Tire size changing/technical help.
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
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Tire size changing/technical help.
I'm doing a wide glide conversion on my 12 superglide custom. My question is about the rear tire. I know the wheel between the two bikes is the same. But as far as the tire goes my stock size is a 160/70/17. The wide glide is a 180/60/17. If I am correct this means the wide glide tire is a wider, shorter sidewall tire.
If I were to go with that would it affect the speedo? I just installed a power vision and from what I read that can re calibrate for tire size.
What tire should I run in the rear? The bike is bagged so I'd still like to be able to ride with it pretty slammed. Thanks in advance.
If I were to go with that would it affect the speedo? I just installed a power vision and from what I read that can re calibrate for tire size.
What tire should I run in the rear? The bike is bagged so I'd still like to be able to ride with it pretty slammed. Thanks in advance.
Club Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,192
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From: Knoxville, Tn
Rear Tire
The 160-170-180 is the width of the tire. The 55-60 is the sidewall profile and the 17 is the size if the big hole in the center.
The width and sidewall, no matter what size, will not change your speedometer reading. If you go to a 180-55-16 or a 180-55-18 it would make your speedometer read incorrectly.
The width and sidewall, no matter what size, will not change your speedometer reading. If you go to a 180-55-16 or a 180-55-18 it would make your speedometer read incorrectly.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 637
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From: Iowa
The second number is the aspect ratio of the first number. 160/70 and 180/60 are pretty much the same diameter. Here is an explanation that is worded better that what I could do.
Sidewall Aspect Ratio
Typically following the three digits identifying the tire's Section Width in millimeters is a two-digit number that identifies the tire's profile or aspect ratio.
P225/50R16 91S
The 50 indicates that this tire size's sidewall height (from rim to tread) is 50% of its section width. The measurement is the tire's section height, and also referred to as the tire's series, profile or aspect ratio. The higher the number, the taller the sidewall; the lower the number, the lower the sidewall. We know that this tire size's section width is 225mm and that its section height is 50% of 225mm. By converting the 225mm to inches (225 / 25.4 = 8.86") and multiplying it by 50% (.50) we confirm that this tire size results in a tire section height of 4.43". If this tire were a P225/70R16 size, our calculation would confirm that the size would result in a section height of 6.20", approximately a 1.8-inch taller sidewall.
Sidewall Aspect Ratio
Typically following the three digits identifying the tire's Section Width in millimeters is a two-digit number that identifies the tire's profile or aspect ratio.
P225/50R16 91S
The 50 indicates that this tire size's sidewall height (from rim to tread) is 50% of its section width. The measurement is the tire's section height, and also referred to as the tire's series, profile or aspect ratio. The higher the number, the taller the sidewall; the lower the number, the lower the sidewall. We know that this tire size's section width is 225mm and that its section height is 50% of 225mm. By converting the 225mm to inches (225 / 25.4 = 8.86") and multiplying it by 50% (.50) we confirm that this tire size results in a tire section height of 4.43". If this tire were a P225/70R16 size, our calculation would confirm that the size would result in a section height of 6.20", approximately a 1.8-inch taller sidewall.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 5,105
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From: Blaine, WA
the 180 will be 7/8" shorter
get a wider 18 wheel and go to a 200/55-18 and you will be only .29" taller
get a wider 18 wheel and go to a 200/55-18 and you will be only .29" taller
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
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I have a stock WG rear wheel on the way. Just going to stick with that size like isaid I have air ride in the rear and I still want to be able to ride with it pretty low with no worries.
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