I'm running 205.55.16 Michelin , no problem fitting it on to the bike .but can't go bigger
½" clearance between the edge of the tire and fender .
Speedo is out about 2 maybe 3 mph. Comparing GPS to speedo a 195.60.16 would be fine as it is slightly taller (½") but you have a very limited selection
Done about 4000 miles and will buy another.
Heading on a 14000 mile trip to Alaska tomorrow .
There is a website google Darkside tires. Or darkside forum

 

205.55.16 Michelin car tire on my 2017 ultra <br/>

 

Def an interesting concept. Though i am wondering what car tire size would be even close to the 160/70-17 that is found on the rear of a Deuce. But then again...the fact it has a narrow 21" front wheel kind of screws that idea unless there is a radial available for the front as well..

 

Time (or past time) for this years update.

I now have about 37,000 miles on the bike, with about 25,000 of those on the darkside and about 10,000 double dark.

Overall I am still extremely pleased with my setup. Nobody and I mean nobody can generate the kind of braking Gs I can. My double dark setup my braking ability is stupid good. It has literally saved my butt when a pickup pulled out in front of me. With my huge contact patch the ABS has little to do.

As most of you know running a car tire results in superior wet pavement performance. I think double dark ups the ante even more... Nice to feel confident when the weather turns to crud, the skies open up and you still have hundreds of miles to go.

The bike rides smooth as silk with Ride On in both tires. Still (thank G-d) have not got to try out its leak stopping properties.

If I were to buy a new bike I do not think I would wait to wear out the stock rear tire before putting on a CT. I would do it immediately and sell the stock tire.

 

I have been riding Darkside on electra glides for a few years, I have bought a new bike in the past rode it home and swapped to ct immediately. I bought a new bike last year, thought Id wear out the bike tire then put on CT, couldn't do it, after about 6000 miles couldn't stand it anymore pulled it off garbaged it where it belonged and got my CT back on.

 

If i can find a decent radial for the front tire of my bike i will def look into going to a CT rear. Even if it ends up resulting in going down to a 16" rear rim.

 

On a bike it don't matter if the front tire is a radial, makes no difference

 

Just running on the rule of thumb to never mix bias with radial.


Edit: Ok i did not realize some HD models do just that, Example of which being the breakout. Bias front with Radial rear.

 

I know on a 4 wheel it does but on a bike it don't matter. I thought the same when I started and posted on a forum someone told me it don't matter on a bike, after trying it I found that was the case. Always run bias mc on the front and radial run flat on the rear. I will never go non run flat on rear. Just a couple weeks ago my sisters friend and husband were on their way home from vacation on their Harley, blew a back tire, he's dead and shes in a hospital 1200 miles from home all busted up.

 

My question is what is the current best 195/60 tire to install with this, and where do you guys get these installed? I do not have tire tools and such, I do have a lift and can get the wheel off no issue. Its taking it down and getting it installed that I seem to have issues with, No one wants to touch it, as I get the "its to dangerous to run it like that, we don't mount them because of this" routine. I'm getting close on my rear and want to go this route but...

Thanx, Tim