205/65r16 snow tire
 

I did a couple of searches to see if anyone was running a 205/65r16 tire on their bikes and didn't find any but then perhaps my searches had been entered wrong.

I purchased a new tire, a 205/65r16 Snow tire (Firestone Winterforce 2), and it arrived today. I had also ordered some bearings since the rear ones on my Street Glide sound like they're about to chit, but those won't be here until Friday (11th). Not that it matters since I won't be able to change anything out until the temperatures rise a little, like maybe in the low 40's. the upper 20s and low to mid 30's don't quite cut it in an unheated drafty garage.

I know the tire is a little wider but also taller than the 205/60r16's I've been running, especially with the limited space under the fender, but since I'm running a little taller/wider tire on the front, it has changed how I see. My tinted windscreen top is slightly above my pupils rather than nose level, so I decided instead of cutting or replacing the current windscreen, I'd just go with a taller rear tire to balance things out. If the new tire works, it will raise the back up about a half inch, to come close to the rise of the front 150/70-18.

Since it is winter and there is more snow coming, I figured it only made sense to go with a snow tire since I ride regardless of the weather. I do expect it to wear faster than the all season radials due to the softer tread compound, but I figured it would be interesting to at least give it a try. Well, someone has to, and I figure I tend to live on the edge anyway, so it might as well be me! :)

You'll note in the specifications the width is 8.2" rather than 8.1" for all season radials. (1/10 inch = 2.5mm or 1.25mm increase per side)

The 150/70-18 raised the front of my bike by about a half inch (.55") and the 205/65r16 will raise the rear about a half inch (.40"). As for raising the saddle height, for me it doesn't matter since my inseam is 34" or virtually half my height.

It appears as though next week Wednesday or Thursday it might make it into the low 40's, so I'm tentatively planning on doing the change then. If the tire proves to be too wide or too tall, I'll be able to switch back to the 205/60r16 and just count it as a lesson learned. But I don't anticipate having to change it back. :D AND, if it's successful it will give those with a 2009 and newer bagger another tire option especially if they go with a wider rear m/c tire on the front like I have.

I also decided to go with Balance Beads instead of Ride On as a precautionary measure in the event I'd have to switch back. I just don't want the potential mess since I'll be wrestling with the tires on the floor (mounting and dismounting) and believe me, if there is a chance, of getting it on me anywhere, it will happen!

Snow tire?? Living on the edge? Hmmmmm....

:icon_snowman:

So what size car tire are you running on your bike?

So which tire did you you pick exactly, is it a run flat? I have noticed that some snow tires have really aggressive looking tread. I have read about a number of folks running snow tires. I think that with the lighter load of a motoercycle maybe they won't wear that fast.

The exact tire I ordered was from Amazon in the link in my original post. "Firestone Wnterforce 2 Studable-Winter Radial Tire - 205/65R16 95S" It's not a Run Flat since I'm unsure if I could mount one of those with the stiffer sidewalls since I'm only using tire spoons to mount the tire by hand. I make sure I keep an air pump and plug kit on my bike regardless but the one time I didn't, the tire only deflated to about 18# which enabled me to return home on my bike without issue. That was with a regular All Season type tire. The Snow Tire seems to have a stiffer sidewall so it may be better or it may be worse. I won't know until I get a flat.

I have noticed some were running the Snow Tire, but none were running them as large as I'm going with. Most stick with the 205/55 or 205/60, some with the 195/55 or 195/60 in either All Season Radials or Snow Tires. The 205/60 All Season tires are 8.1 inches across. The Snow Tire I picked is 8.2 inches across. A difference of 2.5 mm which will place the tire 1.25mm closer to the belt and fender. If y'all consider my current clearance between the belt and tire is 3.5mm, this could get interesting. Then add the additional height compared to the 205/60, and we're talking .80 inches, or .40 inches closer to the fender and any bolts or wires that may be under the fender.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.hdf...6fbbd81e96.jpg

That sure is going to be close. I know with a 205/55R16 the tire is really close to the fender. Could be as little as 3/16 to an 1/8".

Well, you know the saying, "Nothing ventured, nothing gained."

