Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: Jose C-14 on September 29, 2011, 04:03:06 PM

Title: How wide the rear wheel can be?
Post by: Jose C-14 on September 29, 2011, 04:03:06 PM
Have any one installed wider rear wheel tire on a 08 C 14 than stock? What is the widest we can go?
Title: Re: How wide the rear wheel can be?
Post by: Son of Pappy on September 29, 2011, 04:08:28 PM
I'll be the insensitive one, why?  I hear Goodyear makes many sizes of car tires ;)

In all seriousness, why wider? 
Title: Re: How wide the rear wheel can be?
Post by: ZG on September 29, 2011, 05:00:08 PM
Here it comes, car tire thread...

 :popcorn:

 :goodpost:
 
I'm back!!!  ;D ;D ;D 
 
Thanks Jim & Rick!
Title: Re: How wide the rear wheel can be?
Post by: Jeremy Mitchell on September 29, 2011, 05:58:10 PM
I had no other choice when I traded for my C14.  I had ridden my M109R to Texas (500+ miles from home) and the rear tire on the C14 was to the wear bars right down the middle.  The previous owner must have never leaned the bike at all.  The only tire in town that was even close to the stock size was a  200/50/17 Bridgestone Exedra.  It is a cruiser tire that really has no business being on a high hp bike like the C14.  I chewed that tire up in less than 3000 miles.  It did look very wide on the back though, and there was still plenty of room between the swingarm and driveshaft linkage.
Title: Re: How wide the rear wheel can be?
Post by: Khrome on September 29, 2011, 06:01:30 PM
In all seriousness, why wider?

I'll bite and say I bet he likes the look of a fat ass tire, sport bike type not car type...
Title: Re: How wide the rear wheel can be?
Post by: VirginiaJim on September 29, 2011, 07:29:06 PM
Thank you.  I guess the width of the tire has to be a function of the width of the rim it rides on.  You can usually go wider by a certain amount, just not sure how much.
Title: Re: How wide the rear wheel can be?
Post by: B.D.F. on September 29, 2011, 08:33:27 PM
That's good info. Jim. I am pretty sure a C-14 will take a 6 inch wide wheel on the back, so anybody know what size tire fits on a 6" rim?

Now we're getting somewhere....

(http://zggtr.org/Smileys/default/popcorn.gif)

Now I'm gonna' go and see if I can advance that oil thread.

Brian


Thank you.  I guess the width of the tire has to be a function of the width of the rim it rides on.  You can usually go wider by a certain amount, just not sure how much.
Title: Re: How wide can the rear tire be?
Post by: lt1 on September 29, 2011, 09:31:35 PM
Have any one installed wider rear wheel tire on a 08 C 14 than stock? What is the widest we can go?
Are you asking about the width of the rear wheel or the rear tire?  As Brian noted, the stock rim is 6".  You could easily fit a 6.5" rim, and it looks like a 7" rim would clear.

You are a little more limited as to tire width.  A 190/55 is a good alternative choice, but it is taller, not wider.  If i read their websites correctly, Dunlop has 200/50's in both sport & s/t compounds and  Metzeler has 200/50, 200/55 & 210/50's in cruiser/touring componds.  Not sure about other manufacturers.  A 200 should clear easily, the 210 would be a much closer fit.  IMHO, if you are going for looks w/o degrading handling much, a 200/50 is about a big as you should consider.

I'm not sure what you are wanting to accomplish, but let us know what you decide & how it works out. 
Title: Re: How wide the rear wheel can be?
Post by: VirginiaJim on September 30, 2011, 04:11:38 AM
That's what I and the OP was looking for, hopefully.  Thanks.

We talk about using another tire size here instead of what's specified.  As I stick with stock I tend not to retain that data.  What's different about the other size, taller, wider, shorter, narrower...?
Title: Re: How wide the rear wheel can be?
Post by: redbarber on September 30, 2011, 03:25:22 PM
People who go with a slightly taller tire, 55 series instead of 50, seem to feel that the bike turns in better.  That would seem to make sense to me, with the somewhat rounder cross-section.   As an extension of that theory, it seems like going wider would adversely affect the bike's excellent handling.  The contact patch being such a small part of the overall size of any bike tire, I don't think that traction is going to improve much.   So my thinking is, if esthetics is a priority over performance, go for broke.   Like some others have said before me, I go with stock sizing exclusively.

