ScootWorks Front Pulley and/or 200 Rear Tire?

[gvrider]

Let me start by saying that I admit I am still somewhat of a newbie on motorcycles. I have only been riding for 14 months, and modifying my bike even less.

I have a vn900 Classic Lt, which I bought new, and have put right at 7k miles on. I am keeping a close watch on the tires and am figuring I can get another 3k miles out of the stock Dunlops. I really like the look of the fatter rear tire, so I had pretty much settled on the ME880 Marathons, 130/90 - 16 M/C 67H TL on the front (stock size), and 200/70 B 15 M/C 82H TL on the rear (stock is 180/70-15 76H).

The guys I ride with all ride either HD 1800s, or VTX 1800s, and like to cruise at 75 - 80 mph. It is well documented on this forum that the 900 is turning a lot of rpms at that speed. I am guessing that can't be good for the engine. I am wondering if I should go with the Scootworks overdrive front pulley. I have read on here that I really can't go with both the pulley and a 200 rear tire.

I honestly do not know if I will get any lower rpm benefit from the 200 rear tire, or if it is strictly "fatter". I do know however that there are some very smart people on this forum, who do know the specifics on the tire and the pulley.

Should I go with the pulley, the 200 rear tire, or can I actually go with both?

[gvrider]

I am really surprised I haven't gotten any feedback. I thought someone would have some info on this. Anybody?

[jesse web]

about a week or so ago someone posted that the 200 is about two inches highter than the stocker so this will help the rpms a bit. also someone else posted that having both the pulley and the 200 was a bit slower at take off. if you search you'll probably find this two post.

[rodnitski]

as an "old" tire guy, the size difference from the 180/70-15 (OD 25.19 inches) to 205/70-15 (OD 26.29 inches) is a little over 1 inch taller. Usually a 1/4 inch affects the speedo by 1-2 mph so in this case the speedo will read roughly 8 mph slower.

[Chase550]

I have read on here too that with te pulley you can't run the 200 tire...and other places say you can...????

I just installed the front pulley on my wifes custom, and I have about an inch and a half clearnace between the mud guard and the tire now (stock tire)....so if the 200 is 2" taller than the 180 than that means I would half an inch clearance then...??

I want to run the 200 instead of the rear pulley, because I would like to have a bit more rpm reduction at 65-85 mph....but I am kinda looking for confirmation that the 200 will actually work with the front pulley as well.

[Chase550]

Originally Posted by rodnitski

as an "old" tire guy, the size difference from the 180/70-15 (OD 25.19 inches) to 205/70-15 (OD 26.29 inches) is a little over 1 inch taller. Usually a 1/4 inch affects the speedo by 1-2 mph so in this case the speedo will read roughly 8 mph slower.

So if I go by this measurement I shouldn't ahve any issues with the 200 and the front pulley, with the given clearance I have right now..??

[socalmarcus]

Originally Posted by Chase550

So if I go by this measurement I shouldn't ahve any issues with the 200 and the front pulley, with the given clearance I have right now..??

I'm just looking to replace my rear with a 200 when the time comes instead of doing the front pulley. I believe you'd be OK as the reported problem was with a 230 tire:

http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/fo...e-warning.html

[bigbadbob]

Will a 200 fit on the factory wheel. I have a 900 custom with a 180 tire that needs a new tire.

[azwiley1]

Originally Posted by gvrider

Let me start by saying that I admit I am still somewhat of a newbie on motorcycles. I have only been riding for 14 months, and modifying my bike even less.

I have a vn900 Classic Lt, which I bought new, and have put right at 7k miles on. I am keeping a close watch on the tires and am figuring I can get another 3k miles out of the stock Dunlops. I really like the look of the fatter rear tire, so I had pretty much settled on the ME880 Marathons, 130/90 - 16 M/C 67H TL on the front (stock size), and 200/70 B 15 M/C 82H TL on the rear (stock is 180/70-15 76H).

The guys I ride with all ride either HD 1800s, or VTX 1800s, and like to cruise at 75 - 80 mph. It is well documented on this forum that the 900 is turning a lot of rpms at that speed. I am guessing that can't be good for the engine. I am wondering if I should go with the Scootworks overdrive front pulley. I have read on here that I really can't go with both the pulley and a 200 rear tire.

I honestly do not know if I will get any lower rpm benefit from the 200 rear tire, or if it is strictly "fatter". I do know however that there are some very smart people on this forum, who do know the specifics on the tire and the pulley.

Should I go with the pulley, the 200 rear tire, or can I actually go with both?

My 2 pennies here.

