Everyone that I’ve ever met that went to the dark side, never went back. That tells me everything I need to hear.

This is one of the best Darkside videos I have seen. I switched to darkside a few years ago on my yamaha vstar. I did my research and prob looked around at the info that was available for well over 6 minths before I did it. Best decision I had made. What gets me going are the Naysayers with Zero experience of riding Darkside. Thank you for this well put together video.

Well, I've been runnging "Darkside" for years and years. I guess I must have survived it because, I'm here typing!!! As normal, different riders will convey different experiences with C/T's. First off, I have never ran a *Run-flat* C/T. Mine have all been normal C/T's. Guess what, STILL NOT DEAD YET! Run what you like and think is appropriate, it's your bike. As for getting used to a C/T, well, it took me about a city block to get used to it. I feel no rise in bike height as I hit corners. No wanting of the bike to straighten itself out after a corner due to the potential desire for the bike to go back to riding on the flat part of the tire, nope, not happening. I ride, I corner, I accelerate, I decelerate, I brake, I ride two up, I ride single, I carry things, I tow a trailer, and all the combinations above, STILL HERE! Your choice here. SR

I am new to the Darkside. We have gl1800. I put a Toyo 195/55r16 on the rear and a Battlax bt46 on the front. Was able to mount both tires my self using the zip tie method. The Toyo Extensa hp2 was easier to put on than any motorcycle tire I have done. It sealed first try with no leaks. The reason that I decided to go darkside was the fact my wife has had back surgery. The harsh jolting ride from the motorcycle tires was a real problem for her. Double dark siding has really improved the ride comfort for both of us. The ride is plush yet the bike handles just fine.

My Dad got a WWII surplus Harley in 1946/47...he ran car tires front and back: that was all anyone could get! Later in life he ran a car tire on his, yes, Bergman 650! I have one on my GL1500. They seem more stable in gravel also. Good summation!

Interesting Scott. Your attitude toward the darkside mirrors mine almost exactly. A few years ago I would have never considered it. I went dark about a year ago and it's great. Good video!

I ha 26000+ miles on my darkside tire, on my goldwing. Need a new one and won’t go back… much safer in the rain than a bike tire wow what a difference.. got ran off the road in New York with a 400 pound trailer behind me that I was pulling. And the bike stopped before I hit the guard rail in the rain. Could not believe the tires did not lock up

Best treatment I've ever seen on this topic - comes across as well-informed, balanced and objective! Too bad I just bought a proper MC tire set or I'd give this a try right now.

this is the best video ive seen on the subject, bottom line motorcycle tires are a huge ripoff price wise

Great video review on this subject! I decided to try it 2 years ago with a General Altimax R43 and on day one I was grinning from ear to ear. I will never go back after thousands of safe miles in dry or wet. The contact patch as you pointed out is so much greater and it instills a level of confidence I never experienced with a motorcycle tire. “Search your feelings Luke, the Power of the Darkside is strong!” 😂

Thank you for your video on this topic. It was very informative; with facts, not just opinions. I have been a member of Goldwingdocs since 2011 and have gotten very valuable information from you and other contributors over the years. I just realized you are now on KZfaq as well. I will subscribe. I also hope to be able to meet you at one of your annual gatherings some day. Thanks

Good video. Thanks. Most of your comments reflect mine. I just do not notice any problem except when going 5 miles an hour on a rough parking lot or backing up over rough terrain. Thanks again for the video.

Great perspective. Having been a darksider for more than 10 years it’s refreshing to see someone actually rationally discuss darksiding. I pretty much ignore the naysayers. Thank you. My philosophy is simple - My damn bike; My damn decision.

I’ve said, I’ll never ever do this. Last week I bought a 2002 goldwing with car tire on it. I rode it cause it was already there. I am impressed. It rides the same, handles the same, corners the same. For now, I’m gonna run this tire till time to change it. At that time I’ll make my decision. But I’m leaning to staying darkside.

