Rear tire size

[dtrider]

I was looking at the various online stores for tire prices, and I noticed on CruiserCustomizing.com they state:

Your front tire is a 130/70-18 and your stock rear tire a 180/60/16. You have the option of selecting a 180/70/16 for a 10% higher profile to give you more ground clearance when cornering plus it will be a bit easier to put the bike on the centerstand. It will also correct the speedo to more accurately show your exact speed rather than overstating it.

How noticible is that "higher profile" as far as handling goes? How much does it really raise the bike? I think I'm tall enough to be able to handle it, or is it really a significant difference?

[robb]

1.42" taller so height would be near 3/4" rise in rear. If 1800 reads speed from rear , at 55 mph speedo reading the bike is running 58.2 mph. If off front wheel it's not a problem.

I run a 1.75" taller tire on my GL1500 and it rides great. Engine rpm is lowered by 400.

[bstig60]

Curious? What rear tire do you run on your 1500?

[robb]

Michelin Agilis 10 ply truck tire, 195/75-16

[PastoT]

There is a slight advantage for a 70 vice the 60, in that is does help correct the speedo error. Secondly it only raises the rear a small amount, it is important to maintain is the tire width, there is little room to play with. More critical is finding a tire with the weight rating adequate for an 1800, at 897# dry that's a heap more than most scooters and we tend to add more with cargo, passenger and trailer hitch and tongue weight. If you do load up you'll notice 1st has a little less advantage but shifting to 2d is put off just a bit longer from a dead stop. I wouldn't eye it as a mpg boost, it takes more wrist to pull away from a stop and the EFI adjusts for the variant engine load and accelerator anyway, it would be a minor change at best.

[Ti04]

I have been using the 70 series (Avons) on my wing since 2005. I like the extra clearance, my speedo is now correct, and I "may" be getting a little longer life on the tire. I don't track the tire milage because I tend to get a little cupping with the Avons and never go to the wear marks. I put up with the cupping because of the great traction in the rain.
I think the average speedo error is about 7% and the taller tire makes mine match the GPS perfecrtly.

[gtomei]

I have been running the larger tire now for 4 years. I have not noticed any change in how the bike looks, handles or feels when riding,
It does correct the speedometer however to exactly what the gps reads and that is why I like it. I do not have ABS brakes however and I'm not sure it would be wise to change tire size if you have ABS...unless there is some way to adjust the braking system to compensate.
I should mention too I have not noticed any change in how long the tire lasts.

[WingAdmin]

I have been running the larger tire now for 4 years. I have not noticed any change in how the bike looks, handles or feels when riding,
It does correct the speedometer however to exactly what the gps reads and that is why I like it. I do not have ABS brakes however and I'm not sure it would be wise to change tire size if you have ABS...unless there is some way to adjust the braking system to compensate.
I should mention too I have not noticed any change in how long the tire lasts.

Tire size will not affect the operation of ABS. It is not checking the speed of one wheel against the other, it is watching individual wheels and monitoring for sudden deceleration which would indicate that that wheel has (or is in the process of) locking up.

[gtomei]

Good to know...Thanks for the info.

[zogovich]

Just put metzeler 180 65 16. Seems to be perfect!

[jodacious]

is a dunlap Elite 3 radial a car tire ? is the differance just between bias ply and radial ? i have elite 3s on the bike now GL1800 abs and was thinking of new tires the guy i bought the bike from said it was a car tire on it now I'm not sure exactly what that means ?

[bstig60]

If the tire is a Dunlop Elite 3, it is not a car tire. ., https://www.cyclegear.com/tires/dunlop- ... -rear-tire

[jodacious]

That link is for a Bias Ply tire the tire on my bike says Radial on it !

[bstig60]

This better? They were made if both bias and radial styles. http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/60 ... -rear-tire

[PastoT]

Dunlop E-3s are motorcycle tires. They are available in Radial and Bias Ply construction. I run the E-3 radials on my 2002 GL1800 and can say the Radials are great if you have a flat 30 miles from nowhere. They are not advertised as run flat for liability reasons but I've had the occasion to test the rear radial E-3. Perhaps the previous owner had another rear wheel with a car tire on it; there are many who opt for the dark side (car tires) and that may be an advantage in Alaska.

[Davek80514]

I just got my 2002 GL1800. I'm a big guy (385lbs) and ride with my wife and pull a trailer at times. I'm considering a a taller and more weight capacity tire. Please give me some input on rear tire suggestions.
Thanks in advance.
Dave K.

