EMERGENCY!!! Darkside Help Requested!!!

[Alpha Dragon]

I am heading out for a 3000 mile trip in 10 days, and just noticed the rear tire on my 2000 Interstate needs replacing.  Want to go to the darkside, but thought I would do it after the trip.  Looks like I need to do it immediately.

I already have a harbor freight tire changer.  I need to know what tire to buy, where to buy it, what's this stuff about a nutcage modification, and where to get dyna beads for balancing.  Can you guys help?

Price is not critical, I want the best tire that is easy to mount and get used to.  I need to buy Monday so it gets here, preferrably  on the West Coast, (although that is asking a bit much).  Can a guy pick up a tire at his local tire store?

So many questions, so little time.

[NITRO]

I haven't yet switched to the DS myself, so I won't try to give info where I don't have personal experience to share, but you should be able to get a tire of the appropriate size (205/55, 60, or 65 16) locally. I have checked at a couple of places around here for prices, and both carry the GoodYear Triple Tread in appropriate size in-stock.

[Valker]

I buy my Michelin HydroEdge at a local Discount tire place. I get the 55 series and have never had to do the mod. I did not balance my car tire. I notice no vibration below 100 mph. I have DynaBeads, just never put them in.

[Alpha Dragon]

I buy my Michelin HydroEdge at a local Discount tire place. I get the 55 series and have never had to do the mod. I did not balance my car tire. I notice no vibration below 100 mph. I have DynaBeads, just never put them in.

There are two weights on my rim.  Should I remove those weights when I mount the new tire?

[MP]

I would assume they balance the tire,not the rim.  In that case, remove.  Some have balanced just the rim, but not many.

Since you are in a hurry, I would go with the Goodyear Triple tred, easier to find.  60 series.  When it is out, take off the back section of the fender, and do the nut cage mod.  That is the most common ds tire on valks, and seems to do pretty good.  Plus, it is common.  If you have access to dyna beads, I would use them.  Be sure to replace the valve stem.  If you can, bet the Patchboy 90 deg chrome valve.  Very good quality.  Be sure to get it tight.
Be sure to pull the drive shaft, check it out.  clean out all the grease, and relube properly.  Replace all 3 orings.

MP

[clintsdivco]

I am on my second Goodyear Triple Tread 205 60 16 and really like it.  I had 21000 on the first one and did not balance it and had no problems with it.  It still had 15 to 20,000 left on it but went ahead and replaced it while servicing this winter as I have plans to go to all four corners of the US this summer and didn't want to replace it on the road.  I did save the old one to use later on.  I did balance the tire I put on this winter just to see it I can tell if there is any difference, none noticed so far with only 600 miles on the tire.

Clint

[Challenger]

I am running the Goodyear 60 series and like it alot, I did the nut cage mod with the fender still on and the wheel off, I just used a dremel tool to score it and brake it off. Go slow & do it in stages so you dont burn the paint, repaint the bare metal when done, most of the time, just setting your shocks up one notch would be enough, but all bikes are different. Oh and I balanced mine by putting the axle in and clamping it to the bench. roll balancing aint perfect, but better than nothing

[Bob E.]

I am running the General Altimax in the 60 series.  It is a good tire that is also pretty popular amongst darksiders.  Also, it is alot cheaper than the Goodyear Triple-Tread, and in my opinion, just looks better.  I only have about 4000 miles on mine, and this is my first DS tire, so I cannot say how long it will last compared to the Goodyear, but it appears to be wearing very well compared to the motorcycle tires I was running...I only got between 7000-10000 miles from a MC tire.  I am running 35psi and it is barely noticeable, handles well, and rides nice.  I like it.

[Alpha Dragon]

Bob:  What exact size of General Altimax?

I am confused on sizing.  Is there a range of sizes, or one size only.  And, I have to go shopping today, to get this going.

[MP]

I will be putting on the General Altimax.HP  205-60-16.  I do not believe they make the taller 65 series, do not know about the shorter 55 series.  The 60, as shown above, is very close to the OEM height.  I am trying it over my Hydroedge, because it is well rated, and it has a rounder edge profile.  It gets good ratings from riders.

I would use it as number one, if you can find it.  The Goodyear may be easier to find though.  I started mid 30's for pressure, and found 26-28# was much better for me.  And I am about 240#.



MP

[Alpha Dragon]

I will be putting on the General Altimax.HP  205-60-16.  I do not believe they make the taller 65 series, do not know about the shorter 55 series.  The 60, as shown above, is very close to the OEM height.  I am trying it over my Hydroedge, because it is well rated, and it has a rounder edge profile.  It gets good ratings from riders.

I would use it as number one, if you can find it.  The Goodyear may be easier to find though.  I started mid 30's for pressure, and found 26-28# was much better for me.  And I am about 240#.



MP

Thanks MP, and also the rest of you guys.  I have spent the whole morning reading all the old posts, and think I have it figured out. 

One can use a 205 55/60/65 16 tire.  Depends on how tall you want the tire. The nutcage modification is done for the 60/65 heights, and I am a 300 pounder, riding one up but sometimes carry a lot of additional weight too, as I carry stuff for the wife.  having said all this, it would be logical for me to stay with the 60 tire, do the nutcage mod, and then remount and see how it works for me.  Does my logic sound solid?  I'll look for the Goodyear TT, as that seems to be the safest at the moment, to make sure it works well.

[MP]

Sounds right.  Either the General or goodyear would be good, just that on short notice the Goodyear might be easier to find.

MP

[don07tncav]

I've got the same size General that MP has and love the tire. It's my third darkside tire and rides better than the Goodyear. But I was running high pressure in the Goodyear versus 32 PSI in the General. (250+lbs, 6'2" driver)

[Alpha Dragon]

Okay, I now have a Goodyear Assuarance Triple Tread tire, labeled P205/60/16.  It seems too big though, is this normal Darkside shock, and will it go away?  Will it actually fit on the rim?  What is the meaning of life?

[clintsdivco]

Okay, I now have a Goodyear Assuarance Triple Tread tire, labeled P205/60/16.  It seems too big though, is this normal Darkside shock, and will it go away?  Will it actually fit on the rim?  What is the meaning of life?

It will definitely fit.  It sure doesn't look like it but it works great.  I started out with 40 lbs in my first Goodyear but quickly reduced the pressure.  At that pressure I thought I had made a heck of a mistake going darkside but after reducing to around 28 to 32 I couldn't tell the difference between it and the motorcycle tire.  I wouldn't recommend starting at anymore than 32 lbs pressure to start with and after getting the feel of the tire at slower speeds you can play with the pressures if you feel a need to.  I think you will love the Triple Tread.

Clint