Overweight and going to darkside

I have been watching the treadlife on my new tires (hoops). The rear has only about 2000 miles and is almost to the wear markers, and starting to look flat across the tread. About 600 miles have been 2 up with my wife. This puts us over the rating on the sticker under the seat, but at least 100lbs under the rating stamped on the tires. The darkside tire raises the loading rating by another 100lbs or so. So I am thinking about changing.

Handling doesn't change much 2 up other than it takes more effort to turn in. The bike is a bit more stable. What I don't like is the handling does change some. We have 2up'd on a Harley and I don't even know she is there.

Where I am going with this is has anyone else overloaded their wing and what comments do you have to share. I like the added treadlife, weight capacity, and speedo correctness of the darkside tire. Guess I need a push over the edge.

MOWing wrote:

Handling doesn't change much 2 up other than it takes more effort to turn in.

If are trying to muscle the turn ... it will be a lot more effort. If you counter-steer the SWing does the work for you.

MOWing wrote:

The bike is a bit more stable. What I don't
like is the handling does change some. We have 2up'd on a Harley and I
don't even know she is there.

Is the handling difference that you are mentioning from one-up to two-up ... or from non-darkside to a darkside tire?

MOWing wrote:

Where I am going with this is
has anyone else overloaded their wing and what comments do you have to
share.

I have not had any handling or any problem with SWing loaded weight and the darkside tire.

I have 21,000 miles on this darkside tire ... 24,000 miles on SWing darkside tires.

Just wondering....
Does the "Dark Side" do anything as far as the wobble?

No Dave,
The wobble comes from age. I can attest to that. I was out today, plan to be tomorrow, and the wobble was (and I expect it to be) tomorrow.

DaveR wrote:

Just wondering....
Does the "Dark Side" do anything as far as the wobble?

What wobble are you asking about??

I don't have a darkside at the moment. The bike handles differently most likely because the suspension sag. With two up it changes the front end angle thus slowing down the handling.

I have the shock preload topped out. I would like to find some air shocks to reduce the sag, although it takes quite a bump to bottom out as it is now. I am just not happy with the change in handling when loaded.

MOWing I dont think I understand what you are refering to when it comes to the woble. I seriously overload my swing with full bags, trunk, camping gear includeing tent and rider and I dont notice any wobble. That was with origonal tires and now with dark side tire. The bike does handle different at slow speeds on gravel with the darkside but it is not a bad diference, just different. The flat surface tends to follow ruts and you can feel it when it comes out of a rut. I realy like my darkside tire and dont plan to go back and intend to put darkside on the other bikes when they are neaded. I did not put on the Sumoto but put on a Mastercraft 175/70/R13 which is bigger and it still has lots of extra room in the wheel well. A friend has a tire shop and I said what have you got in a 13 inch tire. He said I have this lets see if it will work on that rim, and it worked great.

Thanks for the feed back. I don't have a wobble. The bike handles differently 2 up than 1 up. I am wanting to go to a Darkside for the wear. at 10,000 miles a year that is two tires. I have 3000 (not 2000 as mentioned above) Miles on the current rear Hoop. I would ride it further, but I need a state inspection and the wear markers have just started showing. I got 6500 miles on a Vyper Strike and it had threads showing.

Also has any one from here in Missouri had issues getting past inspection with a darkside tire.

I have been curious about the darkside tire. I was warned tho about possibly having problems with the insurance company if I were to take a spill. Has anyone had a problem with this? I was told by a local fuzz biker that it might come up as an issue since the tire is not actually designed for our silverwings. Besides I dont really mind paying for a set of Diablos every year or two. I just dont personally think i can risk it when the Diablos only run me a hair over $100

Well I am well on my way to hell now. My darkside tire is in the garage waiting for my Bridgstone hoop to die. I am also going to balance the darkside with dyna beads. (Ceramic balance beads). So I am up for a double wammy.

I get a kick out of the handfull of subjects that are so polarizing and have such emotional proponents on both sides. Here are couple that come to mind.

