Darkside means you have installed a car rear tire on your MP3 or MC.
NorCal Randy
⚠️ Last edited by norCal Randy on UTC; edited 1 time
OP
UTC
Ossessionato
Scarabeo 500GT(hers), `07 250 MP3, `09 400 MP3
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2592 Location: Kingman, Az. |
|
OP
Ossessionato
Scarabeo 500GT(hers), `07 250 MP3, `09 400 MP3
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2592 Location: Kingman, Az. |
UTC
quote
I'm curious how many of us have already joined the Darkside with Stickyfrog's encouragement ?
Darkside means you have installed a car rear tire on your MP3 or MC. NorCal Randy ⚠️ Last edited by norCal Randy on UTC; edited 1 time
|
UTC
Molto Verboso
Piaggio mp3 500
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1312 Location: Longview,Texas 75604 |
|
Molto Verboso
Piaggio mp3 500
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1312 Location: Longview,Texas 75604 |
UTC
Moderatus Rana
MP3 250 and 2 MP3 500s
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22648 Location: Nashville, Indiana |
|
Moderatus Rana
MP3 250 and 2 MP3 500s
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22648 Location: Nashville, Indiana |
UTC
quote
See Return of the Jedi...well hopefully...Mounted and ready!
So now I have done it on a 250 and a 500. Does that make me Darksider Squared? |
UTC
Molto Verboso
2009 MP3 400ie, Silver- "Lorelei Lee Long"
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1066 Location: Louisville, KY |
|
Molto Verboso
2009 MP3 400ie, Silver- "Lorelei Lee Long"
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1066 Location: Louisville, KY |
UTC
Molto Verboso
Piaggio mp3 500
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1312 Location: Longview,Texas 75604 |
|
Molto Verboso
Piaggio mp3 500
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1312 Location: Longview,Texas 75604 |
UTC
quote
What I should have said was "with experience" given time and use.
What size is the tire 155/65/14? |
UTC
Moderatus Rana
MP3 250 and 2 MP3 500s
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22648 Location: Nashville, Indiana |
|
Moderatus Rana
MP3 250 and 2 MP3 500s
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22648 Location: Nashville, Indiana |
UTC
quote
Yep that's the size.
I put around 6000 miles with the car tire on the 250 with no problems noted. Expect the same on the 500 and have about 300 miles on it. |
UTC
Enthusiast
Honda VFR 1200X Crosstourer
Joined: UTC
Posts: 78 Location: Norway,Drammen |
|
|
UTC
quote
Well, after one season of use, I can say this about the darkside on Mp3 400/500.
+comfort level is much higher, potholes and uneven road goes like a charm. +Traction on wet and gravel/dirt is better. +Tire wear is minimal, it will probably go "hard" before it wears out. +No more center stand scraping on turns -Since the car tire has a harder compound, it has a tendency to lock up faster than a mc tire(Be careful braking hard in turns) I can also say that I´ve never been a big fan of the darkside, but on the Mp3 it works very good. |
UTC
Veni, Vidi, Posti
2007 GTS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22412 Location: Harriman, Tennessee, Tn |
|
|
UTC
quote
EmPeTreNorge wrote: -Since the car tire has a harder compound, it has a tendency to lock up faster than a mc tire(Be careful braking hard in turns) |
UTC
Moderatus Rana
MP3 250 and 2 MP3 500s
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22648 Location: Nashville, Indiana |
|
Moderatus Rana
MP3 250 and 2 MP3 500s
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22648 Location: Nashville, Indiana |
UTC
quote
old as dirt wrote: EmPeTreNorge wrote: -Since the car tire has a harder compound, it has a tendency to lock up faster than a mc tire(Be careful braking hard in turns) |
OP
UTC
Ossessionato
Scarabeo 500GT(hers), `07 250 MP3, `09 400 MP3
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2592 Location: Kingman, Az. |
|
OP
Ossessionato
Scarabeo 500GT(hers), `07 250 MP3, `09 400 MP3
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2592 Location: Kingman, Az. |
UTC
quote
Looks like us MP3 Darksiders are a rare breed. Thought more would make the switch after hearing there are no real negatives in doing it other than finding a shop that will do it for you. So far I've done my own installation so that's not an issue for me. Only 3 known so far worldwide. WOW !!!
