Back to mc tires

[crazyman]

I got my letter from Triumph and Bridgestone yesterday. They offer to replace both tires with Metzeler Marathon 880s. Those are good tires. I had them on my last bike.

I've ridden over 4000 miles on the darkside and I think I'm going back to to regular tires. My main issue with the darkside tire is the handling. Traction is great. The longevity of the tread is obvious. It's just the handling I don't care for.

I tried different air pressures, different shock loads, balance check, nothing improved the what I'd call shifty handling. In turns particularly, the ride was not locked in like with a regular tire. Straight line riding also had some shifting around. I do recall the ride quality before going darkside. Even with the crap tires, the handling was very smooth and solid.

So I am going to have both tires replaced under the recall and get back to regular handling. I may go dark again at some point in the future. We'll see how the Metzelers hold up.

At least I had the opportunity to try a darkside tire. It's been interesting to say the least.

 

[goodfellow]

what kind of tire was it?

greg

 

[snuffcityrider]

Crazyman, I just did the same thing except I went with the Avon since I had one on the front. For me it was the always leaning while going straight line on the crowned roads. Now with the MC tire everything seems so effortless. Not dissing the D.S., it certainly has it's good points.

 

[crazyman]

what kind of tire was it?

greg

General Altimax HP 205/60/16. A lot of Valk riders use this tire. I'm not disparaging the use of a car tire. Some find it a great thing. I didn't.

 

[TxRIIIRider]

Crazyman was braver than you.. lol He actually started a thread about going back to the MC tire... lol

Did you end up buying a second rear wheel???

Crazyman, I just did the same thing except I went with the Avon since I had one on the front. For me it was the always leaning while going straight line on the crowned roads. Now with the MC tire everything seems so effortless. Not dissing the D.S., it certainly has it's good points.

 

[snuffcityrider]

No I wanted to, it just wasn't cost effective. I'm glad I tried it, that's 4000 miles that I didn't put on a metz and it was less than $150.

 

[TxRIIIRider]

I know it looked like it handled pretty well on the RAA III trip. I almost was willing to pull the trigger on a dark side after that, but my Avons are lasting really good. If I get to do Sturgis in August this year, I will have to get new tires before the trip, but right now, these tires are still good for the rest of the summer..

 

[crazyman]

I'm surprised there isn't a flame storm coming at me for going back to m/c tires !

I'll try and save the tire for future use. I have several friends who use this particular tire.

 

[Lester532]

I'm surprised there isn't a flame storm coming at me for going back to m/c tires !

I'll try and save the tire for future use. I have several friends who use this particular tire.

Do what ever works for you. It's not like you traded your Rocket for a Sportster

 

[Sidecar Flip]

Obviously car tires aren't for everyone, just like sidecars aren't for everyone. If there was ever a use for a car tire on a bike, the sidecar outfit would be the one.

I'm approaching 10K on my Metz so it's time to start considering a replacement and I think I'm going to get another ME880.

10K isn't bad. I get half that on the rear tire on the KLR and the Bonnie as well.

I followed Britman in Eureka Springs and watched the Riken take the corners and it was impressive. I just don't like the handling quirks, especially with such a heavy bike.