Will a 160 tire fit on a 2008 Sporty?

 

Wouldn't be recommended for your 3" wide rim

 

Tyre sizes do some funny things! Up to 150/80 is available to fit a stock 3" rim, however the next size up is commonly recommended for around a 4.5" wide rim. 160s are also renown for varying greatly in installed width across the brands, so can provide clearance problems.

Best to consider changing to a wider rear wheel, which opens up even wider tyre possibilities. There are a couple of great threads in here on fitting a 180......

 

A Metzeler 880 or 888 160/80-16 will fit and is a Metzeler recommended replacement for the Sporty with the stock wheel. I've run them without issue the last 80,000 miles.

 

150/80B16 would be Metzeler's Max Replacement for Sporty Rear 3" rim. A 160/80 would need a wider recommended rim.
http://www.metzeler.com/site/us/ ...Plug it in

Also confirmed in their Technical Databook
http://www.metzeler.com/minisite/met...re-guide-2015/






More Confirmation

http://hdwheels.com/Product.htm (2nd Chart down "Tire-Rim fitment chart")




Per HDWheels.com
"Correct rim width may be critical to handling and stability. A tire which is installed on a wider than recommended rim will have a "flattened" profile, and a rider may easily reach the edge of the tread during cornering. A narrow rim will alter the tire profile, with a smaller contact patch during braking."



Here's another
http://www.mtsac.edu/~cliff/storage/...Size_Chart.pdf






I believe that...most of the time all tires roll down the road

 

Thanks for the input guys, I think we're going to stay with the 150...

 

According to the Metzeler Guide below, where size is referenced by bike model, the 04 and later Sportsters have a recommendation for a 160.



.

 

HOW did you get a sporty to run triple8's for ANY amount of mileage? I ran a pair of 888's on my '08 XL1200C- I really don't think I got much more than 5,000 before they started getting bald.
Now, physics is a cruel mistress, so perhaps 10" mini-apes, a 2"+ back and lower seat, with lowest rear spring settings on an already skinny front tire rear-biased bike may have caused that, but in my experience with my 1200c, rear gets 75%life of the front, and my Michelins are almost twice the tire both the D404's or the 888's were. I knew I was getting what I paid for with the 404s, but the 888- performance and traction was AMAZING I just felt cheated on longevity.

I swear 160 is what I ran on mine, but no, 150 is it.
They're right about fitment, my Honda's 130 Shinko ends up being almost 1/2" wider installed than the Spitfires it came with. Be mindful of swingarm and of rim mounting.

 

I put a 170 Shinko on the rear and compared it to a stock one. Didn't get wider just taller. How come? Because the rim is so narrow no room for tire to spread out. So it goes up instead of out. Runs great though. Not the same for the front. I put the 150 on the front. Got a little wobble that wasnt there before at speed. So since I like the 48's rims I'm going back to stock front when these wear out.