130-90-16 to 150 on stock sportster
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So just stick with a 130, it didn't look like it would rub, or should I try a 140?
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This is from my experience of owning many brands and I guess close to 50 bikes since 1968, and having changed quite a number of tires in my shop, I found that in every case the bikes would accommodate one up-size with the stock swing arm. All bets are off on custom jobs. Just to be sure, I always measured the sidewaqll clearance and the prospective new tire with a caliper. Do your own measurements and make sure. Take from it what you will, but always verify.
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While the trend has been to widen tires on motorcycles, much of the benefit is dubious as an aftermarket approach. Wider tires tend to steer slower, especially on bikes whose geometry was engineered for skinny rubber. They also need to be lower profile when configured to replace a narrower, taller tire , so they ride a bit more harshly. I think most of us have gone through a phase when we wanted to jam wider tires onto most everything we rode or drove, but there is a cost beyond dollars there: A slower steering, less agile bike that doesn't ride quite as well.
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Some Sportsters came with a 150 -80 x16 rear tire. It's a Dunlop d401. It is designed to fit on a three and a quarter inch wide rim which is basically what the factory rear Rim is. Your issue is going to be the sidewall of the tire clearing the wider belt that comes on a 2001 versus the narrower belt that came out in 2004. The other thing you're going to run into is clearance of the sidewall at the rear fender strut. Different tire widths and sizes and Brands can all determine at a plus or minus 7% size variants what will or will not fit. Sometimes it's hit or miss. Changing to a chain drive will give you room. I've dome that...
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What size tire is that, that it fits, your sportster looks like mine
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150-80x16 D401 Dunlop
bike is a 2008 883, now a 1200.
bike is a 2008 883, now a 1200.
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It looks exactly like mine so would a 150-80-16 fit, I presume?
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Dont know. I can assume. for reference:
My rear fender is 8.25" wide between rails and 7.25" at top width.
My belt is just shy of 1.25" wide. I have the newer style pulley. not the old one with circles in it.
My rear fender is 8.25" wide between rails and 7.25" at top width.
My belt is just shy of 1.25" wide. I have the newer style pulley. not the old one with circles in it.
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Ok I will base my decision off that fitting for you and if it doesn't ill stick with the 130
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That's the tire size that came on this bike from new.
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This is a wider tire....not taller. Same sidewall height, which doesn't change gear ratio. Only changing the sidewall aspect will change the final drive ratio. A wider tire will slow down cornering response.
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Common issue. Sometimes you can dish the wheel away enough to clear. Ironheads were kind of pigeon holed into narrow rear rubber.
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