Bigger tire
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6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: New Mexico
Bigger tire
Getting ready to replace my rear tire. Has anybody put a 160 Metzler ME880 on a 2004 fatboy? The size is slightly bigger but weight rating is quite a bit better and I tour two up alot with a load so I want the extra weight capacity. Any help is appreciated.
It has been done many a time. Do you have stock wheels? I put a 150 on my 2002 with plenty of room to spare as the Metzlers usually run tad bit narrower than the dunlops. The only issues to be concerned with are that the strut bolts don't stick out far enough to rub the tire, that the wiring under the fender does not rub, and that the tire does not rub the fender in any way.
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
I just went through this for my 07 Heritage,, stock is 15/80/16 thinking about the elite3 in a
160/80/16..
After studying for a couple days I found the the 160 needed a 3 1/2 rim and my stock is 3 in. Would it fit,? YES.; But at a cost of changing the configuration of the tire making it even taller and narrower, thus actually makes the contact surface of it smaller than the 150, and also the rate of falling off on the curves, making the bike handle totally different.
so bottom line I'am staying with the stock tire size
160/80/16..
After studying for a couple days I found the the 160 needed a 3 1/2 rim and my stock is 3 in. Would it fit,? YES.; But at a cost of changing the configuration of the tire making it even taller and narrower, thus actually makes the contact surface of it smaller than the 150, and also the rate of falling off on the curves, making the bike handle totally different.
so bottom line I'am staying with the stock tire size
R.I.P. BROTHER
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,076
Likes: 6
From: Colorado Springs
The 160 in in fact listed as the upsize tire on the Metyz fittament chart.
I went a step further....I changed my 150/80/16 rear out for a 160/60/18.
This actually made the bike handle better plus it gave me that wheel tucked up in the fender look without having to slam my lowering bolts down so far....
I'm creepy and tend to subscribe to the old school look. I dont like the big wide fender and 200MM tires on the new bikes. I like the classic flowing lines of the 150 03-05 bikes.
This is the Metz 160 on an 18" DNA wheel.
I went a step further....I changed my 150/80/16 rear out for a 160/60/18.
This actually made the bike handle better plus it gave me that wheel tucked up in the fender look without having to slam my lowering bolts down so far....
I'm creepy and tend to subscribe to the old school look. I dont like the big wide fender and 200MM tires on the new bikes. I like the classic flowing lines of the 150 03-05 bikes.
This is the Metz 160 on an 18" DNA wheel.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
The 160 in in fact listed as the upsize tire on the Metyz fittament chart.
I went a step further....I changed my 150/80/16 rear out for a 160/60/18.
This actually made the bike handle better plus it gave me that wheel tucked up in the fender look without having to slam my lowering bolts down so far....
I'm creepy and tend to subscribe to the old school look. I dont like the big wide fender and 200MM tires on the new bikes. I like the classic flowing lines of the 150 03-05 bikes.
This is the Metz 160 on an 18" DNA wheel.
I went a step further....I changed my 150/80/16 rear out for a 160/60/18.
This actually made the bike handle better plus it gave me that wheel tucked up in the fender look without having to slam my lowering bolts down so far....
I'm creepy and tend to subscribe to the old school look. I dont like the big wide fender and 200MM tires on the new bikes. I like the classic flowing lines of the 150 03-05 bikes.
This is the Metz 160 on an 18" DNA wheel.
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R.I.P. BROTHER
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,076
Likes: 6
From: Colorado Springs
But boy his plush seat and all that stock suspension travel was pretty derned smooth going down the road. Trade offs are a Biatch!!
My days of "Lets swap bikes for a mile or two" are now over. It was always easy to tell a guy he needed to feel what a 95" with headwork and bumped compression rode like ran like.
Now nobody wants to ride my Jockey shifted Train. Now I dont get to ride their bikes either!!
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