Car tire. Urgent question

[Willow]

For a VRCC member in dire straits (not me).

What size tire will fit without the washer mod or nut cage mod?

I need a really quick answer.

[bigdog99]

205 55 16 i put mine on and never knew about the mod.

[Willow]

Thank you for the response.  I'll pass that on.

[Jabba]

I have 205/60/16's on both and had to nut cage mod BOTH of them.  I did not washer mod either.

Jabba

[Hoser]

There are a few 195/60/16 tires available, they should work ok.  Hoser

[B]

Bigdog99 - do you know how the 205-55-16 affected your rpms ... About due for a back tire & considering the DS. Not sure I'll make it thru the season on my MC tire.

[Tundra]

I MAY be wrong, although I wouldn't run with that answer.
  We've done three, from what I see, some bikes need it when another may not. Depends on the individual bike and the accuracy/jig used when built. One Valk was fine with a 205-60-16 Triple tread, no mods needed. My bike needed nutcage when I went to a fatter rear tire (mc tire) 200 series Bridgestone. Then when I went Darkside (regretably) I also had to shim the rear fender, (washer mod.) MY rear fender was off center almost an inch from the factory. I'm sure others can share similiar experiences. Just saying, there all a little differant. The mods are very simple, not time consuming even if there needed.

[Jess from VA]

The 195 will likely not need the nutcage (or fender washer) mod.... assuming the rider and usual passenger don't go a ton.  A 205 60  (55 is couple mm wider than 60)  may or may not need the nutcage mod (again the weight proviso).... but it is prudent and easy to do.  The fender washer mod is rarely needed.... just for those Valks assembled by drunks or which have been knocked crooked in the back.

Opinion:   Get a 205 60 and do the nut cage mod anyway. 

Don't worry, be happy. 

[mikeb]

   205/60/16  same size as a bike tire
      205/65/16 1" taller need nut mod   200 rpm slower on the tac
      195/50/16 1" shorter no nut mod  200 rpm faster on the tac   

[Jabba]

  205/60/16  same size as a bike tire
      205/65/16 1" taller need nut mod   200 rpm slower on the tac
      195/50/16 1" shorter no nut mod  200 rpm faster on the tac   

I have 2 Valks with 205/60/16's.  BOTH needed the nut cage mod.

1 Mans experience does not necessarily extrapolate.

Jabba

[bigdog99]

Bigdog99 - do you know how the 205-55-16 affected your rpms ... About due for a back tire & considering the DS. Not sure I'll make it thru the season on my MC tire.

now that i see the other posts, i would have gone with a taller tire. i dropped about 3.5 mpg with the smaller tire.

[Misfit]

The 195 will likely not need the nutcage (or fender washer) mod.... assuming the rider and usual passenger don't go a ton.  A 205 60  (55 is couple mm wider than 60)  may or may not need the nutcage mod (again the weight proviso).... but it is prudent and easy to do.  The fender washer mod is rarely needed.... just for those Valks assembled by drunks or which have been knocked crooked in the back.

Opinion:   Get a 205 60 and do the nut cage mod anyway. 

Don't worry, be happy. 

The weight is not a factor. The tire will not bulge in the center where the swing arm is or the top where the nut cages are located. The weight will only effect the tire where it meets the road. At that point it's possible for the tire to sqwat under a heavy load.

[Jabba]

The weight is not a factor. The tire will not bulge in the center where the swing arm is or the top where the nut cages are located. The weight will only effect the tire where it meets the road. At that point it's possible for the tire to sqwat under a heavy load.

True, but the weight WILL compress the suspension further, making rubbing more likely because the tire is driven deeper into the fender well.  Take it from a 320 lb rider with a 225 lb passenger.  

Jabba

[Ricky-D]

Bigdog99 - do you know how the 205-55-16 affected your rpms ... About due for a back tire & considering the DS. Not sure I'll make it thru the season on my MC tire.

now that i see the other posts, i would have gone with a taller tire. i dropped about 3.5 mpg with the smaller tire.

To me, that seems to be extreme. And you say it is with a 55 profile tire? The cost in mpg's should be less than 1 mpg!

