It really makes it nice for that kind of riding. You'd be dangerously close to the load limit on a motorcycle tire. Out here in the West where it routinely hits 110 deg F you'd be lucky not to have a blowout loaded up like that. Good to have some headroom!
I have over 10,000 on my Yamaha Stratoliner. Paid $100 for the tire used. I live in Maine and ride highway and winding country roads. Rode the “Tail of the Dragon” in TN with my wife on board twice and had absolutely no issues. Go Darkside!
I agree 👍. I've been running CT for years. The MT are good. But after 4k miles. You start worrying non stop especially with 2up and packed up. The peice of mind the CT gives is worth alot to me
Everyone who goes Dark Side says they will not go back to a mc tire me included. I have been running ct's on the rear of my motorcycles for over 20 yrs.
I went to a CT on my Yamaha Stratoliner. Love it. A Yokohama Avid Touring S, a 215/60/17. A note: when I ran the Bridgestone OEM tire, the rear tire bossed the front tire. I had to use constant imput into the bars in the curves. That was the only difference I noticed. I never felt unsafe, I just had to use constant imput into the bars on curves. When that tire wore out, I put a Dunlop American Elite tire on the front. It totally changed the rear tire bossing the front. I think it's because the American Elite is a much rounder faced tire than the flatter faced Bridgestone OEM tire was. The more rounder American Elite tire bosses the rear CT. It leans the bike before the rear CT can stand it back up. It totally feels like I am riding on two MT tires again. If you go to a CT, use a very round tire up front. Like the American Elite or the Commander III. You'll love it. I'll never go back either. Great video. Also, there's a guy on a yellow Goldwing who made a video where he drilled 4, half inch holes in his CT, then rode it for 20 miles at speeds of 60mph. Showing the tire does NOT come off the rim.
Agreed! I ran a car tire on my Kawie Vulcan 2000 and loved it. I'm now installing one on my Stratoliner. 3 times the wear at less than a 4th of the price, with no safety concerns. At least on the big bikes, it'd be dumb not to go that route.
Hello Jay, I was on your bike back in Sept 2019 and was absolutely fine riding southern Utah for that week with the car tire. The only time I felt a difference is when transitioning from the road to a parking lot and it had a few inches variation from the curb cutout. After the first time or two it was not even an issue. I've been thinking of going to the dark side on my 2017 RT on my next tire change. Good to see you again even if it is virtually.
Just gone Dark side on my Kawasaki GTR/Concours 1400! 205/45R17 it just needs a bit more input through the handle bars in a turn but it feels just as good as using a motorcycle tire, I was suprised how good it is.
Another one bites the dust, lol! Welcome! I'm running 40 psi and that seems to be the sweet spot for my 205/50-17. Some bikes really like lower pressure but not this one. Enjoy 20k+ miles of tread life!
@@JayBearjaysbigadventure Thanks for taking the time to reply. I’m using 35 psi at the moment & seems fine to me but will experiment with higher & lower pressures in the future. Take care & Ride safe
Thanks so much for posting have not gone darksided as of yet been riding many many years do know we are being ripped off by motorcycle tire dealers overpriced no mileage
How much are pressure are you using? I have 2018 K1600GT, I live in North Texas and I do a lot of long distance highway riding 70 85 90mph constant speed for 350 650 miles....... just riding to my mother's home here in Texas is 350 miles on way. I did a ride from my home in Texas to Las Vegas Nv to my destination is almost 2,000 miles, By the time I make that return trip to my home in Texas I've ridden a little over 4,000 miles, So it's time for a new tire and I'm seriously thinking about putting on a car tire. Dark siding is nothing new I had a car tire on my ROCKET 3.
I went dark side on my Yamaha Roadliner 1900 and experienced better traction on acceleration and deceleration. And never noticed any difference in the turns after the first 5 miles. I also put a rear cycle tire on the front due to the extra 3/16” tread depth, no problem, but it wears longer.
I just got the spacer, and a Vercelli Strada 2 tire ordered. I darksided a first gen Vmax, and it worked ok as long as you stayed under 100mph. Totally different machine, different tore options as well. Thanks for the video, and I look forward to trying the darkside on my '13 K1600GT.
One thing about the cheaper tires is that they tend to get harder, quicker so be careful if you don't put a lot of miles on in a year. Love the V-Max! What an utterly bonkers bike, like the Triumph Rocket 3. If ever there were two bikes to Darkside, lol! :)
Hats off to your great video. I have been a dark sider for years. It is the only way to go...and not only has it been problem free, I also sing the praises of many preferences to the dark side feel. Recently, I just bought a old K1200LT. This will be a little more challenging to fit on this bike...but rest assured I will figure it out.... I have two questions for you...first.....what is the size of the tire you are using? Secondly, can you share the means of how to get a hold of your specialty guy that has the cool BMW parts....I'd like to check him out to see what he has....Thx One word of encouragement for you. I am a double dark sider. Which means I run a rear motorcycle tire on the front of my bikes, and reverse the rotation so the front footprint of the treads run properly. Doing this too for many years has at least doubled the life of the front tires for me. I might add, at times I'm a aggressive , peg dragging rider, in addition to my touring old coot riding modes. Never had any issues with handling whatsoever. Thanks for your video... obviously, like me, you chuckle at your crazy critics....I've never found one who's ever tried it...but they sure seem to think they know something about it....lol Enjoy your Beemer Brother !
Thanks Roger! Both of my DS tires have been 205/50-17s. Check out marcparnes.com and pirateslair.net and www.dmacmachining.com/short-throw-shift-kit for the K16 crowd. Enjoy!
Thanks for the video. Personally, I think I’d look for a soft-compound car tire, maybe a snow tire, some car tires just seem too hard/slippery, especially Michelin’s after a few years. I could drift my Town Car on old Michelins lol.
Ha! Both my parents had Town cars back in the early 90s and know exactly what you mean. My bike is too powerful to feel stable on a wobbly snow tire here in mountains, but if I lived somewhere flat or cooler it would definitely be a good choice.
Jay Bear, good to see another sport touring platform make the move to the dark side successfully. I’ve been running dark on my FJRs since January’09. I’m listening to you talk and it sounds awfully familiar. I’m out here in the San Jose Bay Area, and the bike is my main mode of transportation. In the 12 years I’ve been running them I’ve saved several thousand dollars in rear rubber. My average tire life is around 30K miles, and I typically change them a bit early to refresh the sipe depth before the wet weather hits. The neatest thing is when you pull into a gas station, or parking lot, and another rider you’ve never met does a double take when checking out the bike; makes a great conversation starter. Remember, these things are supposed to be fun. 😁
I love riding with the sport bike guys in the mountains, blowing them off and then having them find the car tire. "Bro, you just got your ass handed to you by an old dude on a touring bike WITH A TEDDY BEAR AND A CAR TIRE!" Yeah, great fun!
@@mintone2008 The tire size that works very well is a 205/50-17. The tire I currently have on my bike is a B.F. Goodrich Comp 2 All Season Steel Belted Radial. This tire is designed to fit a 5 1/2 to 7 1/2 inch wide rim, and fits just fine on our FJR. I'm on my second one, the first one lasted about 35,000 (s)miles. If you get a chance, review the Darkside FAQ on the FJRForum; there is a lot of good information there. www.fjrforum.com/topic/124275-darkside-faq/?tab=comments#comment-676036
great video, i'd like to know more on higher cruising speed? what is the fastest you have ridden on the CT? i ride a r1200rtw and i do mostly long rides and i tend to avg about 85~95mph on the freeway, and it eats up my tires... i'd love to make this transition~ tired of changing my rear after/before my road trips...
Thank you for really interesting trial. On a heavy bike especially with two up + luggage the longevity of rear tire is real concern. There are 195/55/r17 winter tyres available in Europe at least. What do you think about those? Can I fit such without spacer? Softer compound of winter tyre could be ok for bike.
Yes, a 195 should fit with no spacer. Because I ride pretty hard, I was concerned about the 'squishyness' of a winter tire. I've not had any traction issues down to 17 degrees F.
@@JayBearjaysbigadventure Hello Jay, thanks for fast reply. I could find only winter tire on size 195/55/r17. That is main reason to speculate it. There is Michelin 195/60/R17 summer tire available. Gone try it when I wear out current rubber.
