My first tale from the Dark Side, Going Dark Side on a Yamaha VMAX 1700

So I did it, trying Darkside after watching FortNine's video located here: • Are Motorcycle Tires a...
So I'm running a 215 45 ZR18 BF Goodrich G-Force Sport Comp-2 performance CAR tire on my Gen 2 Yamaha Vmax 1700. Accompanied by a 120 70 ZR18 Michelin Pilot Road 4GT in the front.
I'm not trying to convince anyone what they should or should not do but as I have been told, the mind; like a parachute works best when open.
As for the VMAX and the tire, hook up is incredible now... Straight line performance is all there. And... Surprisingly it handles very well in the turns, so well I forget I'm running a car ZR radial.
Come to your own conclusions. Enjoy the video or don't!
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[@AmenMoto]

You never know if you don’t try.

[@Jedz123]

Amen!

[@huzar777kosy3]

Am in Shinzo now 4 k still looks god

[@dominicsangi7606]

How bout hammering it in 1st and power shifting 2nd? Any spin? We need that on the cam.

[@chuckbrodd]

That was my favorite tire and it was the same size. It was the stickiest tire I ever rode on. I've been Darkside since 2010 on VTX 1800s. I run the BFG All-Season now because I ride all year. Definitely a good tire.

[@kkapalle]

what bad quality tire you are using, you must take 280 / 35 x 18 Metzler, and this last for 10 - 20.000 KM, this Goodrich is terrible !!!

[@sz-ridesroadszrr7970]

That's my favourite motorcycle Only few having that in the Philippines.

[@MrLightning54]

I put a car tire on my 2016 Triumph Rocket 3, and it was fine and much, much cheaper. I wouldn't recommend it for a beginner rider, but I also wouldn't recommend these types of powerhouse bikes for a beginner rider either. If I owned another Rocket 3, or a gen 2 V-max, I would not hesitate to do it again, just know it will handle differently.

[@sstressfl]

You are a honey badger! I have a friend who dark sides across the country. He even tows a trailer! I bet that tire will last many many miles. Ride on broheim!! Fun video 💪😎

[@Busa-power]

I love the dark side👍👍👍👌✌🏻

[@jimwortham8634]

Thanks so much for posting one of the best dark side I have seen bottom line whether you go dark side or not let it be known we as cycles are being ripped off by MC car companies mega high prices no miles I can see why so many people are in process of going dark side soon as I can find someone to install I'm going to give it a try great video

[@carlmunkwitz4689]

I tried it for 30.000 miles on my GL1500 Goldwing - I took it off for only two reasons -- 1) I felt a little 'push' in the corners (think Nascar) and 2) I felt the tire wanted to stand up rather than stay down in a curve (due to the flatter profile I think) which caused me to continually adjust (steer) through a corner. It DOES work - it is DIFFERENT - Everyone has to make the choice for themselves.

[@Jedz123]

In a Perfect world Michelin would make a tire that fits my bike (Road series). I had to give it a whirl... I like it. It's as good as the Shinko before it. I have noticed some oddness but once held to the line (with some muscle) it hold really true. Traction is much better, especially in 1st and 2nd (gone is the random rear wheel spin). I made sure to get a soft compound tire for I'd rather have the stick from the slick than a super hard economy tire... If it out lasts 2K miles I'll be happy, especially for the price. Carl what are you running now on the Wing?

[@carlmunkwitz4689]

@@Jedz123 I Am now running on my GL1800 Goldwing (bigger cc's) the Bridgestone Excedra G704 rear tire. I have tried the Avon Cobra's for the bike as well and I like them too but the front tire cupped early on that set - The Bridgestone is a good compromise between price (affordability) and performance. I wear out 1 set per year (about 8500 to 10K miles) but they are cheap enough to replace each spring and I am riding on fresh rubber almost all the time (lovely). -- The Dunlop E III's are on my sons GL1800 and he likes them as well and you KNOW he can be aggressive for a Goldwing ... I am not going darkside on the 1800 although many do and say it works fine - I just like the feel of the Moto tire better for me - and I am fortunate to be able to afford a new set each year so some of the cost factor (savings) is a non-factor for me - thankfully. PS: the best tires I ever ran on the GL1500 were Michelin Pilot GTs specific for the Wing - I burned up 4 sets of those over the years - And I run the Michelin Commander II's on my Suzuki GS850GL so I am a Michelin fan -- but no love for the Goldwing :(

[@Jedz123]

@@carlmunkwitz4689 thanks so much for sharing your input! I wish there was more options for the VMAX, 200 50 18 is the stock size and you can't go much wider in that swing arm unless you want to go heavy into modification spending. Also going the other way (smaller bias tires) is going to come at the cost of the already hard to find traction and handling... I'll run this BF Goodrich for a good amount of time. As you can read with some other comments that these bikes have a real appetite for rear rubber. If this thing lasts 10K miles Great! If it lasts longer I would be surprised. Best,

[@flashgordon6238]

I have a 97 Vmax naked streetfighter/Mad Max style and a 2012 VMAX with a 240 rear. Been thinking of going Darkside for several years, the sticking point is getting them installed....I have a nice 15 inch tire for the 97 when the Shinko 180 wears out... I thought FortNine chose the wrong car tire to test. There were much better choices that would have worked. I'm guessing you have mount the car tires yourself? Not sure if any shop would do that, unless you tell them you are taking it to the drag strip.

