Moco says a 2005 E-glide uses a MU85-16 on the rear with a 77h load rating....

Moco say a 2003 E-glide uses an MT90b-16 on the rear with a load rating of 74h.....

Considering these bikes are identical...why the difference..?

I ask because I recently purchased a 2005 E-Glide with 18" rims running Metz 880's....fornt and rear 140/70/18 and I hate them....I am wanting to downgrade the rear to a 16" and run a 130/90/16 Dunop Elite 3 which has a 74h load rating...Prolly leave the 18" on the front as its almost new.

I guess my question is the lower load rating of the Mt90b-16 shouldnt be a problem right?

I would probably buy another 140/70/18 but cant find a decent tire w/ a comparable load rating.

any suggestions?

thanks

 

anyone..?

 

Here's a link that will clarify the load index system for you.
http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcyc.../tire-data.htm
Generally , you don't want to run a load index less than the bike was designed for.
77H would be a tire with an H speed rating and a load index of 908 lbs.
74H would be a tire with an H speed rating and a load index of 827 lbs.
You could most likely go lower only if you ride alone 100% of the time.
Armed with this knowledge , you can buy tires that meet or exceed the manufacturers suggested weight rating and be safe.
My new rear tire is a Dunlop American Elite which is an 81H , 1019 lb rear tire for comparison sake.
I would not go lower , as my wife rides with me pretty often.
Mick

 

Why do you want to run the MT instead of the MU, just because it's cheaper?

 

I don't know the answer to your question specifically, but I do know my 04 Road King runs MU on the rear and MT on the front.

 

Just for fun, check the gross AXLE weight rating in your owners manual. My 08 says 827lb for the rear axle. Do you really need tires rated higher than the axle that carries it?

 

I am used to the 130/90/16 tire...having them on all my other bikes...never had a problem.

The 140 I'm running now rides a little funny to me...maybe its the Metzler...not sure.

I have read lots of good reviews about the E3 Dunlops and will probably give the 140/90/16(mu90-16) a try.

Looking at the J$P website they give the actual manf. specs...for example the Metz 880 140/90/16 (mu85-16) actually run at 146mm...I am finding out that not all tires are created equal.
I just tried to stuff a 150/70/18 Pirelli Night dragon on and it wouldnt fit for ****....to wide and it rubbed...Based on that and using a tire calculator Im trying to find a 16" tire close to the same stance as the front 18"

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/di...foTireMath.jsp

 

Bottom line is this, just make sure that the tire you replace the original size with has an equal or greater carrying capacity and the speed rating is again equal or greater. As long as that is met (along with the diameter being within 3% of the original you will be ok.

 

I tried a MU85-16 on my '03 Road King and it rubbed a hole right threw my belt guard....went back to the MT90B-16. Not sure what all the years were but the '03 hasn't got the clearance for the MU.

 

There is a simple reply to your question! Our bikes came for many years on MT tyres both ends. The 05 you refer to is an early model after Harley upgraded the rear to an MU. Many later bikes used that tyre until Harley introduced the new frame in 09. So no mystery!

I suspect the reason they upgraded the rear tyre is that the target audience is putting on a bit of weight! The max weight limit of the bike was made higher.

I spoke to Avon tyres about my 1990 bike and they recommended using an MU in place of my stock MT, because we are right on the weight limit for our bike and the MU gives us a better margin.

As a point of interest, some brands also make a 150/80 with 77 load rating and I currently use an Avon of that size. If you have the later spec narrow belt you should find it fits with ease.