Jay, Well, my last bike was a '08 Honda GL1800 Goldwing and, I ran car tires on the rear on it too. I was a tad skeptical at first but, it took me about 3 city blocks to get used to the new car tire for the first time. After that, it was like the tire was designed for the bike. Even the wife commented on how nice and issueless this new car tire was. I got around 22,000 miles on the first one and, it still had some tread left. But, like you mention, CAR TIRES ARE CHEAP compared to motorcycle tires. I love stuffing it in the face of the naysayers when it comes to the debate. I don't know about the history of car tires on the K1600 but, on the Goldwing forum I participated in, there's around a few thousand riders with C/Ts on their Wings now. And more are contemplating it. They wear great. the bike handles just fine. There's not one single issue I can think of that would prohibit me from migrating to a car tire on my '15 GTL-E when the present Michelin wears out. Nice report. SR
I run one on an '86 Goldwing, in all honesty that sucker handles better with the car tire than she did the bike tire, I can scrape pegs going through roundabouts and she is solid all the way through
Interesting.... new to this concept!! I have a FJR and want to take it up to Alaska (Prudoe Bay) and concerned about traction on the haul road and weight issues..... this might be my answer and not have to change a tire mid trip either!! I’m in Idaho...
If it works, it works. No problem with that. But I have a question for Jay Bear. Do you use the rear brake everytime you stop or slow down on level street or highway? You might think your rear tire wears out so fast because it's a heavy bike with strong acceleration. But overusing the rear brake is the most effective way to wear a flat stripe down the center of your rear tire! 100% of your acceleration is from the rear. But when you are accelerating (at least on level street like 99% of your riding), the weight shifts to the rear, the rear patch increases in size, and there's plenty of rubber on the road to minimize (and to spread out) the wear. It's nearly impossible to slip the rear tire under straight up/down acceleration on the street, unless you put on the front brakes, stand on the front, and dump your clutch. But it's easy to slip the rear under braking. When you're decelerating (on level street), your rear patch decreases in size. When you use that rear brake, you are closer to the max friction point, putting more wear and stress on a smaller band of your rear tire down the center. When you are cruising on the highway (almost zero acceleration), maybe 65% of your weight is on the rear tire on that bike. But your tire isn't (or shouldn't be) wearing very much under no acceleration, and the larger tire on the rear should make up for this. Most of the wear on the tires is from acceleration/deceleration. Folks who change their rear tire 2, 3, 4+ times as often as the front, I dare to guess that maybe most of them are overusing the rear brakes. It's fun to slide the rear around on occasion, but it's not good for your tire wear. And on most sportier bikes with strong shocks and a decent front weight bias, you don't need to use rear brake very often, at all, on the street.
@@Booneville2024 Just an FYI, I'm not being sarcastic or trying to be condescending. If you want a general rule you can teach to anyone on any bike, it's important to stress the use of both brakes together all the time. Grabbing too much front brake in a panic is a very common way for motorcyclists to dump the bike. It's especially true for initiating hard braking. You can't really ever go wrong by applying them both when you need to decelerate out of the blue very quickly. But after you get the front brake biting, you can lift the rear brake on most motorcycles, in normal dry conditions. The rear wheel is way better for accelerating. If you made a front wheel drive motorcycle, it would do burnouts very great. But it wouldn't accelerate very well. Similarly, the front tire is way better for decelerating. Because weight transfers to the front when you brake, over-applying the rear brake all the time and all the way to a complete stop will wear a flat stripe down the center of the rear tire. This isn't really a safety issue. But it's not really necessary. Some people actually advocate to use only the rear to finish every single stop you ever make, going so far as you call it "wrong" to finish with both or just the front. Some people think you should drag the rear brake only through every corner (I hope you don't believe this, but lots of experienced motorcyclists swear by it). Lots of people basically overuse their rear brake in places where it's not particularly beneficial. Because reasons and habits.
Not sure why I'm just seeing this now! Sorry for the long wait time. I've been riding since 1978, teaching high performance driving for BMW, Porsche and others and have 15,000 track miles on cars and motorcycles. This is a 160 HP bike with 130 ft lbs of torque - rear brake use isn't my issue with high tire wear, lol! If people are over using the rear brake, they'd also be going through rear brake pads and that WOULD be a great indication of poor braking habits. I'm sure in the Harley community this is more prevalent. Anyway, thanks for the thoughtful response!
I've got an ST1300. I don't take much for trips, but ya, new set just to take a trip. How hard was it for you to get your tire on? Lube is the key, but that did you use? Also, living in the mountains, some say to adjust your pressure to your ride. Twisites, more air, hiway, less.
I had the car tire mounted, and they used reg tire lube, which I use when I'm changing the front. I tend to run 40psi all the time, but check it frequently due to altitude and temp variations.
Very good video follow up video. I haven't see too many Darkside vids where they ride as hard as you plus do a long term follow up. I'll be doing this on my Vmax...
I just subscribed to your site yesterday and I am finding your videos very informative I would like to know about the seat on the 2012 K1600 and what brand it is and how comfortable is it? Again thank you very much for your informative videos.
I watched your last and the previous post when you changed the bike tyre to car tyre, great video, great footage and editing 👍🏻. What's it like in the wet, also in the ice prown winter months? I just don't know!
Obviously I don't ride nearly as hard in the wet or cold,(though I do ride all year round. Sunny days with temps in the teens (F) are fair game!) so I've not had any issues. No trouble with traction, slippage etc and I accelerate hard in all conditions, lol. With traction control in a straight line I really don't have to worry about a little wheel spin upsetting the bike. I can turn that stuff off if I want to be silly. I probably won't run this tire as low on tread as I would a motorcycle tire due to the possibility of hydroplaning, but I don't intentionally ride when it's wet anyway. With my Salt Lake City to Indianapolis trip coming up in June, I'll probably change this tire early, around 11k miles. And thanks for the kind words! My video skills are a work in progress! - jaysbigadventure
@5:39 there may be a difference in the car n moto rims: a second, interior/counter bead. however, moto loads are usually so light that even an ‘inferior’ bead is more than sufficient. howabout super sticky hi-pro car tires?
Find someone local that's done it. I bet they let your ride it around in a parking lot or neighborhood. You'll be amazed. But that being said, it isn't for everyone. Thanks for coming along on the journey regardless.
Hi Jay...I'm checking to see where you purchased your 'spacer' for the rear tire along with the extended lug bolts. I've contacted Marc that you mentioned in the video but he doesn't have them. Any help is greatly appreciated!!
@@JayBearjaysbigadventure, I tried the above link and it does not produce results. Someone else asked why is a spacer needed and I would like the answer as well. Is it for tire centering?
How do I figure out what size car tire to put on my motorcycle.it is a 1000cc sportbike and I believe the rims are 6 and 1/2 inches.and a brand new tire for it is about 25 in tall for a 17-inch rim.
Totally missed your comment Mike, sorry about that! I wouldn't do it on a sport bike, as the chassis dynamics are quite different. You could go to a dual compound tire like a Michelin Road 4 that has sticky rubber on the sides, with a harder, longer wearing center section. Either way, it's gonna eat tires though.
2014 Moto Guzzi 1400 here, and I have been running a car tire for the last 14,000 miles with no problems, and very little tire wear. Stock size is 200/70-16, so I went with a 195/65-16, which fits perfectly. Couldn't be happier with it. I explain my experience in this video. ua-cam.com/video/QBthFcKvNOk/v-deo.html
I watched it! Thanks for sharing. I sold Moto Guzzis here in Salt Lake City and loved the Californias. Great bike and a real competitor to several BMWs. Enjoy!
I am not sure how in the US, but here in EU the bike with car tyre will not be street legal and insurance will not cover any damage you cause in direct connection with use of car tyre. Isn't it the same in the US?
@@JayBearjaysbigadventure Thanks for reply, that is interesting. We have in papers from motorcycle (official registration), exact dimensions of tyres, with speed and load specs. During the techical check, they check if installed tyres match the papers.
@@Ksta01 You'd need technically literate people to check that stuff. Here we hire the lowest common denominator for that sort of work! Minimum wage, no technical training, very little help from the bosses. In Indiana where I grew up we didn't even have safety inspections! You wouldn't believe some of the death traps rolling around on our roads.
My 1997 Yamaha XJ900 (hardly a speed demon) ripped up the shoulders on sporty tyres. The mid line tread was smooth, shoulders were grained and used almost to the limit. Basically the shoulders were underspecced for the loads this heavy but otherwise ordinary bike could deliver. I never tried the Dark Side but suspect it would have solved the shoulder wear problem.
I currently run a BFG Comp2 A/S in a 205/50-17, but I have a single sided swingarm which helps with the clearance. Really comes down to what size you can find. A 195/50 is going to be closest but you'll have to see what is avail. Also check the clearance between the swing arm and the current tire. There's a ton of options in the 205/50-17 size! A 185/55 would also work, but will be much more limited in selection.
With the tire he is using (205/50/17) on the K1600, the left side of the tire just rubs on the swingarm. The spacer moves it out just a few mm, enough to keep it from rubbing, but not enough to make a difference in handling. Some use a 195/50/17 and no spacer, but this size does not have as many tire options. Not all bikes require a spacer, but the K1600 with a 205/50/17 does.
