Tire sizes confuse me...but so does lots of other things(just ask my wife)

[KyMoonshine]

So I have worn out my MC tires and need to replace them before Spring, I have decided(after hours and hours of reading) to switch to a CT on the rear, I am looking at the General AltiMAX RT43 does anyone here have any experience with it?
 Also I want to lower the entire motorcycle and wondering if 205/55R16 in the rear and 150/70 rear MC tire on front would lower the entire bike? I figure if it does I'll need to modify the side stand

I also am open to current CT options as I understand it some of the old favorites are no longer easy to find. Any information other than explaining to me that I will most certainly ride to my death on a CT is appreciated 

[The emperor has no clothes]

I haven’t used that tire but it looks good. Those sizes will lower the rear just slightly less than half an inch, and slightly more than a half an inch in the front. I doubt you’d need to do anything to the kickstand.

[da prez]

  I'm on my second Ulta-max. Good handling in all weather and on snow (yes). Avoid the snow. I've been on the dragon and often pull a trailer.

                                  da prez

[KyMoonshine]

  I'm on my second Ulta-max. Good handling in all weather and on snow (yes). Avoid the snow. I've been on the dragon and often pull a trailer.

                                  da prez

AltiMax? or is there a Ultra-Max as well?

[Jess from VA]

This site is helpful in what you seek (for tires).

https://www.tacomaworld.com/tirecalc?tires=150-80r17-140-75r17

FWIW, I've tried a few lower/smaller front tires (one, a rear on front reversed, for deeper tread), and was unhappy with them all.  They lacked the strength and carcass size to handle the big heavy bike in twisty turning rides.  The Commander II in 140 75 17 (front) was a good tire, it just didn't last long.

[Jims99]

Just remember that a smaller front tire will throw off the speedometer even more. Will register as going faster than you are.

[98valk]

I run a 205/65-16 on rear. lowers rpms by 200 for that missing 6th gear.
run 130/90-17 rear tire reversed on front.  speedo runs 5 mphs fast, yet ODO is spot on via mile makers via three different states.  now that the tire is almost at the wear bar ODO is half a tenth fast.

[Jess from VA]

Just remember that a smaller front tire will throw off the speedometer even more. Will register as going faster than you are.

I think that is only standards and tourers, the IS is electronic. 

[Willow]

Just remember that a smaller front tire will throw off the speedometer even more. Will register as going faster than you are.

I think that is only standards and tourers, the IS is electronic. 

But it's still measuring wheel rotations.  The specified effect is present on my State.

[Jess from VA]

Just remember that a smaller front tire will throw off the speedometer even more. Will register as going faster than you are.

I think that is only standards and tourers, the IS is electronic. 

But it's still measuring wheel rotations.  The specified effect is present on my State.

Well, they're all off 5% on purpose, even with proper sizes.

[Willow]

Just remember that a smaller front tire will throw off the speedometer even more. Will register as going faster than you are.

I think that is only standards and tourers, the IS is electronic. 

But it's still measuring wheel rotations.  The specified effect is present on my State.

Well, they're all off 5% on purpose, even with proper sizes.

I was comparing before and after the tire of a different size.  Yes, I know they're all off by design.

The statement "I think that is only standards and tourers, the IS is electronic. " was incorrect.

[psckam]

https://tiresize.com/comparison/

just load in your info for complete comparison

[psckam]

just curious 98valk why the change to 139-/90 on front, the difference is almost nothing, merely a more skinny tire. Am I wrong in assuming its because they are easier to acquire, and maybe cheaper?

[98valk]

just curious 98valk why the change to 139-/90 on front, the difference is almost nothing, merely a more skinny tire. Am I wrong in assuming its because they are easier to acquire, and maybe cheaper?

deeper thread equals 28k+ miles tire life. much better rounded profile for better handling than a front tire and smaller diameter which reduces trail number for better handling. puts speedo at 4 to 5 mph fast, and ODO is spot on.

[psckam]

98valk
so is the rim width ok with a reduced nominal section width? Inquiring minds want to know. Looks like they are slightly less expensive as well, which with todays mc tire prices that is a plus!

[KyMoonshine]

I run a 205/65-16 on rear. lowers rpms by 200 for that missing 6th gear.
run 130/90-17 rear tire reversed on front.  speedo runs 5 mphs fast, yet ODO is spot on via mile makers via three different states.  now that the tire is almost at the wear bar ODO is half a tenth fast.

I went with a 195/60 as my first CT,  could you tell me what brand tire you use in the 130/90-17 so I can pick one up. Thanks

[98valk]

I run a 205/65-16 on rear. lowers rpms by 200 for that missing 6th gear.
run 130/90-17 rear tire reversed on front.  speedo runs 5 mphs fast, yet ODO is spot on via mile makers via three different states.  now that the tire is almost at the wear bar ODO is half a tenth fast.