[valkmc]

I MAY be wrong, although I wouldn't run with that answer.
  We've done three, from what I see, some bikes need it when another may not. Depends on the individual bike and the accuracy/jig used when built. One Valk was fine with a 205-60-16 Triple tread, no mods needed. My bike needed nutcage when I went to a fatter rear tire (mc tire) 200 series Bridgestone. Then when I went Darkside (regretably) I also had to shim the rear fender, (washer mod.) MY rear fender was off center almost an inch from the factory. I'm sure others can share similiar experiences. Just saying, there all a little differant. The mods are very simple, not time consuming even if there needed.

I have a 205/60/16 Good Year TT, 25,000 w/o any mods on a 98 STD. It has never rubbed and I do ride 2 up often. I am about 200lbs and the women is 145lbs.

[B]

Thx.

[Jess from VA]

The weight is not a factor. The tire will not bulge in the center where the swing arm is or the top where the nut cages are located. The weight will only effect the tire where it meets the road. At that point it's possible for the tire to sqwat under a heavy load.

True, but the weight WILL compress the suspension further, making rubbing more likely because the tire is driven deeper into the fender well.  Take it from a 320 lb rider with a 225 lb passenger.  

Jabba

This was my point.  

At 180lbs, 13" 440 Progressives, and always solo, I probably could have skipped the nut cage mod, but I did it on both interstates with GTT anyway.

[Tropic traveler]

I have a 205/60/16 Good Year TT, 25,000 w/o any mods on a 98 STD. It has never rubbed and I do ride 2 up often. I am about 200lbs and the women is 145lbs.
[/quote]

Mike.......No way that good lookin' woman of yours weighs 145!!!! I hope she doesn't read this forum, you may be in for it!!  Never tell a woman's age or weight.

Seriously, my experience with a 205/--65--/16 Mich HydroEdge was no mods & no rubbing UNTIL 195 pound neighbor hopped on the back for a quick blast down the road. Immediate rub from the RH side. Clicked the shocks up from 2 to 4 & haven't ridden 2 up anymore. CT coming off soon anyways!

[Walküre]

CT coming off soon anyways!

Care to share the reason?

R

[Jabba]

CT coming off soon anyways!

Care to share the reason?

R

He doesn't like 'em.  The CT was on the bike when he stole... er bought it.     Just not a fan of the CT. 

Sorry to answer for you TT.  But I think I summed it up didn't I?

Jabba

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

I've ran a bunch of different CTs in my day and this is the latest and I'm very pleased with it.   http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Potenza+G+019+Grid

[valkmc]

I have a 205/60/16 Good Year TT, 25,000 w/o any mods on a 98 STD. It has never rubbed and I do ride 2 up often. I am about 200lbs and the women is 145lbs.

Mike.......No way that good lookin' woman of yours weighs 145!!!! I hope she doesn't read this forum, you may be in for it!!  Never tell a woman's age or weight.

Seriously, my experience with a 205/--65--/16 Mich HydroEdge was no mods & no rubbing UNTIL 195 pound neighbor hopped on the back for a quick blast down the road. Immediate rub from the RH side. Clicked the shocks up from 2 to 4 & haven't ridden 2 up anymore. CT coming off soon anyways!


[/quote]


Your right Eddie, I caught hell and was informed she did not way 145, you would think I would know not to do that at my age.

[valkmc]

I guess she wieghs not ways!!!!

[Tropic traveler]

CT coming off soon anyways!

Care to share the reason?

R

I always wanted to try the CT & I bought this Valk with the CT already on. Since I have my beloved '97 Tourer down for {ironic-ly} a new rear Avon {another flat } & some needed 100K service I have piled some miles on the '99 with the CT. I have no real problem with the CT but the low speed handling & constant correctioning on our high crowned roads here in FL are more than I want to deal with. I don't care about the cost differential & the better braking along with the good wet weather traction the CT provides are not enough to sway me that way.
I do understand the appeal of a CT on a Valk that some riders like but I guess it just isn't for me. I rode the '99 to work one day then Kim's '98 the next & it was a much more relaxing feeling to be riding the Avon equipped Valk. I do enjoy the reaction the CT gets from some folks when they see the CT on the back though!  
I'm sure a more rounded CT that did not have the inherent low speed bad handling the HydroEdge has would make a big difference to me. I searched all over the Internet the other night for a 195/70/16 or a 185/75/16 CT to maybe try but I found nothing in those sizes. Soooo... back to a MC tire I will go!