How come nobody ever wants to put a huge tire up front?  230's front and rear, now you've got something unique!
Title: Re: How wide the rear wheel can be?
Post by: gPink on September 30, 2011, 03:32:11 PM
People who go with a slightly taller tire, 55 series instead of 50, seem to feel that the bike turns in better.  That would seem to make sense to me, with the somewhat rounder cross-section.   As an extension of that theory, it seems like going wider would adversely affect the bike's excellent handling.  The contact patch being such a small part of the overall size of any bike tire, I don't think that traction is going to improve much.   So my thinking is, if esthetics is a priority over performance, go for broke.   Like some others have said before me, I go with stock sizing exclusively.

How come nobody ever wants to put a huge tire up front?  230's front and rear, now you've got something unique!
I went with the 55 and believe there is difference not just because of the profile but the height increase, however slight changes the rake and trail. As for wider tires...
http://www.rokon.com/products/trailbrkr.htm (http://www.rokon.com/products/trailbrkr.htm)
Title: Re: How wide the rear wheel can be?
Post by: VirginiaJim on September 30, 2011, 04:12:04 PM
Has anyone noticed this.... that the OP asks a question and we never hear back one way or the other?  Am I the only one troubled by this?

I would like to know the reasonings behind asking about a wider tire.  Sure you may get laughed at and we'll have a good time with it,  but I think we would still like to know the real reason behind it....   
Title: Re: How wide the rear wheel can be?
Post by: ZG on September 30, 2011, 04:21:24 PM
Has anyone noticed this.... that the OP asks a question and we never hear back one way or the other?  Am I the only one troubled by this?

I would like to know the reasonings behind asking about a wider tire.  Sure you may get laughed at and we'll have a good time with it,  but I think we would still like to know the real reason behind it....

Yep, inquiring minds need to know... (http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/wait.gif)
Title: Re: How wide the rear wheel can be?
Post by: B.D.F. on September 30, 2011, 04:22:28 PM
It is pretty common unfortunately. It is especially annoying when someone comes along, creates a gigantic furball regarding getting stuck or something similar and then never posts again. We have not had one of those recently but they have happened in the past (anyone remember the dealer who released that pesky C-14 without any oil?). All part of dealing with the Internet I guess.

Brian


Has anyone noticed this.... that the OP asks a question and we never hear back one way or the other?  Am I the only one troubled by this?

I would like to know the reasonings behind asking about a wider tire.  Sure you may get laughed at and we'll have a good time with it,  but I think we would still like to know the real reason behind it....
Title: Re: How wide the rear wheel can be?
Post by: stevewfl on September 30, 2011, 04:39:49 PM
This thread has win all over it!
Title: Re: How wide the rear wheel can be?
Post by: VirginiaJim on September 30, 2011, 04:42:37 PM
Not quite yet, but I'm optimistic.
Title: Re: How wide the rear wheel can be?
Post by: ZG on September 30, 2011, 04:43:06 PM
Hmmm... What if the rear wheel was made from some sort of special wood??  :-X
 
Title: Re: How wide the rear wheel can be?
Post by: VirginiaJim on September 30, 2011, 05:00:01 PM
And that's what I like about this place....  :)
Title: Re: How wide the rear wheel can be?
Post by: Khrome on September 30, 2011, 05:04:25 PM
I need a history lesson  ;D
Title: Re: How wide the rear wheel can be?
Post by: Jeremy Mitchell on September 30, 2011, 05:08:10 PM
Hmmm... What if the rear wheel was made from some sort of special wood??  :-X

Oh boy, here we go again.
Title: Re: How wide the rear wheel can be?
Post by: B.D.F. on September 30, 2011, 05:23:07 PM
That makes me think of Jim's burls.... I wonder how they are? Let's ask- Hey Jim, are yer burls OK? Of course I am not referring to just any burls but rather your Amboyna Burls from Southeast Asia.

Brian

Hmmm... What if the rear wheel was made from some sort of special wood??  :-X
Title: Re: How wide the rear wheel can be?
Post by: VirginiaJim on September 30, 2011, 05:28:03 PM
They're quite fine.  Thanks for asking.
Title: Re: How wide the rear wheel can be?
Post by: ZG on September 30, 2011, 06:07:46 PM
That makes me think of Jim's burls.... I wonder how they are? Let's ask- Hey Jim, are yer burls OK? Of course I am not referring to just any burls but rather your Amboyna Burls from Southeast Asia.

