Wheel/Tire Size
Former Sponsor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 10,968
Likes: 54
150 is the widest I'll put on a 3" or 3.5" rim. Go check all the charts, that is recommended max size for that size rim. Liability being what it is it makes no sense to put a bigger than recommended tire on a narrow rim.
Dunno about you, but my tires fitment is important to me. I only have two of them to stick me to the road.
Dunno about you, but my tires fitment is important to me. I only have two of them to stick me to the road.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 267
Likes: 1
From: Athens, Al.
150 is the widest I'll put on a 3" or 3.5" rim. Go check all the charts, that is recommended max size for that size rim. Liability being what it is it makes no sense to put a bigger than recommended tire on a narrow rim.
Dunno about you, but my tires fitment is important to me. I only have two of them to stick me to the road.
Dunno about you, but my tires fitment is important to me. I only have two of them to stick me to the road.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
I have a Deuce wheel, 17" x 4.5" with a 160/70 tyre, which measures 167mm fitted. That is almost as wide as the fender, so I have spread it in the frame to increase clearance and made other changes to get adequate clearance, as well as mods to belt guard and wheel. It is all very tight in there, not a bolt in!
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 575
Likes: 4
From: SouthWestern Ontario
More Surgery
There are several of us that frequent this forum that have made the necessary modifications in order to get a wider tire on the rear, using different methods. I did it using all OEM takeoff parts as a winter project a few years ago. After several thousands of miles, it has proven to be the single best improvement to my '07. If interested heres the link to my thread showing how I did it.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...-a-how-to.html
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...-a-how-to.html
I have a 180 on my 07. I updated to the 08+ rear brake caliper, installed a wider rear fender, and custom wheel spacers. I tried it with the 07 style brake caliper, but you have to install the wheel with the brake pads out of the caliper, then insert them once everything is mounted up. I've got an aftermarket 18" wheel, but a stock takeoff 16 will fit.
I believe recycled widened his swingarm, which is a good idea if you keep the old style brake caliper. There are several ways to skin this cat.
I believe recycled widened his swingarm, which is a good idea if you keep the old style brake caliper. There are several ways to skin this cat.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 153
Likes: 3
Just like there is risk vs reward there is benefit vs cost. I evaluated this same upgrade for my 07 Electra Glide as I think it seems unfortunate that HD used such small wheels and tires on something called a touring bike. However, I stayed with stock size. Considering my 97 Goldwing has a 160 and my wife's Vulcan 900 has a 160 as well why did they stick with a 140 rear tire for so long? Anyway, as much as the wider tire seems better I found that the performance of the 140 Avon Cobra a huge improvement over stock. Unless you need the extra capacity of the larger tiress going with something other than dunlops might save you some bucks and provide the better performace you are looking for. I could have gone to 150 but settled for deeper tread in comparing 140 to 150 in the Avon Cobras. Can't get around the look without spending for the upgrade but unless there is a huge benefit I cannot get myself to spend the money. Looks are important to me as well but for me it was hard to justify.
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Deuce, I'm an Avon fan as well and have used MT, 140 and 150 on my bike, now the 160 Storm on my Deuce wheel, but I think I'll call it a day there! The H rated 150 Venom was closer to the 140 in tread depth and there was also a V rated one with less tread. For some reason they have only produced a V version of the Cobra, having a suitable load rating for our bikes.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 153
Likes: 3
grbrown, not sure where you are finding a 150/80-16 venom for the rear as the only one I see on the Avon site for Venom at 150/80-16 is the AM41 which is designed for the front. The load/speed rating is 71H vs the Cobra 140/90-16 rated as 77H. Besides, since it is a front tire it would have to be mounted backwards. Perhaps some incomplete info on my part but I only mention this as it may be of interest to the OP.