Darkside vs MC Tire
Gasoline vs alcohol
Dynabeads vs wheel weights

How many car tires are incorrectly installed on the wrong wheels because it looks good. (Lowriders with wheels too wide for the tire) The previous owner of my boat installed trailer tires rated for a 6" wheel and mounted them on 8" car wheels. The tires didn't last 1500 miles and they separated. Or how does installing large diameter wheels on your car effect braking and handling.

Sounds like I am arguing the wrong way I am installing the darkside tire on a wheel that is a close fit, will stay within the weight range of the tire, my speedo will be right, and will have longer tire life. I tend to keep a close eye on my bike tires and watch for uneven wear and pressure. When installed I will go out and test the tire so that I have a feel for how it will behave.

BlueSwing06 wrote:

I have been curious about the darkside tire. I was warned tho about possibly having problems with the insurance company if I were to take a spill. Has anyone had a problem with this?

https://www.silverwing600.com/silver-wing-topics-f3/insurance-with-darkside-tire-t584.htm?highlight=insurance+darkside#4299

BlueSwing06 wrote:

I was told by
a local fuzz biker that it might come up as an issue since the tire is
not actually designed for our silverwings.

There are some custom bikes and some manufacturers that offer the darkside tire. Insurance company covers darkside tire. DOT approved tire. The local fuzz biker is just guessing.

BlueSwing06 wrote:

Besides I dont really mind
paying for a set of Diablos every year or two. I just dont personally
think i can risk it when the Diablos only run me a hair over
$100

There is a lot of information from people with darkside tire experience. I have never convinced anyone to switch to the darkside tire ... I have only provided information.

Hey MOwing, ya forgot lubricating fluid, petroleum or synthetic. That's always a point of contention on every forum and website concerned with internal combustion engines.

Update on the darkside.

Well as much as I believe in the concept, I have had to swap back to a MC tire. I installed my darkside tire. After about 120 miles the sidewall bulged and the bead poped open and the air went out. This was while riding 2 up. Good news is that while I heard the air come out I didn't notice it until I turned into the neighborhood. Back end was a bit squishy. (I was almost home when it went).

It was a sumotomo purchased from tire rack. I was running about 45psi. I can't blame it on the tire changer as I installed the tire. It went on tough, but was very careful not to overstreatch the bead or sidewall. I did notice the bead shape was different than the MC tire and it was a real pain to get it to seat.

I am rather dissapointed. This changing tires at 6000 miles or so (5-7 months) is going to get old. I am thinking about getting a spare wheel from ebay and mounting fresh tire on it. I would still use a DS tire on a heavy cruiser like a valkyrie or Goldwing, as there are more quality tire choices. I may try again, but I have to burn off this new tire. I was lucky to find a replacement locally quickly as I had a ride with my buddy planned the next day.

Here is the funny part. I noticed this evening that the new Dunlop tire in small sidewall print says Sumotomo. I do like the tread depth on the Dunlop it should give me better mileage than the Bridgestone. The Bridgestone didn't last long at all.

One good thing is that the Speedo was dead on with the GPS.

One more thing. I pulled off my wheel weights and put Dynabeads in my tires. They are working great. Very smooth rolling now.

http://www.innovativebalancing.com/

This demo sold it for me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eq263AYgyYg

MOWing wrote:

It was a sumotomo purchased from tire rack. I was running about 45psi. I can't blame it on the tire changer as I installed the tire. It went on tough, but was very careful not to overstreatch the bead or sidewall.

I kept the Sumitomo out in the sun for a while before installation, I also flipped it over several times. When I finally picked up my tire the tie was very warm and very flexible, which is the way I delivered it to Honda dealer. I even kept it out in the sun until they were ready to mount the tire.

If I were to change the tire during the colder temperatures, I will have to figure a way to heat the tire safely.

The tire didn't fail because of my installation. I have installed many bike tires and although it was a tough install I didn't overstress the bead or the sidewall. After hearing the stories, much care was taken not to stress the tire.

Won't rule out another attempt in the future.