Brian

 :rotflmao:
 
 
Title: Re: How wide the rear wheel can be?
Post by: ZG on September 30, 2011, 06:09:18 PM
They're quite fine.  Thanks for asking.

Hey Jim, try this for me, change your email address in your profile to AmboynaBurls@fromSoutheastAsia.com, I think it will fix all your problems...
 
 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: How wide the rear wheel can be?
Post by: koval68 on September 30, 2011, 07:00:46 PM
Hmmm... What if the rear wheel was made from some sort of special wood??  :-X
How about two tires on the rear, instead of one...... :-\
(http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/t3-r3-rear-275.jpg)
Title: Re: How wide the rear wheel can be?
Post by: Son of Pappy on September 30, 2011, 11:30:51 PM
It is pretty common unfortunately. It is especially annoying when someone comes along, creates a gigantic furball regarding getting stuck or something similar and then never posts again. We have not had one of those recently but they have happened in the past (anyone remember the dealer who released that pesky C-14 without any oil?). All part of dealing with the Internet I guess.

Brian
Tomorow is the first!
Title: Re: How wide the rear wheel can be?
Post by: Jose C-14 on October 01, 2011, 05:13:58 AM
Looks like I uncover a can of worms  :o. I was just asking to see if I can change the look and what it would be like. After reading all the comments I decided to stay with the stock tire, due primarily for the handling and durability of the PR2. Thank you for the info guys. ;)
Title: Re: How wide the rear wheel can be?
Post by: VirginiaJim on October 01, 2011, 05:36:45 AM
Glad we could be of assistance.  We're not really a serious bunch and we do answer a question or two if you give us time.  You may have to filter it out of the 50 or so off the wall answers, though.  And if we think something is crazy we'll tell you that as well.  If you can take being poked fun of at times and enjoy poking fun back then this is the place for you.  I couldn't stand to be here if I couldn't have a laugh at either mine or someone else's expense.
Title: Re: How wide the rear wheel can be?
Post by: Barry on October 01, 2011, 06:10:04 AM
Has anyone noticed this.... that the OP asks a question and we never hear back one way or the other?  Am I the only one troubled by this?

He's just not that into you.





My guess is if the post count is low, they aren't "invested" in this site, posted the same query on multiple sites, and got the answer elsewhere.

YMMV,
Barry
Title: Re: How wide the rear wheel can be?
Post by: VirginiaJim on October 01, 2011, 06:12:16 AM
If you want serious, this isn't the place to be and it won't be as long as I'm around and I plan on staying a very long time.
Title: Re: How wide the rear wheel can be?
Post by: Conrad on October 01, 2011, 06:24:18 AM
This thread has win all over it!

It has something all over it no doubt...
Title: Re: How wide the rear wheel can be?
Post by: gPink on October 01, 2011, 07:42:39 AM
Please pass the baby wipes.
Title: Re: How wide the rear wheel can be?
Post by: ZG on October 01, 2011, 08:40:16 AM
It has something all over it no doubt...

 :rotflmao: :hitfan:
Title: Re: How wide the rear wheel can be?
Post by: stevewfl on October 01, 2011, 09:32:35 AM
He's just not that into you.





My guess is if the post count is low, they aren't "invested" in this site, posted the same query on multiple sites, and got the answer elsewhere.

YMMV,
Barry

Are you a nooB? If so welcome to the forum, and once you're here a while you'll see its the topic at hand (not an individual's post count #) that warrants replies.
Title: Re: How wide the rear wheel can be?
Post by: Barry on October 01, 2011, 10:19:28 AM
Are you a nooB? If so welcome to the forum, and once you're here a while you'll see its the topic at hand (not an individual's post count #) that warrants replies.

OK...  got humor much? 

First part of my reply was, really, a  J O K E.  If Jim's comment about seriousness was aimed at me, apparently nobody got it.

Second part was an attempt at actually aswering Jim's question.  And it was (shame on me) a serious response.  My assumption is that when someone with a low post count "shops" multiple sites with a question in the hopes that one of them may have an answer, not all posts on all sites are responded to.  Has nothing to do with validity of posts (Steve) relative to post count. 

