What size darkside rear are you using?

I'm not a darksider, but I'd think these tires would be worth looking at. They have a directional tread pattern that IMHO would clear out rain much better than the non-directional tire treads do.
[*] NEW Achilles Platinum 7 155/70R13 75H TL BSW TIRES http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Achilles-Pl ... 50&vxp=mtr



This one looks similar, but not quite the same. Different vendor who includes shipping in the price. ACHILLES PLATINUM 155/70R13 ALL SEASON TIRES - 155 70 13 - 1557013 R13 http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-NEW-ACHILLES- ... bd&vxp=mtr



Here's a listing of all the 155/70-13 products on e-Bay. http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=155 ... 3213889087

Chris

I was curious about darksiding after reading these threads prior to taking my trip recently to Utah from Conn. My Perelli Diablo 150/70-13 wore out prematurely (only 12k compared to 18 -20k on the previous two same rear tires). In Vernal, UT, found a tire dealer who had a 165/65R13 generic brand (chinese) car tire that measured up to fit, and I put the 2000 miles on it to get home only, thinking it would be an emergency use only. But the tire handles reasonably well, like a motorcycle tire that already has 5 -8 k on it. this wider tread may bow out better on the rim which is sized for a 150mm width tire, and may have helped produce a crown for handling reasons. Anyway, the tire is only a fraction of an inch larger in diameter over the stock tire, reducing rpm by approx. 500 which helped to calm the machine at speed, possibly improving gas mileage, but not yet sure. The tire handles well enough, a first for me darksiding in 30 years of riding motorcycles and scooters. I just may have been weened of needing a special ordered tire at an inconvienent moment, when shops usually don't keep the oem tire on the shelf.

Tony I bought mine from Classics Industries in Autrailia. A chunk of change when you tack on shipping but the fact that it cuts my gas bill nearly in half
and dramaticaly expands what I can use the Maj for ie. more extensive shopping, Traveling up to and transportation to fishing/camping areas in the UP
where I have a cabin. Of course using it for a dedicated business vehicle isn't too bad either. I've got to say putting a proper sized auto tire on back may happen in the very near future or for sure as soon as the new Dunlop I've got ordered runs it's course. I'll PM you and we can swap some info and catch up in general. I've pretty much been away from the list for awhile. I'd like to say that my setup isn't aerodynamic at all and trailering cuts mileage quite noticibly,(Avg 55/56 without. 6"X6" plus touring screen, 44 liter topcase, and full adjustable drivers backrest,- avg. miliage towing the loaded trailer is 42/43 mpg.
topend is lower approx. 10/12 mph. Wind resistance is notible as is slower takeoff and pushing it on cornering angles in tight turns is Not a great idea.
Doesn't mean there's no fun riding when you are towing but it is different and it beats the snot out of rear tire tread life.

Spin

OK, Had the Achillies Platinum installed along with a few stuborn air filter screws busted loose on my Majesty. Please note that this was done having to deal with the trailer hitch being in the way which required at least partial removal and a rear tire with "Ride On" inside. The whole shabang cost me $84.00 including tax and tire desposal fee. I bought and have since had this Yamaha dealer in Depere do almost all my mods and maintenance and they have been nothing less than great. Zero trouble with fit. Inflated tire to 40 psi.
Now to report on performance. Soon as I got the bike off the trailer I geared up and hit the road. I'm in a very rural area of Wisconsin just barely north of the Kettle Morraine State Forest so hills and twisties are abundant. The darkside tire rode at normal speed and turning angles with virtually no perceptable differance. You didn't need to get use to it. Now at extreme speed (did an S curve at 85mph) I detected a very slight shimmy. This was a somewhat tight double turn and it was a Very Windy day here with wind gusts topping 35 mph. That along with intermittent wind blocks from terrain left me dismissing any real problem. The rest of the almost 60 mile shake down ride went great. Then the top end straight away. All speeds were indicated. At 90 mph a slow wobble
started to make it's self felt. 95 it was more pronounced, certainly controlable but there. At 100 mph it became moe evident and I backed off the throttle. As
speed dropped the shimmy disappeared almost instantly. I wonder now if tire preasure may have some affect on this?
So far to sum it up unless you are a rider who pushes the limits and rides on the edge darksiding with this tire on the rear of your Maj. should be fine, I don't think you would notice any difference. If you really like to push it when you ride, by all means stick to a cycle tire and the best high performance one you can get. Just stands to reason. For perhaps a great many of use, certainly myself I see no problem with this tire at all. Time and conditions (cold, wet, wear) will tell.

Spin