Another darkside topic (jeesh, again?)

emsee11 · February 13, 2017, 04:36:21 PM

Hello all. Nubee here. I've had my bike ('96 Mag) for roughly 2 years. I've been on this site, YouTube, V4MB, many articles, etc. and decided to try darkside. Sooooo...Went to the Honda dealer to attempt the installation of a Nankang 165/80r15. After about a hour and various tries with, up to, 100psi, 6" of the tire would not seat. They didn't want to go any higher in pressure for reasons I can understand (bulging sidewall) so in order for me to get back home I had to buy the only tire they had in stock for my bike (Bridgestone Exedra G702). A forum on this site had the Nankang listed as a mid-level tire for the Mag. Has anyone used it? Is more psi needed to mount? Use a tube? Should I consider this tire a no go and move to something else? Just for reference, heavy amounts of silicon spray was used. Thanks all, Mike.

TLRam1 · February 13, 2017, 10:11:22 PM

In my experience, mounting car tires, more than 100 psi was required, it is somewhat un-nerving, which is why I wore a coat and face protection.

ttooee · February 13, 2017, 10:11:45 PM

I think mine is NanKang CX668. It has been a while now but I remembered that it was hard to seat this tire. I mounted myself with a little 5 gallons compressor. I don't remembered exactly the seating pressure was but it was pretty high.
I suggest seating the tire when it really hot outside like 95 degree F or higher and a lot of patience and determination.
It not the brand of the tire. It just that motorcycle rim is slightly different than a car, the sealing bead is bigger or raised higher.
I was wondering if I will be able to remove this tire myself when it time?

hootmon · February 14, 2017, 05:43:14 AM

I have run DS 3 times (2 times Nancang).. i prefer a car tire.. BUT, Here is what I learned...

YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSE TO RUN DARKSIDE ON A 15" RIM...

To answer your question it took about 115 psi to mount the tire. Yes, that is SCARY!!

The reason it takes so much pressure is there is a variation in size between a car rim and motorcycle rim on the 15" rims.
The Motorcycle rim is slightly larger than a 15" car rim.. This is why you are NOT suppose to run darkside on a 15" rim.. It takes too much pressure to mount the tire, and puts undue stress on the tire bead area while mounted..

IF I ever buy another motorcycle that does not have a 15" rear rim, I would consider darkside again.. But I won't do it again on my Magna...

Best rear tire I have found for the Magna.. Perelli Night dragon in 170.. (I've tried all the major brands)

lragan · February 14, 2017, 06:50:06 AM

I mounted mine with a loooonnng hose and a clamp on tire fitting. Placed it waaayyy down the driveway and stood at the regulator increasing the pressure until it seated. Still on the bike. About 20K miles on it, and there is little evidence of wear.

MagnaMan · February 14, 2017, 12:16:09 PM

A Honda Dealership actually tried this for you? That's what I find surprising.

I have no experience with mounting the car tires... I'm sticking to motorcycle tires were the sidewalls were made to be ridden on. But if I did Drag racing or rode straight up a lot I would consider it.

TLRam1 · February 14, 2017, 12:40:00 PM

For the record, I have no issues running another car tire.

Lawrence has a good plan, long air hose with a clamp-on air chuck.

I agree with Jesse, surprised a Honda dealer would do that for you, maybe he is out in the country.

hootmon · February 14, 2017, 09:13:38 PM

Quote from: MagnaMan on February 14, 2017, 12:16:09 PM
A Honda Dealership actually tried this for you? That's what I find surprising.

I have no experience with mounting the car tires... I'm sticking to motorcycle tires were the sidewalls were made to be ridden on. But if I did Drag racing or rode straight up a lot I would consider it.

On a car tire, you never ride on the sidewall..
Imagine for a moment a front tire on a car.. Now imagine that front tire making a sharp turn and maybe braking on top of that.. The car wants to continue straight, but the tire is redirecting the Kinetic Energy toward a different vector (I think those are correct terms) This places lateral force on the tire.
There is WAY more lateral force being placed on a tire with a car (3500 lb car vs a 550 lb bike) than a bike could ever put on a car tire.

The real issue with a car tire is a flat.. The side walls are not stiff like a Motorcycle tires, and with a large hole, you will be on the rim quickly.. A RunFlat car tire eliminates, or at least reduces, this issue, but there are no RunFlats that will fit on the back of the Magna...

Smoked U · February 14, 2017, 09:24:02 PM

I run 16" car tires on my Valks and they are fantastic.

emsee11 · February 15, 2017, 06:10:41 PM

Quote from: hootmon on February 14, 2017, 05:43:14 AM
I have run DS 3 times (2 times Nancang).. i prefer a car tire.. BUT, Here is what I learned...

YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSE TO RUN DARKSIDE ON A 15" RIM...

To answer your question it took about 115 psi to mount the tire. Yes, that is SCARY!!

The reason it takes so much pressure is there is a variation in size between a car rim and motorcycle rim on the 15" rims.
The Motorcycle rim is slightly larger than a 15" car rim.. This is why you are NOT suppose to run darkside on a 15" rim.. It takes too much pressure to mount the tire, and puts undue stress on the tire bead area while mounted..

IF I ever buy another motorcycle that does not have a 15" rear rim, I would consider darkside again.. But I won't do it again on my Magna...

Best rear tire I have found for the Magna.. Perelli Night dragon in 170.. (I've tried all the major brands)

What issues did you have after using......3? Must have been major. I mean......3?

emsee11 · February 15, 2017, 06:16:00 PM

Quote from: MagnaMan on February 14, 2017, 12:16:09 PM
A Honda Dealership actually tried this for you? That's what I find surprising.

I called 'em to find out before hand. The guy actually laughed when I said it was for a Magna. He thought I was referring to a Wing or Valk. Said he never heard of someone putting one on a Mag

lragan · February 16, 2017, 09:05:21 AM

Quote from: emsee11 on February 15, 2017, 06:16:00 PM
Quote from: MagnaMan on February 14, 2017, 12:16:09 PM
A Honda Dealership actually tried this for you? That's what I find surprising.

I called 'em to find out before hand. The guy actually laughed when I said it was for a Magna. He thought I was referring to a Wing or Valk. Said he never heard of someone putting one on a Mag

Well, he needs to be better informed!! Show him this thread...

v4intn · March 19, 2017, 01:15:04 PM

I haven't even thought about going DS on my magna, but I did on a Shadow 1100. The tire seated about 105psi and scared the hell out of the 4 or 5 people around watching

emsee11 · September 30, 2017, 01:20:10 PM

Got the Nankang mounted a few weeks ago. Went to a car tire place to have it done. It was everything y'all said it would be. The pressure was over 100 psi to mount but the guy didn't know how much since the gauge only went to 60. Almost 600 miles and I do believe I'm a darksider for life.

TLRam1 · September 30, 2017, 11:35:21 PM

Glad it is working for you.