Solved first concern after dark side

[Firefighter]

Went dark side recently, only had time to ride twenty miles or so until a week later, today. When I climbed on board, I felt as if I was lower than usual. My feet were more flat footed than I remembered. Concerned me enough to check tire pressure again, and then add air to my air hawk seat, which was the first time. Rode about a 100 miles, no trouble, then when I got home and went to put the bike on the center stand, I couldn't. The frame was lower, finally used a board to roll the rear wheel on and then was able to use the center stand. The new tire is Yokohama Envigor 205/60/16. Is the flatness shape of the tire the difference? Front forks appear OK. Seems The RPM/ Speed is the same, I did test that. I dont like this, what else can it be? Thanks for input.  Firefighter

Update: OK, I found the trouble, my fault. Took the bags off and took the rails and top shocks loose. The right side shock would move easy back and forth in the lower mount, but the left side would not. I took the left shock off and the metal bushing that slides through the rubber was missing! Went looking and found it where I had laid the shock a week ago. Installed the bushing and put it back together and now I can put the bike on the center stand again!! Hard to believe the thickness of that bushing would make that difference, and just one side. Any way, the world started turning again, I feel better can get on with life. Thanks for responses  Firefighter

[The emperor has no clothes]

Went dark side recently, only had time to ride twenty miles or so until a week later, today. When I climbed on board, I felt as if I was lower than usual. My feet were more flat footed than I remembered. Concerned me enough to check tire pressure again, and then add air to my air hawk seat, which was the first time. Rode about a 100 miles, no trouble, then when I got home and went to put the bike on the center stand, I couldn't. The frame was lower, finally used a board to roll the rear wheel on and then was able to use the center stand. The new tire is Yokohama Envigor 205/60/16. Is the flatness shape of the tire the difference? Front forks appear OK. Seems The RPM/ Speed is the same, I did test that. I dont like this, what else can it be? Thanks for input.  Firefighter

I think it just comes with the territory. I can't put mine on the center stand without riding up on a 2x4. I only use the center stand for cleaning the wheels.

[Firefighter]

Which territory, I have always been able to use the center stand, it is lower, any body had this before, do I need a taller tire? Firefighter

[John Schmidt]

With that size car tire I was always able to put mine on the center stand....until I went to shorter shocks. That dropped it down and extra inch or so, now I roll the rear tire up on a short piece of 1x3 which is only 3/4" thick. That made all the difference, I can now raise it by myself. If you have shorter than OEM shocks, just do as I did with a 3/4" piece of board. And remember, when stepping down on the center stand footped, do not do it with the toe of your shoe....place the footpeg in the center of the instep in front of the heel. Do it with your toe and I guarantee you'll eventually rip or badly pull a calf muscle. ..................DON'T ASK!  Couldn't walk without a cane for over a week.

[Firefighter]

Appreciate the responses. I have progressive shocks but don't know which ones. I have not changed anything except the tire, so I guess it is the tire. Charts say this 205/60/16 is taller than the stock mc tire. I had 40 psi cold pressure. Can't understand as rpm/ speed is the same. What taller tire can we use? 205/65? Is that the choices? Mine appears to have plenty of clearance. I plan to look closer when I can, maybe take the shocks loose and see if I left anything off or wrong, really would like to find the answer, and correct this.  Firefighter

[The emperor has no clothes]

I don't think the 60 series is taller, if it is it's not by much. The 65 is probably close to an inch taller.
Just noticed you are in Harlingen, I was born in McAllen and all my family was from the valley.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

I don't have an answer. I do run the same size tire and don't remember noticing any difference in ride high.

[vanagon40]

That tire should be almost exactly the same diameter as an OEM tire or replacement tire in the OEM size.

What size was the tire you replaced?

Did you check the air pressure in the new tire (I assume it not flat or close to it)?

Unless the previous tire was not a 180/70R16, you should not notice any difference with the 205/60R16 (the OEM tire is just over 2% taller than the 205/60R16).  I would check the tire sizes of both the old and new tire.  If you did replace a 180/70R16 with a 205/60R16, then I suspect something else has been changed.

This a not a usual darkside concern or problem.

[PhredValk]

Stock tire is 180/70R-16 126mm (rim to high tread).

205/55  112.75mm
205/60  123mm
205/65  133.25mm
Math only, can vary with tire manufacturers.
My 205/65 gives me 70MPH indicated at 3000RPM.
Fred.

[John Schmidt]

With no weight compression on the shocks, simply measure them center to center at the mounting holes. That will tell you how long/short they are.

[Firefighter]

Thanks found my little trouble go to the top of the page.