Meanie Rear Tire on VN1600? & other Q?

[PO-POMAX2K]

Anyone put a rear tire designed for the Meanie onto their VN1600? I ran over a Piece of coathanger of all things and need a new rear tire. I can use the 180/70/16 right? Thanks in advance. I searched and found the sites I need to buy the Tire but am wondering if I'd get better handling w/ the tire for the meanie and how much ride quality I'd give up.

[emaldona]

The Meanstreak tire is meant for a 17" wheel. It will not mount on a 16" wheel.

[jnk]

if you can find a sport touring or sport bike tire that will fit and you change both tires you would probably get better handleing but you will give up tire life as they don't last more that about 6kmi on my ms so i average two sets a year. at 300+ per set

[PO-POMAX2K]

Originally Posted by emaldona

The Meanstreak tire is meant for a 17" wheel. It will not mount on a 16" wheel.

D'oh, I was so wrapped up in the first (2) numbers I didn't notice the 3rd. Thanks.

[Bill Austin]

I wanted to go from the 170 to a 180 so based on my dealers recommendations I installed a Metz ME 880 180/60/16 on my classic. They recommended the 60 aspect ratio because of the extra 10mm in width. Turns out he miscalculated because my speedo is 12 to 15% off. The extra width does ride nice though eventhough i drag the boards a bit more on corners now.

[PO-POMAX2K]

Originally Posted by Bill Austin

I wanted to go from the 170 to a 180 so based on my dealers recommendations I installed a Metz ME 880 180/60/16 on my classic. They recommended the 60 aspect ratio because of the extra 10mm in width. Turns out he miscalculated because my speedo is 12 to 15% off. The extra width does ride nice though eventhough i drag the boards a bit more on corners now.

So you think I should try the 180/70/16? What's the verdict on the ME 880's? From those of you who have them. Yes or No, it actually turns out the Hanger didn't go the whole way through but I'm leaning towards replacing it anyway.

[Bill Austin]

I am not sure the 180/70/16 would be the same overall diameter as the stocker but it might be closer that the 60. I do like the Metz's. They stick much better than the stock Bridge's. There may be better tires out there, but so far the 880's seem to be out lasting the Bridge's, that is if i can keep the rear from going up in smoke. The next set i buy will be wide white walls, if i can find them for my bike.

[PO-POMAX2K]

Well we'll find out soon...ordered the metz 880 in a 180/70/r16 should be in and insatlled Thurs/Friday. $196 installed not the best deal I've found but going local allows me to address any issues I encounter and it's a new local shop so this might be the start of a good relationship.

[RichLockyer]

Originally Posted by Bill Austin

I am not sure the 180/70/16 would be the same overall diameter as the stocker but it might be closer that the 60. I do like the Metz's. They stick much better than the stock Bridge's. There may be better tires out there, but so far the 880's seem to be out lasting the Bridge's, that is if i can keep the rear from going up in smoke. The next set i buy will be wide white walls, if i can find them for my bike.

Stock on the Classic is 170/70-16, so the 180/70-16 will be a touch larger (about 7mm taller sidewall, 14mm overall).
It will actually help correct some of the stock speedo error.

[Bill Austin]

Thanks Rich. How much shorter than stock is the 180 60 i installed? I'm and SAE guy, metric is unfamiliar to me so as any man does with unfamiliar things, i shun the knowledge!

[RichLockyer]

Originally Posted by Bill Austin

Thanks Rich. How much shorter than stock is the 180 60 i installed? I'm and SAE guy, metric is unfamiliar to me so as any man does with unfamiliar things, i shun the knowledge!

180/60, sidewall is 60% of the treadwidth, so the sidewall is 108mm tall, compared to the 170/70's 119mm.

About the length of your pinky fingernail difference.

[Bill Austin]

Thanks Rich, i guess i could have done the math......it sure seams like more than 11mm off.

[RichLockyer]

Originally Posted by Bill Austin

Thanks Rich, i guess i could have done the math......it sure seams like more than 11mm off.

It may be on a bike tire.
I'm not sure exactly how they define "sidewall" vs "tread"... remember, our tires are on narrower rims than a comparably sized auto tire, and our tread is curved much more, so SOME of the tire height is affected by tread width.

Also, that's 11mm difference in the sidewall, which is 22mm (over 1/2") if you stack both tires side by side... but the axle height is only 11mm off.