[2qmedic]

Hey Eddie, I would like to check that bike out next month!

Any one here have 1st hand experience and know how the 195/55/16 tire handles compaired to the 205/60? (which is what I run now).

[Jabba]

Hey Eddie, I would like to check that bike out next month!

Any one here have 1st hand experience and know how the 195/55/16 tire handles compaired to the 205/60? (which is what I run now).

It'll jack your RPM's way up.

Jabba

[MP]

CT coming off soon anyways!

Care to share the reason?

R

I always wanted to try the CT & I bought this Valk with the CT already on. Since I have my beloved '97 Tourer down for {ironic-ly} a new rear Avon {another flat } & some needed 100K service I have piled some miles on the '99 with the CT. I have no real problem with the CT but the low speed handling & constant correctioning on our high crowned roads here in FL are more than I want to deal with. I don't care about the cost differential & the better braking along with the good wet weather traction the CT provides are not enough to sway me that way.
I do understand the appeal of a CT on a Valk that some riders like but I guess it just isn't for me. I rode the '99 to work one day then Kim's '98 the next & it was a much more relaxing feeling to be riding the Avon equipped Valk. I do enjoy the reaction the CT gets from some folks when they see the CT on the back though!  
I'm sure a more rounded CT that did not have the inherent low speed bad handling the HydroEdge has would make a big difference to me. I searched all over the Internet the other night for a 195/70/16 or a 185/75/16 CT to maybe try but I found nothing in those sizes. Soooo... back to a MC tire I will go!

I had the hydroedge, but changed to a General Altimax in 60 series.  Does not react to the crown and ruts near as much as the hydroedge.  Have ridden a Goodyear TT too, and it is better than hydroedge too. Plus, what air pressure?  When I went from 36# to 28# solo, the tires reacted MUCH LESS to those things.

MP

[Ferris Leets]

I learned a lot about tires while researching my CT.  Ended up with a Fierkin. 
The one thing I strongly suggest is going to the manufacturers WEB sites and looking up the exact tire in the exact size.  I found huge differences in the same nominal tire size from brand to brand and model to model.  Some even crossed over so that a 205/55 could have a smaller actual diameter than a 205/60.  Same thing with the widths. 
      Seems like the measurements and percents should be real numbers but,  there can be serious deviations.  If you are looking at a tight fit check the actual numbers.

[tagalong]

I have 205/60/16's on both and had to nut cage mod BOTH of them.  I did not washer mod either.

Jabba

Say Jabba,

What rear shocks do you have? I've got a rub problem with my 205-55-16 Good Year Triple Tread.
The nut cages are gone.  Bolts are reversed, the head is tire side. 440 progressive with 11.5" on center measurements.  Riding one up I'm fine, two up I a rub make on the right side of the tire, the rear bolt seems to be the trouble maker.  I'm 230 and then add the better half.  Do you think 13" progressive will solve the problem?

Thanks
John S.
Bounty Hunter

[Jess from VA]

13" shocks will go a long way to solve your problem... even 12.5 might do it, but I would only run 13" shocks on mine, and I have a 29" inseam (5'9").  Even with 13 or 12.5's make sure you get the proper spring rate... probably Heavy Duty for you at 230 with or without the SO. 

[Ricky-D]

I have 205/60/16's on both and had to nut cage mod BOTH of them.  I did not washer mod either.

Jabba

Say Jabba,

What rear shocks do you have? I've got a rub problem with my 205-55-16 Good Year Triple Tread.
The nut cages are gone.  Bolts are reversed, the head is tire side. 440 progressive with 11.5" on center measurements.  Riding one up I'm fine, two up I a rub make on the right side of the tire, the rear bolt seems to be the trouble maker.  I'm 230 and then add the better half.  Do you think 13" progressive will solve the problem?

Thanks
John S.
Bounty Hunter

Could be a washer mod is all you need. Your fender may be off center with regard to the tire.