That is a really good question. The shapes are similar enough that with 40 PSI behind them, you don't have to worry about them falling off, that's for sure. If it was a 3.5" rim, I would understand people's concerns. But with 6", the bead seats just fine and in fact is a PAIN to remove.
Jay, thank you for taking the time making a informative review. Could you supply a link regarding the Mark Parns? V-1 detector LED remote lights? thank you, Create a great day, unless of course you made other plans. Neal
Sure, it's in the video, but his site is marcparnes.com. I have the single-row setup, but he makes double-height sets too to really let you know what's coming!
In the US, simply not true. Tires are labeled 'DOT' certified. It does not specify car, truck, motorcycle or trike. Some countries like the UK specifically prohibit it. Not here though.
It does look weird but your experience makes sense. I wonder if you might have discovered a new design - a car tire with an elliptical shape, kind of cross between car tire and motorcycle tire?
actually, if you look at most car tires they are much more rounded than we think. I've now upgraded to a BFG Comp T/A and it is even more rounded than the Bridgestone was. I thought about shaving the corners off with a wood rasp, as I've done that on car tires that have cupped badly and it works great! Didn't need to though. :)
Think I'm going to the dark side on my current bike that I just bought, a 2000 Wing in July 2024, had a few K on the tires, I put about 1600 miles on them when I got the bike home up to this past friday. Noticed a lump feeling around right corners. Put it up on the service stand it comes with and rotated the back tire to my horror!!! Terrified to see multiple spots worn through the various belts of the tire! It's parked now and the wife and I didn't have to deal with a blow out 45 minutes away on the interstate. But GOOD LORD can that 820lb bike eat tires! Thought I was going to get the rest of the season out of them.
I rode an 07 Goldwing with a Car tire. No issues what so ever. Riding threw a monsoon is a bit less unnerving. Thinking of going dark side with my 21 Grand America.
To make the links easier to find, here they are! www.ebay.com/itm/113709331432?epid=11035082169&hash=item1a799ab3e8:g:SMMAAOSwZrtcp5OO for the wheel spacer and bestusedtires.com or tirerack.com if you want a new tire. marcparnes.com for the tire balancer. Thanks for watching! Please like (or hate, lol) share and subscribe. We have more shenanigans coming soon! - jaysbigadventure
The handling is fine, lol. Yeah, with 65k miles and 8 years old it does have some wear. Now that I have a 2020, I'll have more time to work on the white one, instead of just riding it...
Always. I just challenge people, tire techs, MC techs, anyone with this, Show me evidence of one crash, just one caused by a CT on a bike. If it had ever happened I guarantee the article would be on the walls of every bike service shop in the world.
I have not had an issue, as the tire is clearly labeled "DOT approved" for passenger vehicles. There is no distinction for car vs motorcycle tires in the US. Canada and Europe are different though.
Thanks for the video. Just an FYI, Marc Barnes does NOT sell this part nor does he condone a car tire on a motorcycle. I'm only saying this so others don't call him, looking for the part. He seemed a tad bothered by the idea actually. Just wanted to let you know, maybe you could edit that out of the video? Anyways, thanks for sharing.
Hey Jay. 1st great video and I want to go Darkside also, however, I contacted Marc Parnes about the spacer plate. He responded he doesn't make the adapter plate. So, I'm searching for a plate.
My bad! He makes a bunch of great stuff, but not that. Here's the ebay link to what I have. www.ebay.com/itm/115332575808?hash=item1ada5b7240:g:ym4AAOSw3UZbEzdP
I have a 98 Valkyrie Honda with a blower on it and I run a car tire. Have about 12,000 miles and love it. I live in Durango CO, so a LOTS of turns every ride, I mean a lots... I ride with a guy who has a beamer, keep up with him no problem. I also have 2013 Triumph Rocket III with a car tire, have about 21,000 miles on it, love it. Rode twice to Red Lodge Montana from Durango through the mountains with my Harley friends, not a problem in turns, high speed, U turns (Bit wider radius in U Turns). Yeh, its a bit tricky a low speed in parking lots and gas stations and on dirt roads that are uneven. (Actually a bit scary on jeep trails/dirt roads with grooves) That is the only draw back I can see. I am sure I will get at least 40,000 miles out of those tires. GREAT savings. That would have been 5 installs plus 5 motorcycle tires... pricey and hassle with appointments.
@@JayBearjaysbigadventure I love that bike. I had a Turbo on it from the Turbo Connection made 200HP at the rear wheel. It ran great until it rained!!! The air intake was under the engine just in front of the rear wheel. In rain it ran like shit. I even blew the engine. So I rebuilt the engine and took the Turbo off. Still love the bike, what a beast and monster torque.
Reason I am here is yesterday afternoon at a favorite twisty road hangout I was engaged in one of my hobbies checking out the "chicken stripes" or complete lack there of on various MCs but this one Harley obviously had a car tire which just blew my mind! The rider explained he borrowed the bike but it made sense to him why the bike took a bit more effort in the tight switch backs...otherwise he had no idea and thought the tire had simply worn flat on top....but no way it absolutely was a Pirelli car tire! Looked sort of cool on the Harley though...meaner looking
Hey Jeff, just a heads up. I called Marc Parnes from your video and he does not make those spacers for the wheels. He has had other people call him as well with the same question. Thanks
This is a 205/50-17 which requires a small spacer, listed here. You can do a 195/55-17 without the spacer I'm told. www.ebay.com/itm/113709331432?epid=11035082169&hash=item1a799ab3e8%3Ag%3ASMMAAOSwZrtcp5OO
It is a Z rated tire, or good for continuous operation up to 186 mph. The sensor just sees air pressure, to it works exactly as it did in the motorcycle tire. Great question!
I tried the dark side for a while but decided to try running a touring tire instead and I have no plans on going to the dark side again. Good luck to those of those who choose the dark side.
Here in Salt Lake City, Addictive Behavior Motorsports can do them. Typically any independent shop that works on choppers will handle it. If nothing else there's always the Harbor Freight changer for 80 bucks and then you'll never need to worry about changing tires again! That's what I've done. Video coming soon!
Buy tire irons and balancer. DIY. Or just the irons and any MC shop will balance. They’ll look at you like your the dumbest fool in the world. But I just let them gawk. Thank them and say, “See ya in 35 thousand miles!”
Can you take your motorcycle to a low speed riding course where you do Uturns, figure 8s, offset cone weaves, ect and tell me how it does? Take a Camera and run the motorcycle though the course while filming it, tell me how well it handles doing actual tight maneuvers instead of just riding in straight lines for long periods of time taking gentile curves.
It is actually very easy to maneuver even at full lock at very low speeds. That is where I really thought I'd feel the bike 'tipping up' on the edge, but it's undetectable! If anything, the width helps keep the bike from wanting to fall into the corner at low speeds. That is a great idea for a video though! Now I just have to wait for the snow to melt...
@@JayBearjaysbigadventure I literally just read this message and this video got posted, and there is a guy with a car tire on his gold wing in the class.
Most people love it. Like anything out of the ordinary it takes time to find the right combination of tire and pressure. I think one of the biggest issues is people cheap out on their first tire, don't like it and then decide that the whole program is BS. And on any particular bike and tire combo that might be true. But on my bike with my tire choices I'm lovin it.
I use TireRack.com and look in the specified size. The one thing you need to watch for is tires that have different compounds left-to-right. The tread only matters in the wet, so if you don't ride a bunch in the rain it's pretty immaterial.
They cannot deny the claim as the tire is certified for 'passenger vehicle use', which a motorcycle qualifies for. My daughter graduated from the NYU law school, so I think I'll take her advice as opposed to UA-cam University hacks, lol! In other countries it is specifically forbidden, so that of course is a different story.
Like the old joke, “What’s cheapest thing on a Goldwing?” ... The rider. 😁 Cost is a significant reason. Main factor for me is the smoother more comfortable ride. Second is traction/grip. Cost & longevity last. If a CT cost what a MC tire did, I’d still choose the CT. Darkside 2012 HD Elc Glide. Pirelli Centurato run flat. Toyo tire previously. My two cents on UA-cam, “Darkside Spearfish Canyon.”
@@JayBearjaysbigadventure Thanks for the reply. I also note you've said that you are reluctant to use snow/winter tires because you worry that the softer compound will wear rapidly with the summer/power of the K16... have you tried that or is that just an assumption? Other K16 riders have recommended the snow tires and I'm curious about mileage and grip. I've just burned through 4 rear motorcycle tires at $200-250/ea and got between 3,400 and 4,400 miles out of them, which is simply not reasonable or practical. I'm considering going darkside though I've been a critic for many years.
