Im thinking of puting some slighty chunkier tyres on my Slim (Irony or what), the tyres i am looking at i have used before on other Harleys and i know how good they are. My questions are do you think they will fit, and has anyone gone with these sizes.

Front ....Avon Cobra AV71 150/80R16 71V The actual maximum width of the tyre is 149 mm

Rear ....Avon Cobra AV72 150/80B16 77V The actual maximum width of the tyre is 157 mm

 

Ok just checked the actual size of the OE Dunlops.

Front .... MT90B16. Actual maximum width is 132 mm or 5.2"

Rear ..... MU85B16. Actual maxim width is 140 mm or 5.51"

Quick measurement on the bike indicates I have a 10 mm gap either side of the front tyre and about 13 mm gap either side of the rear tyre.

So it appears the biggest tyres that will fit the front and rear without modification are....

Front ....... 152 mm
Rear ........ 166 mm

Unless of course I'm missing something and someone can edumacate me.

 

Oh just noticed that's not going to work pretty sure you can't have a radial on the front and bias-belted on the rear.

 

Hi Bill, just to let you know you're not talking to yourself! You are right about not using a radial on the front, with a different construction on the rear. I use Avons on my Glide and have a radial on the rear, with bias up front, which is OK.

As for your original question, any V-rated tyre is likely to have less tread than a stock Harley tyre, also have much softer rubber. They also do a bias H rated 150/80 rear, which I have used with great success. It may be wise to stay with their bias MT front, but the 150/80 will be a little wider than your MU.

Other considerations are clearance between tyre and belt. If you have a 1 1/2" wide belt, things with a 150 will be tight, but you are obviously up to checking that!

 

Thanks for confirming my thoughts, and always nice to know someone is listening to my ramblings.

WB