[@Jedz123]

I do all my own work. I know my state only looks for DOT print on the tire. If it's legal for the road they let it go. I noticed in colder weather the VMAX would over whelm the car tire, especially in turns, after a few unwanted fishtails I decided to go back to the motorcycle tire.

[@klausschmied7144]

Huahuahua

[@shane35fowler]

​@@Jedz123 My guess would be because it's a "Summer" tire as the temps drop they get exponentially less sticky... Try and All-Season or get a second rim for winter with a MT

[@NicePantsLance]

Thats what I'm talkin bout! Just did a test ride on a darksided VTX1800 and I LOVED IT!

[@Jedz123]

It's interesting on how well it handles. Now this is a high performance (sticky) car tire however it handles just as well as the Shinko that was on it before for 1/2 the cost... Crazy town. I think it looks pretty bad ass too.

[@txmuddigger]

My first darkside was on a VTX1800f. Only downside was gravel and it wasn't bad, just noticable. I went from 8k tire life to 22k. Sold the bike at 50k with it's 2nd car tire still on it.

[@Uts9000]

i did find my VTX 1800 would follow the grooves in the fwy and does not want to stay in a turn. Otherwise.....why not?

[@gregwhite455]

WHAT? You put a car tire on a motorbike and it didn't explode? Unbelievable!

[@Jedz123]

Crazy... Haven't seen a plague of locust yet, think we are going to be ok. Ha!

[@blacktop007]

I had a car tire on my boss hoss and had no problem , just turn a little sooner

[@junior301979]

Been thinking of going darkside I've gone through three tires in 2 years this video is a great show of dark side thank you

[@wolf-mz4ki]

How about stopping this bs music

[@samueljeppsen9785]

Love the vid. I use a 215/60/17 on my Yamaha Stratoliner. I found using a very round faced front tire, IE: the Dunlop American Elite, corrects any poor car tire handling issues. It feels like a MT is on both ends. I think the round faced tire puts the bike into a lean before the rear tire can try to stand it up. I don't even notice I I'm on a CT.

[@careydavis2553]

I run the same tire on front of my Vulcan 2000 along with a 205 65 16 CT on back. My experience is in line with yours - I don't feel any "strangeness" in corners or transitions, but the traction & treadlife are huge improvements!

[@raygifford872]

I've been researching Dark Side for my Grand America and I'm sold. I saw a Dark Side on an original version Vmax at Daytona a couple of weeks ago. The tire had some miles on it and looked perfect. I was going to do it on my VTX1800C because the Shinkos would be done in 2000 miles, but I replaced the bike. Looking forward to getting 20k+ miles out of a rear tire!

[@paulkmaster3231]

Outstanding video. So tired of high torque bikes that I love that wear out rear tires fast like real fast!!!. This might be the solution. Please let us know how long they last. I have a Vrod that wears out its 240 tire every 3000 miles never do burnouts ever but still they wear out that fast. I had an m109r that was the worst wearer of rear tires had one tire last only 1800 miles. I’m thinking about purchasing a Vmax 1700 as a replacement for the Vrod muscle. Great video

[@eddelp6807]

Standing back up, Has to be weird as to pull physics.

[@hankweultjes2739]

Bought new tires for my star raider 8,000 kilometers ago. Front bike tire showing a bit of wear but my rear car tire looks like new. Have the same size tire you have. Has it's little quirks but i love it. Done twisties in British Columbia and rubbed the floor boards with no traction issues. Not for new riders to try.

[@eddelp6807]

Don't care straight liner only those things handle well, not on that backyard.

[@WireMilitia]

Why did you switch back to a MC tire? Have a video about the decision?

[@bobrobi4328]

What tire pressure were you running

[@roy-sr5ct]

So no more wheel spin in warm weather?

[@christopherlanger3159]

I'm thinking about going snowtire darkside instead of buying a timbersled kit and just putting a snowmobile ski on the front

[@christopherlanger3159]

That way it's a softer rubber, for even during the summer

[@christopherlanger3159]

Also I can't find a normal tire for my bike either

[@LazyHorse_]

So the purpose is? And dark side meaning what exactly? Are you doing hole shots? Didn’t see an example of that, or any inclination. If you’re implying only to save $$ and get more miles out of the tire I don’t understand the urge. Please explain. I hope you have better reason than just wanting to dark side. Sounds childish. Not hating. I want to believe there’s more.

[@R3N1R3N]

Triumph t-shirt on a Yamaha?.. NOOOOOO! 😁👍

[@eddiebenzz]

It’s RICE 🍚 or Kraut ! 🤣🤣🤣

[@preachjohn1]

@@eddiebenzz But, but Triumph is/was Limey. lol

[@bobvedder2451]

I will go darkside on my Kawasaki 1600 Nomad . it has a DMC sidecar and doesnt lean. The problem is that i cant get a dealer or tire shop to mount it for me. I will have to do it manually- bummer.