You'll be amazed at how little of a difference there really is. Here's a video I did with a buddy who'd never ridden a K1600 or darkside. Try it, you'll like it! ua-cam.com/video/DnnDrLSjwJw/v-deo.html
My insurance agent seems to feel that running an incorrect tire / car tire will negate your insurance coverage if you have an “at fault accident“ and even if it is not your fault it opens up a can of worms when the at fault insurance adjuster sees a car tire on your bike. Insurance companies will take your money, and you assume you are covered, but my agent feels running a car tire on a motorcycle is an excuse some insurers will use to weasel out of paying a claim. (Not advising your insurance agent that you are running sidecar or riding a trike CAN also negate your coverage, and if you sue them, good luck, they have pockets much deeper than yours.)
The tire says "DOT passenger vehicle tire". Nowhere does it say car or motorcycle specific. If this was the case, no side car rig or any modified bike would be covered. If it comes down to it, my daughter went to NYU law school, lol!
I never knew bout car tires for motorcycles… cause of size.. recently found few wingers gone darkside. Wished I did that…. After this tire on my wing, wears out… I certainly switch.
Just bought dark side tire for my goldwing, problem circumference of MC tire is 80 inches Circumference of CT is 76 175/60/16 I believe this will change gearing 3 to 400 rpm at 60 mph, fuel mileage and engine ware will suffer! They don't make narrow CT with 80 mm side walls. Has anyone else noticed this? I'm still going to try it.
With BMWs, the speedo always tends to read a few miles per hour faster than you're actually travelling. I went up from a 190/50-17 to a 205/50-17. Helped get my speedo back in line and shaved a few rpms along the way. You might want to go to a 185 if you can find one! 16"ers are getting harder to find these days.
@@rogerroy911 I did have you use a spacer. You could probably get away with a 195/55, but those are really rare. The selection in a 205/50 is huge! The speedo is within 2 mph of the GPS now.
This tire has a 'W' rating, which is good for continuous operation up to 168 mph. As much as I'd like to believe otherwise, my bike isn't going to out run this tire. And trust me, I've tried!
Watch some of my 'Canyon Carving' videos. It's amazing and you just can't tell it's there at speed. Occasionally at low speeds on uneven pavement you can tell, but it isn't bad. Just takes 2 min to get used to.
If nothing else I can see this saving someone's butt out in the middle of nowhere and all that is available is a car tire ....at least get one back on the road even as a temporary solution ...but personally I just don't (so far) put down really high miles nor are my finances (currently at least lol) strained to the point I need to save money on tires....nevertheless very interesting and I was entertained and educated even thanks!
Given the commonsense guidelines that you mentioned, I see no reason why one shouldn't run a car tire - less than a 4th of the price, and more than twice the mileage.
Propper speed rater (sic)? The tire is rated for 168 mph. How fast do you think this bike is? I now have double the load rating as well which for a heavy touring bike is a huge advantage. With your logic, why not run race rubber on a touring bike? Does that make sense?
It is a DOT approved tire for 'passenger vehicles', just like the motorcycle tire. In the UK and some European countries it is against the law. Not in the United States though.
I've had a BMW car wheel and BMW motorcycle wheel side by side and took measurements. There was no significant difference. On a 3.5" wide wheel maybe, but not on a the 6" wide rear BMW wheel.
205/50-17. To run that wide you need a 1/4" spacer and longer wheel bolts. A 195/55-17 is supposed to fit without the spacer but is a harder size to find.
It doesn't induce a wobble on my bike at all. And all bikes want to walk down a slope, this is just slightly more pronounced. There's a small learning curve, but you forget about it within a few miles. If you only rode on rutted, cambered roads this wouldn't be the best choice for a bike in the first place.
How much training do you have? How much track time do you have? Are you a licensed MSF instructor? Do you wear ATTGATT? Funny how all those things factor into safety. If you're running anything less than race rubber, you're deciding to trade tire life for traction. We ALL do it. This is a solution to a very specific problem and it isn't for everyone. But safety is definitely not one of the concerns when darksiding.
Just went to the dark side, 2 up and about 600 pounds pull behind trailer, safe and stable on high speed, I couldn’t be happier
It really makes it nice for that kind of riding. You'd be dangerously close to the load limit on a motorcycle tire. Out here in the West where it routinely hits 110 deg F you'd be lucky not to have a blowout loaded up like that. Good to have some headroom!
I have over 10,000 on my Yamaha Stratoliner. Paid $100 for the tire used. I live in Maine and ride highway and winding country roads. Rode the “Tail of the Dragon” in TN with my wife on board twice and had absolutely no issues. Go Darkside!
Haters gonna hate, but the faithful shall be set free, lol!
I agree 👍. I've been running CT for years. The MT are good. But after 4k miles. You start worrying non stop especially with 2up and packed up. The peice of mind the CT gives is worth alot to me
Everyone who goes Dark Side says they will not go back to a mc tire me included. I have been running ct's on the rear of my motorcycles for over 20 yrs.
I went to a CT on my Yamaha Stratoliner. Love it. A Yokohama Avid Touring S, a 215/60/17. A note: when I ran the Bridgestone OEM tire, the rear tire bossed the front tire. I had to use constant imput into the bars in the curves. That was the only difference I noticed. I never felt unsafe, I just had to use constant imput into the bars on curves. When that tire wore out, I put a Dunlop American Elite tire on the front. It totally changed the rear tire bossing the front. I think it's because the American Elite is a much rounder faced tire than the flatter faced Bridgestone OEM tire was. The more rounder American Elite tire bosses the rear CT. It leans the bike before the rear CT can stand it back up. It totally feels like I am riding on two MT tires again. If you go to a CT, use a very round tire up front. Like the American Elite or the Commander III. You'll love it. I'll never go back either. Great video. Also, there's a guy on a yellow Goldwing who made a video where he drilled 4, half inch holes in his CT, then rode it for 20 miles at speeds of 60mph. Showing the tire does NOT come off the rim.
That is REALLY good advice, thanks for sharing!
Agreed! I ran a car tire on my Kawie Vulcan 2000 and loved it. I'm now installing one on my Stratoliner. 3 times the wear at less than a 4th of the price, with no safety concerns. At least on the big bikes, it'd be dumb not to go that route.
I have been thinking of doing this for some time. Great vid, I have decided to use a car tyre myself now. Thanks for posting
Thanks! The best news is it is 100% reversible if you don't like it. Give it a whirl and let us know what you think!
Hello Jay, I was on your bike back in Sept 2019 and was absolutely fine riding southern Utah for that week with the car tire. The only time I felt a difference is when transitioning from the road to a parking lot and it had a few inches variation from the curb cutout. After the first time or two it was not even an issue. I've been thinking of going to the dark side on my 2017 RT on my next tire change. Good to see you again even if it is virtually.
Just gone Dark side on my Kawasaki GTR/Concours 1400! 205/45R17 it just needs a bit more input through the handle bars in a turn but it feels just as good as using a motorcycle tire, I was suprised how good it is.
Another one bites the dust, lol! Welcome! I'm running 40 psi and that seems to be the sweet spot for my 205/50-17. Some bikes really like lower pressure but not this one. Enjoy 20k+ miles of tread life!
@@JayBearjaysbigadventure Thanks for taking the time to reply. I’m using 35 psi at the moment & seems fine to me but will experiment with higher & lower pressures in the future. Take care & Ride safe
I have 2008 concours. Want to go darkside. What tire brand is suggested? For 205/50-17, is there adequate clearance?
Franc
Thorough evaluation, thank you. Thinking about going Dark Side on my 1986 Kawasaki ZG1000.
Shaft-drive ✔
I had a 1992 for a bit. Such a fun bike! Don't go overboard with the width and you should be fine. Enjoy and let us know what you think!
Thanks so much for posting have not gone darksided as of yet been riding many many years do know we are being ripped off by motorcycle tire dealers overpriced no mileage
Hey, I've got another darkside video coming out in the next few days. Stay tuned!
How much are pressure are you using?
I have 2018 K1600GT, I live in North Texas and I do a lot of long distance highway riding 70 85 90mph constant speed for 350 650 miles....... just riding to my mother's home here in Texas is 350 miles on way.
I did a ride from my home in Texas to Las Vegas Nv to my destination is almost 2,000 miles, By the time I make that return trip to my home in Texas I've ridden a little over 4,000 miles, So it's time for a new tire and I'm seriously thinking about putting on a car tire.
Dark siding is nothing new I had a car tire on my ROCKET 3.
That is another GREAT bike to go dark with. What a hoot! And there's no difference in stability at long stretches of 100+. Or so I've heard...
I went dark side on my Yamaha Roadliner 1900 and experienced better traction on acceleration and deceleration. And never noticed any difference in the turns after the first 5 miles. I also put a rear cycle tire on the front due to the extra 3/16” tread depth, no problem, but it wears longer.
Don't do it. You'll burst into flames. Just ask anybody with a Facebook Engineering degree!
