Dark Side

[kbwitt]

You only asked for thoughts fprogress entlemen, so I apologize for intruding.

There has been much discussion on here about different brands of automobile tires that people are using on the rear of their Spyders, and some on the fronts. The term "Dark Side" is rarely used here, and in fact I was scolded for using that term. If you do a search using the term, "Car Tire", or just "Tires" you will get lots of reading material.

Again, sorry for sticking my nose in.

Pam

Hi Pam you live in AZ. you know us AZ people are very progressive when it comes to righs. You are welcome to speak your peace any time. Yea AZ !!!
I hope some day the wife and I do a ride with you.
Kenn

 

[Bob Denman]

When I need tires I ask my husband what I should buy because I am a woman. NOT!

 

[manxman]

You only asked for thoughts from gentlemen, so I apologize for intruding.

There has been much discussion on here about different brands of automobile tires that people are using on the rear of their Spyders, and some on the fronts. The term "Dark Side" is rarely used here, and in fact I was scolded for using that term. If you do a search using the term, "Car Tire", or just "Tires" you will get lots of reading material.

Again, sorry for sticking my nose in.

Pam

I used a car tire on my Gold Wing for 10K pulling a trailer and outside of working a bit harder going into a turn it was fine, had about 20 K left in it when I sold the machine. The term "Dark Side" originated on the Gold Wing forums.

 

[GeorgiaBill]

Didn't know the beads are the same

When I scrapped my worn out OE Kenda's, I got a bit of help to cut them up & have look at the beads & their r internal construction, belts etc..... & not only was I convinced that they were completely of car tire construction, but also were each of the 3 local Tire Expert bods!! They didn't get to see the M/C label on the sidewall until AFTER they'd inspected the tires & their beads etc, & they all told me they were "definitely passenger car tire construction" tires; once they saw the label they all swore it musta been a mistake or that I'd doctored the label somehow!! They checked the rims as well, & confirmed that the bead profile is identical to that of car tires, altho the 'belly' of the rim is not necessarily the same (no issue, that just means it's not quite so easy to strip & fit the tires without a mechanical aid.)

As far as we all could see, the ONLY thing about the Kenda's that is even vaguely related to 'normal' Motorcycle tire construction vs Passenger Car tire construction is the label on the side & BRP's insistence that they are 'motorcycle tires' :shocked:


And BTW, we all agreed they aren't real good car tires either!!


I'm now running Kumho 'car tires' front & rear, & already have more & safer, more comfortable miles on them than I got from the Kenda's! And for me & my riding, the Kumho's handle better, ride better, brake better, corner better, last longer, run quieter, are more responsive, work exceptionally well with the Nanny, handle any & all road surfaces & weather conditions better, and basically show up the Kenda's as being crap tires in all respects!!

Be assured that I won't ever be voluntarily putting a Kenda on my Spyder again!! :thumbup:

Thanks to all who pointed this out. I've been concerned with that difference, but had no problems with one Kenda and one Kenda run-flat on a GL1800. There was always a nagging worry about the difference in beads.

I'll ride easier now.
-Bill

 

[Dennis in Lodi]

from a former racers input

I don't know if this thread has been hashed over before or not, but I'm wondering if anyone here has seriously switched to car tires for their ride. My dealer tells me that it is not a good idea, but my thinking is that he is wanting to make money on the proper tires for the Spyder. The other thing that I don't know, is what is the difference in price between Car tires and tires for the Spyder. What about the rear tire? Can it be switched out also, and is it a good idea.

I'm used to 2 wheelers and a few have switched them to car tires with no ill effects, so........

Thoughts, gentlemen?

