205 55 16
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,727
Likes: 6
The problem is the overall diameter. A 55 is less than 25", a 65 is about 26 1/2" about 1 1/2" difference. So a 65 will just barely rub the fender at the swing arm and a 55 will clear it by about 3/4". Which also means it will lower your bike by 3/4" compared to a 65. Not all tires are the same size, one 55 might give you 3/4" clearance while a different brand or style might give you 1" clearance. And of course as the tread wares down the clearance increases.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,727
Likes: 6
That is one of the reason people should start out with the tire pressure at or close to the max, so that it does not have a squishy feeling, then decrease the pressure as they get accustomed to it.
Supporter
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,189
Likes: 16
From: N.E. Wisconsin
I guess I would call tire mounting places to find if they would mount it......but I'm getting goofy enough to actually try this chit myself ! 
I'm not big into hard corners unless I've got a snoot full.
Is it safe to run a car tire and drink-n-drive ?
.
P.S. Only expierenced riders in this field need reply.
I'm not big into hard corners unless I've got a snoot full.
Is it safe to run a car tire and drink-n-drive ?
.P.S. Only expierenced riders in this field need reply.
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,437
Likes: 80
From: currently an Okie
Tire mount
I guess I would call tire mounting places to find if they would mount it......but I'm getting goofy enough to actually try this chit myself !
I'm not big into hard corners unless I've got a snoot full.
Is it safe to run a car tire and drink-n-drive ?.
P.S. Only expierenced riders in this field need reply.
I'm not big into hard corners unless I've got a snoot full.
Is it safe to run a car tire and drink-n-drive ?
.P.S. Only expierenced riders in this field need reply.
I put 20K to 30K miles on annually, my first rear tire lasted close to 13K, my next one lasted 3K and had a puncture and my last one lasted 11K. My front tire lasted 15K. I do not want to have to buy up to four tires a year. So I got a 40K tire for the rear for $137.
So far I am happy with it. It's different, but in a lot of ways it is way better than the stock tire.
So far my experience is that the faster you go the easier it is to ride with a car tire. Where it really feels flakey is the walking speed turns.
Last edited by rkoivisto; Aug 28, 2012 at 11:12 PM.
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4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Paraguay
Ok, I'll go with a Dunlop DZ 101 205/55 R16, almost went with a 195/55 R16 because of width but since there are no issues... By the way, what's the pressure you guys recommend? I'm taking a 1000+ mile trip this month to Rio de Janeiro (rio harley days) and definitely need new tires for it.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,948
Likes: 54
From: The Burgh
The problem is the overall diameter. A 55 is less than 25", a 65 is about 26 1/2" about 1 1/2" difference. So a 65 will just barely rub the fender at the swing arm and a 55 will clear it by about 3/4". Which also means it will lower your bike by 3/4" compared to a 65. Not all tires are the same size, one 55 might give you 3/4" clearance while a different brand or style might give you 1" clearance. And of course as the tread wares down the clearance increases.
A 205/55 is the correct size to maintain the same height as stock. (180x0.65 = 205X0.55 give or take a couple millimeters)