tire search : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

bcnasty · 11-20-2009, 02:06 PM

HELP, do we have any tire experts here. I want the fill the rim look on my 07 bagger and I know for 1300.00 I can go to pm or one of the others,However, the steel wheels from Harley are 400.00 , not to mention I have a few hanging around in the 21 and 19 inch sizes. I spent the better part of 2 hours going through speed ratins and load ratings and am more frickin confused than before I started. I know the 21x3.25 rim with a 120/70/21 works but can I do the same with a 120/90/19 on a Harley 19x2.25 wheel ? or the 90/90/B-21 avon. The avon site says this tire is 3.7inches wide and 27.6 inches tall. Anyone done this or can clarify my options please ! I am begging here.

aka_matt · 11-20-2009, 03:13 PM

i don't think anyone makes a 120/90x19, and the 120/70x21 will be almost 2" taller, meaning it will be 1" closer to the fender, u may have to adjust the fender up to make room... u also have to think about the weight ratings, as the smaller tire will not have the capacity of the larger tire... if u ride 2 up and loaded alot, u may have safety problems...
21" tires have been used before, do a search on it and find out all the info...

Geezer-Glide · 11-20-2009, 05:07 PM

Every tire manufacturer has a speed and load rating for their product. A tire from brand A can be very different from the same size tire from brand B. Case in point...... Metzler 150/70/18 ME 880 rear tire has a load rating of 770 pounds. Same size tire from Avon has a load rating of 902 pounds.

Personally I would never run a 21 inch tire on the front of a bagger that would be ridden. They look cool, but you don't have near enough surface contact for an 800 pound bike with a 200 pound rider. Disaster in the making. 18 is as large as I would go on the front of a bagger. Others will disagree, I said this is MY personal choice.

Call Hogpro. I've purchaced from them several times. They're aces! You won't get a straight answer from the tire manufacturer's themselves, liability wise, they can not recommend a tire other than the stock size that came from the factory.

American Moto Tire and Southwest Moto Tire may be able to point you in the right direction too.

Two Brothers · 12-06-2009, 08:51 AM

The 120/70-21 is the way to go. This is the easiest way to "fill up" the fender. Just make sure to adjust the fender or it can swell and burn the paint. We had some customers that didn't do this and had to repaint.

You can't run the 90/90-21 on a dresser, not rated for this. I would have to check but I don't think they have a 120/70-19. You might have to get a special wheel built for that.

aka_matt · 12-06-2009, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Two Brothers

I would have to check but I don't think they have a 120/70-19. You might have to get a special wheel built for that.

actually, the VRod uses that size, so does the new Triumph Thunderbird... u just need a 19 x 3 to 3.5" rim...

Two Brothers · 12-06-2009, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aka_matt

actually, the VRod uses that size, so does the new Triumph Thunderbird... u just need a 19 x 3 to 3.5" rim...

Not rated for an Eletraglide. You would never get tire manu to even say they approved it.

aka_matt · 12-07-2009, 03:55 PM

130/90x16 = 67h = 677lbs = 25.86"
130/70x18 = 63h = 600lbs = 25.31"
140/70x18 = 67h = 675lbs = 25.90"
120/70x21 = 62v = 584lbs = 27.79"
120/70x19 = 60v = 551lbs = 25.67"

at what point does it become unsafe? a lot of people do things that aren't 'approved'... i think it depends on what kind of 'bagger', a 'road king' with just a windshield would be lighter up front than an 'electraglide' or 'roadglide'... also, does the person ride 2 up mostly, or just alone... many variables involved...

Two Brothers · 12-07-2009, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aka_matt

130/90x16 = 67h = 677lbs = 25.86"
130/70x18 = 63h = 600lbs = 25.31"
140/70x18 = 67h = 675lbs = 25.90"
120/70x21 = 62v = 584lbs = 27.79"
120/70x19 = 60v = 551lbs = 25.67"

at what point does it become unsafe? a lot of people do things that aren't 'approved'... i think it depends on what kind of 'bagger', a 'road king' with just a windshield would be lighter up front than an 'electraglide' or 'roadglide'... also, does the person ride 2 up mostly, or just alone... many variables involved...

Easy Matt don't shoot the messenger.. I have to look at it from a liability issue. I see lots of crazy stuff out there. There is a reason for the numbers. Just remember that although the numbers are close some tires are made different. Construction of tires for different bikes are just that, different.

If someone wants to take a chance on a different set up thats cool, I just don't want it to cost me in the end.

Like I said I've seen it all...fronts on backs, backs on fronts, low pressure, high pressure, low profile, high profile.

Hey as long as it looks cool then do it...it can only kill you what the heck.

aka_matt · 12-07-2009, 10:14 PM

as a dealer, u could only sell 2 of those sizes 'legally'... i agree with the weight issue, altho HD uses the 130/70x18 on the FLHX this yr, and some SE models, atho not on the heaviest ultras... so maybe its not THAT important... who knows...