240 tire on a V2K

[skullman]

I will have to replace my rear tire before the end of the summer and I have read a few threads on rear tires on a V2K including moving to the darkside. I would like to stay with a motorcycle tire but want to move up to a 240. For those that have them on their V2K, can you confirm there are no modifications to the stock necessary to move up to that size ? What about riding 2 up ? Any issues with clearance ? I understand that with the biggger size there is a lower profile so I would think there would be no issues at the top, but what about the sides (screws where the chrome is attached to the fender ?)

What brand 240 do you have/recommend ? Metzler ?

[FL Vulcan Rider]

The 240 Tyre on the V2K would look freakin sick! You should do it by all means! I've been wanting to do the 230 on my 900 Custom, but I don't have the money to do it right now.

[ImpactG]

I run the Metzler 240/50 R 16. No clearance issues whatsoever. In fact, I have the bike lowered 2" and still plenty of room. No issues with clearance on the sides either. I'm actually thinking of trying the new Avon that just came out - a 240 for 16" wheels, but we'll see. I have plenty of rubber left and hope to change out my wheels next year.

Here's a rear view of the 240 on a lowered 2K.

[skullman]

The dealer was the one questioning the clearance (they have never put one on a V2K yet). I didn't think there would be a problem which you confirmed. I have 4,000 miles on it now, and if I get what most people say they do on the stock tire (6,000) I will be looking at a new one sometime mid summer.

[skullman]

By the way. Your ride looks great !

[jimboy61]

No problems, it goes right on the stock rim, no issues...sure makes the tire changer mad tho..he was swearing and sweating up a storm,lol. Apparently their tire machine is barely able to mount it...barely.

[ImpactG]

The dealer actually ordered the tire and mounted it on mine. No issues with them or with the mounting. Have about 4,000 on it so far and not near needing replacement.

[vn2kbob]

ImpactG: Are you considering the Avon because of early wear on the Metz or just interested in trying something new? I'm in that same boat of needing tires fairly soon and not being entirely sold on the car tire, just trying to get some ideas---Metz, Dunlop, Avon, or going back with the Stones. Any comments appreciated!

[greeneyess82]

I love V2K's , after i finish with my 900, i will definately consider getting one. i would like to put a 300 tire and wide rim on the V2K. how much do V2Ks go for. i might go buy one this weekend

[Van's V2k]

Is the 240 tire simply cosmetic or is there handling benefits?

[vn2kbob]

If there were gains to be had in wider tires, you'd see them on all the bikes at the race tracks. What you see on 1000cc bikes are 190's and on 600cc bikes 180's. Anything wider and it affects handling. They have reached the optimum handling point. Anyone who owns a VN2K will tell you how impressed they are with the slow speed handling, high-speed twisties, tight, lock-lock turns, figure eights at idle--these bikes handle incredibly well. They lose that ability to some degree always when you add a wider tire. A person will get used to it sure. It looks great, sure. But you will feel the bike wanting to stand up in turns when backing off the throttle and they won't hold a line as well either. The wide tires look great on boulevard cruisers though. If that's the look you are going for, I can dig that. After careful consideration, Yamaha maxed their Raider tire size at 210. Looks wide and still handles fairly good even with that extended front end.

[texrider]

Just put a Metz 200 on, and love it

200 is as wide as I want though.

[ROLAND]

I must say that I like the look of a rear fat tyre, let´s say 240, buy I would rather fit it on a wider wheel.

[ImpactG]

Originally Posted by vn2kbob

ImpactG: Are you considering the Avon because of early wear on the Metz or just interested in trying something new? I'm in that same boat of needing tires fairly soon and not being entirely sold on the car tire, just trying to get some ideas---Metz, Dunlop, Avon, or going back with the Stones. Any comments appreciated!

Bob, I really should have clarified. Sorry.

No, I love the Metzler and would recommend it highly. I'm getting good wear from the tire... should get 8K and for a V2K that's not bad. I'm a fairly conservative rider until I get the occassional bug up the butt to rip and tear. For me, though, performance is more important and it is one sticky, dependable tire on dry or wet. I also noticed it smooths out the road considerably over the Dunlop I replaced.

... no, just thought I'd give the Avon a try. I've never ridden one and I hear they make a top-notch sneaker. Last time I looked, however, their comparable tire was running $30-40.00 more than the Metz, but the fitment is a new production this year. It may come down.

[ImpactG]

Originally Posted by greeneyess82

I love V2K's , after i finish with my 900, i will definately consider getting one. i would like to put a 300 tire and wide rim on the V2K. how much do V2Ks go for. i might go buy one this weekend

If you have to ask, you can't afford one... hahahahahaha

If you love your 900... you need to ride one of these puppies...

[ImpactG]

Originally Posted by ROLAND

I must say that I like the look of a rear fat tyre, let´s say 240, buy I would rather fit it on a wider wheel.

It does look good on the stock rim... and you can definately notice the difference from a 200, but you're right... I'd like to go to an 18" x 8.5" and put on a 260. I think btob did this without swingarm modification. Not sure how it would change the pulley configuration, but guess it could be done. Plan on looking into this over the winter.

[LordGT]

Originally Posted by skullman

The dealer was the one questioning the clearance (they have never put one on a V2K yet). I didn't think there would be a problem which you confirmed. I have 4,000 miles on it now, and if I get what most people say they do on the stock tire (6,000) I will be looking at a new one sometime mid summer.

My Dealer put my 240 on the rear of my V2K and they had no issues. In fact they've done it twice now. You should get about 8500 miles per tire, more or less depending on how you ride, and on what type of road surface.

Enjoy.

[Knollinger]

Hey LordGT & ImpactG...what is the difference in the ride between the 200 and the 240?...cornering/comfort/noise?
Just got a e-mail from CruiserCustomizing.com...20% off on all Metzlers Tires on their weekly specials....maybe just get one and put it away...i only have 1500 mls on my stock tire, but can see some wear around the edges of the pattern....must be my riding style or the torque....or both....LOL

[LordGT]

Originally Posted by Knollinger

Hey LordGT & ImpactG...what is the difference in the ride between the 200 and the 240?...cornering/comfort/noise?
Just got a e-mail from CruiserCustomizing.com...20% off on all Metzlers Tires on their weekly specials....maybe just get one and put it away...i only have 1500 mls on my stock tire, but can see some wear around the edges of the pattern....must be my riding style or the torque....or both....LOL

Nothing that you'd notice. At least I don't think so. It's a big bike, so it's a little slower to push over in the corners. I get reminded of this everytime I ride my wife's 900 LT.

The 240 doesn't add a ton of width to the rear like you'd think it would, probably because we are using the same wheel. ImpactG measured his before and after and I think it was only 3/8" wider. So the wheel is probably pulling the tire back in a little. But even though it's only 3/8", it seems to fill the fender well more and it does look more massive in person. Not so much in the pics.

I don't remember hearing any more noise, nor does it feel harder to turn or move. Comfort is about the same. Maybe I'm just Numb... but I couldn't tell any real difference, other than looks.

[ImpactG]

^+1 ... except I felt it was noticably more comfortable than the tire I was running. Not sure what LordGT replaced.

Handling-wise, I actually prefer it to the 200. It takes a ride or two to get used to the technique, but you learn to roll the bike over the tire on turns. It's actually more fun riding IMHO. Seems perfect for this bike. The 200's like having spindly legs on a big ole' girl. Just doesn't handle the weight quite as well and looks out of proportion...