First Ride on the CT- Amazing

1905 Views 34 Replies 18 Participants Last post by PunkinDave, Feb 18, 2009

Rick Ekstrom

Discussion Starter · Feb 14, 2009

To all you Darksiders out there... :bow:

Got to put on the CT this morning and went for a 25 mile ride. Well all I can say is you guys are right, it's a whole different ride completely. I have to admit while I was reading all the posts on the CT, I was wanting to do it but was afraid I wouldnt like the counter steering as some had mentioned.

:excited:
Well pulled out of my driveway and felt the steering was a little different needing to counter steer ever so slightly until I got about one mile into driving and that feeling went away. It actually gets you more into making the turns and really feeling the bike and it capabilites.

Got on US-1 and brought it up to about 60-70 mph in short spirts just to check the Dynabead balancing and it is smooth as glass. Im running psi at 30 and I'm going to bring it up to 32 then 34 just to see the difference so I can get the correct setting. It seemed a tad spongy at 30 psi in the turns but will see after tuning the pressure.

Overall, I agree what all you have said, there is nothing like having a CT on a Wing. I can't see how I would ever go back to a MT.

Problem is, I have a brand new Bridgestone sitting on a rim that is now going to collect dust. (NOT SELLING) :lol:

I was so tempted to really get aggresive in riding with it but I know I need to get it scuffed in before I get loose.

Overall thought... Cant believe I waited so long to make the move.

Thanks to all, for the information you have shared. It has been very valuable for all, especially people who are thinking of making the move to a CT as myself

Front tire is next

Regards, Rick

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1 - 20 of 35 Posts

Randall53

· #2 · Feb 14, 2009

Rick Ekstrom said:
To all you Darksiders out there... :bow:

Got to put on the CT this morning and went for a 25 mile ride. Well all I can say is you guys are right, it's a whole different ride completely. I have to admit while I was reading all the post on the CT I was wanting to do it but was afraid I wouldnt like the counter steering as some had mentioned.

:excited:
Well pulled out of my driveway and felt the steering was a little different needing to counter steer ever so slightly until I got about one mile into driving and that feeling went away. It actually gets you more into making the turns and really feeling the bike and it capabilites.

Got on US-1 and brought it up to about 60-70 mph in short spirts just to check the Dynabead balancing and it is smooth as glass. Im running psi at 30 and I'm going to bring it up to 32 then 34 just to see the difference so I can get the correct setting. It seemed a tad spongy at 30 psi in the turns but will see after tuning the pressure.

Overall, I agree what all you have said the there is nothing like having a CT on a Wing. I can't see how I would ever go back to a MT.

Problem is, I have a brand new Bridgestone sitting on a rim that is now going to collect dust. :lol:

I was so tempted to really get aggresive in riding with it but I know I need to get it scuffed in before I get loose.

Overall thought... Cant believe I waited so long to make the move.

Thanks to all, for the information you have shared. It has been very valuable for all, especially people who are thinking of making the move to a CT as myself

Front tire is next

Regards, Rick

How much would you sell the Stone for on the rim? I'm interested if you want to sell.

stick405

· #3 · Feb 14, 2009

One thing about CTs' they don't require much scuffing in. Just go ride em... Cheers...:doorag:

Murgie

· #4 · Feb 14, 2009

Nice report. I would celebrate with you and go for a ride myself, but it is sleeting here right now. :evil:

Rick Ekstrom

Discussion Starter · #5 · Feb 14, 2009

Randall53 said:
How much would you sell the Stone for on the rim? I'm interested if you want to sell.

The stone has about a 800 miles on it if that. I appologize, I said it was brand new but just like new I should have said.

I just paid 200.00 for a brand new rim off of ebay. I'm going to keep the rim so I can have a spare CT ready when it is time to change. I'm unsure in getting rid of everything at this point so I will hold on for a while. I will post the sale on this Forum if I decide to sell

Thanks for asking

Rick Ekstrom

Discussion Starter · #6 · Feb 14, 2009

Murgie said:
Nice report. I would celebrate with you and go for a ride myself, but it is sleeting here right now. :evil:

It's time to move to South Florida and enjoy the nice weather year around. Of course there is always a trade off, I love to ride in the mountains. The only mountain you get to ride over is a bridge. (lol)

Rapidray

· #7 · Feb 14, 2009

I agree with Stick 405. I've put 3 new car tires on and never slipped a bit. Just go out and run em hard right away. And yet one more advantage over them slippery skinny bike tires.