Thanks Scott, very balanced review. I am in my first year on a GL1200 1986 Aspencade and will definitely look yo go dark when I do a rear tyre swop.

Ok now you have convinced me. I'm gonna do it when I change out the cycle tire I put on there. Next spring. Thank you for this info. Great to know.

This was a great video. Especially when you showed actual tire function in curves. I am contemplating darkside for my 21 Gwing. This definitely put my mind at ease

I bought a R1200RT with a car tire with a much less rounded shape than these shown in your video, and it worked amazingly well in spite of the square shoulders. It made me a believer too. Great video. Thanks.

Best and most informative video I have seen. Thank you!

Thanks for your time and info, ride both 1800 goldwing and Harley electra, been riding for 56 yrs. I tow trailer also and have been sitting on the sideline for years on this issue. Most of my riding is mountain curving road and then highways for travel. I now think the Kumo would work well for my riding. Just need to find someone around Coeur d alene, Id. that will change the tire. Thanks again!

Thank you for an objective review on the Darkside issue. I ran a 205/70 15" on my old Shadow and that is the same size I plan to use on my 1300 VTX. There are several different brands that riders are using with very good results.

WingAdmin, I agree 100% about what you said regarding Darksiders. They are quick to tell you you’re wrong and here’s why…all I’ve ever tried to say on the forums is “says a lot about the engineering of car tires, eh?” and that somehow means I’m against the idea. I’m not. I had an Austone. But I’ve given up, the double swing arm is just too tight to allow anything in. I’ll never own a GL1800 but I have a Rune and those are MC tires. So it was fun while it lasted. As always, informative and entertaining!

Definitely the most informative and rational video I have seen on Darksiding. I've logged well over 300,000 miles on 4 different GL1800's. The Pro's outweigh the con's probably 100 to 1. I won't ever go back. Thanks for the video.

Great job, as always, we have been double darkside for almost 8 years on 2 99 Wings and would never go back! Thanks Scott!

I concur with his findings. I researched for 3 months before going dark and found the exact same thing as he did all the way down to insurance coverage. I didn't have snow to ride through but I used water and cones to measure my contact patch findings. As far as the difference in the corners I think a RF tire does maybe lift some on the edge but a use a NRF and do not get that feeling. Riding off or on a curb slowly you will get more of a push to the low side but you will get used to that quickly. A good friend of mine who was totally against me getting a ct rode my bike and when I asked him how it felt, he looked bewildered and said he never could tell the difference. As for my riding style and experience I do lock and lean riding, love rubbin a peg in the twisties and also tour,ing. I usually ride mostly 1 up. As I said I use a NRF tire, a Yokohoma Avid Ascend 195/60/16 at 32/34psi. Wear is nice and even all the way across. My last tire I had 42,000 miles on with tread left. Total miles in the darkside is approx 200,000 miles with zero problems. I have used beads to balance but currently use Ride On to balance and help stop leaks like with a nail or something. If you can see my profile pic, this is me at Cottonwood Pass in Colorado in 2019 and my tire had some 35,000 miles on it at that time. I'm not saying you have to buy a ct to run but I say to each their own and YOU make your own decision. Don't let someone who has never even tried one for any amount of time dictate to you what you should do. I personally got a second rim, put a ct on it and did my side by side tests and decided to go for it. I have never looked back and will never go back to a mt. Ride often and safe my friends!!

Nice video I recently went Darkside on my vn1700 first tyre 195/65/16 I went a bit taller for extra height and within a few hours of riding I was back to scraping my floor boards I've now just replaced it with a 205/60/16 as I wasn't sure if I could go 65 All I can say is I'm so glad I tried it as I have no dramas with it at all and actually get alot more grip on all road conditions Biggest thing I've seen online is if it doesn't feel comfortable is adjust the air pressure a few psi to get the sweet spot

Excellent review, thank you.

Im going to the darkside tomorrow on my GL1800. My friend has been doing it for years now and is happy with its performance. Im going with the Hankook Optima H426B 195/55R16 RSF run flat. Thanks for the video, well done.

