SuzukiSavage.com - Print Page

SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl
General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Oversize rear tire
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1209845329

Message started by sammy on 05/03/08 at 13:08:48

Title: Oversize rear tire
Post by sammy on 05/03/08 at 13:08:48

Just bought a 2005 S-40 , 7000 mi. has a new set of Dunlop tires and after taking my daughter for a 6 mile ride today I might have ruined the rear tire. This is my first motorcycle in almost 30 yrs. and I didn't realize the rear tire was bigger than stock--it is a 140-90-15 and after I got back from the ride I noticed the rear tire was scrubbed pretty bad on the left shoulder where it had rubbed on the saddle bag rack bolt head inside the fenderwell. I'm pretty sure I would have noticed this scrub before now if it was doing it without a passenger on the back. I'm wondering how much adjustment there is in the shocks or will I just have to put a stock tire back on it. I do plan on hauling someone on the back part of the time, any ideas. Thanks. :(

Title: Re: Oversize rear tire
Post by barry68v10 on 05/03/08 at 13:15:57

There are several discussions about this in various places. Check out Oldfeller's post in the Tech Section first and see if that answers your questions.

Title: Re: Oversize rear tire
Post by barry68v10 on 05/03/08 at 13:17:43

It's called "fitting MUCH larger rear tire" which doesn't apply to you, but does address rubbing bolts...

Title: Re: Oversize rear tire
Post by vtail on 05/03/08 at 13:47:42

You need to get some carriage or machine bolts at Lowe's or Home Depot.
They have rounded heads ;)

Title: Re: Oversize rear tire
Post by gj859 on 05/03/08 at 13:55:06

When I was young all I ran was the old maypop tires on old cars that I had given $75-$100 for. I think this is a bad idea on a motorcycle. Does anyone disagree that it's time for a new tire?

Title: Re: Oversize rear tire
Post by Oldfeller on 05/03/08 at 22:26:07

Did the scrubbing expose the cord material inside the tire rubber? If so, you are shot and need to replace the tire.

If not, it can be considered as cosmetic damage. Tire's strength comes from the nylon/polyester tire cord layers, its ability to hold air comes from the inner tube. Rubber is a just a wear away traction component which actually adds very little to the mechanical strength of a tire.

Oldfeller

Title: Re: Oversize rear tire
Post by youzguyz on 05/04/08 at 03:31:31

Here is a thread on the "rubbing bolt" issue

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1181363003/0#0

Title: Re: Oversize rear tire
Post by sammy on 05/04/08 at 18:44:16

Hey, I really appreciate all your replies and I don't think this tire will blow on me unless I try to haul someone on the back again! I think I will replace it with the correct size tire and maybe replace the bolts also. I looked at the shocks today and they are on the third setting from highest position so I don't know if raising them all the way up would give me enough clearance with the big tire to haul a passenger or not! Was wondering what if any advantage is there to having the bigger tire on the back anyway? Thanks, Sammy.

Title: Re: Oversize rear tire
Post by sammy on 05/05/08 at 16:59:57

Update on my tire problem--I just bought this bike last Tuesday, used, from a dealer with no warranty. I decided to take it back to the dealer today to see if they would do anything about it and they ordered me a new tire and they are going to replace it free of charge with the correct size, so everything worked out fine. Thanks everyone. Sammy.

Title: Re: Oversize rear tire
Post by Reelthing on 05/05/08 at 18:30:43

cool - name the dealer that's a pretty standup thing to do !

Title: Re: Oversize rear tire
Post by sammy on 05/05/08 at 18:46:10

Star City Powersports, Roanoke VA. Treated me great, so far. Bought 2 4 wheelers and the S-40 from them! Sammy.

Title: Re: Oversize rear tire
Post by Rockin_John on 05/05/08 at 21:29:38

Yeah, That's cool for the dealer to make things how you wanted them...

But to answer your earlier question: There is a reason some people prefer running the 140/90-15. They are taller and a larger diameter. Ends up giving you a slight drop in RPMs (by a couple hundred turns) at higher highway speeds. If most of your riding is below 60MPH, the difference really doesn't matter much. If you like to run 75MPH for hours at a time on the Interstate, the slight drop in RPMs is comfortable and less wear on the engine. However, most people who are serious about gearing their bike up have broken down and installed a chain conversion; which allows them to pick their gearing to their liking. 8-)