Well, Darth "Raider" (get it? ) has been calling me to the Dark Side! I've been trying to fend him off with my Kuryakyn-gripped light sabre, but I'm slowly being drawn in to the Death (Road) Star! I just put a new set of Michelin Commanders on, so it'll be a few thousand miles before I give into the Dark Side of the Force. I'm just doing my research now. Has anyone had any luck going to the Dark Side with spoked rims & tubes? What size tubes did you use? What brand/size tire did you use? What's the best front tire to use?

I asked the same question about the tube size, and never got an answer from the DS website, but I'm assuming (sorry I know that I shouldn't do that) that you use the same size tube as for the tire, ie a tube for a 195/70/16R you get the tube for that tire.

If you use a tube, you shouldn't have to worry about he spokes. There is a thread on how to seal the spokes if you want to go tubeless, and that's what I've been thinking about. I don't know if the tube will stay in place when rotating at high speed?

I have 8K on my tires right now, and I think I might be able to switch over by winter to the CT.

Front tire, I think MS1700 is right by getting a Metzler 880 rear tire and mount it in reverse rotation on the front. Maybe he will chime in on this. He's been running his now for a while and should have good first hand info.

I guess what I'm worried about is finding a tube to fit that larger size tire. I don't think a motorcycle tube would fit (I could be wrong) & didn't think you could (easily) buy car tubes anymore. I don't even remember the last car that used tube-type tires. Maybe a 60's era Jag or MG?

A good tire store can get any size tube you want for any tire.

BadBikerBob wrote:
I guess what I'm worried about is finding a tube to fit that larger size tire. I don't think a motorcycle tube would fit (I could be wrong) & didn't think you could (easily) buy car tubes anymore. I don't even remember the last car that used tube-type tires. Maybe a 60's era Jag or MG?

My local Fleet farm carries tubes for all sizes. Hell, we buy them to just use for sliding down hills in the winter If your local tire store can't get it, or if you can't find it on line, PM me, I'll go over to Fleet Farm and pick one up for you.

I appreciate that "Darn"!

I've seen a couple of threads on the Darksiders that says to use the stock tube. It will expand to fit. I would probably at least get a new one.

BigBoyinMS wrote:
I've seen a couple of threads on the Darksiders that says to use the stock tube. It will expand to fit. I would probably at least get a new one.

That's the first time I've heard that I don't see it expanding that much, and expand enough to give the proper height to the CT over a MT.

What I have read you should use the normal bike size tube. If you use the car tire tube you could pinch it. Look in the tech folder at darkside on delphi

I'm going darkside... when I get the Goldwing. It will have cast rims... and I won't be doing whitewalls. That is the only thing keeping me from doing it on this motorcycle... I love the WWW look and the chrome spokes.