Rear Car Tire Size

[silver saddle]

I just bought a 205/60 R 16 and it looks to wide.  Thinking I might need a 205/55 R 16 instead.  Anyone have any insite on this?   

[Mildew]

I think the 205 part is the width. I'm currently running the same size you are. I remember when I bought my 1st car tire 205/55/16. I asked the same question you did. I'm sure she'll fit

[silver saddle]

Great......thanks for the input.  Guess I will go ahead and keep this one and see how it goes.

[MP]

205 is the width, 55, 60, and 65 are the height aspect ration.  55 is a little shorter, 60 abut the same, and 65 is a little taller than OEM.

MP

[Jess from VA]

In actual fact, a 55 is a couple MM wider than the 60.  The 55 is shorter, not thinner.

The 60 will fit fine.  When I was in the dealer helping install my first GATT, the lead tech, who is a super wrench, but who had never mounted a car tire, took the unmounted tire and shoved it up under the fender and it did not fit well at all.  He (and I) became dubious.  However, once mounted on the wheel and inflated, it gets smaller (and heavier LOL).  Just do it (after cutting the nut-cages).  

[PMsteve]

I'm really curious. I've heard that car tires can be used on the rear but have never heard how the bike handles or how the car tire wears on the bike.

What brand car tires are available in this size?

I just had a new Avon Cobra installed and for the cost (tire and install about $400) I'm looking for a longer wearing alternative.

[X Ring]

PMsteve, do a search for car tires or darkside and you'll find a slew of info on which tires we are using plus how they handle. 

Marty

[MP]

I'm really curious. I've heard that car tires can be used on the rear but have never heard how the bike handles or how the car tire wears on the bike.

What brand car tires are available in this size?

I just had a new Avon Cobra installed and for the cost (tire and install about $400) I'm looking for a longer wearing alternative.

Quite a few in the 55 and 60 series.  65 is rarer.

General Altimax, Goodyear tripletred, michelin hydroedge, pierelli, are just as few. use search, and you will come up with more threads than you can shake a stick at!

MP

[John Schmidt]

I found leaving the car tire mostly deflated made it easier to install. Inflate it just enough to seat it on the rim, then let it out to just enough to keep its shape. It will actually be slightly narrower in the center of the sidewall at that stage.

[wdvalk]

Im running a falken 512 ,size 205/60/16 after nutcage mod , this is my first darkside tire ,so far so good.

[Slick]

I love being on the darkside. It really is a world of difference, and I can't wait for the rear on my VTX to need replacement cause it's CT for her also-

[GOOSE]

PMSTEVE...there are a lot of us here running on the darkside, and for the most part we wouldn't change, both for the longer mileage, and the ride.  but...going to the darkside is definately not for everyone.  read the forums, talk to people who ride c-t, and maybe someone you know will let you ride their darkside bike...that will tell you real quick.  good luck in your change.

[wild6]

A blast from the past:
http://replay.waybackmachine.org/20080719015526/http://www.totallypissedoff.com/Darkside/darkside.htm

(FYI: It's a website snapshot that's almost 3 years old)

[GOOSE]

wild6.......i remember that site, but i can't pull anything up from there anymore. i guess it doesn't exist now.

[Gangman036]

+1 on
http://replay.waybackmachine.org/20080719015526/http://www.totallypissedoff.com/Darkside/darkside.htm

I have a GYTT (Good Year Triple Tread) 205/60/16 w/the nut cage mod, and if it ever wears out.........I'll get another.

I regularly drag my pegs in some local twisties and she grabs the road great and is pure pleasure on the highway. A little bit of a learning curve at first as well as watching out for ruts in parking lots and stop lights. 5000 miles and the tire still looks new !!

[GOOSE]

maybe i'm doing something wrong, but i still can't get that web site to do anything.

[Blackduck]

205/55/16 Toyo Proxes4 and standard bridgestone. Both mounted on rims and both with around 9000 K's use.

[Paxton]

Hi folks.

I recently read an excellent step-by-step car tire installation procedure with pics and all... but now I can't find it! 

At any rate, I bought a new car tire for the Valk.
The size is 205/65/16, which the article I read says it is the largest that can be fitted on the Valkyrie. 

I know that when installing a 205/60 or a 205/65 one must remove the tabs from under the fender to avoid scraping... 

Per the procedure I read, if one installs the 205/55, then NO MODS are necessary...  but your RPM would increase by about 3%.
With the 205/60, the RPM stays about the same as with the M/C tire.

One thing I forgot to consider is the fact that I installed 11.5" Progressive shocks, which lowered the rear by 1,5 inches. 

I have an appointment at a shop. They'll remove the rear wheel with the M/C tire, then remove the tabs from under the fender (as it is a must)
and  install the car tire; all for $80. 

However, my apprehension keeps growing after realizing that w/the lowered bike the taller car tire might not fit. 

Nevertheless, looking under the fender with the M/C tire still on, it appears that there is a lot of room to get it in there, even with the lower shocks... 

... But then again, I might be looking at what I want to see rather than the potential jam! 

I think I'll bring the OEM 13" shocks to the shop, just in case... 

BTW: I chose the taller tire because it lowers the RPM by about 3%.
Has anybody seen the installation thread I referenced above?

Has anyone installed the 205/65? If so, should I be concerned about fitting it on a lowered bike?

Please reply ASAP!

[2qmedic]

I'm really curious. I've heard that car tires can be used on the rear but have never heard how the bike handles or how the car tire wears on the bike.
What brand car tires are available in this size?
I just had a new Avon Cobra installed and for the cost (tire and install about $400) I'm looking for a longer wearing alternative.