TJRANCH

· #8 · Feb 14, 2009

Welcome to the DARKSIDE....... :flg:
Don't forget to get your # an Decal....

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mjmesserli

· #9 · Feb 14, 2009

welcome. glad you like the tire. I think you will enjoy it more as you ride it. As you said, I didn't know what to expect either, but it's not a big deal, is it? Glad you are happy with your choice. Have fun.

gene8522

· #10 · Feb 15, 2009

Bridgestone MT

If you can find some sucker to take the MT off of your hands. Go for it. You will never go back!!!! :congrats: I was in some very heavy RAIN yesterday (about 10 miles)and again today ( 25 miles) on I-45 Freeway here in Houston, and I never once felt that the Conti RF on the back was going to let me down it was solid as a rock even when I went through some deep water.

GL03

· #11 · Feb 15, 2009

Welcome, just watch how you start tilting more and more in turns! Confidience in the grip is overwhelming.

Rick Ekstrom

Discussion Starter · #12 · Feb 15, 2009

TJRANCH said:
Welcome to the DARKSIDE....... :flg:
Don't forget to get your # an Decal....

What tire pressure are you running in your 205? I started out with 30 psi and it felt spongy and I'm not sure if that is the way it is supposed to feel or not. I tried 35 psi and it felt like I had to counter steer more. 32 psi will probably be the majic number but thought I would check around. Just trying to talk to someone that is running the same size tire as yourself and not a run flat. I'm looking for that ideal psi for 1 up or 2.
Your thoughts would be appreciated.

Rick Ekstrom

Discussion Starter · #13 · Feb 15, 2009

GL03 said:
Welcome, just watch how you start tilting more and more in turns! Confidience in the grip is overwhelming.

Looking forward to scrape the pegs, just unsure at this point. I'm sure I will get my nerve up eventually as I did with the MT.

31261

· #14 · Feb 15, 2009

Your very first words put it the way I feel about a CT. I actually prefer the positive steering input to the bike. Somehow, do not know how to explain it really, I feel more in control of the bike. For sure I am tempted to ride harder in the turns than I used to do. It is a different feel, and becomes an accustomed taste I suppose is the way to say it.

Enjoy your new tire, I am quite sure you will come to wonder why it took you so long to try it. I know I have. If I had known about this years ago, I would sure have taken advantage of it.

Kit

Rick Ekstrom

Discussion Starter · #15 · Feb 15, 2009

Kit Carson said:
Your very first words put it the way I feel about a CT. I actually prefer the positive steering input to the bike. Somehow, do not know how to explain it really, I feel more in control of the bike. For sure I am tempted to ride harder in the turns than I used to do. It is a different feel, and becomes an accustomed taste I suppose is the way to say it.

Enjoy your new tire, I am quite sure you will come to wonder why it took you so long to try it. I know I have. If I had known about this years ago, I would sure have taken advantage of it.

Kit

Yes, I'm really enjoying it. Im just trying to tweak the tire pressure at this point.

mjmesserli

· #16 · Feb 15, 2009

Have fun, Rick. The more stories I read from guys coming over to the CT the more I see the same things being said. It's really amazing how great the ride is, but how few are willing to try it. But as they do they almost always say they will never go back. Enjoy your "new" bike, because it will feel like one.

Rick Ekstrom

Discussion Starter · #17 · Feb 15, 2009

mjmesserli said:
Have fun, Rick. The more stories I read from guys coming over to the CT the more I see the same things being said. It's really amazing how great the ride is, but how few are willing to try it. But as they do they almost always say they will never go back. Enjoy your "new" bike, because it will feel like one.

Thanks, Enjoying as you said, Cant get enough now

sofadriver

· #18 · Feb 15, 2009

how does a ct affect the speedo and what RPMs are you guys turning at true 70 mph (on a GPS ) ? :doorag:

Just Joey

· #19 · Feb 15, 2009

Rick Ekstrom said:
Problem is, I have a brand new Bridgestone sitting on a rim that is now going to collect dust. (NOT SELLING) :lol:
Regards, Rick

Keep it. I keep a spare front and two spare rear rims with tires. I switch from ct to mt depending on what kind of riding is in the plans.

Rick Ekstrom

Discussion Starter · #20 · Feb 15, 2009

Yah, especially after spending the money for a new extra rim because I didnt know if I was going to like the CT or not.

I love the CT but dont like loosing money to sell it.

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