Thank You for everyones participation in this post.
My intention is to gather the facts as best as possible. So that I can make a well informed and intelligent decision. On my other bikes, the only issues with this mod were slight degradation in handeling. Hawever, this mode seems to be headed toward safety related issues.

This is an interesting development. My OE tires are the very same. And the only information so far indicate that my wheels are the very same also. So this "Might" imply that any tire suitable for say x.xx" rim up to 5.00" rim may still be safe.

 

I don't know about others experience but the bigger radial tire on the back of my bike, along with the front radial, improved the handing tremendously. Doesn't follow tar snakes anymore or grill grates and has more lean angle and is stickier. JMO

 

I thought the scorcher was on the new factory WG's....and I know they still have the 4.5" rear rim so it is fine to run.


Other than that...I'm on my first SE180 with about 5k on it. It has a lot of life left...so either I'm riding pretty easy on it or you guys are putting more weight on your bikes than I (only a solo rider).

I was thinking of trying the night dragons next only due to cost as my local dealer does not give LE discounts anymore...and no way will I pay $260 for a rear tire!

 

Please excuse the posting of metric pics. The post is for illistration purposes only.

These are pics of my last bike with 180/55 zr 16's ( size look familiar ). The OE tires on this bike were 170/60 16's. So basically just ( 1 ) size wider. I recieved many compliments on the increase in tire width. I've seen guys with 200/45 16's on this bike. They have to install them flat. Then air them up on the bike.

 

I chimed in on a similar post a couple weeks ago. I also refuse to pay $260 for a tire that is inferior to the 190 Pirelli I run on my RC51 for $100+ less. Check on a 180/55. The tire diameter diff from that to the 180/60 is minor, and your only losing half that in ride height. Its a matter of a few mm's. Those are cheaper still than the 190's. Only real prob is finding a front tire to match it. Soon as I get back to town, i'm gonna look into the possiblity of running a set of RC wheels on the 'Bob. They look great, and a lot lighter than stock. Rear wheel width is 5.5". Just my .05c

WG12, when I'm on the track w/ the RC, I run a 180/55. For road riding, I jump back to the 190. Those 10mm's are def noticable, less than a 1/2", but looks a LOT wider

 

Thanks navyshooter

I know that the 190 will look a h311 of alot better than the 180. I'm just trying to find out if there are any real safety concerns. The only thing that has been determined so far is: Scorchers are recommended for a 5.00 wide rim. And the come OE on a 4.5" rim. ???

 

I found the same thing after installing HD stinger wheels (3.5x18 and 6x18) with Avon Cobra radials in 130 and 200. I can use up all but the last little bit of the tread without dragging things........much. Why did you have to do "extensive mods"? My rear wheek fit right on with no changes.

 

I think that he has a possibly older or different version than ours! Everyone may not know that my bike already has the 180/60 Scorchers on it. So I'm not talking about a tremendous change.

 

FWDWG12 Is correct. My bike is an 06 and the swingarm is not as wide as yours. They were widened in 09 and will take a 200mm tire with the proper rim. I had to mod my rear pulley, brake caliper, and spacers to get that 6.25" rim on my bike.

 

I think that I have gathered enough information to make an educated decision as to the porposal of installing a 190 series rear tire on my 2012 Wide Glide.
The rear wheel is a "17 by 4.5".
Even though the Michelin Scorchers are rated for a 5" wheel. They do not exceed the rateing far enough to cause concern. The OE Dunlops are actually rated for a 4.5" wheel. And I could not find the rateing on the Pirelli Night Dragon OE tires. Most of the 180 series tires that I did find are rated for a 5" wheel. So it would be possible to go to a 180/55 B17 tire to gain more selection. But this is a slightly smaller tire than the 180/60 tire.

The closest that I could find in the OE ( over all = size ) would be a 190/55 B17 tire. All of the 190/55 series tires I found are rated for a 6" wheel. This would mean a differance of 1.5". And that would exceed the ( 1" up-size ) comfort zone.

Comments?

Thanks
Randy