Anyone go to the Darkside?

[Titanium]

I've been on the fence about going to the Darkside and putting a car tire on my 14 R3T.
I can see how it would get better tread life on flat Street roads but I live in Eastern Tennessee and the roads are far from straight.
I ride the Tail of the Dragon, Copperhead run, the snake and all the rest. Road the Tail of the Dragon so far 10 times this year and wearing out tires like crazy.
I'm curious if anybody put a car tire on their R3T and that does a lot of mountain road riding and has an aggressive riding style can give me some insight on how the side walls and side tread hold up to all the leaning?
Also what tire did you go with and what size?
Bike calls for 180/70B16.

 

[Tripps]

 

[johnreeder]

I've been on the fence about going to the Darkside and putting a car tire on my 14 R3T.
I can see how it would get better tread life on flat Street roads but I live in Eastern Tennessee and the roads are far from straight.
I ride the Tail of the Dragon, Copperhead run, the snake and all the rest. Road the Tail of the Dragon so far 10 times this year and wearing out tires like crazy.
I'm curious if anybody put a car tire on their R3T and that does a lot of mountain road riding and has an aggressive riding style can give me some insight on how the side walls and side tread hold up to all the leaning?
Also what tire did you go with and what size?
Bike calls for 180/70B16.

 

[johnreeder]

Do it, you won't regret it. Use a Bridgestone run flat 205/60R/16. I've been through the Dragon many times. I was hesitant for many years, but finally went for it and never looked back. I've used one for at least the last 5 years.

 

[Sparky59]

Don't look at that!!! look at the tire

 

[Lickety Split]

Road dark side on my roadster this time last year up in sneedville and treadway blackwater so on. Know the roads your talking about. I thought it sucked on the back roads. Going around those curves and county roads. Felt like I was fighting to keep the bike on my side of the road. Fine on the interstate. But a week later went back to motorcycle tire.

 

[EasTexRIII]

Don't look at that!!! look at the tire

The chicken strips are licked.,., er, worn off!

 

[Titanium]

Road dark side on my roadster this time last year up in sneedville and treadway blackwater so on. Know the roads your talking about. I thought it sucked on the back roads. Going around those curves and county roads. Felt like I was fighting to keep the bike on my side of the road. Fine on the interstate. But a week later went back to motorcycle tire.

What tire did you go with?
I have read tires like the Bridgestone mentioned have curved edges, stiffer sidewalls and feel better then others on the curves.

 

[Titanium]

Do it, you won't regret it. Use a Bridgestone run flat 205/60R/16. I've been through the Dragon many times. I was hesitant for many years, but finally went for it and never looked back. I've used one for at least the last 5 years.

Was that the Bridgestone Driveguard?

 

[johnreeder]

I think so. I'm sure to they only make one. The key to handling is do not run over 28 PSI. That seems to be the ideal inflation. Although, you try different PSI. You can run that tire down to 25 PSI without any concerns. I ride aggressive and dragged the floorboards many times as well as the frame on one occasion. Check some Goldwing riders, they use car tires too.