Dark Side Advice Needed

[Canadian FJR]

When we did Alaska we ran 40lbs. Handled great but they were all pretty well toast in 23,000 km. Three different tire brands. (Yes - Big John told us so)

Going to try 32 next time.


Canadian FJR

[NTXFJR]

I tried 28 lbs and decided that's where my preference is. This 205/50 size tire puts the speedo within 1 mph or so of the gps on the straits. I found it interesting that leaning over in the curves, or at least what interstates calls curves, that the bike would maintain c/c at exactly 81 mph, but the gps would go down an additional 1 or 2 mph. On the maiden voyage yesterday, I leaned her over pretty decently in some of the local Santa Fe curves and traction is inspiring so far.

[rbentnail]

Wait for it . Traction in the wet is truly inspiring.

[raYzerman]

Your speedo follows exactly where you go, the GPS algorithm is a series of cutting the corners at intervals of time, so GPS will be more accurate on the straights.

[Canadian FJR]

“Traction in the wet is truly inspiring.”

Unless it is well worn
Then things can get interesting

Canadian FJR

[raYzerman]

“Traction in the wet is truly inspiring.”

Unless it is well worn
Then things can get interesting

Canadian FJR

Well that's gonna be in 40,000 miles.... lol... but yes, really good in the wet but don't go nutso either. I liken it to being not scared on a good softer bike tire, and totally not scared with the CT.

[NTXFJR]

I'm liking what I see so far, I ain't no OFace or Wheatie but I've leaned over pretty good just short of putting the pegs on the ground in these twisties up here in the mtns and not a hint of let out, it just plain grips. Rain? I'm a chicken no matter what tire I'm running in the wet.

[Canadian FJR]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hEZeR9E3JyY

Canadian FJR

[SkooterG]

Welcome to the Darkside! I've gone through 3 now I think. And have another two currently mounted - one on Gen I FJR, another on a Gen II+. 42,500 miles on my last one and figure about 150,000 miles total so far. It works for me. And they don't slow me down in the twisty bits either.......

[Bust]

What lop ears here forgot to mention is he puts boogers on his sidewalls before every ride.

[Bust]

^^What lop ears here forgot to mention is he puts boogers on his sidewalls before every ride.

[0face]

What lop ears here forgot to mention is he puts boogers on his sidewalls before every ride.

There’s boogers on pretty much all his shit. Never park next to Scooter

[gixxerjasen]

That car tire wasn't holding up NTXFJR.

Also, I witnessed ScooterG put a booger on Spawn's hat.

[wpbfjr]

iirc, i was told by a SCCA/fjr/darkside guy, the Michelin exalto tread temp was coolest @ ~27/28psi. unsure how boogers effect tread temp.

[raYzerman]

The Exalto was likely the best of them all, right blend of sidewall stiffness (I would never do a runflat, way too stiff). Too high a pressure and the center wears out, I ran 28-29 psi, easier turn-in there as the sidewall could flex more, could lean that over as far as you want, wet or dry. Some ST guys used Hankook's, too soft a sidewall and had to go 37 psi, even then wore out in ~12k miles. I wore the last of my Exalto out on the Cherohola as well as my front tire, it went 40k miles. I got it as an almost new (95%) and it had a patch plug in it. I coulda got some more out of it....

[Cav47]

Here is the best advice I heard on the Internet Don’t do it, you’re going to die!


Lol. In all seriousness, I am considering it, given some of the things some of you have said and experienced.

[fjray]

I liked it on the FJR and I love it on the wing. The guy I sold my 03 to wouldn't buy it with the ct but paid full price with a used bike tire.

[Uncle Hud]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hEZeR9E3JyY

Canadian FJR

Outstanding video, as usual. Loved the sidestand bead breaker and the tire changing sequence with no dialogue.

OFF-TOPIC ALERT: This is the video that locked my radar onto FortNine and Ryan. (apologies for the F*&%#! ads.)

[SkooterG]

The Exalto was likely the best of them all, right blend of sidewall stiffness (I would never do a runflat, way too stiff). Too high a pressure and the center wears out, I ran 28-29 psi, easier turn-in there as the sidewall could flex more, could lean that over as far as you want, wet or dry. Some ST guys used Hankook's, too soft a sidewall and had to go 37 psi, even then wore out in ~12k miles. I wore the last of my Exalto out on the Cherohola as well as my front tire, it went 40k miles. I got it as an almost new (95%) and it had a patch plug in it. I coulda got some more out of it....

I ran two Exalto's. Got about 40k on each. Great tire. Though my experience with tire pressure was different than yours. I ended up going with about 35 psi strictly because it made turn in easier. It did wear the center more, but with 40k per tire, who cares? And at 40k miles the edges were getting ragged. That is also the only tire that actually showed very slight wear on part of the sidewall from high lean angles.

The General G-Max was my third CT when the Exalto was no longer available. Great tire too. 42k+ on that one.

Currently running some kind of MIchelin Pilot Sport on my Gen II+ wheel. RadioHowie recommended it as he got over 50k miles on his. I have 22k on it and I won't get near that. Must be the flat and straight Florida roads for him.

Running a recent popular Bridgestone on my Gen I wheel. I think it is the most 'moto tire' handling of all of them so far.


Edit: I found a piccie of the slight sidewall wear from high lean angles on the Exalto.

[Bust]

Edit: I found a piccie of the slight sidewall wear from high lean angles on the Exalto.

Rude bastage! What did the Michelin Man do to you that you had to grind his eyes out?