The 2025 Calendar is now available for purchase! Click here for purchase links!

Double Darkside

Talk about issues and questions specific to the FJR here.
Pathfinder
Casual Rider
Posts: 90
Joined: Mon Sep 02, 2013 11:15 pm
FJRModel: 2005/2008/2009/2018/2018
x 57
x 135

Double Darkside

Post by Pathfinder »

I’m really not sure where to post this, but I thought it was worth sharing.
Last summer I decided to try “Double Darkside.”
Prior to this experiment, I think I hit 30k on a front PR2 maybe 3 times (In over 600k of tires)
Upon some recommendations, I used a BF Goodrich G force comp2 A/S 205/50/ZR17 on the rear. On the front, I tried a Bridgestone Battlax BT46 130/70/ZR17.
When the front was new the clearance from the tire to my fender extender was extremely close. Sand and road debris wore the end off. The tire has far exceeded any reasonable expectations. Returning from a 4k ride yesterday, I hit 53k on the front. The tire looks to have another 5k left on it.
Has anyone else had any kind of results from this tire?
I am amazed to say the least. Since I have another one on the shelf in the garage, it looks like I’m set for front tires for the rest of the year.
As far as the rear… I’m well into my 2nd one since going double darkside. I’ve been doing many non interstate roads with my current riding (State ride arounds) and I love the rear tire set up. The only disadvantage that I can see is that the larger swatch of rubber on the road presents a little bigger chance of picking up a nail. It’s better in rain/wind, stopping and I like it better in cornering.
Admins feel free to move this post.
El Toro Joe, Auburn, bigjohnsd and 4 others loved this
User avatar
SkooterG
Veteran
Posts: 666
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2019 11:39 pm
FJRModel: 2004 X 2, 2009 X 2, 2013 X3, 2014, 2017, 2023...... I have issues!
Location: Skootsdale, AZ
x 1062
x 1561

Re: Double Darkside

Post by SkooterG »

You are a crazy bastard who will die a death of flaming plastic and aluminum due to your poor choices in rubber!

So, how many miles do you get out of the rear?
Madmudder, FJRPittsburgh, CraigRegs and 2 others loved this
Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional.

IBA #327

'04 FJR (X2) -- '09 FJR (X2) -- '13 FJR (X4) -- '14 FJR ES -- '15 FJR ES -- '17 FJR ES -- '23 FJR ES -- '14 BMW GSA What can I say? I have issues!
User avatar
FjrVfr
Contributor
Member
Posts: 233
Joined: Tue Sep 01, 2015 1:00 pm
FJRModel: 2012
Location: Columbus, OH
x 44
x 535

Re: Double Darkside

Post by FjrVfr »

I must have read that wrong.
"Anything that happens before or after is just waiting."
wheatonFJR
Contributor
I post more than I ride
Posts: 20500
Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2013 6:10 pm
FJRModel: 2013-Jwilly Special LD Delivery
Location: Travelers Rest
x 44001
x 19041

Re: Double Darkside

Post by wheatonFJR »

You two raving lunatics deserve each other.
Road Runner, gixxerjasen, CollingsBob and 1 others loved this
boatanchor, 3rd class.
Pathfinder
Casual Rider
Posts: 90
Joined: Mon Sep 02, 2013 11:15 pm
FJRModel: 2005/2008/2009/2018/2018
x 57
x 135

Re: Double Darkside

Post by Pathfinder »

SkooterG wrote: Sat Aug 03, 2024 2:23 pm

So, how many miles do you get out of the rear?
Rough estimate… perhaps around 34k
Yes, the BT can get chunky at times. When doing the Ride around Virginia I hit twisties at around 1 am with construction zones. The land haulers had spilled dirt along the road. It then began to rain and creating mud, oh and then I almost forgot about the deer. Nature threw me a hard challenge that night.
Hope all is well with you.
Auburn, bigjohnsd, and gixxerjasen loved this
User avatar
Festus
Contributor
Veteran
Posts: 4914
Joined: Tue Mar 28, 2017 3:40 pm
FJRModel: 2013 FJR, 2023 KTM 390 Adventure
x 4091
x 11050

Re: Double Darkside

Post by Festus »

Think about what you could do with a trike!
wheatonFJR loved this
"That wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be" - 1911

