Running Double Dark
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 321
Likes: 78
From: Western PA
Battlax front
Hey there Jessultra, LOL, not sure where you must have misunderstood things but the popular "double dark" front tire , Bridgestone Battlax that everyone is mounting , (the first statement in this thread) is a rear motorcycle tire. Anyone in the main stream of things or regular touring bikes do not run car tires on the front on a daily basis, you may find a couple guys with novelty bikes , choppers or rat rods doing two car tires but it's not a common thing. The term "double dark" is and always has been referring to a car tire on the rear and a rear bike tire on the front ! I've been running with the dark side crowd for 12 years with over 150,000 logged miles with a group of friends that have collectively over half million miles on car tires and rear tires on the front. Please don't think I'm being a smart *** here just want you to understand whats happening and what these guys are talking about ! Take care , stay on the light side of the dark side ! I hope this helps ! https://www.ebay.com/sch/sis.html?_n...otorcycle+Tire
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,424
Likes: 421
From: Northern, Ohio (Yuck!)
Hey there Jessultra, LOL, not sure where you must have misunderstood things but the popular "double dark" front tire , Bridgestone Battlax that everyone is mounting , (the first statement in this thread) is a rear motorcycle tire. Anyone in the main stream of things or regular touring bikes do not run car tires on the front on a daily basis, you may find a couple guys with novelty bikes , choppers or rat rods doing two car tires but it's not a common thing. The term "double dark" is and always has been referring to a car tire on the rear and a rear bike tire on the front ! I've been running with the dark side crowd for 12 years with over 150,000 logged miles with a group of friends that have collectively over half million miles on car tires and rear tires on the front. Please don't think I'm being a smart *** here just want you to understand whats happening and what these guys are talking about ! Take care , stay on the light side of the dark side ! I hope this helps ! https://www.ebay.com/sch/sis.html?_n...otorcycle+Tire
Th OP has a 150 Battle Ax (a motorcycle "rear" tire) on the front and a car tire on the rear. That is the same as me. So what is the problem with his definition of Double Dark?
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 321
Likes: 78
From: Western PA
Misunderstanding
PFWiz, there is nothing wrong with the OP's definition of double dark, in fact he is correct as you are also. Jessultra misunderstood the term "double dark" to mean both front and rear tire to be a car tire. He used the OP's first post as an example but must have thought a Battlax was a car tire that's maybe why he wanted a picture. By no means am I the terminology police around here but wanted Jessultra to understand the correct reference to the term "double dark" for his own benefit when reading posts. If you start from the beginning of the thread and read each post I think you will understand the confusion. There is enough confusion and misunderstanding surrounding the idea of running a car tire we don't need to make it any worse especially among ourselves! LOL !
Last edited by rlh7677; Sep 1, 2017 at 10:47 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 321
Likes: 78
From: Western PA
rotation question
You will find answers on both sides of your question, I personally am interested in best water/rain dispersement which is usually the indicated rotation or not reversed but seen it both ways on this forum and others are also mixed each way. I only have 10,000 miles on this Avon 180/55/18 in correct direction and all is well with handling, wear, traction etc. Lots of guys on here run both ways with the battle ax, don't suppose I helped you any but comes down to your preference I guess.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 2,441
Likes: 1,231
From: The mountains of SW Virginia
You will find answers on both sides of your question, I personally am interested in best water/rain dispersement which is usually the indicated rotation or not reversed but seen it both ways on this forum and others are also mixed each way. I only have 10,000 miles on this Avon 180/55/18 in correct direction and all is well with handling, wear, traction etc. Lots of guys on here run both ways with the battle ax, don't suppose I helped you any but comes down to your preference I guess.
My next tire I had already planned on having it wider and taller, but I also think I will run mine the way you have and see how it works out. If nothing else I can always change it back.
A side by side comparison or your tire vs someone elses (not mine):
Last edited by Bonnie Storm; Nov 5, 2017 at 09:06 AM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 6,697
Likes: 774
From: Stuart, Fl
Wanting to go to the Darkside again my 2010 Goldwing i ran the Darkside got over 40,000 mile with a Battlax on the front and run flat car tire on the rear love it. You will get some good mileage out of the Battlax nice setup, Not sure if ill run car tires due to warranty with HD. Thats the only thing holding me back, Good Luck Ride Safe