I haven't added bigger tires, but I can think of two major effects..I have read that the tire size was specifically made to ensure excellent handling on the street, has anybody added bigger tires? If so, how is the handling?
I won't disagree with you since I have made no changes and therefore haven't experienced any such impact. I was only talking theoretically. Seems you may have a point as I can imagine a possible decrease in turning radius. However, having said that, an 18 inch wheel would require greater force and therefore a change in the sprocket to get the required energy to counter the additional drag. Aesthetically, I totally agree it will give the bike a more sporty look. Whether it feels more solid and planted, well, I'll take your word for it.Ayedee - With a larger tire, the turning radius does not necessarily increase. With our bikes in particular, it would allow for the ground clearance our bikes lack, allowing for heavier turn in and thus decrease the necessary turning radius. I also believe it would positively impact handling, making it feel much more solid and planted in turns than it currently does. If I can ever find out exactly which hubs everyone is using to put spokes on their Street, I'll be upgrading to 18" wheels front and rear. The only down side will be the inaccurate speedometer and tripometer.
Any pictures?I was very unhappy about the lack of replacement tires available, especially for the rear 15" rim. I hated the OEM rear tire because of its flatness across the tread. I did a lot of searching and researching and determined that the best solution, for me, came from Shinko. For the front I went with the SR 740, 110/70H-17 and in the rear the SR 568, 160/60H-15. Both are wider than stock, but a little shorter, as well. Speedometer, checked against a GPS app on my iPhone, is relatively unaffected,p but the odometer, checked against my buddy's Night Rod, showed about 4% more than his. Despite those minor discrepancies, I couldn't be happier with my choice. They fit well, look great, handle incredibly well (wet and dry) and the cost for both was less than what the front Michelin costs. A LOT less. If I only get 5,000 miles from them, I come out ahead, but I expect to do better than that.
I'm on my second set of tires and they will need to be changed soon. Having to spend almost 600 dollars to replace both with OEM Michelin scorchers is not appealing at all. I have the Commander II's on my Suzuki Savage and love them. When you say a lot less, what are we talking about?I was very unhappy about the lack of replacement tires available, especially for the rear 15" rim. I hated the OEM rear tire because of its flatness across the tread. I did a lot of searching and researching and determined that the best solution, for me, came from Shinko. For the front I went with the SR 740, 110/70H-17 and in the rear the SR 568, 160/60H-15. Both are wider than stock, but a little shorter, as well. Speedometer, checked against a GPS app on my iPhone, is relatively unaffected,p but the odometer, checked against my buddy's Night Rod, showed about 4% more than his. Despite those minor discrepancies, I couldn't be happier with my choice. They fit well, look great, handle incredibly well (wet and dry) and the cost for both was less than what the front Michelin costs. A LOT less. If I only get 5,000 miles from them, I come out ahead, but I expect to do better than that.
Thank you. Tthat's some good reference material. A local rider told me that some of the sportster wheels can also be modified to work. I want to keep with the one piece alloys, so I can run radial/ tubeless tires. .