***

[Tropic traveler]

MP, I run the CT at 36 psi. When I got it the PO said he ran it at 25 psi & I thought that was a bit on the low side so I pumped it up a bit. I'll try backing it down a bit.
I'm sure some of my rubbing is caused by the tire being a 65 series which is a bit taller. Pretty sure the RH nutcage is the culprit.
I did notice there is very little difference in cruising RPM with the 65 as opposed to a MC 180/70. The Hydro Edge does seem to be more "squared off" that any other CT I've seen mounted on a Valk.
All that being said, I would love to try a 195/70/16. If such a thing exsisted it would be tall enough to help with highway RPM yet maybe not so square or prone to rubbing.  
Ferris is correct! I have seen significant variations in actual tire measurements in same size tire brands.
Charles, come on down when you get healed up! I may have the MC tire on the '99 by the time you get down this way though.

[Jabba]

I have 13" progressive 440's on the standard, and 13"  custom works shocks on the IS.  I had stockers on the standard though too.

I had to grind 1/2 the depth of the nut off the IS and trim the bolt too.

I never heard of the fender mod till I was done.  We don't bottom now at all, not even on the top of the fender at FULL compression.  And that's rare too.

Jabba

[stude31]

Well fellas....

I want to thank Willow for his quick post and getting back to me.  I was in the middle of trailering O.P's bike back to my house after his rear AVON COBRA separated.  I had a very small window to figure out what I needed to do to Paul's bike.  We were in a dilema....  It was 4:00pm on Saturday.  No honda shop was open and buddy of mine has a small motorcycle shop who normally mounts my car tires and I had spoke to him to see if he could help me get these folks back on the road....  My window to make a decision was closing and thank you Willow and to all that posted at such a short notice.

Paul chose to go get a triple tread tire and while he was doing that I was tearing apart his bike at my house.  I got him over to the shop and tire was mounted and I was doing the nutcage mod in the mean time.  The were back on the road by 7:30pm.   

After they got home Paul said that the tire was rubbing and needed to have the washer mod done.  A bit of information that you guys didn't know was that they were two up on an I/S and were pulling a full trailer and full saddle bags of "stuff".  It was interesting watching them pack their bike up to head out.  Everything had a place.   So with that information yes it was rubbing and as I type this I remember I need to call Paul to explain what he needs to do w/ the washer mod.

But, again....  Thank you willow and all the rest of you that helped out. It was very much appreciated and I knew I could count on someone to let me know "if" and "what" size CT would work...  thanks again.   

Stude31

P.s... if you ever are in the Topeka,ks area and need a tire or help... check out Extreme Cycle Brian is a great guy and has come through for me and a few vrcc members when it counted...  Great guy, great service.....  (had to make a plug for him... he went out of his way to help and stay late to get Paul on the road.... he sacrificed his dinner date with his wife to stick around and make this happen).

[lifguardct]

 205/60/16  same size as a bike tire
      205/65/16 1" taller need nut mod   200 rpm slower on the tac
      195/50/16 1" shorter no nut mod  200 rpm faster on the tac  

Any idea how a 195/60R16  would compare?

[valky1500]

Only hypothetically...

A 195/60/16 is an unrecognized car tire size for a 7.5" rim width.

As it would be close in diameter but much skinnier than the listed car tire sizes above. 

[vanagon40]

 205/60/16  same size as a bike tire
      205/65/16 1" taller need nut mod   200 rpm slower on the tac
      195/50/16 1" shorter no nut mod  200 rpm faster on the tac  

Any idea how a 195/60R16  would compare?

Dude,

You would probably get a better response starting a new thread instead of responding to a thread that has been dead for over two years.

But, in an effort to be helpful rather than just critical, check out the Tire Comparison Program on the Shop Talk page.

[lifguardct]

Only hypothetically...

A 195/60/16 is an unrecognized car tire size for a 7.5" rim width.

As it would be close in diameter but much skinnier than the listed car tire sizes above. 

There are several tires available in this size (Hankook Optimo) shows rim width of 5.5"-7", tread width is 6.3" and diameter of 25.3"

 
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Hankook&tireModel=Optimo+H426&partnum=96HR6H426

[valky1500]

That might very well be so about tires being that size... 

but the point was that those skinny tires won't hold the bead.   

Leastwise, going darkside is one thing but I wouldn't want to try a tire that doesn't match the rim size.   

[CASABROKER]

SP SPORT 5000 Symmetrical 195/60R16 89H BSW Kick ass tire no mods at all.  200 more rpm @ 75mph.