Re: Tire fitment

Posted by Thorby on Aug 20, 2012; 9:23pm
URL: http://vintage-and-classic-hondas.81.s1.nabble.com/Tire-fitment-tp4027449p4027575.html

alehman wrote

Damn, I just ordered them a few hours before you posted... I would've gone down a size. How do you feel it affects handling?

The fatter tire I had before was less nimble.  By that I mean that it was more difficult to lean the bike into a curve and this was more noticeable during low-speed maneuvering.  I wonder how many first timers have been on a wreck just because they couldn't lean the bike on time to clear the curve?  Also, a bigger fatter tire will consume a bit more fuel. On the other hand, some people may like this resistance to leaning because it gives the bike stability when moving in a straight line.

Now regarding friction, I can both brake and accelerate just fine.  But then, my old '76 may not have enough power to cause skidding of the rear tire when accelerating (even though it's got plenty of balls, imho).

I compared the tirewall for a bigger tire and confirmed that the fatter ones are meant to carry more weight.  You can check this specification yourself and perhaps determine that you do need the bigger tire to be able to take the weight of  you, your passenger, and your payload.  I weight 140 lbs, my occassional passenger weighs about the same, and I don't have saddle bags or accesories so I didn't see the need for a bigger tire based based on weight tolerances.  

Finally, I commute daily on my bike due to economic reasons, and I'm trying to save wherever I can.  Bigger tires are more expensive, you pay for more rubber.