road in picture No.1, folks...but HEY, do what cha want here...as far as I know there are no laws, other than maybe the Laws of Physics, against doin' this...and I'M certainly NOT gonna contact MY congressman about it!!!) 
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Has anyone tried to darkside an america yet.
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,402 Likes: 7
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,402 Likes: 7 |
Quote:
And that funkytrumpet dude too.
Got about 3500 miles from my first tyre 
What!!?? I was enjoying myself!
If I remember, the second one was a little better
Third one is holding out ok (odo is at around 10,500 miles) but I haven't ridden much (read : at all) in the last 6 months.
"You can't believe everything you read on the internet" : William Shakespeare
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Re: Has anyone tried to darkside an america yet.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
The Rocket III darksiders insist they can lean farther in the curves with the car tire. Funny, I'm already dragging footboards with the Bridgestone motorcycle tires, and my rear tire is TALLER than stock by a half inch (and that was before I put on the Hagon shocks that are nearly a half inch short to compensate). 
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Re: Has anyone tried to darkside an america yet.
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Well John, if ya want my theory here, that might be because of the car tire's squared-off profile. I mean look at Ed's picture No.1 up there again and how it seems as the guy is riding the edge of the tire(with once again much less tire contact patch as he does it) how it appears the height of the bike's rear end seems to rise just a bit. And thus, because of the increased height of the rear end, that would make for a little more ground clearance before you'd start scraping the pegs or floor boards. (...that would be of course JUST before the bike's rear tire looses all grip on the road and ya end up low-sidin' the sucker as the contact patch reaches the sidewall of that FREAKING CAR TIRE!!!)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Has anyone tried to darkside an america yet.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Yeah, too bad there's no tread on the sidewall...
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Re: Has anyone tried to darkside an america yet.
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Well....YEAH! If there WERE, hell, I'D be usin' freakin' car tires TOO!!!
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Has anyone tried to darkside an america yet.
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Btw John(and anyone else interested here), I'll bet a majority of riders don't know that modern motorcycle tires (and their more rounded profile than the motorcycle tires of yore) actually puts MORE rubber on the road as you lean 'em over into turns.
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Has anyone tried to darkside an america yet.
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Oh, and one more BTW here.... MAYBE this thread subject line MIGHT best be stated as: "Has anyone tried to LOW-SIDE(not "Darkside") an America yet by mounting a car tire on their rear rim"?  (...well, once again, THAT would be IF once they'd mount one on their bike and as it began to low-side, they didn't try to over-correct and do a HIGH-side...such as in the following picture No.5 which I WILL now supply here...I mean we can't ask Ed to supply ALL the friggin' pictorials around here, now CAN WE???!!!) 
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Has anyone tried to darkside an america yet.
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616 |
Quote:
Btw John(and anyone else interested here), I'll bet a majority of riders don't know that modern motorcycle tires (and their more rounded profile than the motorcycle tires of yore) actually puts MORE rubber on the road as you lean 'em over into turns.
I didnt know that! I'm riding my bike on its side from now on 
SOLD: 07 Black BA, 39mm FCRs, TPUSA stage 1 head, TPUSA 813 cams, TPUSA 10.8:1 pistons, TTP #3 igniter, Specialty Spares Long Cannons, Tsukayu Hard Bags. 82HP/55tq
NEW: 19 Goldwing Tour DCT
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Re: Has anyone tried to darkside an america yet.
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Yeah Z, there was an article in Cycle World or Motorcyclist magazine (can't remember which) a while back about M/C tires and their design evolution over the years that touched upon this.
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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