Thanks for the video. Very good presentation. I rode a Suzuki burgman 659 and went to the dark side. Got a lot of negative comments. But never changed the rear tire for 4 years. Now I’m on a 1800gl next rear tire will be dark.

I'm glad I saw this video. I have an 1800 that needs tires. I bought it used and have already put a good 10,000 miles on the tires it came with. I'm also getting a little pull trailer. Sounds like going to the other tire is going to be a win/win. Seeing your riding video clinches it. I had wondered about cornering, but I can see there is plenty of tread on the ground. Thanks!

Nicely done. Made me decide to go for it !

Really good discussion, thanks

Great , I really appreciate the info . Answered questions I have had a long time. I used to be of the belief a car tire is made for a car period! If the feeling when cornering is to overwhelming I can see where it would be hard to make the change. Thanks again for your points on this often asked question. Big D Brownfield, Tx.

always nice to view your comment. thank you for your time and good work.

Awesome video Awesome info Ivbeen dark side for over 5 years and love it..... I need this video to send to my friends that are look for info about. Good job tks

Thanks a lot for sharing the experience. Much appreciated ❤👍

Thanks for the info !!great video too !!

I'm at 1400 miles on my 1st car tire. Took a little times to get used to it. I love it and staying on the darkside

Just found your KZfaq channel. You are a great teacher. I have learned so much. Please keep it up.

Very nicely done. Great information .

Really good video. I will have to try this !

Best request I’ve ever heard. Thanks.

I run a Dunlop SP WinterSport 3D runflat 175/60R16 on the rear of my GL1800. Does a great job and very little difference in feel when cornering than the traditional MC tire. And I ride fairly aggressive. Oh, and good video.

Great video. I ride a Honda Valkyrie interstate (5 speed) to reduce 400 RPM at 75mph - installed a Firestone 195 75 r16.

Lots of excellent info! New rider and have always thought the Goldwing looked like the full package, going with my gut on this one.

Well done video. Thanks for the information.

That was very interesting, and I was just told about this today from a friend that has had a few Goldwings. I may try it myself.

Great info!

Thanks to your video im going to try it next time I have to change my rear tire....

Thank you. I just bought a 1984 Goldwing 1200I. I'm going to be doing fabrication to a bolt on trike kit to install on her, after cleaning and maintenance. It will be the only way my wife will ride with me again and we aren't young like we were 15 years ago. I will investigate this more. Thank you again from East Tennessee.

Im one of those anti darkside riders, but also believe in freedom of choice. My only argument was with cornering due to tire design, but you have me rethinking my position, especially in the wet. I would never go dark side on my lighter bikes, but I recently aquired a 2004 Goldwing and may try it out. Thanks.

Great discussion on the topic! I'm not going to dark side my Wing, but I know MANY MANY riders who have, and they love it. It's just personal preference for me. I've read the technical reasons for not doing it, and that's all well and good, but at the end of the day, it's up to the owner. Regardless of what people do with tires (or oil), please ride safely!!

thanks for the good informative vid. just doing some final research before I darkside my Electra Glide. I'm doing it largely because I pull a fairly large trailer and my rear tire milage is poor as a result. I'm not concerned about doing it from any aspect at all. I'm looking forward to it a lot and I'm actually dropping my wheel diameter by 1 inch which will shorten my gearing just a bit which I want to do as well. once again ...thanks for the well done and informative video

Very interesting. I had never heard of this ‘dark side’ of which you speak..(nod to Master Yoda😂). Very well presented for the pros and cons in a clear and easy to understand format. Great stuff, keep it up. I’m a gl1100 owner by the way, so I’m loving the content. Subscribed and liked. 👍