You can take the horse to the trough but you can't make it drink. |
UTC
Molto Verboso
Piaggio mp3 500
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1312 Location: Longview,Texas 75604 |
|
Molto Verboso
Piaggio mp3 500
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1312 Location: Longview,Texas 75604 |
UTC
quote
Orered 1 Achiles 165/55/14 tire today. total price shipped $70.26. I get about 6000 miles on my rear tire now. I will expect 30,000+ on this one. They said they do not stock the Sava summer tire.
|
OP
UTC
Ossessionato
Scarabeo 500GT(hers), `07 250 MP3, `09 400 MP3
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2592 Location: Kingman, Az. |
|
OP
Ossessionato
Scarabeo 500GT(hers), `07 250 MP3, `09 400 MP3
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2592 Location: Kingman, Az. |
UTC
quote
Phillip..P. Smith wrote: Orered 1 Achiles 165/55/14 tire today. total price shipped $70.26. I get about 6000 miles on my rear tire now. I will expect 30,000+ on this one. They said they do not stock the Sava summer tire. |
UTC
Veni, Vidi, Posti
2007 GTS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22412 Location: Harriman, Tennessee, Tn |
|
|
UTC
quote
Phillip..P. Smith wrote: Orered 1 Achiles 165/55/14 tire today. total price shipped $70.26. I get about 6000 miles on my rear tire now. I will expect 30,000+ on this one. They said they do not stock the Sava summer tire. |
UTC
Molto Verboso
Piaggio mp3 500
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1312 Location: Longview,Texas 75604 |
|
Molto Verboso
Piaggio mp3 500
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1312 Location: Longview,Texas 75604 |
UTC
Veni, Vidi, Posti
2007 GTS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22412 Location: Harriman, Tennessee, Tn |
|
|
UTC
Moderatus Rana
MP3 250 and 2 MP3 500s
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22648 Location: Nashville, Indiana |
|
Moderatus Rana
MP3 250 and 2 MP3 500s
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22648 Location: Nashville, Indiana |
UTC
Member
Piaggio MP3 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22 Location: Greenville, SC, USA |
|
|
UTC
quote
This is my first post, but I've been ghosting around here for a while. I'm currently over 3000 miles Darkside and I'm showing no wear. I went this way after Stickyfrogs posts and evaluating that I was going through rear tires evey 2000 miles. We have pretty rough roads in South Carolina and I was tired of burning up rears. This was one of the best decisions I've made. Getting ready to work a few mods I've found here so thanks for the ideas guys.
|
UTC
Veni, Vidi, Posti
2007 GTS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22412 Location: Harriman, Tennessee, Tn |
|
|
UTC
quote
finger welcome and don't be a stranger here. come on up in May for the gathering in little switzerland.
|
Veni, Vidi, Posti
. . 2008 Blue MP3 400. . di Peluria Orso .... 1993 Kawasaki Vulcan 500 ....... 2013 Honda NC700XD; 2017 Versys X300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 6249 Location: South Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee |
UTC
quote
old as dirt wrote: finger welcome and don't be a stranger here. come on up in May for the gathering in little switzerland. |
UTC
Member
Piaggio MP3 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22 Location: Greenville, SC, USA |
|
|
UTC
Veni, Vidi, Posti
2007 GTS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22412 Location: Harriman, Tennessee, Tn |
|
|
UTC
quote
Finger Tipsofsteel wrote: Trying not to be an id10t, but where is "Little Switzerland?" |
UTC
Moderatus Rana
MP3 250 and 2 MP3 500s
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22648 Location: Nashville, Indiana |
|
Moderatus Rana
MP3 250 and 2 MP3 500s
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22648 Location: Nashville, Indiana |
UTC
quote
Welcome Finger. Glad you found some of my posts useful in starting you own darkside adventure.
|
UTC
Member
Piaggio MP3 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22 Location: Greenville, SC, USA |
|
|
UTC
quote
I'll have to see how the work schedule goes. Today is my first day off this so far this year, and the future loks incredubly busy. I guess we'll see what happens.
