I am sure this has been posted a million times, but being a Noobie I thought I would ask. I just bought a 99 Softail Standard with 9800 miles and the front and rear tires are shot. I have asked around at the local Harley and cycle shops on widest tire to fit on my stock rear spoke rim. I have been told that the 130 is the best way to go and that any thing bigger may be a problem. So I ordered new Metz ME880 front 90-90-21 and rear 130-90-16. I am going to have a loccal shop put them on. Now my question is, could I fit a widder tire in the back and if so what would that be? I could always asked the cycle shop to swap mine out for a widder tire! If I go widder, any rubbing problems? I have plenty of room between my existing rear tire and the fender, at least 1.5 inch on both sides.

 

I'd go with the 'Widder' tire! Hear they make awesome tires with long life and great wear! Not sure on the rubbing problem though?

 

depending on the tire- you should be able to go up one size! instead of a 130-go to a 140-be sure to check clearance on the drive belt and pully as well!

[IMG]local://upfiles/7348/8A259ED945344BBEA1CAD7404C47348E.jpg[/IMG]

 

You can run A 140 with no problems.
I would run A METZELER 880 140/90HB-16 on the rear, and A 90/90H-21 up front.
You'll love them, run A little more air pressure in them (40-42 RR).

 

I was told my Softail Springer Classic could take a 180 (160s are on there now)...Is that the case? Also do you really feel a difference between the OEM Dunlops and Metzeler or Avon tires? Got 9,000 on the originals now.....

 

I noticed a difference when I went from my dunlops to the metzler me 880's . For me the handling seemed much better and got a smoother ride.They are also a very good looking tire!

[IMG]local://upfiles/7348/DCB786DEEE854B499239BC42D8ED19ED.jpg[/IMG]

 

Also depends on your rim size, not sure if you are 3" or 3.5", if its 3" I think the largest the tyre manufacturer states is 150, I have a 3.5" and run a Metz 880 160/80 16, which is really as large as I want to go anyway, as it looks right to me. Oh its a 2004 FXSTBI.

Oh one more thing not all manufacturers sizes are the same one companies 150 may actually measure 146 and another companies 150 will measure 155.

I did have the figures somewhere and from memory the Metz runs a couple of mil wider than size.

 

For the Metz 880 on a 3" rim it looks like the max width tyre they advise is a 150.

They also have a chart for tyre upgrades. For your bike they list a 'Stage 1' upgrade (which basically means a straight swap) as a 140, and a 'Stage 2' (requires wide tyre kit) as a 150

http://www.us.metzelermoto.com/media/vtwin_04.pdf

This link might work, and if it does has the charts for Metz 880's

Hope that is a little help