As someone who HAS tried darksiding/has experience with it, I'll NEVER EVER EVER do it again!!! Why,?.....well, it almost cost me my life, that's why!!!! In 2011 I Installed a freaking car tire on the back of my 2010 GL1800 (a Yokohama AVID ENVigor) and had about 1000 miles on it so it was well broke in. Traveled up to my old stomping grounds from a year back, up in northern Minnesota to do some nice summertime riding one weekend and got on a 5 miles stretch of twistys that I was very familiar with from when I used to live in the area a year prior. Everything was fine until halfway through one of the twistys going 55 mph (cruise control set) like I had always done previously, when all of a sudden the ass end of my bike went out from under me and I slid and crashed into a guard rail. I'd taken that exact same curve, oh god, at least 200 times previously and at always 55mph, and also on that same bike with never a problem, but had always had actual MC tires on it. Reason for the crash was 100% because of that stupid ct on my bike, that squared off edge of the car tire bit me and bit me hard!!!. After crashing and getting up and dusting myself off, checking out my cuts & scrapes and then calling authorities, I started trying to asses what the heck had just happened and noticed a beautiful 40 ft or so long black curving rubber mark on the pavement where my back CAR TIRE had lost traction and slid out. Nope, pavement was dry, was an 80 degree day and there was no oil or tar snakes on that stretch of curve at all. Anyway, I ended up with only cuts, scrapes and bruises out of the ordeal but my one year old 2010 Goldwing that I still owed a bunch of money on was a total loss after sliding and then hitting the guard rail. To make matters worse, when the insurance adjuster (from Progressive Ins) checked out the bike, he immediately noticed the CAR TIRE on the bike and instantly denied my claim. So there has been documented cases where Ins has denied claims, and I'm not the only one this has happened to!! I ended up going to court against the insurance company and lost my case because as the rep from progressive stated to the judge, I had a tire that was made for a car or light truck/suv ONLY, not a motorcycle, and has the totally wrong bead profile that doesn't match or seat up properly on a motorcycles rim profile. Being "D.O.T. approved or not doesn't mean diddle squat when the case is argued infront of a judge, I tried that argument to no avail.. That darkside experience ended up costing me $17,000. But to each their own, if you wanna darkside that's fine, it's your life. I guess maybe after my mishap darksiding, I realized that I actually value my life a little more than I thought I did. Plus, god forbid, if you ever wreck your bike, whether or not the tire had anything at all to do with why you wrecked, and the ins adjuster sees a car tire on your bike, you're f&^%$ked!!

Imagine being so cheap that you think it’s a good idea to put the wrong tires on your bike just to save a couple hundred bucks over the course of a few years. How incredibly stupid.

I actually just came upon this idea as my '12 wing (gifted to me by my pops) needs new tires. Long story short, I asked my long term Honda dealer service manager if he "promoted the darkside" He said no but he would be more than happy to mount a CT on my bike.........just don't expect him to test ride it. He went throgh the same speal that this video started with. Watching this and reading all your comments is sending me there. Thank you all!

Thank you for using real world personal experience to debunk the dark side. I don't take long trip on my bikes otherwise I would do exactly what you've done on my GL1000, GL1100 and GL1500.

BTW, I ride an 06 Yamaha Stratoliner. I shared you video on our Yamaha stratoliner forum. For info, I run a Yokohama Avid Touring S, 215/60/17. With the factory Bridgestone front tire, the rear CT bossed the front tire. Imput into the bars had to be made throughout the turns/curves. I went to a Dunlop American Elite tire up front and it totally changed my handling. It bosses the rear tire. It feels like it did before. Like there is a MT front and rear. The American Elite is a much rounder tire than the Bridgestone. I think what's happening is the rounder American Elite tire leans the bike, before the rear tire can stand it back up. I love it. And it rides that way one-up or two-up. Best air pressure is 38lbs front and rear. My two Harleys have MT's. Their rims are too skinny for a CT. I'll never go back to a MT on my Stratoliner.

