When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I have Avon Cobras 200/60/16VR & 150/80/16VR and my bike handles great, I think more contact with the road is a good thing, my bike feels planted. I wouldn't go any bigger though, it would be too much then.
I had a 160, 170, 180 and 200 at different times on different bikes I didn't really notice a difference in handling but the 200 looked way better than the other tires.
On a hardtail chopper they will flex a little to cushion the ride.
From my own experience skinny tires seem to be less likely to hydroplane. Of course other factors (tread pattern, wear) probably have more effect.
When I bought my bike (used) it had a 180 on it. The guy who I bought the bike from gave me the OEM 160, which still had at least 6k miles left on it. When the 180 wore out (and I priced a new one) I decided to put the OEM 160 back on. IMO, the bike handles better with the 160.
The problem is; now all the ladies talk behind my back saying things like, "How cute, it looks just like a rear tire, only SMALLER!"
What surprises me is the new 200 only gets 4-5k miles out of it.. some in here say even less.. only a few has gotten more.
Even an ole fart like me like the 200 look, but my rear 150 HD lop tire averages 10.5k and I wished it would go longer.
As far as following grooves and the loose feeling from tar snakes, I've read the tire grooves has a lot to do with how the tire reacts..
I've read the the Lops Elite 3 - tires gets rid of the groove and snake wandering feeling, also there really good on metal bridges.
The 200 series tire is likely a softer compound tire and wears faster for that reason. I'm not sure why you would need a sticky/soft compound with all that rubber on the road. What you have read about the E3's is correct. It is a much better handling tire in every way compared to the old OEM Dunlop 401 and 402's. It's also a touring tire with a high mileage rubber compound that you can expect between 10 - 15K miles out of.
I have Avon Cobras 200/60/16VR & 150/80/16VR and my bike handles great, I think more contact with the road is a good thing, my bike feels planted. I wouldn't go any bigger though, it would be too much then.
There is very little contact patch difference between a 150 and a 200 on the proper width rim and inflated to the correct pressure.I used to think the same thing.G.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
There is very little contact patch difference between a 150 and a 200 on the proper width rim and inflated to the correct pressure.I used to think the same thing.G.
Very little is good enough for me, sometimes every little bit counts. Have you ever noticed that a Fatbobs tires look like knobbies? They sucked and the Cobras are a much better tire for my riding style.
Yeah fatter rear tires hook up better in a stright line, but liek was said can be harder to deal with in turns. A few MM Bigger and you will not have an issue,but say you went from a 150 to the 250 kit on a Sporty you will notice that one for sure. I love the fat tire look, but they do csot some money to by and set up if the bike is not made for one.
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.