When I install the tire, I'll take the final measurement and post it here. I figure if I have enough room for a cats whisker to go through, I'm good to go. C'mere kitty kitty! :D

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.hdf...a6eb2e3499.jpg

Awesome!!

I am considering a spare wheel with a studded tire for the rear. The new rig will get a Car tire on the rear soon as the rear tire is worn out. The heavier rig is harder in snow than our lighter one.


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.hdf...d6026b5c7e.jpg

How wide of a rim are you putting the tire on?

If your asking me, I'll be putting it on the stock Street Glide rim which I believe is 5 inches. I Have been running the 205/60r16 on it without any issues so the 205/65r16 should be fine on the rim.

Well, it's been said "you'll never know if something will work if you don't at least try." I tried, and it failed. The tire itself is too fat. The sidewall does touch the belt. So I guess I'll switch back to my previous tire for the time being, the 205/60r16. I figured as long as I was going to do the bearings it was a good time as any to try another tire. So while the new tire didn't work as expected, I still have the new bearings installed.

My old tire still has a fair amount of meat left on it, so it's not really a big deal. Changing back might be though since the temperatures here are going to take a digger and my garage is unheated/uninsulated and drafty! .

I went ahead and changed the tires back this morning and in the couple of hours I was in the garage it went from 34 degrees down to 25 degrees. But I got it done, so for me that's all that matters.

I did find out the snow tire (205/65r16) was also rubbing on the swingarm and though I saw some rub marks on the underside of the fender, those may have been caused during the initial installation.

Here is but one picture I took showing the belt in contact with the tire and the tire connecting with the swingarm.(cropped)

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.hdf...4e7a28d56a.jpg

While I'm showing pictures though, here are the OEM bearings I changed out and also opened to see what was happening with the inside. I will say there is a notable difference between the old and the new bearings. Turning my bike around requires a bit of rolling and it was smooth with no sound. The bike even seemed to roll a lot easier.

The bearings from the sprocket are on the left side with the top one that was likely to fail soon. The two on the right are from the wheel with the one for the ABS in the lower right hand side.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.hdf...7a8f26c065.jpg

After all the searching I just picked one. Went with the Hankook 426 in 195/60R16 that size is almost a prefect match to stock it is only .30 of an inch wider. Should have no issues. When the time come HD will mount mount it. The Tire shop where I purchased the tire said long as it was going on a bike with a sidecar they would mount it, no problem. Seems she knew what she was talking about.
In all the digging I did, one thing I found out was Rim protector tires can cause fit issues. They are wider on the outside side wall

A lot of people appreciate the Hankook tires. Usually when its time for me to start looking, that one is in among the choices. :) You will be happy with your choice!

FOr me though, I change/mount my own tires. For that matter I do my own wrenching. I hate being told what I can or can't do especially on my bike, and really really despise being told "I can't do that!" in their whiniest voice. It's not that they can't, it's more like they're too lazy to do it!

So true!!

When you ask the Harley shop to mount the tire, remind them that Harleys were delivered from the factor with car tires up until the mid 1960s.
Mounting a run flat is just a little more difficult than a regular tire. I put one on a friends Road Glide a couple years ago. He loves it.

Some dealers will not mount a car tire. Even many non HD dealers won't do it. Local HD dealer mounted mine no problem. It is a liability issue . Some riders goes out and crashes they will go after the dealer.
So far the Hankook 426 195/60R16 fits with plenty of clearance, no effect on the Speedo . Taking it to TN soon for a good test. I can't really speak to ride, mine has a sidecar so it does not compare to a normal bike.

So how would they help restore an old Pan Head that had car tires as the original equipment?
Ya see, they're basing their concerns off of unfounded problems.

Simple law suits are a concern in everything. Car tire manufactures say don't do it, motorcycle wheel markers say don't do it. If a dealer does it they don't have much of a case. As I said some will. I am happy with the car tire on my rig. It is working out better than expected.
I may try it in the front also after a few more 1,000 miles and we see how the front tire wears.
Company I retired from had a policy that any part replaced on Heavy equipment had to come from the manufacture period. That was all based on avoid law suits. We live in a law suit driven world. As for my ride I will do with it as I please after doing the research .
You will find that every motorcycle manufacturer, says not to mount a sidecar now. I did not listen to that crap either.