Got my Car tire this spring in the Florida keys, needed a tire . Mine had 8k on it and had cords hanging out. Found a man willing to sell me a car tire he had bought for his bike and hadn’t put it on yet. We got it on my bike went on down to the end of the keys . Stopped back at his shop and thanked him again. Now I live in the upper peninsula of Michigan rode all over the lower states back home with over 8k on this tire still looks new, rode the dragon and the Cherohala Skyway with no problems. As long as I own a wing I will have car tire on it ! You make up your own mind but I’m staying with a car tire . Smoother and lower thanks again Scorpio and Titan, ride long stay strong 👍🦦

I darksided a Bergman 400 and an FJR1300. Have you ever seen someone scrape pegs on a FJR? I scraped pegs with a car tire. The tire I put on my FJR was a high performance zzr rated for 20,000 miles. I put 40,000 on it and it looks like it was never used. The absolute greatest reason to darkside a bike? The tire lasts 60000 miles vs 5000 miles.

Definitely Great to know

I am 100% convinced this is the way to go. Looks fantastic. The only downside that I can conceive is fuel mileage might be effected due to more friction. A trade off that in my eyes that is well worth the advantages. I am about the be the owner of a 2000 Valkyrie, this will be one of my first mods. Nice video as with the others I have seen from this channel. My only complaint with this channel is he needs to be wearing a hat. I’m bald and seeing a perfect head of hair like that is distracting me. 😅😂 Cool channel

Great information

Great information thanks I a VStrom rider and I haul Everything! I need on my bike was looking for the whys and why nots. Well I see no reason to not Thank

Double darkened and loving it! Bitter grip in the wet and way better grip on gravel roads my brigstones were done at 13,000 miles 7,000 on the car tire still looks new and cost $86 dollars at Walmart.

Great video👍

Very illuminating

The Clymer repair manual for the GL1000/1100 recommends using a car tire with sidecar and a springer front end, but good luck finding one of those.

I think I'm around 90k Double Darkside. Never even a flat. I just got off a bike known bit to do well Darkside. And going back into one. I CANT WAIT!

I had thought about going to the dark side on my 1993 GL1500 with a Champion Sidecar. It Doesn't lean that much and I put a lot of miles on my bike in a year. My last Tire Blowout was around Christmas of 2018. Not sure what I ran over but it shredded. I was doing 70 MPH when it Blew. By the time I got to the Median my knee was on the sidecar and the engine was still running. Whew!

VERY informative, thank you! I just bought a Honda PC800 from the owner of a motorcycle shop. He dark sided the rear and swears by it. So I wanted to do a little research. THANKS

I was on my second rear car tire (2014 GL1800). I love it, the only issue is the car tire wants to follow the contour of the road, but I got used to it. Oh, and when the tire pressure drops, it makes it really hard to put the Wing on the center stand.

Going around curves seeing sketchy but like you said get used to it I like the the thought of longer lasting tire.. I own a Gl1200

Nice video. I have a 2012 GL 1800 always overloaded. Started Darksiding when I started making longer trips and a new rear bike tire would sometimes be sketchy whether it would make it home. Since then I have gone double Darkside and will never go back.

Thank you for doing this, you are smart, educated and reasonable ,, i will do it on my heavy bike because the motorcycle tire is expensive

Thanks so much for posting been debating for years have not gone dark side of yet but sure will in future we are being ripped off by MC car companies high prices no mileage especially if you have heavy bike

I went to the dark side after a couple of years of research looking for anyone who had problems with it. Could not find anyone who had an issue with a car tire. So, made the switch and love it. You didn't mention one of the main "Pros" of a car tire - run flat. A blow out with a motorcycle tire could be fatal. With a run-flat car tire, no big deal.

I find that getting the air pressure just right on my Silverwing 600SC with a dark side makes a lot of difference. Slightly less air than the motorcycle version lets it flex and it feels just fine going around corners. I think I have a slightly bigger contact patch too. Too little is squirmy and too much makes it ride on the sharp edge and feel funny when cornering. For me, 31.5 lto 32 bs is just right but took a bit of experimenting. My brother in law swears by the run flat.

