rear tire size

operater · 02-19-2009, 04:24 PM

Hey everyone, I am looking for the proper size tire for the rear to make my speedometer read the true speed that I am travelling. Would I also be correct in assuming that I would only use the same power to go that 7 or 8 percent faster with the new tire on the rear?

phenrichs · 02-19-2009, 04:26 PM

Most go with a 180/70-16

Metzeler and avon and I think even dunlop all offer that size in radial as well.

cactusjack · 02-19-2009, 04:27 PM

When I replaced my stock Bridgestone with a Metzeler ME880 180/70x16, my speedometer was off by about 3%. It was 10% with the stock tire. I replaced the ME880 with an Avon Cobra 180/70x16, and it's back to around a 10% error.

Doing the math in my head helps keep me sharp.

Yellow Jacket · 02-19-2009, 04:51 PM

The speedometer error on most 1600's with the stock Bridgestone tire is right at 10%. There does seem to be some slight variance reported by various owners.

The stock rear 170/70B-16 M/C 75H Bridgestone Excedra has a diameter of 25.4".

To correct for a 10% error you would have to go to a tire with a diameter of 27.94".

The only tire that I know of that has a diameter close to that is a 195/80R-16 car tire. I actually have this size car tire on my 2006 Nomad and it has a diameter of 28". I had to remove part of the angled bracket in the front right side of the swingarm to gain proper clearance for this tire. I do NOT recommend that anyone use this size tire. Actually, it's almost impossible to find this size anymore. It did correct all of my speedometer error as near as I can determine.

If it's important to you to have the speedometer to be accurate I would suggest that you buy a Speedo Healer. Regardless of what size tire you use, the speedometer can be corrected with this unit.

http://www.healtech-electronics.com/

operater · 02-19-2009, 04:51 PM

Sounds good.....Next question is the MME880's are radials......Any problems with keeping the front tire bias?

cactusjack · 02-19-2009, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by operater

Sounds good.....Next question is the MME880's are radials......Any problems with keeping the front tire bias?

Nope. They didn't have a front radial available until just recently.

ells · 02-19-2009, 10:38 PM

Many people have noted that while the speedo error is around 10% with the stock or similar size tire, the odometer is almost dead on. Such is the case with mine, GPS checked. Would rather have the odo correct and have it look like I'm going faster than am than to correct the speedo and mess-up the odo, which you will with either a different tire size or speedo-healer.

**Cajunrider** · 02-19-2009, 10:52 PM

My odo is nearly 10% off on the high side just like the speedo.

**billmac** · 02-20-2009, 12:17 AM

I recently put the Metzler 180 on the rear with the original tire still on the front. I havent checked the speedo but I can tell a difference in the power of the bike. It acts like I raised the gear ratio slightly, which I guess I did. The bike has slightly less power. I feel like it is enough of a difference that it is worth mentioning. I can't tell a difference in the corners.

watchman · 02-20-2009, 08:27 AM

You can also install a GPS unit and run off of it. It will indicate you actual speed or at least my Garmin does.

Yellow Jacket · 02-20-2009, 11:38 AM

With the stock 'Stone rear tire my speedometer was 10% fast and the odometer was 3% fast. This was measured on the Interstate using the mileage markers, not a GPS. With my 195/80-16 car tire, my speedometer is dead on and the odometer is 7.75% slow as near as I can determine using the same method as above. Some day I may be able to check it out with a GSP and see how close I actually am.