My sentiments exactly, will never go back to motorcycle tire
I just got the spacer, and a Vercelli Strada 2 tire ordered. I darksided a first gen Vmax, and it worked ok as long as you stayed under 100mph. Totally different machine, different tore options as well. Thanks for the video, and I look forward to trying the darkside on my '13 K1600GT.
One thing about the cheaper tires is that they tend to get harder, quicker so be careful if you don't put a lot of miles on in a year. Love the V-Max! What an utterly bonkers bike, like the Triumph Rocket 3. If ever there were two bikes to Darkside, lol! :)
Where did you get the spacer?
I just went dark side on my 2019 road glide because the tire to replace mine is 375. I paid 68 for a 65k mile tire.
How do you like it so far, what brand did you get?
Hats off to your great video. I have been a dark sider for years. It is the only way to go...and not only has it been problem free, I also sing the praises of many preferences to the dark side feel. Recently, I just bought a old K1200LT. This will be a little more challenging to fit on this bike...but rest assured I will figure it out....
I have two questions for you...first.....what is the size of the tire you are using?
Secondly, can you share the means of how to get a hold of your specialty guy that has the cool BMW parts....I'd like to check him out to see what he has....Thx
One word of encouragement for you. I am a double dark sider. Which means I run a rear motorcycle tire on the front of my bikes, and reverse the rotation so the front footprint of the treads run properly. Doing this too for many years has at least doubled the life of the front tires for me. I might add, at times I'm a aggressive , peg dragging rider, in addition to my touring old coot riding modes. Never had any issues with handling whatsoever.
Thanks for your video... obviously, like me, you chuckle at your crazy critics....I've never found one who's ever tried it...but they sure seem to think they know something about it....lol
Enjoy your Beemer Brother !
Thanks Roger! Both of my DS tires have been 205/50-17s. Check out marcparnes.com and pirateslair.net and www.dmacmachining.com/short-throw-shift-kit for the K16 crowd. Enjoy!
Ok
All I gotta say is thank you for share your valuable experience...
That was very useful...
Thanks again...
Have a nice rides and...
God bless you...
I love helping people learn more about the amazing machines we all take for granted!
Thanks for the video. Personally, I think I’d look for a soft-compound car tire, maybe a snow tire, some car tires just seem too hard/slippery, especially Michelin’s after a few years. I could drift my Town Car on old Michelins lol.
Ha! Both my parents had Town cars back in the early 90s and know exactly what you mean. My bike is too powerful to feel stable on a wobbly snow tire here in mountains, but if I lived somewhere flat or cooler it would definitely be a good choice.
Jay Bear, good to see another sport touring platform make the move to the dark side successfully. I’ve been running dark on my FJRs since January’09. I’m listening to you talk and it sounds awfully familiar. I’m out here in the San Jose Bay Area, and the bike is my main mode of transportation. In the 12 years I’ve been running them I’ve saved several thousand dollars in rear rubber. My average tire life is around 30K miles, and I typically change them a bit early to refresh the sipe depth before the wet weather hits.
The neatest thing is when you pull into a gas station, or parking lot, and another rider you’ve never met does a double take when checking out the bike; makes a great conversation starter.
Remember, these things are supposed to be fun.
😁
I love riding with the sport bike guys in the mountains, blowing them off and then having them find the car tire. "Bro, you just got your ass handed to you by an old dude on a touring bike WITH A TEDDY BEAR AND A CAR TIRE!" Yeah, great fun!
What size tire do you have on you FJR? I have a 2007 1300? Thanks!
@@mintone2008 The tire size that works very well is a 205/50-17. The tire I currently have on my bike is a B.F. Goodrich Comp 2 All Season Steel Belted Radial. This tire is designed to fit a 5 1/2 to 7 1/2 inch wide rim, and fits just fine on our FJR. I'm on my second one, the first one lasted about 35,000 (s)miles. If you get a chance, review the Darkside FAQ on the FJRForum; there is a lot of good information there.
www.fjrforum.com/topic/124275-darkside-faq/?tab=comments#comment-676036
great video, i'd like to know more on higher cruising speed? what is the fastest you have ridden on the CT? i ride a r1200rtw and i do mostly long rides and i tend to avg about 85~95mph on the freeway, and it eats up my tires... i'd love to make this transition~ tired of changing my rear after/before my road trips...
The bike has been field tested to 147 mph. On a test track. In Mexico. I swear! :) But 100+ cruising is just effortless.
@@JayBearjaysbigadventure thanks for the reply~ next rear tire will be a CT for sure~
Michelin or PIRELLI ..🔥👊
Ok, make that 151 as of this afternoon...
@@JayBearjaysbigadventure Thanks. K1600 GTL here. For the rear, what CT brand and size?
Thank you for really interesting trial.
On a heavy bike especially with two up + luggage the longevity of rear tire is real concern.
There are 195/55/r17 winter tyres available in Europe at least.
What do you think about those? Can I fit such without spacer?
Softer compound of winter tyre could be ok for bike.
Yes, a 195 should fit with no spacer. Because I ride pretty hard, I was concerned about the 'squishyness' of a winter tire. I've not had any traction issues down to 17 degrees F.
@@JayBearjaysbigadventure Hello Jay, thanks for fast reply. I could find only winter tire on size 195/55/r17.
That is main reason to speculate it. There is Michelin 195/60/R17 summer tire available.
Gone try it when I wear out current rubber.
@@JJ-nq4sy Hi JJ. How did you get on?
@@Pudelspringer Hi David, have not worn out the tire. GT bike is at winter sleep, riding GS with spike tires meanwhile.
Jay,
Well, my last bike was a '08 Honda GL1800 Goldwing and, I ran car tires on the rear on it too. I was a tad skeptical at first but, it took me about 3 city blocks to get used to the new car tire for the first time. After that, it was like the tire was designed for the bike. Even the wife commented on how nice and issueless this new car tire was. I got around 22,000 miles on the first one and, it still had some tread left. But, like you mention, CAR TIRES ARE CHEAP compared to motorcycle tires. I love stuffing it in the face of the naysayers when it comes to the debate. I don't know about the history of car tires on the K1600 but, on the Goldwing forum I participated in, there's around a few thousand riders with C/Ts on their Wings now. And more are contemplating it. They wear great. the bike handles just fine. There's not one single issue I can think of that would prohibit me from migrating to a car tire on my '15 GTL-E when the present Michelin wears out. Nice report.
SR
I certainly can't think of a reason to go back. Since I have 2 K16GTs, one Dark the other not, look for some direct comparison tests in the spring!
I run one on an '86 Goldwing, in all honesty that sucker handles better with the car tire than she did the bike tire, I can scrape pegs going through roundabouts and she is solid all the way through
Interesting.... new to this concept!! I have a FJR and want to take it up to Alaska (Prudoe Bay) and concerned about traction on the haul road and weight issues..... this might be my answer and not have to change a tire mid trip either!! I’m in Idaho...
Yes, way more traction on dirt/gravel/mud. And no worries about distance. If you go runflat, no puncture worries either.
If it works, it works. No problem with that. But I have a question for Jay Bear. Do you use the rear brake everytime you stop or slow down on level street or highway? You might think your rear tire wears out so fast because it's a heavy bike with strong acceleration. But overusing the rear brake is the most effective way to wear a flat stripe down the center of your rear tire! 100% of your acceleration is from the rear. But when you are accelerating (at least on level street like 99% of your riding), the weight shifts to the rear, the rear patch increases in size, and there's plenty of rubber on the road to minimize (and to spread out) the wear. It's nearly impossible to slip the rear tire under straight up/down acceleration on the street, unless you put on the front brakes, stand on the front, and dump your clutch. But it's easy to slip the rear under braking.
When you're decelerating (on level street), your rear patch decreases in size. When you use that rear brake, you are closer to the max friction point, putting more wear and stress on a smaller band of your rear tire down the center. When you are cruising on the highway (almost zero acceleration), maybe 65% of your weight is on the rear tire on that bike. But your tire isn't (or shouldn't be) wearing very much under no acceleration, and the larger tire on the rear should make up for this. Most of the wear on the tires is from acceleration/deceleration.
Folks who change their rear tire 2, 3, 4+ times as often as the front, I dare to guess that maybe most of them are overusing the rear brakes. It's fun to slide the rear around on occasion, but it's not good for your tire wear. And on most sportier bikes with strong shocks and a decent front weight bias, you don't need to use rear brake very often, at all, on the street.
Hey, Homer. You sound like someone who just took their MSF or A1 in Europe. Yes, please believing your training. Don't mind me.
@@Booneville2024 Just an FYI, I'm not being sarcastic or trying to be condescending. If you want a general rule you can teach to anyone on any bike, it's important to stress the use of both brakes together all the time. Grabbing too much front brake in a panic is a very common way for motorcyclists to dump the bike. It's especially true for initiating hard braking. You can't really ever go wrong by applying them both when you need to decelerate out of the blue very quickly.
