So has anyone actually installed the wider 160 rear tire on an 04/05/06?

I ordered a Metzeler ME880 160/80B16, and it has arrived. I just now looked at my bike, and the distance between the belt guard (both upper and lower) and the stock 150 tire is *very* small. I'm not convinced that the larger tire will clear - but everyone here (and even Metzeler) says it will fit.

So has anyone actually done this? Does it really fit??

dave,

I would like to know as well. I am thinking about going this same route.

If no one else chimes in, please let us know how it works out for you.

Oh! Give us a review on the Metzlers also!

883Cwk

dave,

I would like to know as well. I am thinking about going this same route.

If no one else chimes in, please let us know how it works out for you.

Oh! Give us a review on the Metzlers also!

883CwkI'm going to the store today to have my 160 mounted - they will mount and balance for free if you bring in the wheel. Getting that axle out was a pain in the :censor !

I will let everyone know how the 160 works out - both in fit and performance.

I just got the one Metzeler, by the way. I'll run the stock one up front until it wears out - unless the handling goes weird on me.

I was going to order one, and then I read on there web site that you will get 2000 miles out of the tire. Its not so much paying for the tires, I just dont want to have to take the time ever other month to have it done. The stock tire I got 7,000 miles out of.

like to see a pic to see how much wider it is when you get it on

I was going to order one, and then I read on there web site that you will get 2000 miles out of the tire.Where did you see that exactly? I see some text on their website that says "Most consumers get 2000 (or more) miles than O.E. tires". That's 2000 miles *more*, not 2000 miles. Is this the reference you saw? http://www.us.metzelermoto.com/product_info/upgrade/index.htm

The stock tire I got 7,000 miles out of.I currently have 15,000 miles on my stock Dunlops. I'm not *quite* to the wear indicator on the rear. The front looks hardly used at all!

like to see a pic to see how much wider it is when you get it onSure! But a 160 is less than 1/2" wider than the stock 150, so it probably won't be noticeable...

I guess I should have looked closer. I would have went with the metzeler. :(

Dave .....

Did you every get that 160 tire mounted on your bike?

I guess it fits ok?

Does it look any wider that the stock 150 you had on there before?

So has anyone actually installed the wider 160 rear tire on an 04/05/06?

So has anyone actually done this? Does it really fit??Yeah, me! I installed my new Metzeler ME880 160/80B16 last night. It's a lot easier with one person working the lift and the other guiding the wheel into place. Anyway, everything fit just fine. The clearance to the upper and lower belt guards is about the same as it was with the stock tire.

I have a 160/60/18 Metzler on my '04. Used a laced 4.25" wide wheel. I like the tire although I have worn 2 out in only 11K miles. So they do wear somewhat fast.

There is plenty of room on both sides of the tire, and no problem getting it in there. The 18" wheel looks great too!

dave ....

Does it 'look' any wider than the stock 150 you had on there before?

Does it 'look' any wider than the stock 150 you had on there before?Yeah, I *think* so. In general terms, a 160 is only about 1/2" wider than a 150, so you really have to look.

I just uploaded some pics to my gallery. Actually, this is the first time I have ever uploaded images, so all of them show Lilybeth with the 160 Metzeler.

I only have about 50 miles on the tire (all freeway), so it's hard to come up with performance opinions yet. But I will say that the bike seemed more solid and stable, as well as smoother.

Here is a pic of the installed Metzeler ME880 160/80B16 (there are some more in my gallery).

Hi Dave thanks for the info and picture. I'm going to need a new rear tire soon & the HD store near me is having a 50% off sale on their overstock tires they happen to have a 160/80B16 880. are you going to change the front too?? I don't want to mix brands so I'll get a new front even though to stock dunlop still looks good.

Hi Dave thanks for the info and picture. I'm going to need a new rear tire soon & the HD store near me is having a 50% off sale on their overstock tires they happen to have a 160/80B16 880.Wow, sounds great! I paid $150, but that included mounting and balancing (if you bring in just the wheel).
are you going to change the front too??Absolutely! As soon as the front wears out - it won't be long.
I don't want to mix brands so I'll get a new front even though to stock dunlop still looks good.I almost did that as well, but thought I would give it a shot with a "mixed" set first. I haven't noticed any problems.

Dave, I went to the dealer yesterday to look at the metzeler again they also had a 150/80-16/880 the 160 seems to be alot taller,did you notice a big difference in ride height? I don't want my bike any higher I love the way it's set up now.I should have asked the guys in parts to bring me out a 150 dunlop to compare since there seems to be so much difference between brands thanks for all the info. I know its big $$$$$ but I'm still kicking around putting on some kind of wide tire kit a 180 or 200 I love the look & it'll be out of warranty soon so let the fun begin!!!

. . .they also had a 150/80-16/880 the 160 seems to be alot taller,did you notice a big difference in ride height?I didn't notice any difference. Are you sure you're comparing an 80 profile to an 80 profile?
I don't want my bike any higher I love the way it's set up now.Yeah - me too!! I wasn't looking for any difference, and I didn't notice any.
I know its big $$$$$ but I'm still kicking around putting on some kind of wide tire kit a 180 or 200 I love the look & it'll be out of warranty soon so let the fun begin!!!Ooooh - that would be cool to see! I guess a wide tire kit means that you swap out the swing arm.

hi dave, I was comparing two metzelers, a 160/b80 next to a 150/b80, looked like it was about an 1" taller I've got go back tomorrow & pick up some spec-ordered parts I have them pull me a dunlop 150/80 to compare. as for the wide tire kit I wish it was that easy to just swap the swing arm. most of the kits require you to cut off the fender struts & weld on new ones I don't feel real good about hacking up my frame even though I'm a pretty good welder(lots of experience in bodyshop at the ford plant) I've seen kits out there with 250 tires for sportys but they're too wide for my tastse.A 200 seems just right to me, thanks for all the info on the 160,I'm gonna need a tire in the 2000 or so miles and since I don't happen to have 2000 or so dollars lying around right now I'll go with the 160 thanks again!! Is this a great website or what???

Lava Red Rob,
I was comparing two metzelers, a 160/b80 next to a 150/b80, looked like it was about an 1" taller I've got go back tomorrow & pick up some spec-ordered parts I have them pull me a dunlop 150/80 to compare.Yeah - that would be a good idea. The Metzeler's must be profiled differently from the Dunlops, because I have the same amount of clearance from the two chainguards as I had before (with the stock 150 Dunlop).

Remember, if one tire is 1" taller than the other, that equates to 1/2" on the bike (the 1/2" at the top doesn't count).

as for the wide tire kit I wish it was that easy to just swap the swing arm. most of the kits require you to cut off the fender struts & weld on new ones I don't feel real good about hacking up my frameYow - I wouldn't want to do that!
I'm a pretty good welder(lots of experience in bodyshop at the ford plant)I know how to do a lot of stuff, but I never picked up welding. One of these days...
thanks for all the info on the 160My pleasure!
Is this a great website or what???Indeed! A lot of nice, friendly, knowledgable people!

my understanding or tyes is the profile number is a percentage of the width
150/80 has a wall height of 120mm (150 * 0.8)
160/80 has a wall height of 128mm (160 * 0.8)
so therefore the 160 tyre should be 16mm taller than the 150

cheers
crackers

my understanding or tyes is the profile number is a percentage of the width
150/80 has a wall height of 120mm (150 * 0.8)
160/80 has a wall height of 128mm (160 * 0.8)
so therefore the 160 tyre should be 16mm taller than the 150Ah - that makes sense! 16mm is just a bit over 1/2", so the backend would go up about 1/4". Not enough to notice (at least, I didn't notice it).