Touring Models Road King, Road King Custom, Road King Classic, Road Glide, Street Glide, Electra Glide, Electra Glide Classic, and Electra Glide Ultra Classic bikes.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Tire Question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 20, 2010 | 07:11 PM
  #1  
Mike in Oregon's Avatar
Mike in Oregon
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: Salem, Or.
Question Tire Question

Going to put new tires on ASAP. What to know what is the widest back tire that will fit, and what to do for the front???
 
Reply
Old Jul 20, 2010 | 08:04 PM
  #2  
Mike in Oregon's Avatar
Mike in Oregon
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: Salem, Or.
Default

While taking both wheels off I noticed I have a ton of space on the right side between tire and swing arm. However on the left I have no room due to the plastic belt guard. If I removed it, it would allow for a much wider tire!
 
Reply
Old Jul 20, 2010 | 08:33 PM
  #3  
BoomerBob's Avatar
BoomerBob
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,928
Likes: 1
From: Desert S. West
Default

I think the 05 RK is a 150 mm wide tire - stock. You can go to 160 mm. As a general rule you can go 10 mm over stock. You might be able to go wider if you take some measurements and are willing to go without the top belt guard. How does the clearance with the lower belt guard look?

A member, Quadancer, recently put a 175 mm wide car tire on his 05 Heritage and it runs a 150 stock.
 
Reply
Old Jul 20, 2010 | 09:00 PM
  #4  
Mike in Oregon's Avatar
Mike in Oregon
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: Salem, Or.
Default

Originally Posted by BoomerBob
I think the 05 RK is a 150 mm wide tire - stock. You can go to 160 mm. As a general rule you can go 10 mm over stock. You might be able to go wider if you take some measurements and are willing to go without the top belt guard. How does the clearance with the lower belt guard look?

A member, Quadancer, recently put a 175 mm wide car tire on his 05 Heritage and it runs a 150 stock.
That was the lower guard. I have no upper guard.
 
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2010 | 04:52 AM
  #5  
grbrown's Avatar
grbrown
Club Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Default

I have an 07 swingarm in my bike and can get a 150 in with ease, although my older rear fender is very snug. A 160 might fit a later bike with a modified lower belt guard. Be aware that fitted widths of tyres vary considerably. My 150/80 Avon is actually 153mm wide, although Avon say on their website it will be just 150mm wide. When running close to the limit on clearances, such things can be the difference between success and drat!
 
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2010 | 10:27 AM
  #6  
Mike in Oregon's Avatar
Mike in Oregon
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: Salem, Or.
Default

I'm vary limited with a 3" wide wheel too! I'm thinking a 150-160 will be the limit.
 
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2010 | 10:37 AM
  #7  
dirtracin23's Avatar
dirtracin23
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,979
Likes: 4
From: Central IL
Default

Originally Posted by BoomerBob
I think the 05 RK is a 150 mm wide tire - stock. You can go to 160 mm. As a general rule you can go 10 mm over stock. You might be able to go wider if you take some measurements and are willing to go without the top belt guard. How does the clearance with the lower belt guard look?

A member, Quadancer, recently put a 175 mm wide car tire on his 05 Heritage and it runs a 150 stock.
The stock rear is a 130. You can go up to a 150 with no problem and I have read on this forum of some going up to a 160.
 
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2010 | 11:00 AM
  #8  
grbrown's Avatar
grbrown
Club Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Thumbs up

Originally Posted by Mike in Oregon
I'm vary limited with a 3" wide wheel too! I'm thinking a 150-160 will be the limit.
A 150/80 it the largest on a 3" rim, although I suspect someone has fitted a 160! My 150/80 fits with just enough clearance and works well for me.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
slowboy
Wheels/Tires
5
Mar 21, 2019 10:50 AM
R Hill
The Dark Side
5
Feb 16, 2014 04:39 AM
kage
Wheels/Tires
1
May 1, 2012 10:56 AM
cycletrash98
Touring Models
4
Apr 30, 2009 06:47 PM
STREETGLIDEROD
Touring Models
1
May 27, 2008 09:06 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:32 AM.

story-0
Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

Slideshow: Jason Momoa's latest restoration project blends 1920s Harley-Davidsons with modern electric technology, creating some of the most unusual hybrid motorcycles ever built.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:18:58


VIEW MORE
story-1
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-2
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-4
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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-5
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-7
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-8
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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE