Hey folks, Using the forum's search feature there is a wealth of information on what size of REAR tires per brand might fit on the Savage, but little about changing the FRONT tire!

So here's the deal... I bought my old 1987 with around 6.5k miles on it, and the original IRC 140/80-15 and 100/90-19 are still on it. They still looked good as far as tread depth (two previous owners were old men, and probably rode the bike pretty easy).

However, under recent close inspection I noticed very small weather cracking on the tires near the rims. This set me out on a budget tire search, as I've already been spending far more on this old bike than I will ever hope to recoup.

So I found a SUPER deal on a brand new      CHENG SHIN HI-MAX 140/90-15. I gave .99 cents for this brand new tire on eBay. You heard that right, a brand new rear tire for .99 pennies! Well... plus $20 shipping, but that's still a he!!a deal. To top that: The tire is coming from the shop of Michael Andretti! Yikes! OK, so much for the bragging and name dropping... on to my real question:

I don't mind the tread pattern on this rear tire, but the not-so-well matching mate-front tire is really really fugly. Also, Since I'm increasing the diameter of the rear tire, I think it would be a good idea to do likewise on the front to keep the geometry of the tire sizes similar to stock size ratio. So I'm in a bit of a dilemma as to what to do.

Anyone tried to fit a bigger tire under the front fender? Perhaps going up to a 110/90-19 might fit. Or I might be able to slot the front fender mounting holes a little to give a bit more room… And what about trying to match up other aspects like complimentary contact patch and traction at any given speed and lean angle? I’ve kind of liked the way the bike has handled with the stock tires since I put the wide bars on, and would prefer to not mess that up if possible.

Once again, any helpful suggestions or opinions much appreciated!

here was the chart from awhile back  

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?board=RubberSideDown;action=display;n...

it listed these 19" tires - the stock rim is a 19x2.15 the 110/90 me880 on the '95 certainly fills the rim and the fender - it is list as the minimum size for a 110mm (2.15/2.50/2.75) looks to me the rim is just too narrow to go any bigger without rolling the tire up


19" Tyres  Permitted rim  
 
275*19    1.40/1.60/1.85  
70/90*19  
 
300*19     1.60/1.85/2.15  
360*19  
 
325*19     1.85/2.15/2.50  
350*19  
410*19  
90/90*19  
90/100*19  
100/90*19  
 
110/90*19     2.15/2.50/2.75  
120/90*19  

FWIW. On one of these Savage forums a rider who went up had problems with tire growth at speed and the tire rubbing on the inner fender support. W/O a belt like a radial the tire grows like a dragster tire as the speed increases. Brand might make a difference. Max

I wouldn't run a cheap NOS (new old stock) tire on a two wheeler for safety reasons. You can find some pretty decent inexpensive tires such as Kenda or IRC. Chen Shin is the bottom of the barrel and I would avoid them if there's an alternative. Your life is worth a $25 or $30 tire.

Dynobob wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:11:



The auction states the tire is "new" and nowhere does it mention NOS. The picture looks like a new tire just as I've seen hanging at a dealer. Who knows how long ANY tire has been in the warehouse or dealer stock before selling. Even if a tire was 3-4 years old I'm not sure I would consider it NOS. Perhaps after 8-10 years, depending on storage conditions.

As for CHENG SHIN being "bottom of the barrel" That is a matter of opinion. I've used them on dirt bikes under extreme hard use without problems, and seen other riders shred more expensive tires on the same trails and conditions. Along the line of opinions about tire brands, I've read or heard bad things about just about all tire manufacturers at one time or another: All Avons are crap; Bridgestone are dangerous; etc... etc... Have to say though, that I've heard/read very few complaints about Metezler, and Dunlop seems to only have a few detractors.

The tire I have on the way will be inspected under magnification for any signs of deterioration (that is how I found the micro weather cracks on my old tires) and if the tire is rotting, it won't go on. Otherwise, I have no reason to believe it will be any problem.

PerrydaSavage wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:11:



Thanks for the feedback Perry. Don't know that I'll bother matching brands, especially since I'm not going with stock rear size anyway. I may try the front in a Dunlop or IRC... about anything of reasonalbe quality that comes by as a real bargain.

After looking at one of the bobber-chopper projects shown on the forum lately; which had the matching front to the Cheng Shin rear I have on the way, I've decided it's not really that un- attractive of a tire anyways.

Just a follow-up on the 99˘ Cheng Shin Hi-Max 140/90-15 rear tire I got from the Michael Andretti shop. UPS man dropped it off the other day and inspection with a magnifying glass shows absolutely no sign of deterioration. Even after shipping charges the tire is a super value, even if it isn’t my first choice of brands.
(First choice for me would be Dunlop.)

Now if I can just remember where I left those big old tire irons. The last time I put a cycle tire on was over 10 years ago. It was a stiff sidewall knobby on the rear of a dirt bike, and I recall being sweat covered and cussing (more than normal) by the time it was done.

Anyone got any magic for making rear tires go on easy?