[bstig60]

I can't speak to how much taller a tire you can fit on your bike, but Avon and Dunlop E3/E4's will carry the largest weight. Perhaps a CT might be an option as well. Stock tire is 180/60r16. Some are using a 70 series which is a little taller. http://www.tire-information-world.com/r ... -1800.html

[Davek80514]

I can't speak to how much taller a tire you can fit on your bike, but Avon and Dunlop E3/E4's will carry the largest weight. Perhaps a CT might be an option as well. Stock tire is 180/60r16. Some are using a 70 series which is a little taller. http://www.tire-information-world.com/r ... -1800.html

Thanks! I'll check it out.

[PastoT]

Dunlop E-3 Radials I can tell you are rated over 900lbs, my current E-4 is rated 932lbs. I've personally and inadvertently tested my E-3 rear as run flat at highway speed, it lasted over 30 miles until I hit desert heat black top. I read on another forum a couple road into a fuel stop two up with a trailer and a punctured rear E-3 radial, plugged aired up and pressed on for final repairs. My So and I (apx 400lbs) towed a 600lb trailer with about 60 lbs tongue weight, three full bags and a trunk rack bag with no issues and rear preload at 15. I will say I've heard of wet traction issues but have only had issues on huge painted crosswalk markers, and turning on wet tar snakes. The 70 will fit the GL1800 but I'm not sure of their weight rating, they do however correct most slow speedo issues. I run my tires at max psi and with balancing beads and get about 19k miles a set, 50% with a trailer but rarely two up.

[zogovich]

The option of selecting a 180/65/16 gives exact speed rather. I've checked this with gps and traffic radars. Also it will be a bit easier to put the bike on the centerstand. Gives more clearance from the ground. I am using metzeller rear tyre. The motorcycle seems to be more "elastic", runs better.

[Davek80514]

Dunlop E-3 Radials I can tell you are rated over 900lbs, my current E-4 is rated 932lbs. I've personally and inadvertently tested my E-3 rear as run flat at highway speed, it lasted over 30 miles until I hit desert heat black top. I read on another forum a couple road into a fuel stop two up with a trailer and a punctured rear E-3 radial, plugged aired up and pressed on for final repairs. My So and I (apx 400lbs) towed a 600lb trailer with about 60 lbs tongue weight, three full bags and a trunk rack bag with no issues and rear preload at 15. I will say I've heard of wet traction issues but have only had issues on huge painted crosswalk markers, and turning on wet tar snakes. The 70 will fit the GL1800 but I'm not sure of their weight rating, they do however correct most slow speedo issues. I run my tires at max psi and with balancing beads and get about 19k miles a set, 50% with a trailer but rarely two up.

Thanks, very helpful information.

[Davek80514]

The option of selecting a 180/65/16 gives exact speed rather. I've checked this with gps and traffic radars. Also it will be a bit easier to put the bike on the centerstand. Gives more clearance from the ground. I am using metzeller rear tyre. The motorcycle seems to be more "elastic", runs better.

Thanks, very helpful information.

[Red Ron]

I just got my 2002 GL1800. I'm a big guy (385lbs) and ride with my wife and pull a trailer at times. I'm considering a a taller and more weight capacity tire. Please give me some input on rear tire suggestions.
Thanks in advance.
Dave K.

If you are 385, and half of the bike is 450, and even if your wife is only 100 then you are at or over the weight limit for a bike tire. Add the extra torque of pulling a trailer then you may be in danger of delamination. You might want to check out the "Dark Side". (Just sayin').

[thrasherg]

I just got my 2002 GL1800. I'm a big guy (385lbs) and ride with my wife and pull a trailer at times. I'm considering a a taller and more weight capacity tire. Please give me some input on rear tire suggestions.
Thanks in advance.
Dave K.

If you are 385, and half of the bike is 450, and even if your wife is only 100 then you are at or over the weight limit for a bike tire. Add the extra torque of pulling a trailer then you may be in danger of delamination. You might want to check out the "Dark Side". (Just sayin').

Don't forget there are 2 wheels so each wheel should only see half (approximately) the total weight, but you are certainly getting towards the limits of weight for the types and bike. As stated the dark side might be a better option for your circumstances

Gary

[PastoT]

It would be smart to total up the bike, passenger and gear weight and do the math and add maybe 50-60lbs extra to the back for trailer tongue weight. guessing just using 50/50 distribution front to back you'd be near 800lbs on the rear and I've seen math that distributes the weight closer to 60% to the rear (I'd guess because the riders are toward the rear); I've never had the occasion to weigh my rig front and back separately but you may be within 100lbs of max rating. Calculating in myself, SO, saddle bags and trailer tongue weight using the 60% guideline I'm loading 840lbs on the rear; I don't stress the bike performance or braking wise with that load or with a trailer, I put on my grandpa hat according to my family. You might chat up the dark side riders and see what there tire of choice is rated at, because it is a smaller CT it may not have the rating of the Dunlop Radial but I can't say. I prefer motorcycle tires on motorcycles but would like a good spare rim with a CT try out; I just don't like the way they wear and my E-3 mileage is much better.