|
UTC
Veni, Vidi, Posti
2007 GTS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22412 Location: Harriman, Tennessee, Tn |
|
|
UTC
quote
Finger Tipsofsteel wrote: I'll have to see how the work schedule goes. Today is my first day off this so far this year, and the future loks incredubly busy. I guess we'll see what happens. |
UTC
Member
Piaggio MP3 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22 Location: Greenville, SC, USA |
|
|
OP
UTC
Ossessionato
Scarabeo 500GT(hers), `07 250 MP3, `09 400 MP3
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2592 Location: Kingman, Az. |
|
OP
Ossessionato
Scarabeo 500GT(hers), `07 250 MP3, `09 400 MP3
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2592 Location: Kingman, Az. |
UTC
quote
Got my Sava Perfecta radial tire today for the 400 MP3. I like it ! Has a 1 ply polyester sidewall and nicely rounded side tread. Should mount as easily as my 250 MP3 darkside tire did. Tire made in Turkey
|
UTC
Moderatus Rana
MP3 250 and 2 MP3 500s
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22648 Location: Nashville, Indiana |
|
Moderatus Rana
MP3 250 and 2 MP3 500s
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22648 Location: Nashville, Indiana |
OP
UTC
Ossessionato
Scarabeo 500GT(hers), `07 250 MP3, `09 400 MP3
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2592 Location: Kingman, Az. |
|
OP
Ossessionato
Scarabeo 500GT(hers), `07 250 MP3, `09 400 MP3
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2592 Location: Kingman, Az. |
UTC
quote
stickyfrog wrote: Nice. Full report expected on the mount and the performance. ⚠️ Last edited by norCal Randy on UTC; edited 1 time
|
UTC
Moderatus Rana
MP3 250 and 2 MP3 500s
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22648 Location: Nashville, Indiana |
|
Moderatus Rana
MP3 250 and 2 MP3 500s
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22648 Location: Nashville, Indiana |
UTC
quote
Keep checking ebay. I found my extra one there and it wasn't even listed. Just sent a guy that was parting out a 400 an inquiry and he still had the rear wheel.
|
|
|
UTC
quote
I recently installed a 145/70X12" Falken Sincera (SWT0129) car tire on my MP3 250. I have 16,000+ on my bike and have gone through 7 tires and this makes my 8th. The worst was 1000 miles (Shinko) and the best was 3,500 miles (Michelin Gold no longer available).
The poor mileage is a real problem. I cannot take long trips without installing a new tire most every time. I have a spare rim so I can swap tires around, but what a pain. I have great hopes for this move over to the darkside. Once installed on the bike the tire fit just fine, no clearance issues. The car tire is a larger diameter tire, wider and squared off on the sides, which makes installation onto the bike a little harder but not a big problem. The overall ride is smoother and more comfortable. The handling initally was different in the corners, but not bad. The bike does not roll from leaning left to leaning right as smoothly, but that is either getting better as I get used to the tire or improving as the tire wears. There are times now that I forget about the tire altogether. I live at the base of the Ozark mountains and have access to nearly unlimited twisties. I think the speedometer accuracy will improve with the larger diameter tire. The MP3 250 speedometer, with stock tires, is off about 1 mile per hour for every 10 showing on the speedometer. In other words, if the speedometer is showing 80 mph the actual speed is 72 to 73 mph. I will check that out with a GPS and report back. |
UTC
Moderatus Rana
MP3 250 and 2 MP3 500s
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22648 Location: Nashville, Indiana |
|
Moderatus Rana
MP3 250 and 2 MP3 500s
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22648 Location: Nashville, Indiana |
UTC
quote
Yeah you forget it is there after awhile. Oh and I think the speedo comes off the front so you won't see a difference in accuracy. But I may be wrong about that...hell I didn't even know my 500 has 2 spark plugs.
I didn't notice a difference in accuracy on my 250 or my 500. |
OP
UTC
Ossessionato
Scarabeo 500GT(hers), `07 250 MP3, `09 400 MP3
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2592 Location: Kingman, Az. |
|
OP
Ossessionato
Scarabeo 500GT(hers), `07 250 MP3, `09 400 MP3
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2592 Location: Kingman, Az. |
Addicted
MP3-250 Tiger 1050 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone
Joined: UTC
Posts: 862 Location: Central Coast, California |
UTC
quote
Closing in on 10,000 miles on my darkside tire. I'll take a picture and measure wear again like I did at 2000 and 4000 miles. Still looks good.
