I am in the market for a new rear tire and wanted to get something wider. I read about the 150/70 making the handling a bit slow and the 140/80 making the bike wobbly at high speeds since the diameter increases. 140/75 looks like a good mid ground - same height and a bit wider. Wondering if anyone has put on 140/75 on their bike and what their experience is.
I have been using a 150/70-17 for a long, long while. PR3s, PR4s and Conti RA3s on the brown truck at the moment. 110/80-19 matching front, as well. Recently, I was able to ride a Bonneville with OEM rubber and I was blown away by how light the rear end felt at speed. Low-speed maneuvers, admittedly, were far nimbler. Never liked those Metzlers, in particular.
Overall, slow handling doesn't appear to be an issue. How you, me or anyone else tries to steer a motorcycle is likely the issue. If its a concern, keep your elbows bent, lean your head and shoulders in first (don't lean away), and look far ahead into your future - the bike will go there!
140/75-17 appears to be an available tire in the 'cruiser' tire market - I do not recommend using cruiser tires on any bike that isn't a cruiser. Ride quality will suffer, as will handling.
I bumped up to a 140/70 so that I could use the Michelin Street Radial tires. Handling was a dream and there was no sign of squaring off the tire at 3,000 miles. They did square off a little when I did 1400 miles of highway over a few days but it still flicks over with ease. Definitely better than stock Metzelers.
I have a set of Pirelli Angel GTs in the basement ready to go on my Thruxton this weekend or next. I believe these are stock on the current Thruxton (none R) models. I have gone with the 150/70 ZR 17 on the rear, plus 110/80-ZR 18 at the front. Lots of positive feedback on these sizes, little if any negatives. Also will be converting rims to tubeless.
Here's an article from back in 2014 that also helped me make the decision......
@dualshowman - I didn't realise 140/75 is a cruiser specific tire - that's a no go, thanks for pointing it out. @Clayland726 - Did you mean 140/70? @Thruxty - Thanks! I saw that article too.
I like the way my thruxton leans in on curves and I have stock tires. I would love to get wide tires but don't want to compromise riding on curvy roads. I don't use my bike for commuting and riding on curvy/hilly roads is what I do for the most part so might just go with the stock size on an Avon / Michelin
I like the way my thruxton leans in on curves and I have stock tires. I would love to get wide tires but don't want to compromise riding on curvy roads. I don't use my bike for commuting and riding on curvy/hilly roads is what I do for the most part so might just go with the stock size on an Avon / Michelin
@tankz - I think I can blame a lack of coffee on that one. I also failed to think of issues of using a tubeless tire on a tube rim so I cannot speak to the use of the tire in this situation.
My understanding is if you retain the tubes you will not have a problem using most tubeless tires. Going the other way (tires designed to be used with tubes NOT having tubes installed) is a big No No! Of course if you don't use the tubes with your stock spoke rims, you must seal the rims, as I plan on doing shortly.
ThatÂ’s an excellent write up ! I went to the tigers I did not for looks, but for the compounds available in the sport touring tires.
The biggest improvement you can make imo is a 17” front wheel.
One of the reasons for me to get a tyre with larger diameter was to reduce the gap between in the rear- between the tyre and the rear seat. I have been thinking about this setup and i think it will make my thrxuton look great
1) Bonneville shocks (330mm) - that should lower the thruxton by about 15mm
2) Getting a 140/80 in the rear - this should lift the rear by 5mm
So the rear will be down by 10mm which is not a lot. If I have issues I will bring the front down by 10mm.
Are there any issues that I can encounter with this setup. Some things that come to mind are
1) Rear tyre hitting the number plate on big potholes
2) I have read that a higher tyre will change gearing - Is there any negative effect coz of that?
Finally I'll also install a steering damper to avoid tank slappers.
Please let me know if you see any issues with this setup.
Thanks
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