I've been Darkside on my '06 Yamaha Stratoliner S for almost 4 years now. Riken Raptor 205/50/17, purchased from Tire Rack.

Today was my first time on a GL1500. Going around a wet, uphill turn, I broke the back tire loose. My eyes almost popped out of my helmet. Even with fresh tires, I am ready to try a car tire

I've thought of doing this before but always listened to the naysayers but you addressed every question or concern I had so I'm going to give it a try. I actually could use a new back tire so no better time than the present. Thanks!

I am on my second car tire. Towing a trailer across the country definitely destroys all tires but motorcycle tires weren't even lasting 5k.

just saw this video and posted on the site my positive input for car tires.

I put a car tire on my M109R Suzuki and went around Corners at 145 mph for 6 years never had an issue.

The first real motorcycle I rode on was a 1947 Harley Davidson with a tank shift, later that Summer the owner traded for a 1954 Harley Davidson 74 because it had a foot shift. I believe both of these had car tires on back. It was not uncommon at all to run car tires on back, however I think he always ran a motorcycle tire on front.

Buying a '84 goldwing tomorrow i can not wait

Yr absolutely right bro n it's also the compound beIN way softer I think we use to put them donut tires on the Kawasaki Kz,s

The way I ride my Goldwing🏍🏍🏍🏍 I put 4000 miles in the original tires and the car tire I put 30,000 miles without no problems I love it

I remember having a Harley 1944 in Argentina and the tires size was 600 x 16 same size my father Mercury car. I have tried on my Silverwing i drove from Alabama to Ushuaia and back to Buenos Aires the same size than a Mini Cooper because in Argentina Bridgestone o Metzeler or any other brans made motorcycle tires on the siza the Silverwing needed so after 35000 miles still driving on the Drk Side in South America.

Excellent👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

I would have NEVER thought to put car tires on my goldwings. I am intrigued. Will thoroughly research.

A representative from Dunlop tires went around at americade and check the air pressure of the motorcycles are especially the big gold wings that were loaded to the hilt and found that more than 50% had less air than what they were supposed to have. This aspect needs to be considered.

Good job.

Thanks, I've made up my mind to try it. Got 62K miles on my bike and been thinking about this for probably 50K of that. Like you mentioned, I'm lucky to get 10K miles on a rear tire. I change my own tires so that part is not a problem. My rear wheel is 6X17 so I'm shopping for a 205/50/17 tire. This will be interesting to see how it goes. I ride year round and can easily do 7K miles a year just back and forth to work. So I'm going to give this a shot in a few weeks. 🙂

Been thinking about darksiding for several years on various bikes. Now I’m riding a Goldwing trike and am always on the darkside.

Two older Honda Goldwings on sale at local scrap yard recent north NSW Oz , complete & probably $100 each sold quick (perhaps flood) . . brother rode one across Oz no issues

Scott. Been riding my GL 1500 SE for years. Just found some of your KZfaq

Love my Darkside GL1800

Weight of the tire and maybe improved rear brakes are my questions. I wouldn't be concerned with hydroplaning anymore then I am in the rain on MC tires. With the increased contact surface, relearning braking and emergency braking would be mandatory. After riding solo for years I finally have a Lady that doesn't want to ride her own bike and enjoys just sitting on the back. Now to top that off I am painting our trailer to haul camping gear. I've always fit mine within the load pyramid of my bikes. Yes too often bikes over loaded have been brought to me with the riders complaining about ill handling. After checking the norms; tire pressure, balance, true and shock condition I've had to explain the load was too much and aft of the rear wheel. After watching this video I'll consider buying a car tire for my 06 GL1800 that we use for our rides and touring. But I will not consider one for my V-Twin long distance bikes. Although I still average 60,000 per year on those bikes combined. My Lady and I expect 40,000 miles per year touring. The car tire should outlast my front MC tire by at least four times. Thank You for you information and video. You all are in my prayers Hoka Hey