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Message started by kel30734 on 12/22/09 at 17:36:55

Title: Tire Question confused about sizes
Post by kel30734 on 12/22/09 at 17:36:55

What is the Difference in a 140/80-15 and a 140/90-15
I have a 140/90- 15 on my bike, but bike bandit says the 140/80-15 is stock what dose the middle number mean?

Kel

Title: Re: Tire Question confused about sizes
Post by Serowbot on 12/22/09 at 18:13:20

Tire height as a % of tire width...

140/90 the sidewall is 90% the width of the tread... 140/80 is a lower profile... less sidewall height...

Title: Re: Tire Question confused about sizes
Post by Paladin. on 12/22/09 at 18:13:30

That /80 or /90 is the nominal ratio of height to width. A 140/80 would be nominally 112mm (4.41") from rim to road. A 140/90 would be 126mm (4.96") rim to road. This would mean that the overall diameter of the 140/80-15 should be 23.82" and the 140/90-15 should be 24.92"

Going to Dunlop's website, the K555 140/80B15 is listed at 24.17" diameter, the D404 140/90-15 is listed at 24.73" diameter. Close enough.

Title: Re: Tire Question confused about sizes
Post by jabman on 12/23/09 at 00:47:14

the 90 is better, more top speed, speedo more accurate, just dont have the suspension preload on low or have bolts sticking out under the fender. i havent takin a passenger yet with it though

Title: Re: Tire Question confused about sizes
Post by Bubba on 12/23/09 at 07:08:02

Sooo, what's the risk of running a 90...aside from tne obvious. Is it really that close under the fender there? I do occasionally ride 2 up but we're pretty light folks...150 + 125...
I'm thinking of the Pirelli's but they only have the 90's

Title: Re: Tire Question confused about sizes
Post by jabman on 12/23/09 at 08:32:52

ive got the Pirelli's very good tyre for all weather riding

Title: Re: Tire Question confused about sizes
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 12/23/09 at 09:32:11

Based on the numbers provided in the thread, the 140/90 has a 2.3562" greater circumference, which ( the way I figure it) is a 3.1% increase in distance traveled / revolution of the rear wheel.
Ive got a Dunlop 140/90 & have been very pleased with it. Shocks set on the tightest setting, I cant see any sign of conflict w/ the fender bolts & its been on long enough to need a new tire. Its a gonna GIT one, too, soon as I get caught up around here. Going to the Dark Side. Got the tire layin out in the geerage.

Title: Re: Tire Question confused about sizes
Post by Paladin. on 12/23/09 at 10:46:52

556275757626272F24170 wrote:

Sooo, what's the risk of running a 90...
I'm thinking of the Pirelli's but they only have the 90's

Ah.... The kicker is that every manufacturer makes their tire slightly different -- any one nominal size of tire can vary by a half inch in either direction. AND there's assembly tolerances that will change the amount of space you have in the first place.

I wore out a Dunlop D404 140/90-15. Strictly road wear, no rubbing, and my 180 (+ :-[ ) pounds bottomed the suspension out every day I took it to work over the RR tracks at Vermont and 161st.

I had no problems with a larger tire. Others did.

But... If a bolt head rubs the tire it can be replaced with a smalled headed bolt. Or the shocks raised or replaced with taller.

Title: Re: Tire Question confused about sizes
Post by Tonydtiger1971 on 12/23/09 at 13:45:19

Another thing to consider is that the 80 will cost more as a low profile tire that is not made by all manufacturers

Title: Re: Tire Question confused about sizes
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 12/24/09 at 07:14:04

& with the 80 your rear tire will have to turn 834.4253 times to get you a mile down the road.
& with the 90, it will only have to turn 809.3122 times,
Thats IF theyre actually the size they claim & the dang thing dont wear down. Still, the 90 is a tad "geared up"

I wonder why the engineers called for an 80..