[@Broken_Arrow58]

Mr. Max. Rode a 2001 but never got the chance to go Dark Side before selling it because I became annoyed with having to fill the tank so often. It was glass-smooth, handled surprisingly well and always drew stares even from H-D riders. Appreciate your motorcycle channel is not another one full of garage queens. You're on the edge.

[@slowsteve3497]

Where in Vermont do you live? I went to UVM about 30 years ago.

[@Jedz123]

Nice! I live in a small town in Rutland County in the Mountains.

[@mr.hoonigan4313]

@@Jedz123 rutland is big city compared to eden, Newport, lowell....

[@bradhartis1929]

How does it hook, out of the hole, like in a drag race?

[@JenniferSmith-yl6lr]

LoL that is funny. Thanks for the video. Interesting idea, looks weird though and I am pretty sure it handles "different" around corners. It might sit lower as well so leaning angle might be less. If police would not shoot us for "wrong" tyres I would test it just for fun Thumbs up. VMax rules.

[@1955Paawpabear]

I have been riding double dark on my Honda ST1300 for a year and from my perspective, the handling especially in the corners is no different from running a motorcycle tire. Like Jedz said, if you didn't know there was a car tire back there, you wouldn't notice a difference.

[@eddelp6807]

I hope you're okay, brother.

[@mr.hoonigan4313]

We in vt as well. Where you out of?

[@LazyHorse_]

I liked it anyway

[@eddelp6807]

Nice video, bro.

[@huzar777kosy3]

What psi u run

[@Jedz123]

Currently back to a ShinKo 011 and that is at 41PSI

[@huzar777kosy3]

Am in shinko now 4 k still looks ok

[@Jedz123]

@@huzar777kosy3 I've been pretty impressed with the new Shinko Input on, coming up to about the same I think it will be kicked by 6K miles or so. I'll be trying some Dunlop Elite 2's next go around. Stay tuned! Enjoy the ride and be safe!

[@eddanecki6177]

@@Jedz123 Ah, I see you ran that Goodrich 2-months. * How many miles did you put on the Goodrich before switching back to the Shinko Verge 011? * How well (or ugly) did the Goodrich shoulders wear? * Did you have any unexpected scary moments during the 2-months you ran the Goodrich tire? If yes, elaborate. Thanks😎

[@angusmcpherson]

@@eddanecki6177 i read that he fishtailed a few time in the turns during the cold weather and went back to regular mc tire

[@huzar777kosy3]

R u drive through the rain?

[@Jedz123]

I ride daily, Rain or shine and even snow at times! But Yes ride in the rain, I am back on the Shinko 011 though. Thanks,

[@huzar777kosy3]

Sup bro I forgot to ask u what web u purchase fuel tank thanks

[@iamtheoffenderofall]

@@Jedz123 Why are you back on the Shinko? What was your mileage on the dark side?

[@blakebiggs1065]

I see the Dark Side experiment was short-lived and the bike returned to motorcycle tires. Other than cost (and the requisite frequency of motorcycle tire changes) there’s no positive reason to go Dark Side. It’s strictly an economic decision for dollar savings and convenience. But now you’re back to mc tires, so this video could actually come down.

[@ihatetires2738]

I'm gonna try it after this Metzler is done. 2nd one this year and it's only July :/

[@Jedz123]

Why I hesitated on getting the ME888 I heard tire life isn't great for what you spend. I do have a new Shinko in stock, just in case I didn't like this G-Force Sport Comp2. Thanks for the comment!

[@ihatetires2738]

@@Jedz123 Hey man im back, still rocking metzlers and crying every time I need a new one. I have two rear wheels now and am thinking about setting up darkside for drag only. I read about your experience in the Vmax forum but I want your honest opinion here. Would you consider the tire you used in this video for drag purposes? Is it worth it as a dedicated drag tire?

[@Jedz123]

@@ihatetires2738 yeah the Sport Comp2 is great especially heated up. I bet you would have good hook up if you pre heated it on a drag run. Never dragged with it though. I would not use a all weather tire or anything like that.

[@ihatetires2738]

@@Jedz123 ill have to give it a shot! Any tips for mounting one of these things?

[@Jedz123]

@@ihatetires2738 use the deep center part of the rim to mounts as car tires are stiffer in general to mount. I hand mount with just irons and balance with a bubble balancer. It's easy once you've gotten the technique down. Some MC shops won't mount it but just say it's for a side car outfit if they give you any grief.

[@willyd4850]

Like your channel, but car tire = hell no!! Be careful man.

[@Jedz123]

Didn't last long! Back to a MC tire 😁 thanks!

[@willyd4850]

@@Jedz123 cool man! Just glad you're okay because really diggin the content of your channel. Gonna get a 1st gen Fz1 thanks to your video. Thank you!!