SuzukiSavage.com - rear tire size

short round

Junior Member
2005 No Login

Offline

Posts: 88
mid Missouri
Gender: male

rear tire size - 140/90-15
07/31/05 at 14:08:08

Okay, I hate to bring up a topic that I know has been discussed before but I've done several searches and can't find it. So please allow me: will a 140/90-15 fit on the rear? I think so but wanted to check if there was a problem with the 90 part. I'm looking at a Dunlop Elite(?) 2 or 3 I think and the shop says it doesn't even show an 80 available. Price is about $115 for just the tire. Thanks all.

Back to top

Ron
South Central Missouri

IP Logged

Savage_Rob

Serious Thumper
Alliance Member

Offline

Mechanically
Inclined Amateur

Posts: 6972
Texas (Dallas area)
Gender: male

Re: rear tire size - 140/90-15
Reply #1 - 07/31/05 at 14:43:00

short round wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:07:

Okay, I hate to bring up a topic that I know has been discussed before but I've done several searches and can't find it. So please allow me: will a 140/90-15 fit on the rear? I think so but wanted to check if there was a problem with the 90 part. I'm looking at a Dunlop Elite(?) 2 or 3 I think and the shop says it doesn't even show an 80 available. Price is about $115 for just the tire. Thanks all.

I did a quick search and found the following three threads. Hopefully they'll be helpful. Be sure you set the number of days you are looking back. The default is only 7.

Wide Tires

New Tires

Help needed for exhaust and tires

Back to top

IP Logged

shawn_b

Ex Member

Re: rear tire size - 140/90-15
Reply #2 - 07/31/05 at 14:58:56

i have that size on my bike it will fit but it is very tight i had to set the shocks to the stiffest setting then had i to remove a bolt from the side rail on the left side for so reson the one on the right never thouch the tire oh btw i have a kenda 140/90/15 put on for 85 $ installed
i think thats the cheapest one out there it 8)
why spind more if you dont have to

shawn Roll Eyes

Back to top

IP Logged

bentwheel

Serious Thumper
2005 No Login

Offline

Ride free, citizen

Posts: 658
Sarnia, Ontario, Canada
Gender: male

Re: rear tire size - 140/90-15
Reply #3 - 07/31/05 at 20:22:22

short round wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:07:

So please allow me: will a 140/90-15 fit on the rear? .

The most correct answer is "yes it will. No it won't". I say that because I recently went through the ordeal of mounting one of these tires on Black Betty. Is the tire designed for touring: cruising, sport touring or a standard? If you took ten different tires with the same configuration of 140/90 15 you would likely get ten different measurements. For instance some tires are widest at the edge of its tread block, others at the side wall. Some have a flatter profile, others round. The Savage was designed for a 140/80 15, but lets face it, most of us are using the 90 profile instead because it's cheaper (supply and demand). You can mount a 140/90 15 but here is a list of some of the modifications you will likely have to do. The fender rail mounting bolts are likely going to rub, so you can grind down the bolt heads, or change them for a smaller profile or remove some bolts entirely. Raise the fender via setting the shocks to the stiffest setting to allow for more clearance at the bolt heads. Tighten your drive belt to gain more clearance at the front of the swing arm, especially if you have a leading mud flap.
I had to make all of these mods and the one I dislike the most is having to ride around with a stiff suspension. The next rear tire I buy is going to be the recommended one.

Back to top

Bentwheel FSO
2006 Suzuki 650 V-Strom
1977 Yamaha XS360
1972 Honda CL175

IP Logged

Paladin. Serious Thumper Offline Hamster Posts: 4929 Sunny Southern California Gender:	Re: rear tire size - 140/90-15 Reply #4 - 07/31/05 at 22:47:29 And yet, my D404 fit with no problems whatsoever. My next set of tires will be Maxxis M6011's -- Whitewalls!!
Back to top	IP Logged

WD

Serious Thumper
2005 No Login

Offline

Professional
"scooter
trash".

Posts: 5207
Rosemark TN
Gender: male

Re: rear tire size - 140/90-15
Reply #5 - 08/01/05 at 07:17:57

This is such a simple problem...

My bike tire placard says 140/80/15. It shipped with a 130/80/15. I put a 140/?/15 replacement on it. When the kid wears that one out, it's getting Metzeler 130/90/15 replacement. ME77, close out priced at $50, including mounting. The bike will handle better with a 130 anyway.
-WD

And when I run out of those, putting a 16 inch HD hoop on it and going with 130/90/16 wide white rear, for a truer 1950s/60s bobber look.

Back to top

On 2 wheels since 7/87

Black and Chrome 2003 1950s style custom

IP Logged

bentwheel

Serious Thumper
2005 No Login

Offline

Ride free, citizen

Posts: 658
Sarnia, Ontario, Canada
Gender: male

Re: rear tire size - 140/90-15
Reply #6 - 08/01/05 at 21:17:02

Back in February we were talking tires on this forum, and I asked about a 130/90-15 and got the following response from Marty62253

--------
BENT WHEEL ASKS ABOUT A 130/90-15
ALMOST 1/2 INCH NARROWER
0.2 INCH SHORTER INTO FENDER - SAME SPEEDO READINGS AS STOCK TIRE WHEN HALF WORN OUT
I AGREE WITH YOUR "UP-SIDE" COMMENTS
DOWNSIDE
1-AGAIN, I DO NOT HAVE MY OLD CHARTS - 130 MAY BE HAPPIER IN NARROWER RIM-MAYBE NOT-SOME PARTS BOOKS HAVE TIRE SIZE/RIM SIZE CHARTS - EZ TO READ
2-CONTACT PATCH IS SMALLER*****SPARE ME THE ARGUMENTS ON DEFLECTION IN SIDEWALL AREA IS NOT A FUNCTION OF CONTACT PATCH SIZE........
IT IS---I WAS IN COURT ON THIS ONE REPRESENTING A MAJOR TIRE COMPANY ON THIS VERY TOPIC---
THE CONTACT PATCH WILL BE SMALLER - I WOULD NEVER SUGGEST GOING THAT WAY
3-LOAD CAPACITY IS REDUCED - REMEMBER TO REDUCE MFG. CAPPACITIES (WEIGHT AND SPEED) BEFORE TAKING OFF
IN SHORT:
1-WILL IT WORK? - YES. (WITH LESS CARRYING CAPACITY, LESS TRACTION, LESS STABILITY.....)
2-WOULD I SUGGEST DOING IT? - NO
3-IF IN THE TIRE BUSINESS, WOULD I SELL IT TO YOU? - I KNOW BETTER
4-WOULD I DRIVE IT? - NEVER!

THAT SAID, THE CHOICE IS YOURS
MARTY

Back to top

Bentwheel FSO
2006 Suzuki 650 V-Strom
1977 Yamaha XS360
1972 Honda CL175

IP Logged

short round Junior Member 2005 No Login Offline Posts: 88 mid Missouri Gender:	Re: rear tire size - 140/90-15 Reply #7 - 08/01/05 at 22:19:20 Thanks for the replies and links, they really helped. You got it Rob, I didn't change the days to look back.
Back to top	Ron South Central Missouri IP Logged

klx650sm2002 Serious Thumper Offline The more I learn the less I know. Posts: 2041 Cumbria,England Gender:	Re: rear tire size - 140/90-15 Reply #8 - 08/02/05 at 04:10:58 Hey WD I agree with you about the 130/90/15 it is the correct size for the standard rim. Clive W
Back to top	IP Logged