But after you get the front brake biting, you can lift the rear brake on most motorcycles, in normal dry conditions.
The rear wheel is way better for accelerating. If you made a front wheel drive motorcycle, it would do burnouts very great. But it wouldn't accelerate very well. Similarly, the front tire is way better for decelerating.
Because weight transfers to the front when you brake, over-applying the rear brake all the time and all the way to a complete stop will wear a flat stripe down the center of the rear tire. This isn't really a safety issue. But it's not really necessary. Some people actually advocate to use only the rear to finish every single stop you ever make, going so far as you call it "wrong" to finish with both or just the front. Some people think you should drag the rear brake only through every corner (I hope you don't believe this, but lots of experienced motorcyclists swear by it). Lots of people basically overuse their rear brake in places where it's not particularly beneficial. Because reasons and habits.
Not sure why I'm just seeing this now! Sorry for the long wait time. I've been riding since 1978, teaching high performance driving for BMW, Porsche and others and have 15,000 track miles on cars and motorcycles. This is a 160 HP bike with 130 ft lbs of torque - rear brake use isn't my issue with high tire wear, lol! If people are over using the rear brake, they'd also be going through rear brake pads and that WOULD be a great indication of poor braking habits. I'm sure in the Harley community this is more prevalent. Anyway, thanks for the thoughtful response!
I've got an ST1300. I don't take much for trips, but ya, new set just to take a trip. How hard was it for you to get your tire on? Lube is the key, but that did you use? Also, living in the mountains, some say to adjust your pressure to your ride. Twisites, more air, hiway, less.
I had the car tire mounted, and they used reg tire lube, which I use when I'm changing the front. I tend to run 40psi all the time, but check it frequently due to altitude and temp variations.
Very good video follow up video. I haven't see too many Darkside vids where they ride as hard as you plus do a long term follow up. I'll be doing this on my Vmax...
Mr. Max is a great bike to go dark on, as well as a Rocket 3. Enjoy!
I just subscribed to your site yesterday and I am finding your videos very informative I would like to know about the seat on the 2012 K1600 and what brand it is and how comfortable is it? Again thank you very much for your informative videos.
It is a Russell Day Long, and the best seat ever!
I watched your last and the previous post when you changed the bike tyre to car tyre, great video, great footage and editing 👍🏻.
What's it like in the wet, also in the ice prown winter months?
I just don't know!
Obviously I don't ride nearly as hard in the wet or cold,(though I do ride all year round. Sunny days with temps in the teens (F) are fair game!) so I've not had any issues. No trouble with traction, slippage etc and I accelerate hard in all conditions, lol. With traction control in a straight line I really don't have to worry about a little wheel spin upsetting the bike. I can turn that stuff off if I want to be silly. I probably won't run this tire as low on tread as I would a motorcycle tire due to the possibility of hydroplaning, but I don't intentionally ride when it's wet anyway. With my Salt Lake City to Indianapolis trip coming up in June, I'll probably change this tire early, around 11k miles. And thanks for the kind words! My video skills are a work in progress! - jaysbigadventure
Great article with answers:
www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a8606/why-so-called-darksiders-prefer-auto-tires-on-their-motorcycles/
Tanks for a nice video. My wife complaining the passenger seat, you have another, is it comfortable? Where to buy?
The company is Russell Day Long Saddles, and the website is day-long.com. She'll thank you! A happy wife means a happy life...
@5:39 there may be a difference in the car n moto rims: a second, interior/counter bead. however, moto loads are usually so light that even an ‘inferior’ bead is more than sufficient. howabout super sticky hi-pro car tires?
I just can't imagine doing it myself !
Good luck
Find someone local that's done it. I bet they let your ride it around in a parking lot or neighborhood. You'll be amazed. But that being said, it isn't for everyone. Thanks for coming along on the journey regardless.
I was pleasantly suprised just how good it is, not trying to convert you but I was pessimistic too! Ride safe
Hi Jay...I'm checking to see where you purchased your 'spacer' for the rear tire along with the extended lug bolts. I've contacted Marc that you mentioned in the video but he doesn't have them. Any help is greatly appreciated!!
Oops... www.ebay.com/itm/113709331432?epid=11035082169&hash=item1a799ab3e8%3Ag%3ASMMAAOSwZrtcp5OO
@@JayBearjaysbigadventure, I tried the above link and it does not produce results. Someone else asked why is a spacer needed and I would like the answer as well. Is it for tire centering?
How do I figure out what size car tire to put on my motorcycle.it is a 1000cc sportbike and I believe the rims are 6 and 1/2 inches.and a brand new tire for it is about 25 in tall for a 17-inch rim.
Totally missed your comment Mike, sorry about that! I wouldn't do it on a sport bike, as the chassis dynamics are quite different. You could go to a dual compound tire like a Michelin Road 4 that has sticky rubber on the sides, with a harder, longer wearing center section. Either way, it's gonna eat tires though.
195/45/17 ? .
@@paullagueux3902 205/50-17
2014 Moto Guzzi 1400 here, and I have been running a car tire for the last 14,000 miles with no problems, and very little tire wear. Stock size is 200/70-16, so I went with a 195/65-16, which fits perfectly. Couldn't be happier with it.
I explain my experience in this video.
ua-cam.com/video/QBthFcKvNOk/v-deo.html
I watched it! Thanks for sharing. I sold Moto Guzzis here in Salt Lake City and loved the Californias. Great bike and a real competitor to several BMWs. Enjoy!
@@Booneville2024 Actually, the car tire is slightly taller than the stock tire, so the overall gearing is a little bit higher.
HI. EXCELENT VIDEO. WHERE DID YOU GET THE CENTER STAND ROLLER?
It is a 'Venom' stand, and I bought it on Amazon. The seller I got it from is no longer in business, but they are out there!
I am not sure how in the US, but here in EU the bike with car tyre will not be street legal and insurance will not cover any damage you cause in direct connection with use of car tyre. Isn't it the same in the US?
Nope, here as long at the tire is DOT (dept of transportation) approved for 'road vehicles' it is legal.
@@JayBearjaysbigadventure Thanks for reply, that is interesting. We have in papers from motorcycle (official registration), exact dimensions of tyres, with speed and load specs. During the techical check, they check if installed tyres match the papers.
@@Ksta01 You'd need technically literate people to check that stuff. Here we hire the lowest common denominator for that sort of work! Minimum wage, no technical training, very little help from the bosses. In Indiana where I grew up we didn't even have safety inspections! You wouldn't believe some of the death traps rolling around on our roads.
My 1997 Yamaha XJ900 (hardly a speed demon) ripped up the shoulders on sporty tyres. The mid line tread was smooth, shoulders were grained and used almost to the limit. Basically the shoulders were underspecced for the loads this heavy but otherwise ordinary bike could deliver. I never tried the Dark Side but suspect it would have solved the shoulder wear problem.
It definitely would have helped. Do you still have the bike?
I would like to. The bike has 15'" rim but the swingarm not wide enough. The max width just 140.
I also agree. CT here and loving it.
Glad to hear. I rarely hear of anyone going back.
What is tire suggested for 2008 Kawasaki Concours 1400. I have 105k on bike?
Franc
I currently run a BFG Comp2 A/S in a 205/50-17, but I have a single sided swingarm which helps with the clearance. Really comes down to what size you can find. A 195/50 is going to be closest but you'll have to see what is avail. Also check the clearance between the swing arm and the current tire. There's a ton of options in the 205/50-17 size! A 185/55 would also work, but will be much more limited in selection.
Great videos! Pardon my ignorance, but why do you need a spacer? Also, would it not change the center axis of the tire? Thank you much!
With the tire he is using (205/50/17) on the K1600, the left side of the tire just rubs on the swingarm. The spacer moves it out just a few mm, enough to keep it from rubbing, but not enough to make a difference in handling.
Some use a 195/50/17 and no spacer, but this size does not have as many tire options.
Not all bikes require a spacer, but the K1600 with a 205/50/17 does.
Hi
Have emailed Marc Parnes to buy spacer but he has replied he does not make that part. Can you give any more info so I can get it?
Cheers
The very first pinned comment has the link to the spacer. You can find them easily on ebay too!
Love it Welcome to the Darkside! Luke! haha ! ride safe
Re the tyre bead concerns, what rims do the sidecar conversion companies use?
That is a really good question. The shapes are similar enough that with 40 PSI behind them, you don't have to worry about them falling off, that's for sure. If it was a 3.5" rim, I would understand people's concerns. But with 6", the bead seats just fine and in fact is a PAIN to remove.
Jay, thank you for taking the time making a informative review. Could you supply a link regarding the Mark Parns? V-1 detector LED remote lights? thank you, Create a great day, unless of course you made other plans. Neal
Sure, it's in the video, but his site is marcparnes.com. I have the single-row setup, but he makes double-height sets too to really let you know what's coming!