Pros - I have about 25,000 on a GYTT 205-60 and should last I think up to 35-40K miles, awesome stopping power, confidence in rain is unparalled, it's glued to the payment in corners.
Down side - can have a slight loose feeling/wobble at 90-100 mph depending on tire psi (so get the higher speed rating because they have stiffer sidewalls), likes to follow ruts, carefull with road construction and dirt roads can be a handfull.
Give yourself 1500-2000 miles to break in and for you to get adjusted to it.
I see no reason to go back to a motorcycle tire.

[X Ring]

I'm running a Toyo Proxes in 205/65HR16.  Just pulled it for driveline maintenance and saw where it rubbed against the reinforcements under the fender and I run I/S shocks on my Tourer.  I think the rubbing happened when I for got to adjust the shocks for 2 up riding.

Marty

[art]

I'm running a  195 55 16  .$75 instaled it my self with tire irons by hand an some lube.Very easy.The last one lasted two years an 25000 miles.I see no reason in mortgaging the house to put a m/c tire on at those prices.I also am using a kenda 150 70 17 on the front.It's a rear tire an cost me $63 from JC Whitney

[Sonny]

I have been talking about putting a car tire on for about a year.  Been running a Avon Cobra 180/70R16.  So I have watched the blerbs posted to make sure I was doing the same thing as the majority of rest of the VRCC members were doing. Noticed several ran the Fusion HRi 205/60R16 so I ordered one. Only $74.00 plus freight. Looked at the nut mod.  Even with the nut mod no way the tire will fit!  With the nuts and factory holders completely removed and no nuts at all only have about 8-3/8" clearance. New tire is 8-3/8" wide.

Any ideas, am I missing something.

[X Ring]

I have been talking about putting a car tire on for about a year.  Been running a Avon Cobra 180/70R16.  So I have watched the blerbs posted to make sure I was doing the same thing as the majority of rest of the VRCC members were doing. Noticed several ran the Fusion HRi 205/60R16 so I ordered one. Only $74.00 plus freight. Looked at the nut mod.  Even with the nut mod no way the tire will fit!  With the nuts and factory holders completely removed and no nuts at all only have about 8-3/8" clearance. New tire is 8-3/8" wide.

Any ideas, am I missing something.

Sonny, calm down!  Did you measure the tire's width unmounted?  Iirc, there are several running that tire.  I checked Fuzion's specs and you tire is rated at 8.2" section width.  The same as several of the tires the rest of us are running.  Remove your nut cages and get your tire installed.  Before you install the rear wheel, let the air out and after you install it reinflate the tire.  Then start checking your clearances. 

Marty

[Sonny]

  I will keep moving forward on the change, nut mod is not a big deal.  I will say I realy like the width of the tire.  I'm sure it will look great.

Is there some noticable changes in handling to be aware of ?

[2qmedic]

Remember the car tire will not be able go up as far into the wheel well as a MC tire. You may need to adjust your shocks a little stiffer setting. The nut cage mod allows a little more room but more importantly decreases the ability of it to cut into the tire and possibly causing a blow out. I never have heard of it happening, but the possibility is there if not done. But a person should most likely know "sumthing just ain't right back there" and not ride if the nutcage was rubbing.
In my case, I purchased Progressive shocks with the stiffer spring rate so my wife could ride.
That being said, with the progressive shocks and fork springs, it is a great handling upgrade of which I would have done regardless of the CT.
Cheers

[Paxton]

Re: TIRE SIZE IMPACTS ON RPM « Reply #10 on: 21 May 2011, 20:48:07 »                             

I believe my recent post referenced above is misplaced. 

It is most relevant to the current discussion here in this thread.
It is specific about the nuances of installing / fitting a car tire to any GL1500-Valkyrie model.

You are welcome to read it.

LINK: BEFORE AND AFTER PICS... 
https://picasaweb.google.com/103917731019176896112/VALKYRIEBEFOREANDAFTERDARKSIDE?authkey=Gv1sRgCL-I2MbK0YGcyAE#

"I had planned to live forever... but I now have serious doubts." 

[X Ring]

Re: TIRE SIZE IMPACTS ON RPM « Reply #10 on: 21 May 2011, 20:48:07 »                             

I believe my recent post referenced above is misplaced.    Why do you think it was misplaced?  No one has posted in it since yesterday so it has moved down every time a new post is made in any thread on the Tech Board.

It is most relevant to the current discussion here in this thread.  I hate to tell you this but not really.  Your thread hasn't covered anything that wasn't already known.

It is specific about the nuances of installing / fitting a car tire to any GL1500-Valkyrie model.  Your thread didn't cover any of the "nuances" of converting a Valkyrie to the DarkSide.  You found a shop to remove the motorcycle tire, perform the nut cage removal, then mount and install the car tire.  You have no idea what problems they may have run into.  Those of us that came before you have done everything except for mounting the car tire on the rim and there are some that have done that also. 

Btw, did your shop perform the driveline maintenance required including replacing the three o-rings?  If not, expect a $12-1500 repair bill the next time you pull the rear tire and considering you DarkSided it, that could be several years due to the final drive and wheel flange splines being dry (no lubrication) and prematurely wearing. 

You are welcome to read it.

LINK: BEFORE AND AFTER PICS... 
https://picasaweb.google.com/103917731019176896112/VALKYRIEBEFOREANDAFTERDARKSIDE?authkey=Gv1sRgCL-I2MbK0YGcyAE# 

"I had planned to live forever... but I now have serious doubts." 

Marty