"Stay thirsty, my friends"....... Wouldn't that mean I'm dehydrated all the time?
User avatar
raYzerman
Contributor
I post more than I ride
Posts: 9723
Joined: Mon Mar 18, 2013 10:49 am
FJRModel: 2010 Honda CBF1000FA
Location: Millgrove, Ontario, CA
x 3157
x 11688

Re: Double Darkside

Post by raYzerman »

The darkside rear is way thicker and tougher than a bike tire..... ride on! I think your odds are slimmer than slim.
Keep yer stick on the ice........... (Red Green)
Duct tape can't fix stupid, but it can sure muffle the sound.
User avatar
natehawk750
Contributor
Veteran
Posts: 814
Joined: Mon Feb 19, 2018 1:07 pm
FJRModel: 2015 FJR1300A, 2001 zrx1200r, 2001 XR650R
x 2070
x 2150

Re: Double Darkside

Post by natehawk750 »

I've been using the same set up for the past 14k miles. Tony convinced me at the IBA JAX party this year. I'm actually pretty surprised that I like the set up as much as I do.

For reference I've been averaging 30-40k for the past few years at 3-4 sets of tires a year. Figure $300 to $400 each set that's 1200-1600 bucks a year just in tires. Thus setup cost me something like $300 and should last me most of a year... thats a pretty good chunk of change saved. And time saved changing tires
El Toro Joe, Auburn, Pathfinder and 4 others loved this
None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

#69272
Bugnatr
Veteran
Posts: 3090
Joined: Sat Mar 09, 2013 1:16 am
FJRModel: 2014 SuperTanker1200. 2018 DCT Hippo,
2007 KLR650... the Goldwing of thumpers
Location: Northwest Peardale, Ca
x 6198
x 6086

Re: Double Darkside

Post by Bugnatr »

I went DBL dark on my 08 Wing but that BT was just too wooden for all the mountain riding I do but I see the advantage for you flatlanders :lol:

humm...that Goodrich looks like a good tire. I just bought a Falken Alklimate for the Wing or I'd give it a go.
Auburn and natehawk750 loved this
It's too deep, this is a bike not a canoe.
User avatar
SkooterG
Veteran
Posts: 666
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2019 11:39 pm
FJRModel: 2004 X 2, 2009 X 2, 2013 X3, 2014, 2017, 2023...... I have issues!
Location: Skootsdale, AZ
x 1062
x 1561

Re: Double Darkside

Post by SkooterG »

Interesting. I think I like twisties too much to try a front Doulbe Darkside. Though the last two major trips I took I had to replace a front tire on the road which = $$$$, rather than on my tire changer at home. Hmmm.... might have to give it a try to experiment.
Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional.

IBA #327

'04 FJR (X2) -- '09 FJR (X2) -- '13 FJR (X4) -- '14 FJR ES -- '15 FJR ES -- '17 FJR ES -- '23 FJR ES -- '14 BMW GSA What can I say? I have issues!
User avatar
CraigRegs
Contributor
Veteran
Posts: 924
Joined: Sat Mar 09, 2013 11:19 pm
FJRModel: 15ES
x 3618
x 2434

Re: Double Darkside

Post by CraigRegs »

SkooterG wrote: Sun Aug 04, 2024 4:24 am Interesting. I think I like twisties too much to try a front Doulbe Darkside. Though the last two major trips I took I had to replace a front tire on the road which = $$$$, rather than on my tire changer at home. Hmmm.... might have to give it a try to experiment.
You are a crazy bastard who will die a death of flaming plastic and aluminum due to your poor choices in rubber!

But I'd be interested in hearing about the experience. :D
FJRPittsburgh, SkooterG, Auburn and 3 others loved this
Craig
----------------
...the Pursuit of Happiness
wheatonFJR
Contributor
I post more than I ride
Posts: 20500
Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2013 6:10 pm
FJRModel: 2013-Jwilly Special LD Delivery
Location: Travelers Rest
x 44001
x 19041

Re: Double Darkside

Post by wheatonFJR »

CraigRegs wrote: Sun Aug 04, 2024 1:54 pm
SkooterG wrote: Sun Aug 04, 2024 4:24 am Interesting. I think I like twisties too much to try a front Doulbe Darkside. Though the last two major trips I took I had to replace a front tire on the road which = $$$$, rather than on my tire changer at home. Hmmm.... might have to give it a try to experiment.
You are a crazy bastard who will die a death of flaming plastic and aluminum due to your poor choices in rubber!