|
OP
UTC
Ossessionato
Scarabeo 500GT(hers), `07 250 MP3, `09 400 MP3
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2592 Location: Kingman, Az. |
|
OP
Ossessionato
Scarabeo 500GT(hers), `07 250 MP3, `09 400 MP3
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2592 Location: Kingman, Az. |
UTC
quote
ckjohf0 wrote: I recently installed a 145/70X12" Falken Sincera (SWT0129) car tire on my MP3 250. I have 16,000+ on my bike and have gone through 7 tires and this makes my 8th. The worst was 1000 miles (Shinko) and the best was 3,500 miles (Michelin Gold no longer available). The poor mileage is a real problem. I cannot take long trips without installing a new tire most every time. I have a spare rim so I can swap tires around, but what a pain. I have great hopes for this move over to the darkside. Once installed on the bike the tire fit just fine, no clearance issues. The car tire is a larger diameter tire, wider and squared off on the sides, which makes installation onto the bike a little harder but not a big problem. The overall ride is smoother and more comfortable. The handling initally was different in the corners, but not bad. The bike does not roll from leaning left to leaning right as smoothly, but that is either getting better as I get used to the tire or improving as the tire wears. There are times now that I forget about the tire altogether. I live at the base of the Ozark mountains and have access to nearly unlimited twisties. I think the speedometer accuracy will improve with the larger diameter tire. The MP3 250 speedometer, with stock tires, is off about 1 mile per hour for every 10 showing on the speedometer. In other words, if the speedometer is showing 80 mph the actual speed is 72 to 73 mph. I will check that out with a GPS and report back. |
Veni, Vidi, Posti
. . 2008 Blue MP3 400. . di Peluria Orso .... 1993 Kawasaki Vulcan 500 ....... 2013 Honda NC700XD; 2017 Versys X300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 6249 Location: South Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee |
UTC
quote
norCal Randy wrote: ckjohf0 wrote: I recently installed a 145/70X12" Falken Sincera (SWT0129) car tire on my MP3 250. I have 16,000+ on my bike and have gone through 7 tires and this makes my 8th. The worst was 1000 miles (Shinko) and the best was 3,500 miles (Michelin Gold no longer available). The poor mileage is a real problem. I cannot take long trips without installing a new tire most every time. I have a spare rim so I can swap tires around, but what a pain. I have great hopes for this move over to the darkside. Once installed on the bike the tire fit just fine, no clearance issues. The car tire is a larger diameter tire, wider and squared off on the sides, which makes installation onto the bike a little harder but not a big problem. The overall ride is smoother and more comfortable. The handling initally was different in the corners, but not bad. The bike does not roll from leaning left to leaning right as smoothly, but that is either getting better as I get used to the tire or improving as the tire wears. There are times now that I forget about the tire altogether. I live at the base of the Ozark mountains and have access to nearly unlimited twisties. I think the speedometer accuracy will improve with the larger diameter tire. The MP3 250 speedometer, with stock tires, is off about 1 mile per hour for every 10 showing on the speedometer. In other words, if the speedometer is showing 80 mph the actual speed is 72 to 73 mph. I will check that out with a GPS and report back. |
UTC
Molto Verboso
Piaggio mp3 500
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1312 Location: Longview,Texas 75604 |
|
Molto Verboso
Piaggio mp3 500
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1312 Location: Longview,Texas 75604 |
UTC
quote
Had my darkside tire mounted today. At a car and truck tire store I use a lot here in town. Had the same problem with almost the same spot on both sides not seating. Three times and well lubed. Third time we put it in a cage and jacked up the air pressure to 110. Still did not seat. We took the tire off and ground down the inner hump in the wheel. Still didn"t work. Took it back off and filed the edges of the area we ground down smooth with a file. Cage again a 110 psi. Still did not seat. Took the tire and the cage outside to the sunny side of the building (113 psI)and sat
at it close to the building so the sun could reflect. About 70 degrees in the direct sun.It set for about 30 minutes and one side popped. Set for about 30 more minutes and the other side set. SUCCESS! Warm tire makes the difference in my opinion! Went back to the bike shop and had the tire mounted back on bike and went riding for about 30 minutes.Only difference I could immediately feel is that when you turn and come back up the tire brings the bike to level quicker. Will go to the MTC tomorrow and go through the course a few times!! Thanks Stickyfrog!! ⚠️ Last edited by Phillip..P. Smith on UTC; edited 1 time
|
UTC
Molto Verboso
Piaggio mp3 500
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1312 Location: Longview,Texas 75604 |
|
Molto Verboso
Piaggio mp3 500
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1312 Location: Longview,Texas 75604 |
UTC
Moderatus Rana
MP3 250 and 2 MP3 500s
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22648 Location: Nashville, Indiana |
|
Moderatus Rana
MP3 250 and 2 MP3 500s
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22648 Location: Nashville, Indiana |
UTC
quote
Yeah a pain in the ass to mount but worth it I think. Sounds like yours was harder. Did they use Bead Butter for a lube? Can't wait to hear how Randy's Sava seats.
|
UTC
Molto Verboso
Piaggio mp3 500
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1312 Location: Longview,Texas 75604 |
|
Molto Verboso
Piaggio mp3 500
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1312 Location: Longview,Texas 75604 |
Modern Vespa is the premier site for modern Vespa and Piaggio scooters. Vespa GTS300, GTS250, GTV, GT200, LX150, LXS, ET4, ET2, MP3, Fuoco, Elettrica and more.