Rear Tire Hootmon

[TLRam1]

Makes more sense Jesse but differs to what Dunlop says using there numbers for the two tire sizes.


K555 Rear    150/80-15  Diameter 24.65

K555 Rear    170/80-15  Diameter 25.95

1.3 inches taller overall

Split the difference between top and bottom (or opposite points) would be .65 inches taller at the top and .65 inches at the bottom. Am I not understanding this correctly?

[MagnaMan]

If Dunlop says that's the diameter for their tire sizes then I would go with those numbers. I was just trying to calculate the difference from the supposed aspect ratios. But I wasn't too sure about it, like I said.

[Lurkin]

If Dunlop says that's the diameter for their tire sizes then I would go with those numbers. I was just trying to calculate the difference from the supposed aspect ratios. But I wasn't too sure about it, like I said.

I didn't see an answer to your question on how many washers to space out the rod for the oversized rear tire, since most just up for the new rod.  I used 5 SS washers to space mine out for an oversized Dunlop and have never had any issues.

[TLRam1]

I didn't see an answer to your question on how many washers to space out rod for the oversized rear tire, since must just up for the new rod.  I used 5 SS washers to space mine out for an oversized Dunlop and have never had any issues.

Great, thanks for the answer. I have been out of town the last 5 days and left this thread in limbo. I will try out the Dragon and watch for the bottoming out problem Jesse talked about. In the mean time I will space the brake stay rod out as you mentioned. At some point I may end up taking Jesse up on his generous offer.

[lragan]

K555 Rear    150/80-15  Diameter 24.65

K555 Rear    170/80-15  Diameter 25.95

1.3 inches taller overall

Split the difference between top and bottom (or opposite points) would be .65 inches taller at the top and .65 inches at the bottom. Am I not understanding this correctly?

The split is even only if the pressure is infinite.  With any real pressure, the tire will flatten a bit on the bottom, and the displaced air will distribute evenly around the perimeter of the rest of the tire.  Probably not much, but it is there.  If it were not, of course, there could be no traction, since the contact "point" (actually a transverse line) would be insignificant.  So it will be closer to the fender (all around) than the 0.65 inches.  How much?  Very complex calculation, involving not just pressure but sidewall stiffness, etc. etc. 

[TLRam1]

The Pirelli was not easy to get on, nor did it seat easy, up to ninety pounds and did not seat on one side. Busted the bead on the problem side, spayed with tire lube and it seated.

 

[hootmon]

The Pirelli was not easy to get on, nor did it seat easy, up to ninety pounds and did not seat on one side. Busted the bead on the problem side, spayed with tire lube and it seated.

I didn't mount it myself, but watched it being mounted (twice - this is my 2nd night dragon) and there never seemed to be an issue with mounting..

Are you using weights or beads?

[TLRam1]

I am using weights, with the one weight I already had on the rim there was no extra weight needed. Probably the easiest and most accurately balanced tire I have mounted, not that this helps anything except made my job easy.

[hootmon]

I am using weights, with the one weight I already had on the rim there was no extra weight needed. Probably the easiest and most accurately balanced tire I have mounted, not that this helps anything except made my job easy.

Let me know what you think of the tire...

[TLRam1]

Mine is the GT version, the supplier I deal with no longer has the non GT version. Heading on a trip this weekend to Louisiana for the loop I posted up earlier, may get into some rain Sunday on the way back.

[rojdan2]

My bike has Avon tires also. Good grip and handling.

[TLRam1]

The tire is working well, slipped on me once. I did buy a 17T front sprocket I have yet to put on.

[v4intn]

I'm running a Shinko 230 (150/90-15) on mine. The rear is a LOT bigger than the Dunlop was and rubbed the license plate bracket with a hard bump but after fixing that I love the way it rides and handles

[TLRam1]

We did ride two-up with the Pirelli on our last trip a few weeks ago and luckily we did not ran into the issues Jesse had, hoping it stays that way.

[Lurkin]

Question on this subject boys, girls, and others.  I need a new rear tire, finally wore one out instead of picking up a nail or screw and deciding to replace it.  My replacements to-date have been Dunlops, first one was 150, then a 170, current one is a 170.  I always purchased the Dunlops since they were cheaper, and it seemed like I had to replace it due to road hazard than wear, so buy the cheaper one.

I looked yesterday and the Dunlop pricing seems to have gone way up, around $175-185 for the 170/80-15, while the Metz, Pirelli, Avon, Michelin run around $140-155, so ???, what is going on with the pricing?

If this pricing holds, I'm not sure what to buy now.  I have had my Magna for over 11 years now and the most miles/yr has been about 4K, currently around 2K at the most.  So age and tire hardening are more of an issue than wear.

I could use some input/opinions on what you think might work best in my case.  I am thinking, due to low mileage, just buy by price from the options above.  If I did that, it would be the Metz.  I also noticed that there is now also an ME880 and an ME888, input on the difference?  Although from the input already given above, the Pirelli might be a better choice in tire, and the price difference between the Metz and Pirelli is irrelevant.

Thoughts, opinions, misc BS...  It's all welcome.