Makcap wrote:

I run a car tire and the traction is there for days IMHO compared to the metzlers. Not picking on metzlers they were good tires I'm just more pleased with my current set up. I do have two sets one mc and one ct. It is something you would have to feel first hand to understand. Many surfaces that a motorcycle tire can get iffy on car tire is sure footed. This is by far nothing new to motorcycles the MC tires of today came largely from road racing scene even though they are day and night to race tires pros run. So I am told by a friend who built raced and sponsored bikes for many years.
I respect your opinion and as always people choose many ways to go that is how you make it your own.
Just a few other pluses I would like to share. Better rear brake response and in lock down you go straight not skid side to side. The ride is much smoother and this is just a guess but would attribute it to the thicker side walls. I the rain it is great traction. Now some people don't care for it most I have heard use a taller tire than I have on their bike. There is a learning curve to the difference in handling but not anything earth shacking. By saying handling I'm referring how it feels in a curve not a lack of handling it just is a different transition that is all.

Just wanted to share my opinion if you read it thank you and if not I wasted these words at the end!

I have the same observations as you but right now I only have the CT on my Venture. For braking, the MC tire grips ok up to the point it looses traction then it just slides smoothly. I tried to lock the rear with the CT and it took more pressure because of the better grip and when I did get it to lock it was squealing and juddering because of the softer compound. Imagine trying to drag a gum rubber sole shoe across a smooth floor. (Note: CT's get twice to three times the mileage of a motorcycle tire but it isn't because it's a harder compound. A fellow on a Darksiders forum has a Durometer that measures hardness. He tests every different tire he comes across and he has never found a CT that was harder than any MC tire.)
As far as handling it has always felt just like a bike tire to me. I usually ride that bike 2-up so there is NO hard corners in any sense of the word. But when I do ride it alone and get a good curve I have more confidence in that tire than a MC tire. And more confidence that it will carry all the weight that I put on it since it has a 25% higher load rating.
All that and it cost me less than $70. That may be the least important attribute of a CT but it's a darn good one!

Try this again......

3 of my favorite things.....My better half , pizza , and my other pink tee shirt. BB

Big Bear wrote:
Try this again......

3 of my favorite things.....My better half , pizza , and my other pink tee shirt. BB

I see her meal hasn't arrived to the table yet.

One of us has to stay health.......... BB

BigBoy
Your saying that the CT will not last longer?

I have not been back to the darkside forum for a while but that is different then everything I have read so far. I thought that was the reason for using a car tire? Better contact patch to the road and longer wear!
I'm now confused!

Got me wondering the same thing. Tire life no better? BB

Car tires have a life expectancy of 30,000-50,000 so I'm trying to understand why a motorcycle being so light would wear out a CT in 7-10,000 miles????

most of the darksiders will run 40# or so for a few hundred miles then bleed off to about 28-34# somewhere in there is the "sweet spot" some that have gotten poor wear will tell you they left the tire at 40 or so.
I like mine at 30

I almost gave 7K on mine and it looks same as new to be very serious.
Someone mention Sport bike? Not typically Darkside application but have a look at this one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYhkCA_JwJM
I am 110% satisfied with my Tire. (Comtrac) I am also kinda ticked that I listened to people who have not run a car tire and waited so long to go to one. (1 year) I deeply regret not going to the Darkside about 2K miles before the Org. Equipment tire wore out.

When talking Darkside listen to the people who run them. Yes it is a bit different handling you get used to it quickly. It's not for Joe Average Biker. If you pile miles on and have lots of experience, I guarantee you will love the Darkside. If you ride to the Bars on weekends, don't get one, Although the car tire will sorta keep you upright better than a MC tire

We have talked about all the advantages already, It's not for Joe Average.

BB I was in the dealer last week and we were discussing Strato's they said a TON of Strats go Darksdie because the eat tires even quicker than a Roadstar. I have also read that on the Darkside forum even though my focus was on Road Stars.

Nice Video, I like watching them, I'd make one if I new how they secure that camera. I'd do one in the snow!

Edit: Now someone mention it wearing out faster. Not possible, never reported that a CT did not outlast a MC tire by at least 2 times and normally 3 to 4 times longer and even 5!

On the softness of the rubber, here are some numbers from DS forum. The difference is not that much, CT is a lot stickier though but is rated for a LOT more weight than any MC tire so a lot less wear when on a comparably light MC. I'm not just saying a CT is softer, I'm giving you the numbers and you can see they are not that much softer.


A Durometer measures the softness of tire rubber, the softer the tire the lower the number.

Durometer Readings: (all readings taken on same meter)

BFG Touring TA 67 Goodyear Triple Tread 69

General Altimax HP 61 General Exclaim 63

Nexan 2000 68 Continental Conti Pro Contac 64

Dunlop Sport 5000 62 Bridgestone Potenza EL400 61

Firestone F560 68 FuzonZRI 67

General Diamonback 66 Riken Raptor 60

Falken Ziexx 512 60

99% of all OEM rear tires were 69-72

Stop the Scuttlebut by spreading the truth!
Darksider Number 285!

Haven't seen the video yet but thought it might be a good thing to throw in my two cents since I was an engineer for 20 years. The next time you have a chance look closely at your MT and note how thick the side wall is and how the tread rolls up the side to almost a 45 degree angle and is a radius. Now note that a CT's tread ends almost totally at the bottom edge and square and the walls are much thinner and more flexable. The reason for this is the CT is designed to flex at the wall as the tread grips the pavment on a turn because of the "four tires gripping on the flat tread and being for all practical purposes still straight up( reason the bike stops better "straight up"with a rear CT) the MT is round to allow it to have more tread when leaning into a turn which is the only way a MC will negotiate a turn.If you are turning and leaning on a CT you are partially on the slick but relatively weak and flexable wall. Ever see what happens to a CT if it is low pressured, the wall fails. Now the side wall on your MT is as strong and unflexable as the bottom at about halfway up, reason, for turning. As for a car tire being rated higher thats bacause it never uses its side wall to ride on, if you do, then watch racing cars and see what happens. Motorcycle companies are held liable for all manner of problems that can happen on a motorcycle. Ask yourself do they recommend CT's for thier bikes. After reading all the replies on this thread I failed to see any put downs just plain common since about safety first.