tire size differences

[rbond]

On a 130/80-17 tire, would substituting a 130/90-17 be a fitting and/ or a handling problem?

[oldbike54]

On a 130/80-17 tire, would substituting a 130/90-17 be a fitting and/ or a handling problem?

 Probably not , what motorcycle ? I've been running a 130-90 on a Jackal for years .

 Dusty

[Sheepdog]

There will be slightly more sidewall height (almost half an inch) which will quicken your steering a bit (assuming it is the rear tire). However, the difference will be subtle...

[Ncdan]

You can google it and there a site that allows you to put the two sizes in and it will pull up a print of the two side by side as well as the circumstances and with differences. 

[oldbike54]

There will be slightly more sidewall height (almost half an inch) which will quicken your steering a bit (assuming it is the rear tire). However, the difference will be subtle...

 The difference will not be noticeable , as raising the rear 1/2 inch will only reduce steering rake angle by about .2 degrees . Really , going down one width has a larger effect , which it seems he has already done .

[rbond]

This is on a 2012 V7C with stock size tire. It is just there are several manufacturers that make a front tire that is the correct size, but do not make the correct rear size, but make one with the next ratio up than stock. I needed to see what effect I might encounter by using a different ratio.

[oldbike54]

 Who made the original tire ?

 Dusty

[rbond]

OEM's are Metzler Lasertecs. These are almost wore out, so time for new shoes!!

[jas67]

Michelin Sport Active are a favorite tire of many here for the V7, and are available in the correct size.

[Kev m]

Michelin Sport Active are a favorite tire of many here for the V7, and are available in the correct size.

Do you mean the Pilot Activ or is there another Michelin for the smallblocks?

[johnr]

You can google it and there a site that allows you to put the two sizes in and it will pull up a print of the two side by side as well as the circumstances and with differences.

I can't find that site. Can anyone point me at it?

[Sheepdog]

Here is one, John. I still do the math so I won't forget how...

https://tiresize.com/calculator/

[Ncdan]

I can't find that site. Can anyone point me at it?

[johnr]

Thanks guys.

I have picked up the impression, rightly or wrongly, that the tire width specs are a tad nominal.  That is, that a tire from one manufacturer will clear my drive shaft while one with the same specified width from another manufacturer may not.  Is this correct?

[MMRanch]

Yes rbond

the 90 series will be just fine .   I am always looking for HIGH Gear on my 2016 V-7 and the speedometer is about 3% optimistic according to my Garmin.   When the original tire is gone I'll be adding a 130/90-17 to the rear , it's about 4% taller so the speedometer will be closer to right and the motor will save  4% of its revolutions per mile. 

There are a lot of flat/strait  roads where I live so I'll go with :  either the Avon Road Rider or the Michelin Pilot Activ… in 130/90.

OldBike54 , which one last longer ? 

[clubman]

OEM's are Metzler Lasertecs. These are almost wore out, so time for new shoes!!

With almost 40K mi. on my V7C I've tried most of the more popular brands and all were better than the Metzler's. The Pirelli's are very good but mileage not so good. Pilot Activ's were OK, but never were confidence inspiring. Currently running the Avon Road Riders (front one size smaller than stock) and very happy with them. Tread wear seems to be good, but time will tell.

[Chuck in Indiana]

all were better than the Metzler's.

I've mentioned that before, and got flamed for it, but I agree. I don't know how they manage to keep selling that tire. 

[rbond]

Well, I pulled the trigger and got a set of Conti Go's. Stock sizes front and rear. The front has arrived, but the rear gets delivered 10-4-2017. I 'plan' on installing this weekend and will will lube the drive shaft while the rear is off. It came down to the Conti's, Michelin Pilots ,or Metzler Sportec's. Conti's won mainly on price, but also with previous experience on my Suzuki GS400. Will let you know how they feel on the road.....

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I burned through a Conti Go! in 4k miles on the back of my (lightweight, low powered) MZ Silver Star 500. I found that totally unacceptable for a "premium" brand tire, even one made in Korea.
 

[johnr]

I think you are telling me that I'm right Kirby. The tire size width is in fact a nominal. or "more or less" specification. It's nice to know I'm not dreaming but doesn't help much when it comes to ordering a new tire from a different manufacturer.

Given how tight the clearance to the drive shaft is, any one have any ideas as to how do we get around this?

[Arizona Wayne]

Dealing with tire sizes for decades I've found claimed tire sizes and actual tire dimensions vary, not only by brand but also by tire design.  Metric tire size claims are based on %s, not actual dimensions.  Used to be a 4:00-18 meant the tire was 4" wide on a 18" rim.  Those honest days are long gone.   For instance  Bridgestone BT45 tires run smaller than other brands of same claimed size and even smaller than other BS tire designs. 

What really matters is if the tire you buy will clear the rear swingarm and not make your bike taller than it used to be if that's an issue for your leg length.

My `04 750 Breva came with a 130/80-17 rear tire.  I wanted to get a tire that would last longer and switched to 130/90-17 rear tires which do.  It makes my rear end a bit taller but also lowers my rpms by 250 rolling down the road and gives me more corner clearance in curves.  So my rear tire lasts longer and I can lean my bike more in corners.

When I got my `91 Suzuki VX800 new it had a 150/70-17 rear tire.  I wanted to slow down it's rpms and get a tire that would last longer.  It has a 3.5" wide rear rim. 1st I went to a 140/80 rear tire and that lowered it's gearing in 5th gear by 250 rpm.  Then I went to a 130/90 rear tire and that lowered the bikes gearing in 5th by 500 rpm overall.  That's the equivalent of another gear!  This bike has linear power and I felt no loss in acceleration while making the motor work less and giving me more cornering clearance.  To offset this seat height change I had to install shorter rear shocks to compensate for my 30" leg inseams.  But the other improvements to me was worth it.

When you change tire sizes you need to know what options you can try via your rim width.

[rodekyll]

I think you are telling me that I'm right Kirby. The tire size width is in fact a nominal. or "more or less" specification. It's nice to know I'm not dreaming but doesn't help much when it comes to ordering a new tire from a different manufacturer.

Given how tight the clearance to the drive shaft is, any one have any ideas as to how do we get around this?

I carry a few shims with me to put on the axle between the final drive and the wheel for those times when I'm forced to buy what's available.  I've had as much as 5mm offset when I've used 6-ply rear tires of the same nominal dimensions as a 3 or 4-ply.

[Arizona Wayne]

If you have the right kind of file (I do) you can shave off tread rubber off the edges as the tire rotates w/motor running in gear if the tire is a little too wide to clear your swingarm.  Only takes a few seconds. 

[johnr]

Now there is a couple of useful ideas.
What kind of file is it Wayne?

[Arizona Wayne]

Now there is a couple of useful ideas.
What kind of file is it Wayne?

Don't know what you call it but it's 12" long, 1,1/4 " wide, round on 1 side, flat on other side and has on both sides a bunch of like little round scrapers protruding on it.  Works great for shaving rubber off  a rotating tire    A hasp file?