@@JayBearjaysbigadventure super helpful!
What car tire would be best to replace a 150/90 15 for my royal star
The only thing you need to know about running car tires is that insurance companies will not cover you with a non motorcycle tire.
In the US, simply not true. Tires are labeled 'DOT' certified. It does not specify car, truck, motorcycle or trike. Some countries like the UK specifically prohibit it. Not here though.
Fake News. Safeco Insurance doesn’t care.
Where did u get the graphics and pinstripes from I want to get some for my Goldwing…
It does look weird but your experience makes sense. I wonder if you might have discovered a new design - a car tire with an elliptical shape, kind of cross between car tire and motorcycle tire?
actually, if you look at most car tires they are much more rounded than we think. I've now upgraded to a BFG Comp T/A and it is even more rounded than the Bridgestone was. I thought about shaving the corners off with a wood rasp, as I've done that on car tires that have cupped badly and it works great! Didn't need to though. :)
Hi, did you alter the exhausts on the new k1600? I did see the old one with holes knocked in top and bottom.
Think I'm going to the dark side on my current bike that I just bought, a 2000 Wing in July 2024, had a few K on the tires, I put about 1600 miles on them when I got the bike home up to this past friday. Noticed a lump feeling around right corners. Put it up on the service stand it comes with and rotated the back tire to my horror!!! Terrified to see multiple spots worn through the various belts of the tire! It's parked now and the wife and I didn't have to deal with a blow out 45 minutes away on the interstate. But GOOD LORD can that 820lb bike eat tires! Thought I was going to get the rest of the season out of them.
Try a Pirelli P1 run flat at around 32 PSI for starting your journey to the Darkside. I'm on a 2005 GL1800.
I rode an 07 Goldwing with a Car tire. No issues what so ever. Riding threw a monsoon is a bit less unnerving. Thinking of going dark side with my 21 Grand America.
I really like the BFG Comp2. I bet you will too!
To make the links easier to find, here they are! www.ebay.com/itm/113709331432?epid=11035082169&hash=item1a799ab3e8:g:SMMAAOSwZrtcp5OO for the wheel spacer and bestusedtires.com or tirerack.com if you want a new tire. marcparnes.com for the tire balancer. Thanks for watching! Please like (or hate, lol) share and subscribe. We have more shenanigans coming soon! - jaysbigadventure
I've k16 that must affect the handling of the bike for the worse you don't look after it chips out rims needs a decent wash
The handling is fine, lol. Yeah, with 65k miles and 8 years old it does have some wear. Now that I have a 2020, I'll have more time to work on the white one, instead of just riding it...
@@JayBearjaysbigadventure I've 2014 exclusive its mint not a mark
@@Thomo_qld Congrats
Were did you buy that spacers and lug
Ive just done this to my c90 boulevard and same here copped alot of flack about it.
Always. I just challenge people, tire techs, MC techs, anyone with this, Show me evidence of one crash, just one caused by a CT on a bike.
If it had ever happened I guarantee the article would be on the walls of every bike service shop in the world.
Yeah I just went double dark side an I love it
Thanks! :)
I hear there are problems with getting it inspected.
I have not had an issue, as the tire is clearly labeled "DOT approved" for passenger vehicles. There is no distinction for car vs motorcycle tires in the US. Canada and Europe are different though.
Thanks for the video. Just an FYI, Marc Barnes does NOT sell this part nor does he condone a car tire on a motorcycle. I'm only saying this so others don't call him, looking for the part. He seemed a tad bothered by the idea actually. Just wanted to let you know, maybe you could edit that out of the video? Anyways, thanks for sharing.
Hey Jay. 1st great video and I want to go Darkside also, however, I contacted Marc Parnes about the spacer plate. He responded he doesn't make the adapter plate. So, I'm searching for a plate.
My bad! He makes a bunch of great stuff, but not that. Here's the ebay link to what I have. www.ebay.com/itm/115332575808?hash=item1ada5b7240:g:ym4AAOSw3UZbEzdP
Correct me if I’m wrong. Isn’t the bead seat different on car tires? The rolled edge degree angle is offset? How do you compensate for pressure?
Yes. Watch the Ryan F9 video on the darkside. I'm still undecided about doing this.
What do insurance companies say about using a non-recommended tire on a bike in the event of an accident?
In the US, I have a tire rated for 'passenger vehicle use' and that is all that is required. In the UK for instance, it is not allowed.
I have a 98 Valkyrie Honda with a blower on it and I run a car tire. Have about 12,000 miles and love it. I live in Durango CO, so a LOTS of turns every ride, I mean a lots... I ride with a guy who has a beamer, keep up with him no problem.
I also have 2013 Triumph Rocket III with a car tire, have about 21,000 miles on it, love it. Rode twice to Red Lodge Montana from Durango through the mountains with my Harley friends, not a problem in turns, high speed, U turns (Bit wider radius in U Turns). Yeh, its a bit tricky a low speed in parking lots and gas stations and on dirt roads that are uneven. (Actually a bit scary on jeep trails/dirt roads with grooves) That is the only draw back I can see.
I am sure I will get at least 40,000 miles out of those tires. GREAT savings.
That would have been 5 installs plus 5 motorcycle tires... pricey and hassle with appointments.
I think the Rocket 3 is one of the all-time under appreciated motorcycles. What a hoot! :)
@@JayBearjaysbigadventure I love that bike. I had a Turbo on it from the Turbo Connection made 200HP at the rear wheel. It ran great until it rained!!! The air intake was under the engine just in front of the rear wheel. In rain it ran like shit. I even blew the engine. So I rebuilt the engine and took the Turbo off. Still love the bike, what a beast and monster torque.
Reason I am here is yesterday afternoon at a favorite twisty road hangout I was engaged in one of my hobbies checking out the "chicken stripes" or complete lack there of on various MCs but this one Harley obviously had a car tire which just blew my mind! The rider explained he borrowed the bike but it made sense to him why the bike took a bit more effort in the tight switch backs...otherwise he had no idea and thought the tire had simply worn flat on top....but no way it absolutely was a Pirelli car tire! Looked sort of cool on the Harley though...meaner looking
Glad you found the channel! Watch the recent one with the 2 K1600GT's side by side, one dark the other not. :)
I dont understand why a spacer is needed? and did you have any trouble getting the tire mounted ?
Hey Jeff, just a heads up. I called Marc Parnes from your video and he does not make those spacers for the wheels. He has had other people call him as well with the same question. Thanks
Perhaps the potential for lawsuits flashed into his mind? "Me? NO I have zero products for THAT application" lol Maybe it is described otherwise?
please share the tire sizes i planing to try it on my GT
This is a 205/50-17 which requires a small spacer, listed here. You can do a 195/55-17 without the spacer I'm told. www.ebay.com/itm/113709331432?epid=11035082169&hash=item1a799ab3e8%3Ag%3ASMMAAOSwZrtcp5OO
Ciao Brigstone Potenza?
Bridgestone Potential RE 92
Ciao... what size is the tire
@@stefanomabilia2466 205/50-17
Thanks for watching!
Thanks to you but in Italy I think it is impossible due to the measures shown on the registration certificate✌
What is the speed rating on the car tire and does it mess with the tire pressure sensor?
It is a Z rated tire, or good for continuous operation up to 186 mph. The sensor just sees air pressure, to it works exactly as it did in the motorcycle tire. Great question!
I tried the dark side for a while but decided to try running a touring tire instead and I have no plans on going to the dark side again. Good luck to those of those who choose the dark side.
How do you get it mounted and balanced where do you take it?
Here in Salt Lake City, Addictive Behavior Motorsports can do them. Typically any independent shop that works on choppers will handle it. If nothing else there's always the Harbor Freight changer for 80 bucks and then you'll never need to worry about changing tires again! That's what I've done. Video coming soon!
@@JayBearjaysbigadventure thanks
Buy tire irons and balancer. DIY. Or just the irons and any MC shop will balance.
They’ll look at you like your the dumbest fool in the world. But I just let them gawk. Thank them and say, “See ya in 35 thousand miles!”
Good job with the review thank you
I appreciate it!
Can you take your motorcycle to a low speed riding course where you do Uturns, figure 8s, offset cone weaves, ect and tell me how it does? Take a Camera and run the motorcycle though the course while filming it, tell me how well it handles doing actual tight maneuvers instead of just riding in straight lines for long periods of time taking gentile curves.
It is actually very easy to maneuver even at full lock at very low speeds. That is where I really thought I'd feel the bike 'tipping up' on the edge, but it's undetectable! If anything, the width helps keep the bike from wanting to fall into the corner at low speeds. That is a great idea for a video though! Now I just have to wait for the snow to melt...
@@JayBearjaysbigadventure I literally just read this message and this video got posted, and there is a guy with a car tire on his gold wing in the class.
