New Darksider - Different Tire - BF GoodRich G Force Sport 205/55ZR16

[blackpearlghost]

"Powerful you have become, the dark side I sense in you.”

All y'all "The Darkside" Forum participants, you're a bad crowd to run with!  Strong is your force within me now...

I purchased my $85.00 tire from COSTCO simply because of their flexible replacement policies!  I am trying to document the entire process from start to finish so of course have a lot of pictures.  They were more than willing to perform the mounting but had concerns about the balancing.  I chose instead to use a local, private motorcycle shop for the mount and balance.

My tire is Z rated (high performance) with an additional 'W' rating for speeds up to 168 mph.  I ran 26 psi then switched to currently 30 psi.  By myself, both psi's were comfortable.  However, after installation I rode 2 up and quickly realized that the rear shock settings needed to go from '2' to '5' for my bike/needs.  With 2 up, The nut cage rubbed just a bit on the edge of the outer tread on the right side as you sit on the bike.  It really only became visible as I "got on it" speedwise and I could smell that rubber burn!  Although the ride is stiffer at '5' when I am alone it's not really uncomfortable at the moment.

I ride the freeway and the country roads.  Took it to the "twisties" up between San Jose CA and Santa Cruz CA, little town area called Saratoga CA.  It's a pleasurable ride through the woods, lots of turns, culminating at a 4 way junction where lots of bikes gather at a restaurant called "Alice's Restaurant [remember Arlo Guthrie, Thanksgiving Day Massacre?]" which has great food.

Also rode in some light rains this past week with absolutely zero problem.  Stopped on the side of the rode, purposely spun out in some gravel.  Just did a very slight slide to the right and easily smoothed out and jumped at speed back onto the country road.

Everyone loves the "boldness and uniqueness" of the "big ol' car tire" on the back of a bike!

Here's 2 pics of the tire itself and the tire as compared to the original bike tire.

I'll add some more later

Ghost


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[caphillips]

You can get anything you want, at Alice's Restaurant, excepting Alice....
Wow, that was a long time ago.  

[blackpearlghost]

See pics...

Hows that for clearance of the driveshaft? LOL

Dennis Copus, owner of "D's Cycle Works" in Merced CA (209) 947 - 3100 is now intimately familiar with the Darkside of Valkyrie ridin'.  If you find yourself in the area and in need, look him up!  He is actually an officially-trained HOG mechanic.  People asked him, "What are you doing with THAT [H-O-N-D-A Valkyrie Interstate 1999] here?"

His response, "Working on it for a buddy.  Besides, dude, that's a f#*&@n' V-6 engine which just makes the bike cool in itself!"

Ghost on the left, Dennis on the right as you view...

Ghost

Ghost

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[weedhop]

Hello, What kind of tire, Pictures were deleted,
Thanks...