Ok darksiders I have 15000 miles on my bike (10 Ultra Ltd) ready for rear tire this winter what would be the best tire brand size I to dont want to cut,beat,hammer,cuss to make it fit what do you think.

 

I run a 205/55-16 on the rear without any problem, 34PSI tire pressure, I ride 2 up all the time. you'll have 1/8" clearance on each side of the fender & belt. I get a better ride. better handling I wouldn't go back to a M/C tire again. the tire i'm using is a Michelin sport A/S plus. it's a bear to install but it's worth it. the tire cost me $125.00 and I installed, balanced it, then put ride-on in the tire 16oz. to stop flats & help balance the tire. If you have a H-D tire put on at the dealer you'll spend around 500.00 and only get 15000 or 20000 miles out of it.

 

You can put up to a 205 55 16. You might consider a 195 60 16 though. The 195 60 will keep you a little closer to stock on the speedo. If you have a tuner like the Power Vision, that's not a consideration because you can calibrate your speedo.

I haven't tried a 195 yet, but I'm tempted to go that way next.

Quadracer posted a link to an article about how a larger contact patch doesn't equate to better traction, but it does equate to better tire life.

The reason you have better traction with a CT is it is softer rubber. The reason it lasts longer is the larger contact patch.

 

No Wider than 205 and no taller than 60. Every tire is different, there may be some 205s out there that will not fit. But, so far everyone I've heard of has fit. It should seat real easy, if you have to put 80lbs in it to get it to seat, don't use that tire. Keep max pressure in it until you get used to it, then decrease the pressure a couple pounds at a time until you find your sweet spot.

 

I don't know about better traction but the braking is allot better. When we start out in the morning the tire fells funny BUT after a mile or so the tire warms up a little it is great. right now when we leave for work it's about 45* but on the way home it's about 75 or 80*, nice time of the year to be riding.

 

Thanks guys how mutch of a bear is it to put on the 205 is the speedo right with that one you dont have to air it up on the bike do you

 

The 205 55 is a little shorter than the stock tire. the speedo will be a little higher than the actual speed. Not a huge deal.

You don't have to do anything special to put it on, other than you need to be able to jack the bike up high enough to get the tire wiggled in there.

 

Thanks for your input I guess that I will ponder on it for a bit.