Good Solid move ..
🐎🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
next on my Raider 113
Most people love it. Like anything out of the ordinary it takes time to find the right combination of tire and pressure. I think one of the biggest issues is people cheap out on their first tire, don't like it and then decide that the whole program is BS. And on any particular bike and tire combo that might be true. But on my bike with my tire choices I'm lovin it.
Thank you from KSA.
Thank you too!
Great run out of the dark side pity its a BMW motorcycle thou ....they have nothing on a Goldwing
There are LOTS of car tires that will work on a Gold Wing. I have been running them for well over 100,000 miles.
How do you manage to find tyres with symmetrical tread patterns or does it not matter?
I use TireRack.com and look in the specified size. The one thing you need to watch for is tires that have different compounds left-to-right. The tread only matters in the wet, so if you don't ride a bunch in the rain it's pretty immaterial.
i wonder what your insurance company thinks, especially after an accident ?
They cannot deny the claim as the tire is certified for 'passenger vehicle use', which a motorcycle qualifies for. My daughter graduated from the NYU law school, so I think I'll take her advice as opposed to UA-cam University hacks, lol! In other countries it is specifically forbidden, so that of course is a different story.
I just don’t ever hear anyone going to darkside without bringing up cost
That is the reason most do it. No reason to throw all that money away for nothing.
Like the old joke, “What’s cheapest thing on a Goldwing?” ... The rider. 😁
Cost is a significant reason. Main factor for me is the smoother more comfortable ride. Second is traction/grip. Cost & longevity last.
If a CT cost what a MC tire did, I’d still choose the CT.
Darkside 2012 HD Elc Glide. Pirelli Centurato run flat. Toyo tire previously.
My two cents on UA-cam, “Darkside Spearfish Canyon.”
Did you have to get longer lug bolts then?
Yes, they came with the spacer. If I'd used a 195/55-17 it wouldn't have been needed, but the tire selection in that size isn't nearly varied.
@@JayBearjaysbigadventure Thanks for the reply. I also note you've said that you are reluctant to use snow/winter tires because you worry that the softer compound will wear rapidly with the summer/power of the K16... have you tried that or is that just an assumption? Other K16 riders have recommended the snow tires and I'm curious about mileage and grip. I've just burned through 4 rear motorcycle tires at $200-250/ea and got between 3,400 and 4,400 miles out of them, which is simply not reasonable or practical. I'm considering going darkside though I've been a critic for many years.
You'll be amazed at how little of a difference there really is. Here's a video I did with a buddy who'd never ridden a K1600 or darkside. Try it, you'll like it! ua-cam.com/video/DnnDrLSjwJw/v-deo.html
My insurance agent seems to feel that running an incorrect tire / car tire will negate your insurance coverage if you have an “at fault accident“ and even if it is not your fault it opens up a can of worms when the at fault insurance adjuster sees a car tire on your bike. Insurance companies will take your money, and you assume you are covered, but my agent feels running a car tire on a motorcycle is an excuse some insurers will use to weasel out of paying a claim.
(Not advising your insurance agent that you are running sidecar or riding a trike CAN also negate your coverage, and if you sue them, good luck, they have pockets much deeper than yours.)
The tire says "DOT passenger vehicle tire". Nowhere does it say car or motorcycle specific.
If this was the case, no side car rig or any modified bike would be covered. If it comes down to it, my daughter went to NYU law school, lol!
Your insurance agent is incorrect.
I never knew bout car tires for motorcycles… cause of size.. recently found few wingers gone darkside. Wished I did that…. After this tire on my wing, wears out… I certainly switch.
It really is amazing how little difference there is once you're above 30 mph or so. Well worth the trade off to 4x tire life!
Just bought dark side tire for my goldwing, problem circumference of MC tire is 80 inches Circumference of CT is 76 175/60/16 I believe this will change gearing 3 to 400 rpm at 60 mph, fuel mileage and engine ware will suffer! They don't make narrow CT with 80 mm side walls. Has anyone else noticed this? I'm still going to try it.
With BMWs, the speedo always tends to read a few miles per hour faster than you're actually travelling. I went up from a 190/50-17 to a 205/50-17. Helped get my speedo back in line and shaved a few rpms along the way. You might want to go to a 185 if you can find one! 16"ers are getting harder to find these days.
@@JayBearjaysbigadventure did you have to use a spacer with the 205/50/17. how close is your speedo with this tire?
@@rogerroy911 I did have you use a spacer. You could probably get away with a 195/55, but those are really rare. The selection in a 205/50 is huge! The speedo is within 2 mph of the GPS now.
What about the speed ratings on the car tires?
This tire has a 'W' rating, which is good for continuous operation up to 168 mph. As much as I'd like to believe otherwise, my bike isn't going to out run this tire. And trust me, I've tried!
You don't drive in corners???
Watch some of my 'Canyon Carving' videos. It's amazing and you just can't tell it's there at speed. Occasionally at low speeds on uneven pavement you can tell, but it isn't bad. Just takes 2 min to get used to.
ДЯКУЮ!!!!! THINK*S FROM UKRAINE!!!
The internet is amazing! Thanks for watching.
What about the front tire?
Tried it on my Gold Wing. Wiped out low sided in a corner. Not not for me but you do you
Oh sure you did. _Sure_ you did! 😂😂😂
If nothing else I can see this saving someone's butt out in the middle of nowhere and all that is available is a car tire ....at least get one back on the road even as a temporary solution ...but personally I just don't (so far) put down really high miles nor are my finances (currently at least lol) strained to the point I need to save money on tires....nevertheless very interesting and I was entertained and educated even thanks!
Yup, to each their own. Thanks for the reasoned response as well! Some of the haters are pretty entertaining...
Given the commonsense guidelines that you mentioned, I see no reason why one shouldn't run a car tire - less than a 4th of the price, and more than twice the mileage.
If your worried about the cost of appropriate, propper speed rater motorcycle tires, you cant afford the bike.
Propper speed rater (sic)? The tire is rated for 168 mph. How fast do you think this bike is? I now have double the load rating as well which for a heavy touring bike is a huge advantage. With your logic, why not run race rubber on a touring bike? Does that make sense?
Has anybody tried this on a R1250 RT yet? Lighter bike, obviously, at 615 #.
What does your insurance company say
It is a DOT approved tire for 'passenger vehicles', just like the motorcycle tire. In the UK and some European countries it is against the law. Not in the United States though.
Car tyers are not the same as bike tyres. The bead fitment is different and car tyres can roll off bike rims. Very unsafe.
Who fed you that line of BS? You sound as if you are way ignorant. Pretty obvious that you are.
Plus the beads are different between the two
I've had a BMW car wheel and BMW motorcycle wheel side by side and took measurements. There was no significant difference. On a 3.5" wide wheel maybe, but not on a the 6" wide rear BMW wheel.
What size of the tare?
205/50-17. To run that wide you need a 1/4" spacer and longer wheel bolts. A 195/55-17 is supposed to fit without the spacer but is a harder size to find.
Use any tire size calculator. You can play with diff data.
www.discounttire.com/learn/tire-size-calculator
@@JayBearjaysbigadventure I'd like to try the size 190/60-16. I am going to make disc 16 for that.
I think darkside tires look pretty cool. Too bad for me the car tires would cost about $100 more than the motorcycle tires.
Where are you located? here, car tires are half the price, $100-ish vers $200 or more for a bike tire.
@@JayBearjaysbigadventure Some of the motorcycle tires for me can be under $100 but getting a car tire of the same size costs way more
No you have the costs reversed!!!
what air pressure for a CT
I tend to run it right at 40 psi when it is warm, and 36 psi during the colder months. I have had no issues.
can i still take my s1krr up to 200mph?
Given how it follows ruts and can induce wobble, I would only do that on a drag strip when on a car tire.
@@joshnabours9102 so your saying there's a chance?!?! Lol!
It doesn't induce a wobble on my bike at all. And all bikes want to walk down a slope, this is just slightly more pronounced. There's a small learning curve, but you forget about it within a few miles. If you only rode on rutted, cambered roads this wouldn't be the best choice for a bike in the first place.
@@JayBearjaysbigadventure yeah the there's a chance comment was out of humor 🤣🤣
@@s1krrpilot you might have to turbo it but I think a s1krr could do 200mph
Im not risking my life to save $200
How much training do you have? How much track time do you have? Are you a licensed MSF instructor? Do you wear ATTGATT? Funny how all those things factor into safety. If you're running anything less than race rubber, you're deciding to trade tire life for traction. We ALL do it. This is a solution to a very specific problem and it isn't for everyone. But safety is definitely not one of the concerns when darksiding.
That's 200 a tire. And I went through 6 the last rear my bike had mt on it. That's a savings of 1700 a year and 5 more days of riding.