Rear tire size observation

[JPWendtinc]

Yesterday while cruising the winding road of central Illinois, I noticed that the rear tire on Chief Illiniwek's Road King looked much wider and more aggresive than mine. Then I looked at AndyG's rear tire on his Street Glide, and it looked just like Chief's, only not as cool cause it's not a white wall. THEN, I looked at GotGold's and it looked the same as mine.

After further review, and some info from Dave, the touring frame change in 09' cause quite drastic changes in the rear end. Not only is the tire wider, but the fender is also wider. The fender struts are completely different as well.

Pre 09 is 140
Post is 180

The 180 looks nice.

[XL1200R]

I've noticed this too....

As much as I don't like the whole wide tire thing I do feel that on a bigger the wider tire really completes the look of the bike. I mean hell, a sporty tire is practically the same width as a touring bike tire?? Seems kinda fishy to the eye to me

[GotGold]

I've never really looked at the width so much, but the only problem I am gonna have is when it comes time to change it out, what am I gonna change it to? There's tons of info here on tires.. and I don't want to start another debate/discussion. When traveling at 65 MPH in the rain that bike is glued to the road. Thats a great feeling to have, I'd hate to change it out to something else and have it not perform as well.

[Chief Illiniwek]

Good research, JP. I like definitive proof that my bike is awesome.

[Chief Illiniwek]

Now, if I only had your bars, Gold's sound and Andy's stoner laugh and taste in metal, I'd be all set.

[dmwphoto]

Originally Posted by GotGold

I've never really looked at the width so much, but the only problem I am gonna have is when it comes time to change it out, what am I gonna change it to? There's tons of info here on tires.. and I don't want to start another debate/discussion. When traveling at 65 MPH in the rain that bike is glued to the road. Thats a great feeling to have, I'd hate to change it out to something else and have it not perform as well.

why not go back with the same?

[GotGold]

Originally Posted by dmwphoto

why not go back with the same?

Good point, but depending on how much mileage was on the tires before I got this bike, I'm about ready to peel through a back tire in about another 2,000 miles. If he put em on brand new, I can get 10,000 miles on a rear tire, if not every 8,000. Seems pretty low mileage wise. I am strict with PSI and I don't hot dog it... very much.

[pb68slab]

To run a wide tire , ya need a wide rim or else ya screw up the profile and contact patch. Harleys had 3in wide x 16in dia rims since the late 40s. The widest tire designed for a 3in wide rim is a 130 or MT. Some 140s might work , but most will just be wearing the center out.

I put a 140 or MU width Dunlop on a 3 1/2 rim on the back of my '68.

Running a 150 on a 4in wide rim on my chopper.

tire vs rim chart;

http://www.mtsac.edu/~cliff/storage/...Size_Chart.pdf

[lakeforktx]

Also JP..I have had both 04 and 012.. with the new frame and wider tire,will notice a much smoother , better feeling ride.longer tire life,there is none of that "wiggle" that you get from the narrower tire..example....passing a car at lets say at 80-90 mph and you change back in your lane,and you get that little feeling...not saying ones any better than the other but you can notice a differnce in the handleing and ride...

[bmcgc]

Wait until you have to replace that wide white wall on the rear. Dunlop only sells that tire through Harley and it isnt cheap.

Makes my 140 look a lot better.