Mulepick Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 Did the search but no joy. Can I put a fatter tire on the 18" rear wheel? What size max? Why are others considering a 17" rear wheel swap, not that I'm likely to do it. Tks, Bob Link to comment
BUSTED Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 The 17" rear tire sizes are more common than 18". If you have a rear tire problem while traveling, you can get a new tire at most any brand cycle dealership. You almost need a BMW dealer to get an 18" rear and hope they have one in stock. I've run a dozen 170/60/18's on my RT's without any problems. Mainly because they were more readily available when I needed them. Link to comment
Mulepick Posted February 12, 2007 Author Share Posted February 12, 2007 Going to 170 but maintaining the same aspect ratio, according to my algebra (questionable), indicates a 6cm taller wheel/tire combo. I think the rear's too tall already. True? Link to comment
BigArn Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 Not sure if you could get it on. Allways have a hard time squeezing mine on. Just me 2 cents. Link to comment
JonathanE Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 No, I think that would be a bad idea. Separate from the rear height issue, a wider rear tire might contact the swingarm unless you added another (perhas plural?) rear wheel shim(s) which would create even worse PTTR. Stick with stock and remove the wheel shim to reduce PTTR. Link to comment
BUSTED Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 Yes, the 170 will give an "inseam challenged" rider more of a problem. NEVER had a 170/60/18 touch the swingarm, loaded up or empty. I used both Pirelli and Dunlops 170's. 170/60/18 Dunlop GP pic. Link to comment
ShovelStrokeEd Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 There is much more to this than just the height difference. There is also wheel width to consider. As I recall, the 18" rim was only 4.5" width. A 170 tire on a 4.5" rim is going to assume a very bad profile. Too much sidewall angle and too flat a curve in the tread area. The handling of your motorcycle will be adversely effected by such a combination. Best to leave the 170 section tire to the guys with 5" or 5.5" rims. You could always send your wheel to Sandy Kosman (Kosman Specialties) and have him widen it for a couple of hundred dead presidents. In all, the 5 x 17 rim from a K1200RS would probably be a better deal and will easily accommodate the 170 section tire. Link to comment
BUSTED Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 There is no tire profile problem. Handling is no problem. I have easily average over 10,000 miles per tire. Attached pic of Metzler tire fitment book page showing 4.5 rim acceptable for a 170/60/18 tire. Link to comment
Rocketman51 Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 No Problem. Have had a 17" x 5" rear rim on my R1100RT for 30K plus miles. NO PROBLEM. Rim came off a K1200LT. Bolts right up to rear end. No additional spacers. Now I can run all the 17" tires out there. I like the Metzler ME-880 best. Never got over 5K on rear with 18" rim. Now getting almost 10K on rear tire. I will never go back. Enough Said! Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.