And Steve, really, you've seen my name and posts here.  I am not a noob.  Was that a real question or some backhanded internet passive aggressive rhetorical BS?

Barry

Title: Re: How wide the rear wheel can be?
Post by: VirginiaJim on October 01, 2011, 10:42:22 AM

Second part was an attempt at actually aswering Jim's question.  And it was (shame on me) a serious response.  My assumption is that when someone with a low post count "shops" multiple sites with a question in the hopes that one of them may have an answer, not all posts on all sites are responded to.  Has nothing to do with validity of posts (Steve) relative to post count. 

Barry

This happens more often than not.  At least with me, if I don't get a response back from an OP within a reasonable amount of time after we've responded (for me this can be up to a day), my mind wanders and I start getting silly....what's that shiny thing over there?  Based on experience here, I'm not the only one with that quirk.  Of course, after that, everything snowballs.   If the response from the OP is delayed then the assumption (right or wrong) is that they really don't want a serious answer.  We've had members with problems on the road where we're nearly instantaneous on the replies and are quite serious.  Heck, I've called people to try to help them.  We kid a lot but we're there when someone really needs us.
Title: Re: How wide the rear wheel can be?
Post by: Barry on October 01, 2011, 10:49:15 AM
This happens more often than not.  At least with me, if I don't get a response back from an OP within a reasonable amount of time after we've responded (for me this can be up to a day), my mind wanders and I start getting silly....what's that shiny thing over there?  Based on experience here, I'm not the only one with that quirk.  Of course, after that, everything snowballs.   If the response from the OP is delayed then the assumption (right or wrong) is that they really don't want a serious answer.  We've had members with problems on the road where we're nearly instantaneous on the replies and are quite serious.  Heck, I've called people to try to help them.  We kid a lot but we're there when someone really needs us.

Fair enough.
Title: Re: How wide the rear wheel can be?
Post by: stevewfl on October 01, 2011, 12:19:00 PM
OK...  got humor much? 

First part of my reply was, really, a  J O K E.  If Jim's comment about seriousness was aimed at me, apparently nobody got it.

Second part was an attempt at actually aswering Jim's question.  And it was (shame on me) a serious response.  My assumption is that when someone with a low post count "shops" multiple sites with a question in the hopes that one of them may have an answer, not all posts on all sites are responded to.  Has nothing to do with validity of posts (Steve) relative to post count. 

And Steve, really, you've seen my name and posts here.  I am not a noob.  Was that a real question or some backhanded internet passive aggressive rhetorical BS?

Barry


Wwe're good - I was totally joking too. Most know i'm never serious online (http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/bigthumb.gif)
Title: Re: How wide the rear wheel can be?
Post by: Barry on October 01, 2011, 12:30:14 PM

Wwe're good - I was totally joking too. Most know i'm never serious online (http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/bigthumb.gif)

Also fair enough.

Barry
Title: Re: How wide the rear wheel can be?
Post by: Conrad on October 02, 2011, 05:59:00 AM
OK...  got humor much? 

First part of my reply was, really, a  J O K E.  If Jim's comment about seriousness was aimed at me, apparently nobody got it.
Barry

Some did Barry.    ;)
Title: Re: How wide the rear wheel can be?
Post by: Mister Tee on October 02, 2011, 10:36:36 AM
For what it's worth, this topic comes up a lot on sportbike boards.  Some people just think a really large rear tire just looks cool, sort of like having those ridiculous drag rear tires on custom choppers.  Normally this is associated with lengthening the swingarm and lowering the bike for looks.  Perhaps the OP had a sense of pride and didn't want to allude that the chopper look was what he was after.
Title: Re: How wide the rear wheel can be?
Post by: B.D.F. on November 07, 2011, 01:39:44 PM
Yeah, and today is the 8th but at least we didn't miss the month of November. I wonder how that oil- free bike is doing these days?

Brian

It is pretty common unfortunately. It is especially annoying when someone comes along, creates a gigantic furball regarding getting stuck or something similar and then never posts again. We have not had one of those recently but they have happened in the past (anyone remember the dealer who released that pesky C-14 without any oil?). All part of dealing with the Internet I guess.

Brian


Tomorow is the first!