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View Full Version : I'm about to buy a rear tire....

cantolina
1st April 2006, 23:23
Does anyone know how wide a tire I can use without modification/rim change on a 97 XLH?
cantolina
1st April 2006, 23:52
:bump :bump

C'mon...

One of you knows this off the top of your head....

Gimme some suggestions...
aka_Matt
2nd April 2006, 00:16
140/80x16 for a bit shorter, or 140/90x16 for a bit taller
skratch
2nd April 2006, 00:35
cant tell you for sure on that, but i will add this: check with zanotti's on the tires. everyone knows about the hd parts, but they discount aftermarket parts as well. i was looking at the metz me880 stock size (130/90-16) for my bike and it runs 96.59 from them.
they sell parts from the drag spec catalog and the custom chrome catalog.
cantolina
2nd April 2006, 09:41
140/80x16 for a bit shorter, or 140/90x16 for a bit taller

Well, it seems I can get a 140 in a Metzelars, or go with a Dunlop Elite III in a 130......or a 591 in a 130...

What to do, what to do? :laugh

I don't know JACK about tire design, but I need a high mileage tire with excellent wet-handling capability (and yes, I know inflation plays a major role in wet performance)

What do you all think?!?!
aka_Matt
3rd April 2006, 05:18
the 591's and new 501's r not long lasting, they r more race compound... lucky if they last 5000 miles
Predator
3rd April 2006, 05:25
but I need a high mileage tire with excellent wet-handling capabilityWhat do you all think?!?!

One word for ya Chuck, Metzeler. 140 or 130 you'll be happy.
Swankster
3rd April 2006, 05:26
Based on your wants:
Go with the Metz. and a 140 will fit nice and tight but you will likely have to grind down the exposed threads on the interior of the fender struts.
No big deal though.
Swankster

Well, it seems I can get a 140 in a Metzelars, or go with a Dunlop Elite III in a 130......or a 591 in a 130...

What to do, what to do? :laugh

I don't know JACK about tire design, but I need a high mileage tire with excellent wet-handling capability (and yes, I know inflation plays a major role in wet performance)

What do you all think?!?!
cantolina
14th April 2006, 04:33
As a follow-up, I ended up with a Dunlop 402....

Harder sidewall, long mileage, excellent weather tire.....Even during scuff-in, I was totally comfortable with the bike in a new pouring rain today....

:clap :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap
ed_in_az
14th April 2006, 04:43
I like the Dunlops. My 401s have done fine in all conditions but sand, and well, Sportsters don't float well in sand.:laugh

I just bought a new set of 401s for whenever I'm ready to swap them. I figure I'll get 9,000 miles out of the original tires. For me that's pretty good. I'm happy with it.:)
cantolina
14th April 2006, 04:45
You'll find a lot of Dunlop bashing in this crowd..... ;)

Fact is, I don't have experience with anything else (Except the Yokohama's my older Yamaha had)..

The 401 is a decent tire...the 402, IMHO, is better, especially for a rear.... and the Elite III is supposed to be among the best in handling weather.....
jlcrss
14th April 2006, 04:46
I GOT TWO WORDS FOR YA if your gonna replace that rear tire....BURN OUT!!!!!
cantolina
14th April 2006, 04:54
I GOT TWO WORDS FOR YA if your gonna replace that rear tire....BURN OUT!!!!!

Ya know, If I'd had a video camera handy, I'da done just that! :doh

Oh, well....there's always next year! :p