But I'd be interested in hearing about the experience. :D
Im sure he'd love to tell you, but with all of Satan's flames lingering around him and his bike, he is likely distracted.
boatanchor, 3rd class.
User avatar
blind squirrel
Veteran
Posts: 1730
Joined: Tue May 21, 2013 9:09 pm
FJRModel: 2014
Location: Lexington SC
x 1379
x 2389

Re: Double Darkside

Post by blind squirrel »

Pictures?
"That feeling is your taint telling you, 'this is a bad idea...'" - extrememarine
User avatar
Festus
Contributor
Veteran
Posts: 4914
Joined: Tue Mar 28, 2017 3:40 pm
FJRModel: 2013 FJR, 2023 KTM 390 Adventure
x 4091
x 11050

Re: Double Darkside

Post by Festus »

I can't stop picturing this...

CollingsBob, Cav47, Bugs and 2 others loved this
"That wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be" - 1911

"Stay thirsty, my friends"....... Wouldn't that mean I'm dehydrated all the time?
wheatonFJR
Contributor
I post more than I ride
Posts: 20500
Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2013 6:10 pm
FJRModel: 2013-Jwilly Special LD Delivery
Location: Travelers Rest
x 44001
x 19041

Re: Double Darkside

Post by wheatonFJR »

Lol!
boatanchor, 3rd class.
Pathfinder
Casual Rider
Posts: 90
Joined: Mon Sep 02, 2013 11:15 pm
FJRModel: 2005/2008/2009/2018/2018
x 57
x 135

Re: Double Darkside

Post by Pathfinder »

Update on the front tire; I added nearly 7k more this week riding Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee and North Carolina rides. The total on the tire is now 60k.
I am leaving out on a long ride next week, so I am replacing the tire (with identical tire) the tire has life left in it, but not enough.
El Toro Joe loved this
User avatar
Festus
Contributor
Veteran
Posts: 4914
Joined: Tue Mar 28, 2017 3:40 pm
FJRModel: 2013 FJR, 2023 KTM 390 Adventure
x 4091
x 11050

Re: Double Darkside

Post by Festus »

You rode 7,000 miles this week?

Dang! Well done!
wheatonFJR and FJRPittsburgh loved this
"That wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be" - 1911

"Stay thirsty, my friends"....... Wouldn't that mean I'm dehydrated all the time?
User avatar
SkooterG
Veteran
Posts: 666
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2019 11:39 pm
FJRModel: 2004 X 2, 2009 X 2, 2013 X3, 2014, 2017, 2023...... I have issues!
Location: Skootsdale, AZ
x 1062
x 1561

Re: Double Darkside

Post by SkooterG »

Pathfinder wrote: Fri Aug 16, 2024 11:14 am The total on the tire is now 60k.
Just freaking crazy! You must have made a deal with the devil!
Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional.

IBA #327

'04 FJR (X2) -- '09 FJR (X2) -- '13 FJR (X4) -- '14 FJR ES -- '15 FJR ES -- '17 FJR ES -- '23 FJR ES -- '14 BMW GSA What can I say? I have issues!
Pathfinder
Casual Rider
Posts: 90
Joined: Mon Sep 02, 2013 11:15 pm
FJRModel: 2005/2008/2009/2018/2018
x 57
x 135

Re: Double Darkside

Post by Pathfinder »

Image
SkooterG wrote: Fri Aug 16, 2024 11:29 am
Pathfinder wrote: Fri Aug 16, 2024 11:14 am The total on the tire is now 60k.
Just freaking crazy! You must have made a deal with the devil!
This tire will be a remount for this winter (Or so) it has at least 5 k left on it.
Pathfinder
Casual Rider
Posts: 90
Joined: Mon Sep 02, 2013 11:15 pm
FJRModel: 2005/2008/2009/2018/2018
x 57
x 135

Re: Double Darkside

Post by Pathfinder »

Festus wrote: Fri Aug 16, 2024 11:27 am You rode 7,000 miles this week?

Dang! Well done!
I rode up to Ohio and worked my way south.
I rode the ride around Ohio, ride around Kentucky, lap of Tennessee and the ride around North Carolina before returning last night to West Palm Beach.
CollingsBob, natehawk750, rbentnail and 4 others loved this
Post Reply