I switched the rear to the ultra max as many riders have. The stock Kenda stiffer sidewalls and flatter surface made the bike track a little straighter when just generally going down the road. But the Kenda's stiffness and flatness also resisted input from the handle bars for hard cornering. The Kenda tries to keep the rear planted at a slight disadvantage for extreme cornering. Not really a bad thing for a touring bike.
I noticed changes with the General tire the first moment I went down the road. The softer side compound and slight roundness was kind of a little wandering under easy riding conditions. I did not want to give up on the tire so I waited until I experienced more driving conditions before I formed my opinion. With the Bajaron sway bar and the General tire the tire responds and contributes to better sport handling as the rear end will now dive into corners better as part of an executed extreme cornering maneuver. I hardly notice the wandering any more as when I first made the change. Under all weather conditions the General tire has traction and control advantages.
I ride with a fellow racing friend who has an all stock 2014 RTS vs. my slightly modified 2015 RTS with the General tire. When we are pushing hard on winding country roads he has zero chance of keeping up. Often I slow down to keep him in my rear view mirror. In roll on test I pull him gear for gear from 4k rmp and up. When we switch bikes he leaves me in the dust as I buried him. In stock form without the Bajaron sway bar I loose as much as 5mph in a corner as the whole bike bounces and constantly changes exit lines while extreme cornering. This bouncing around and changing exit line also affects my ability to stay planted in my seat so it has a compounding negative effect for control.
As I wait for my Harley friends to catch up at country stop signs they have all commented that it appears I ride faster on my Spyder than I do on my Racing Ninja. I guess they did not realize how long I was really sitting at stop signs on my Ninja.

 

[Pampurrs]

I used a car tire on my Gold Wing for 10K pulling a trailer and outside of working a bit harder going into a turn it was fine, had about 20 K left in it when I sold the machine. The term "Dark Side" originated on the Gold Wing forums.

I've been following "Dark Side" threads for years on ALL motorcycle forums, including the Goldwing forums. I don't know that the term originated in the Wing forums, but it's still discussed with as much frequency there as it is in the others. This topic is debated much more vehemently than any oil or tire thread, because Dark Siders are very evangelical about their belief, and those opposed are equally rabid about their position.

Personally, I have always held mixed feelings about putting a car tire on motorcycles (Including when I rode a Goldwing), simply because I was not comfortable with the concept of cornering at severe leaning angles on a tire that is not designed for such use. But now that I have a Spyder, and no longer lean in curves, I have every intention of going to the Dark Side once this OEM tire expires.

Pam

 

[Highwayman2013]

I thought the darkside had cookies. Bacon is good too.

 

[Pampurrs]

I thought the darkside had cookies. Bacon is good too.

They have both. It's a happy place :dg2:

 

[Highwayman2013]

Yes!

 

[Buckeye Bleau]

Bravo u 2

That's OK, I'm just being my usual Smartass :roflblack:

My many personalities range from smartass to total bitch, depending on whether or not I've had a Snickers. :dg1:

Welcome to the forum.

Pam

Hey, bravo and kudos to both of you. She for smacking you down, two for you being humble enough to come back with a hand of friendship, that is great. Shoot I got so turned on by her 2015 RTSE and her tone I considered moving to AZ just to find her, kill her man (or whatever) and moving in.
ya'll are great, thank for the experience.
:clap:

 

[bigbadbrucie]

I've been following "Dark Side" threads for years on ALL motorcycle forums, including the Goldwing forums. I don't know that the term originated in the Wing forums, but it's still discussed with as much frequency there as it is in the others. This topic is debated much more vehemently than any oil or tire thread, because Dark Siders are very evangelical about their belief, and those opposed are equally rabid about their position.

Personally, I have always held mixed feelings about putting a car tire on motorcycles (Including when I rode a Goldwing), simply because I was not comfortable with the concept of cornering at severe leaning angles on a tire that is not designed for such use. But now that I have a Spyder, and no longer lean in curves, I have every intention of going to the Dark Side once this OEM tire expires.

Pam

Mmnnn, Bacon. I'm achin for some Bacon. I really do appreciate all of the views. Pam, I'm thinking the same as you. I thought about it long and hard when I had my 'wing and also when I had my VTX but discounted the idea, but now with my Spyder, well......., it's probably time.

 

[robmorg]

That's OK, I'm just being my usual Smartass :roflblack:

My many personalities range from smartass to total bitch, depending on whether or not I've had a Snickers. :dg1:

Pam

:nopic:I would love to see "before and after Snickers" pictures .

 

[fjray]

darkside

I've run car tires on the wing for years and also on the FJR1300. They work very well on both so I'm sure I'll be using them on the spyder if I keep it.