02-19-2009, 04:24 PM	#1
operater Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Posts: 104	rear tire size Hey everyone, I am looking for the proper size tire for the rear to make my speedometer read the true speed that I am travelling. Would I also be correct in assuming that I would only use the same power to go that 7 or 8 percent faster with the new tire on the rear? Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

02-19-2009, 04:26 PM	#2
phenrichs Sr. Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Sioux Falls, SD Posts: 2,498	rear tire size Most go with a 180/70-16 Metzeler and avon and I think even dunlop all offer that size in radial as well.
	0

02-19-2009, 04:27 PM	#3
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	rear tire size When I replaced my stock Bridgestone with a Metzeler ME880 180/70x16, my speedometer was off by about 3%. It was 10% with the stock tire. I replaced the ME880 with an Avon Cobra 180/70x16, and it's back to around a 10% error. Doing the math in my head helps keep me sharp. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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02-19-2009, 04:51 PM	#4
Yellow Jacket Top Contributor Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Fayetteville, Georgia Posts: 5,792	rear tire size The speedometer error on most 1600's with the stock Bridgestone tire is right at 10%. There does seem to be some slight variance reported by various owners. The stock rear 170/70B-16 M/C 75H Bridgestone Excedra has a diameter of 25.4". To correct for a 10% error you would have to go to a tire with a diameter of 27.94". The only tire that I know of that has a diameter close to that is a 195/80R-16 car tire. I actually have this size car tire on my 2006 Nomad and it has a diameter of 28". I had to remove part of the angled bracket in the front right side of the swingarm to gain proper clearance for this tire. I do NOT recommend that anyone use this size tire. Actually, it's almost impossible to find this size anymore. It did correct all of my speedometer error as near as I can determine. If it's important to you to have the speedometer to be accurate I would suggest that you buy a Speedo Healer. Regardless of what size tire you use, the speedometer can be corrected with this unit. http://www.healtech-electronics.com/ __________________ Bob KawaNOW/VBA 210 Green/Silver 2006 Patriot Guard Riders 2009
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02-19-2009, 04:51 PM	#5
operater Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Posts: 104	rear tire size Sounds good.....Next question is the MME880's are radials......Any problems with keeping the front tire bias? Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

02-19-2009, 10:38 PM	#7
ells Sr. Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Boulder County, Colorado Posts: 2,014	rear tire size Many people have noted that while the speedo error is around 10% with the stock or similar size tire, the odometer is almost dead on. Such is the case with mine, GPS checked. Would rather have the odo correct and have it look like I'm going faster than am than to correct the speedo and mess-up the odo, which you will with either a different tire size or speedo-healer.
	0

02-19-2009, 10:52 PM	#8
Cajunrider Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: (SE Louisiana) Posts: 8,340	rear tire size My odo is nearly 10% off on the high side just like the speedo. __________________ 2016 Electra Glide Ultra Limited CVO Palladium Silver / Phantom Blue 110 cu in SE 2012 Electra Glide Ultra Limited (Traded 6/22/16) Tequila Sunrise / HD Orange Vance & Hines true dual headers Rinehart 4" slip ons Screamin Eagle Super Tuner Screamin Eagle Stage 1 intake Dyno tuned H.O.G.# 4514015 2007 Nomad 1600 (Traded 6/23/12) VBA #482
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02-20-2009, 12:17 AM	#9
billmac Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,472	rear tire size I recently put the Metzler 180 on the rear with the original tire still on the front. I havent checked the speedo but I can tell a difference in the power of the bike. It acts like I raised the gear ratio slightly, which I guess I did. The bike has slightly less power. I feel like it is enough of a difference that it is worth mentioning. I can't tell a difference in the corners.
	0

02-20-2009, 08:27 AM	#10
watchman Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Macon, Missouri Posts: 1,175	rear tire size You can also install a GPS unit and run off of it. It will indicate you actual speed or at least my Garmin does.
	0

02-20-2009, 11:38 AM	#11
Yellow Jacket Top Contributor Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Fayetteville, Georgia Posts: 5,792	rear tire size With the stock 'Stone rear tire my speedometer was 10% fast and the odometer was 3% fast. This was measured on the Interstate using the mileage markers, not a GPS. With my 195/80-16 car tire, my speedometer is dead on and the odometer is 7.75% slow as near as I can determine using the same method as above. Some day I may be able to check it out with a GSP and see how close I actually am. __________________ Bob KawaNOW/VBA 210 Green/Silver 2006 Patriot Guard Riders 2009
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