Wide Rear M/C Tire

[YBNormal]

I have tried looking through the history on here and
every time I get into a Tire Thread it goes DarkSide.

I Understand the DarkSide BUT,
I want to try to Go with Just a Wide MC Tire on this Valk.

What is the Widest MC Tire I can put on my Valk Tourer?
Is the 180/70R16 all there is?
MC Brands would be Good Too but I do like Metezler ME880's
myself but If I can find a Wider MC tire in a Good Brand I'll go for it.

Thanks in advance,
YBNormal

[John U.]

Unless you're up for serious rear end modification, 200/60-16 is all that will fit in a MC tire. Metzler, Avon , Dunlop and Bridgestone make that size that I've heard of.
I haven't run one but I'm planning to as soon as I wear out  the current Avon. I'm sure others will chime in.
Oh yea, I almost forgot to mention the nutcage mod, it provides a bit more room that the wider tire will likely need. Check out the shoptalk section

[Tundra]

You can go up to a 200/60/16. It rides real nice and looks good too
I don't remember if I needed the nutcage mod. when I ran that size tire, but it will be close. I did need it for the Darkside. Probably should do it anyway, it's easy. Why do something twice?http://lifeisaroad.com/stories/2005/08/24/valkyrieRearFenderNutCageMod.html

[Tx Bohemian]

You can go up to a 200/60/16. It rides real nice and looks good too
http://lifeisaroad.com/stories/2005/08/24/valkyrieRearFenderNutCageMod.html

True that, at least for the 200 thing (not sure what the rest of my tire says), and the LOOKS GOOD too comment!

I did the nut cage and have absolutley no problems rubbing even with two up.

I run a Metz 200 something.

[The Anvil]

While I would like the look of a wider rear tire you have to keep in mind that it will be more "pinched" and the outer edges will be pulled in more. This can result in undesirable handling. The Valk handles beautifully for such a long, heavy bike. The chassis and tire combination is something that Honda got very right IMO.

It's your bike and you can do what you want but just be prepared for the possibility that going wider may cause unwanted handling changes.

[98valk]

the 200/60/16 is a smaller dia than stock, the ones I checked also have less tread depth than stock size. The E3 is wider than other stock tires and more tread depth.

[YBNormal]

Thanks For all the Comments.
The Nutcage Mod was already done on this Bike when I got it.
I'm interested in Anvil's Comment on Handling issues.
Is there anyone Riding with this Tire
That can Say How They Feel it Proforms, ie.. Curves, Wet, Open HiWay?
Just would like as much background info if any before I make a change.

Thanks again for all the Comments,
YBNormal

[The Anvil]

Thanks For all the Comments.
The Nutcage Mod was already done on this Bike when I got it.
I'm interested in Anvil's Comment on Handling issues.
Is there anyone Riding with this Tire
That can Say How They Feel it Proforms, ie.. Curves, Wet, Open HiWay?
Just would like as much background info if any before I make a change.

Thanks again for all the Comments,
YBNormal

I can't speak to the Valk in particular but I've ridden some sportbikes with wider-than-designed-for tires. It didn't turn them into unstable death machines but the steeper edge angle made for less grip at greater lean angles. Also, when a flat spot forms in the middle it has a greater effect on handling.

[Gear Jammer]

Thanks For all the Comments.
The Nutcage Mod was already done on this Bike when I got it.
I'm interested in Anvil's Comment on Handling issues.
Is there anyone Riding with this Tire
That can Say How They Feel it Proforms, ie.. Curves, Wet, Open HiWay?
Just would like as much background info if any before I make a change.

Thanks again for all the Comments,
YBNormal

I had the Avon Cobra 200/60/16, and I'd say judging from the wear across the tire from sidewall to sidewall, I had little trouble cornering, and noticed no negative handling issues.  The Avons (fr and Rear) did give me more traction and road feel than the Dunflop or Metzler before.  Now it's Darkside 

[Jay]

I'm on my third Bridgestone Battlax 200/60/16.  I run an Avon Cobra front.  Handles like a dream wet or dry.  I only get around 10-12k on the Battlax, but I feel it's worth it.

[chauffeur]

I went with the wider metzler earlier this year.  I have not experienced any negative handling issues in the first 4000 miles.  I've been told that the tire will wear faster, but too early to tell. 

To get the proper clearance, I had to do the nut cage mod AND the washer mod. 

Go for it.  And don't look back....

[fudgie]

I've had 3-4 rear Metzler 200's. Loved them. Never went back to the oem size. Only handleing issues Ive had is the the tire sticks very well.  Wet or dry, on road and off road. You do get the flat spot in the middle but if you dont hit twisties alot. Tire life for me was very good. Roughly 12-13k.

There is less clearance between the swing arm and tire then with my 205 CT.

[BF]

To get the proper clearance, I had to do the nut cage mod AND the washer mod. 

I know what the nut cage mod is.....but what's the washer mod?

[gordonv]

The washer mod is the shimming of the fender, to re-align it.

[Tundra]

Washer Mod. http://www.s2s-accessories.com/photo/fndrmod/
 This is the easiest illustration I have found. Click on the first photo, then slideshow. It's got closed captions. Paul did a real nice job with this http://rides.webshots.com/album/558419637qsIyod?vhost=rides

[MarkT]

I'm on my third 200 series tire.  Avon Cobras.  Anvil is wrong on the handling - it's actually IMPROVED with the 200 over the 180.  Meaning, once you wear the tire out, with a flat spot in the middle, the handling remains the same as a new tire, for countersteer pressure.  Put the new tire on, and feel no difference from the old.  Unlike the 180s, which do feel different between the worn and new tire.  Other than that - traction feels the same to me, with the only change being width.  Yeah I use the whole tire - no chicken strips on my tires.

[BF]

Washer Mod. http://www.s2s-accessories.com/photo/fndrmod/
 This is the easiest illustration I have found. Click on the first photo, then slideshow. It's got closed captions. Paul did a real nice job with this http://rides.webshots.com/album/558419637qsIyod?vhost=rides

Damn I love this site.      

Thank you!

[Oss]

pretty sure Strider had the battleaxe on when he and hard6 did their big cross country ride and I think Warlock ran them before returning to the dark side

I put on a Battleaxe 200 before americade and had a blast with it down in Maggie Valley this summer

IMHO (which is worth nothing since I am such a slowpoke on twisties) the tire handled as good or better than the cobra it replaced.   So far I am diggin the tire

[pistolchamp]

"If" you want to continue with a MC tire and I cannot understand why, then the Dunlop E-3 looks wider and works well, I now have a Michelen Hydroedge 205/65R16 with over 51,000 miles on it with no end in sightl.  Many sport bikes have wished they hadn't fooled with me.

[quexpress]

"If" you want to continue with a MC tire and I cannot understand why,

What's so difficult to understand?  ... he rides a motorcycle! 

[Warlock]

pretty sure Strider had the battleaxe on when he and hard6 did their big cross country ride and I think Warlock ran them before returning to the dark side

I put on a Battleaxe 200 before americade and had a blast with it down in Maggie Valley this summer

IMHO (which is worth nothing since I am such a slowpoke on twisties) the tire handled as good or better than the cobra it replaced.   So far I am diggin the tire

Really liked the Battleaxe, Mississippi roads eats them up to quick. Might get between 7 and 8 thousand miles.
David