First, I don't think Ma Kawi would have designed the 900 the way she did if running her at highway speeds would hurt it. My lil VLX600 with all four gears will turn 80+ on the highway all day long with no problems, though it is not comfortable for me.

As to the rear tire and pulley, I would say this is over kill. I have seen threads to this effect and the report was that using both the larger rear and the pulley took too much away from it. SO I say do one or the other not both.

[internet_bully]

Originally Posted by rodnitski

as an "old" tire guy, the size difference from the 180/70-15 (OD 25.19 inches) to 205/70-15 (OD 26.29 inches) is a little over 1 inch taller. Usually a 1/4 inch affects the speedo by 1-2 mph so in this case the speedo will read roughly 8 mph slower.

Do you happen to know if there a 200 with the same or close to the same height. I'd like a wider tire as I also like the look and wouldn't mind more low speed stability. I already have the front pulley and don't want to 'lose' any more power. Nor would I have room for a taller tire.

[gvrider]

I think I remember reading on this forum that the 900 classic line doesn't have enough clearance to run the front pulley and 200 rear tire. Maybe I am confused and it is a matter of not being able to run the front and rear pulley's, with the 200 rear tire.

This is some good feedback. Thank you everyone. I appreciate the info.

[mrmegadeth]

Even if the tire fits I calculate the following: you will have a 9.9% reduction in RPM which is a loss of 3 ft.lbs in 1st gear and you will have a -5% error, assuming you had about 10% to start, so at 60 on your speed-o you'd be going 64. Gonna get a ticket that way.

The tire by itself is a 4.24% reduction in RPM.

[Chase550]

Originally Posted by gvrider

I think I remember reading on this forum that the 900 classic line doesn't have enough clearance to run the front pulley and 200 rear tire. Maybe I am confused and it is a matter of not being able to run the front and rear pulley's, with the 200 rear tire.

This is some good feedback. Thank you everyone. I appreciate the info.

By running the front OD pulley, you are moving the wheel ahead. If you installed the rear only, then the wheel would move back...by installing both the wheel would site pretty much on the stock location.

The issue only arises if a person moves the wheel ahead (FRONT PULLEY ONLY APPLICATIONS)...

[gvrider]

Well crap! A 15% error in the speedo is just too much. What the heck do you have to do, to bring the speedo closer to 0% error?

If you guys had to choose between going with the front pulley, or the 200 rear tire, which would you choose?

[mrmegadeth]

Tire. Then you have no chance of encountering the issues people have said the pulley has; belt walking, squealing, etc.

[socalmarcus]

Originally Posted by Chase550

By running the front OD pulley, you are moving the wheel ahead. If you installed the rear only, then the wheel would move back...by installing both the wheel would site pretty much on the stock location.

The issue only arises if a person moves the wheel ahead (FRONT PULLEY ONLY APPLICATIONS)...

Naw, you're going to have to think that one over. Yes, the pulley pulls the whole tire forward a bit. Bigger tire doesn't move back, it just 'grows' around the axle location - closer to what's around it.

[Chase550]

Originally Posted by socalmarcus

Naw, you're going to have to think that one over. Yes, the pulley pulls the whole tire forward a bit. Bigger tire doesn't move back, it just 'grows' around the axle location - closer to what's around it.

I was referring to the installation of the pulleys...larger pulley in the front moves the wheel ahead...smaller pulley in the back would move the wheel back...installation of both keeps the wheel roughly in the stock location...I don't think I have to think about that any more..

AND

If you were to install only the front pulley, pulling the wheel ahead, then with the installation of a larger tire...there is where there may be clearance issues..."closer to what's around it"

[socalmarcus]

Originally Posted by Chase550

I was referring to the installation of the pulleys ... smaller pulley in the back would move the wheel back...

My mistake.

[lcberlin]

I spent the cash and put both scootworks pulleys on. I think everything works better than ever. Takes a little more wrist to get going from a stop, induced a -8.35% error in the ODOmeter, and the SPEEDO reads "a close enough to" 5mph BELOW actual speed.

If it wasn't for the windshield I would be cruising more over the speed limit than I do now.

[gvrider]

Originally Posted by lcberlin

I spent the cash and put both scootworks pulleys on. I think everything works better than ever. Takes a little more wrist to get going from a stop, induced a -8.35% error in the ODOmeter, and the SPEEDO reads "a close enough to" 5mph BELOW actual speed.

If it wasn't for the windshield I would be cruising more over the speed limit than I do now.

You shelled out some $$ by adding both. Has it made highway cruising more smooth?
I am not bothered by the vibration as much as I hate my engine sounding like it is about to come apart.