30k miles on darkside...how many more?

[windsurfdog]

I can't help but notice the difference in looks between the Altimax and the Hankook. The Altimax seems so much squarer in the shoulders of the tire compared to my Hankook.

Yeah, I see what you mean. I'll be interested to see yours progress through the miles.

I think you will enjoy that tire for a loooong time.

[Dudester]

Yeah, I see what you mean. I'll be interested to see yours progress through the miles.

I think you will enjoy that tire for a loooong time.

Well, so far so good, I'm really enjoying it. Time will tell how long she'll last, but I'm pretty confident she'll do well....we'll see.

[HELLMAN]

Go figure, Darkside website says the opposite, meaning, running at 40+psi's will shorten the life of a rear car tire on a bike.
According to your testimony, it's quite obvious the that it simply isn't true, unless the Altimax is the only exception.
I am running anywhere between 30 and 34psi in my car tire, (depending on road conditions and temperatures and 2 up riding) simply because that's where I feel my Hankook Optimo performs the best for me and my taste. I can't help but notice the difference in looks between the Altimax and the Hankook. The Altimax seems so much squarer in the shoulders of the tire compared to my Hankook.
I only have about 4000 miles on my car tire so far, and she is showing no signs of premature wear so far, (as it shouldn't) so I'm really looking forward to seeing how my tire will look at 40,000 miles. If it's anything like the Altimax I'll be very happy. If not, I'll still buy another Hankook because I'm use to it now, and I don't feel like experimenting or fine tuning another brand. I'll simply stick with what works for me and what I'm comfortable with right now.

I sure like the looks of that optimo. Kind of rounded on the edges it looks like to me. I looked at them on line and there are many optimo tires, can you tell me the specifics of your tire ( Optimo what?) Tire size also if you will, and what is the bike it is on. Thanks Dale.

[ricksza]

I sure like the looks of that optimo. Kind of rounded on the edges it looks like to me. I looked at them on line and there are many optimo tires, can you tell me the specifics of your tire ( Optimo what?) Tire size also if you will, and what is the bike it is on. Thanks Dale.

Check his signature: 2003 Vulcan Classic 1500 195/60/16 Hankook Optimo H426 Darksider

[HELLMAN]

Check his signature: 2003 Vulcan Classic 1500 195/60/16 Hankook Optimo H426 Darksider

Thanks ricksza

[Rubbe]

Over 5k on my S-drive now, and still hardly no wear at all.
(Also went DS in front, minimal signs of wear there too)

[Vulkin']

Its not the round corners that make a good DS tire. It appears that there is this sweet spot somewhere between sidewalls that are stiff enough yet flexible enough. Under action in a curve your rear tire will deform greatly at the road surface. The more easily this can occure the better the tire rides. Thus with too stiff a sidewall (or too high a pressure - stay in the lower thirties), you end up haveing a strong sensation of coing up on the tires corner in turns. Conversly too soft a tire from either sidewall weakness or under inflation and you start feeling mushy and not as stable as you should be in corners.

If you can fit a commonly used (by DSers) CT you have better odds of a great ride just from these having been "tested" more. Not to say that some unusual ones don't work out fine sometimes you just are forced to do your own guinea pigging.

I think I remember the tire in question showing up quite a bit on the DS forum so its likely a good candidate.

The PSIs are very important with any DS tire - Low 30's is the target.