tire size
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 163
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles, California
tire size
I went to a local motorcycle tire center and showed them my 2007 ultra classic electra glide rear tire. He said he got one and showed me the tire with paper writing which is the size of my rear tire. MU/85B16 77H so I paid for it and got it installed. I rode it over 100 miles making sure its broken in, when I got home I checked the tire and it look good. its a Dunlop Elite 3 but the size of the tire is MU/90B16 78H. What is the difference? I don't know too much regarding tire sizes. Should I go back and complain or its okay? I search the size I guess the 90 is little wider and 78 is taller? Not sure. Can anyone elaborate or explain to me? I even went to dunlop website and it doesn't explain.
Any explaination is appreciated.
Thanks,
tonsa
Any explaination is appreciated.
Thanks,
tonsa
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: Bridgewater, MA
That is the correct Elite 3 for your bike. Dunlop doesn't make an MU85B16 Elite 3 because it is not recognized as a Harley tire, but a lot of people replace the stock D402 with them. The size difference is very small. I put the same size Elite 3 on my 2008 Road Glide. They do make an Elite 3 MT90B16 (72H) for the front.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 13
From: 501
the 78H is a speed rating, which is a tad higher than stock. Your good to go. Theirs not going to be a dimes worth of difference in either tire. And certainly not enough to try to return it. it might be a half an inch larger in circumference only. which might actually bring your speedometer a little closer to being correct.
$0.02
aka Bob
$0.02
aka Bob
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,890
Likes: 73
From: MA
A stock 402 MU85B 16 is 25.71" in diameter, 5.51 wide @ 908#'s load rating.
An MU90B 16 is 25.72" in diameter, 5.57 wide @ 930#'s load rating.
Not much difference between the two. The tire dealer upgraded you. You are good to go with the E3.
An MU90B 16 is 25.72" in diameter, 5.57 wide @ 930#'s load rating.
Not much difference between the two. The tire dealer upgraded you. You are good to go with the E3.
Last edited by soos; Apr 13, 2011 at 10:38 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
In the other numbers MU corresponds to a 140mm width, while the /90 and /85 refer to the depth of the tyre, from rim to tread. One is 90% profile, in other words 90% as tall as it is wide, the other is 85%.
What we can see from the data Soos quotes is that nominal sizes do not always translate into actual sizes! The /90 tyre should be larger in diameter than the /85 in theory, but they are almost identical. As a further example I have a 150/80 on the rear of my Glide, which actually measures 153mm fitted. For some perverse reason wheel rim diameters are normally measured in inches (16" diameter 3" wide), but tyre width etc are metric. Great system!
I actually have an 07 wheel and swingarm in my 1990 Glide, so next time you change you could fit a 150/80 tyre if it takes your fancy! Plenty of room.
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Outstanding HDF Member
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From: PacNW; Beacon of Conservatism in a Sea of Liberals.......AZ Snowbird; Just another Conservative
Recently put a MU85-WWW 402 Dunnie on the RKC. Stock called for a MT90. Dunlop website shows the MU to have a higher load rating, and 11/32" of tread depth, instead of 9/32"...same price ($143) from JakeWilson.com
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
The MU is a good choice, especially if you ride 2-up. I asked Avon about tyres for my Glide and they recommended an MU, as the MT is marginal when fully loaded.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 464
Likes: 1
From: NoCal
You will like the E3 MU90 versus the OEM D402. I switched after my second D402 and have not looked back and will not go back unless stranded out of town and need a new tire. I am getting a minimum of 3K and up to 5K more miles with the E3 versus the D402.
You can do a Elite 3 or E3 forum search as see many members have gone to the E3 with favorable results.
Go to www.dunlopmotorcycle.com and you can get the details and size differences btw the E3 and D402
You can do a Elite 3 or E3 forum search as see many members have gone to the E3 with favorable results.
Go to www.dunlopmotorcycle.com and you can get the details and size differences btw the E3 and D402