I went with a 195/60 as my first CT,  could you tell me what brand tire you use in the 130/90-17 so I can pick one up. Thanks

right now I'm using a Dunlop D404.   maintain max air pressure that is on the sidewall, mine is 41psi

[0leman]

I run a 205/65-16 on rear. lowers rpms by 200 for that missing 6th gear.
run 130/90-17 rear tire reversed on front.  speedo runs 5 mphs fast, yet ODO is spot on via mile makers via three different states.  now that the tire is almost at the wear bar ODO is half a tenth fast.

I went with a 195/60 as my first CT,  could you tell me what brand tire you use in the 130/90-17 so I can pick one up. Thanks

right now I'm using a Dunlop D404.   maintain max air pressure that is on the sidewall, mine is 41psi

I have been also using the Dunlop 404 front tire, on my 4th one.   Get between 10-11k out of it.  Use 37 psi.  The roads I ride on are chip coated which reduces the life of tires around here.   Handles good, don't ride much in wet weather so don't have lots of wet weather riding info.

[98valk]

I run a 205/65-16 on rear. lowers rpms by 200 for that missing 6th gear.
run 130/90-17 rear tire reversed on front.  speedo runs 5 mphs fast, yet ODO is spot on via mile makers via three different states.  now that the tire is almost at the wear bar ODO is half a tenth fast.

I went with a 195/60 as my first CT,  could you tell me what brand tire you use in the 130/90-17 so I can pick one up. Thanks

right now I'm using a Dunlop D404.   maintain max air pressure that is on the sidewall, mine is 41psi

I have been also using the Dunlop 404 front tire, on my 4th one.   Get between 10-11k out of it.  Use 37 psi.  The roads I ride on are chip coated which reduces the life of tires around here.   Handles good, don't ride much in wet weather so don't have lots of wet weather riding info.

using max pressure, tire is at 21k miles, almost at wear bars.  anything less than 41psi gave a high speed wobble.

[High Desert]

You can lower the bike by changing the length of the rear shocks.  I think std rear shock length is 13”.  I am customizing my valk as a bobber and I put 11” shocks on.  it lowered it a lot and for my 5’9” frame and it handles better than before in my opinion.  I have ordered another set of shocks that are 11.5” to keep the tire from contacting my (now tracking) fender.  I believe that I read for every inch you reduce in shock length you lower the bike 1.5 inches.  Hope all this helps.

[98valk]

You can lower the bike by changing the length of the rear shocks.  I think std rear shock length is 13”.  I am customizing my valk as a bobber and I put 11” shocks on.  it lowered it a lot and for my 5’9” frame and it handles better than before in my opinion.  I have ordered another set of shocks that are 11.5” to keep the tire from contacting my (now tracking) fender.  I believe that I read for every inch you reduce in shock length you lower the bike 1.5 inches.  Hope all this helps.

what the tire is hitting is the fender clearance for the shock towers cross brace due to the shorter shocks.

[0leman]

I run a 205/65-16 on rear. lowers rpms by 200 for that missing 6th gear.
run 130/90-17 rear tire reversed on front.  speedo runs 5 mphs fast, yet ODO is spot on via mile makers via three different states.  now that the tire is almost at the wear bar ODO is half a tenth fast.

I went with a 195/60 as my first CT,  could you tell me what brand tire you use in the 130/90-17 so I can pick one up. Thanks

right now I'm using a Dunlop D404.   maintain max air pressure that is on the sidewall, mine is 41psi

I have been also using the Dunlop 404 front tire, on my 4th one.   Get between 10-11k out of it.  Use 37 psi.  The roads I ride on are chip coated which reduces the life of tires around here.   Handles good, don't ride much in wet weather so don't have lots of wet weather riding info.

using max pressure, tire is at 21k miles, almost at wear bars.  anything less than 41psi gave a high speed wobble.

I have ridden up to 100 mph without indication of any wobble.   The main problem with our lower mailage is chipcoated Hwy's, not air pressure. 

[Valkorado]

Been loving the 195/65 tire size, running Zeetex CT-1000 light truck tires on both bikes for awhile now.  Seemed to be about the perfect balance between width and height, for me anyway.  Ruby's needing a new one.  But they're discontinued, at least I can't find freshly minted ones around anymore.  195/65 r16 tires are rare as hen's teeth, especially when looking for one with a nice rounded edge.

I do keep seeing these

https://www.amazon.com/Otani-EK1000-Season-Radial-Tire-195/dp/B07LC43P86

and they look like they just might fit the bill.   

Anyone tried 'em, and if so whaddya think?

[..]

https://www.amazon.com/Crosswind-HP010-All-Season-Radial-Tire-195/dp/B07D65DHRV

[Valkorado]

https://www.amazon.com/Crosswind-HP010-All-Season-Radial-Tire-195/dp/B07D65DHRV

Looks to be R15.