Chief Rider wrote:

I did not put on the Sumoto but put on a Mastercraft 175/70/R13 which is bigger and it still has lots of extra room in the wheel well. A friend has a tire shop and I said what have you got in a 13 inch tire. He said I have this lets see if it will work on that rim, and it worked great.

I am curious as to how the SilverWing handles with the wider tire.

G'day from Rolly Downunder.I can't understand what all the fuss is about.Use the correct size tire and run it to manufacturers specs.My manuel says 36psi for the rear tire.That's what I run.20,000k out of the original IRC crap that was on the scoot from new.I couldn't wear the bloody things out and the scoot handled like a wheelbarrow with arthritis.Changed to Hoops and have done 10,500k's so far.They are a better tire,the scoot rolls nicely into corners without wanting to fall over.What are these Darkside tires designed for,showponies or scooter riders?Don't persevere with garbage.Put the best you can afford on and treat it with respect.If you can't do that,walk. Cheers and Beers,Rolly.

Rolly56 wrote:

What are these Darkside tires designed for,showponies or scooter riders?

I would suggest reading http://lifeisaroad.com/stories/2004/10/27/theDarkSide.html

Rolly56 wrote:

Don't persevere with garbage. Put the best you can
afford on and treat it with respect.

I could afford any tire I want and I have my tire changer, so I could switch tires every ~6.4 months based on my usage ... but cost is not the issue why I am using the darkside tire The darkside tire
- has a softer tire compound with deeper tire tread
- larger contact patch even in turns
- handles better in extremely wet or flooded roads
- rides better because the radial tire absorbs some shock
- handles road hazards better (v-groove pavement, sand, loose pebbles or pavement, etc)
- lasts longer

I have over 23,000 miles on my current Sumitomo tire (26,000 miles total with Sumitomo). I replaced my front tire after my darkside tire, my front tire shows the wear across the entire width of my tire .... my darkside tire still has the both "nibs" completely unworn (here is the original new picture):



So I am putting the best tire on the SWing.

It is amusing that a lot of people run until
- the motorcycle tire tread is gone which risks tire puncture from minuscule objects

- some even down to the cords

- tire bubbles

to maximize the mileage.

BTW why did you persevere with the IRC tires if they were so bad??

Honda_sliver knows what he's talking about! I too use a Sumitomo 165/70 r13 on my S'Wing and have nearly 17,000 miles on it and still performs admiralbly. I have yet to make the back tire break loose from a high speed stop! Yes, I know we are suppose to use front and back brakes in stops but the better back tire makes the front braking almost superfluous. I am on my second darkside tire on my Burgman 650, first one was a Potenza 165/65 r14 after 20,000 miles now have switched to a Semperit 155/65 r14. I gotta say, it's ALL good.

G'day All.Well,I'll start with why I didn't change the original tires on my Wing as soon as I realised they were garbage.I decided to try and wear them out first,but I'm a very cautious rider,and was taught at an early age to see how long I could make things last,not how quickly I could wear them out.So,When I had some spare cash,I put Bridgestone Hoops on.A different scoot instantly.The rear Hoop is a different profile to the IRC and the scoot no longer wants to fall into corners.It rolls nicely and is much more stable.It's becoming very obvious to me that not only do we miss out on all different coloured Swings down here,we also miss out on choice of tires as well.My first choice was Michelin Pilot scooter tires,but after a 3 month wait,I put the Hoops on.My intention wasn't to offend anyone yesterday,so if I have,I apologise.Cheers and No more Beers when I'm on the computer.Rolly.

Rolly56,

This is a surprisingly charged issue and folks will react quickly and with vigor to any critique or praise of someone's decision to install a car tire on a motor bike or even an inquiry about using a car tire on a motor bike.

It is best in this world of free choice to do exactly as everyone else does, that way you can show your independence through conformity.

Cheers and No more Beers when I'm on the computer.Rolly. [/quote] I know you'll give up the computer before the beers, so it's been nice hearing from you. Seriously, it's all the different opinions that makes this forum so great and if someone is offended by your opinion, then it's their problem not yours. Hoist one for me and keep on posting.

I'm more interested in facts from actual experience. That trumps opinions every time, JMHO.