Elite 3 rear tire mounting

[bsa2nomad]

Just got back from the dealer, ordered an Elite 3 160/80 and had them mount it, well almost.

They said they couldn't get the bead on the tire to take and that it couldn't be done. I know I read here that some of you use the Elite 3, could you let me know your experience and what bike you have?

I have a 2006 Nomad 1600, stock 170/70.

Thanks

[NyhtRyder]

I'm running E3 Radials, 180/70 R16 on the rear and a 170/70 on the front.
It is a tight fit to get them on because the sidewalls are so much thicker. But they do go on.
07 1600 Nomad

[Top Cat]

2007 Nomad running a 180/70x16 rear Elite 3. Dealer instaled.

Why did you go with 160/80 ???

[toophun]

I've got a 180/70 on mine, no problem. I recall reading a post (I think it was on this site) about someone who went smaller. Something about better wear, longer lasting. I like the E3's, had them on my Wing and they seemed to hold up well. Will probably go "Darkside" on next rear though. Oh ya, '05 1600.

[bsa2nomad]

TC - went with the 160/80 as I wanted to stay with the bias, correct some of the speedometer error and I remember reading here that others had done so.

[ringadingh]

The dealers tire installer probably isn't that experienced, or didn't use enough tire lube. If others here can get car and light truck tires to seat I doubt that its the tire that is the problem. Take it somewhere else and see if they will do it for you.

[markusmaximus]

I'm running a 160/80 on the rear b/c it's a bias ply. The dealer said it was tight but it does fit. They can call the service dept at the Noblesville Honda/Kawasaki dealership in Noblesville, IN if they don't believe you.

[jonsamson]

I don't believe the dealer either. What you didn't say is can they get the tire beads over the rim and just get them to seat, or cannot they not get the tire over the rim at all. I would think if the guy knew how to use a tire machine he could do this. I didn't it on a harbor freight tire changers without all the hydraulics and no previous experience.

[macmac]

http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[bsa2nomad]

They said that they couldn't get the bead to seat and that it was because the tire was not as wide as the stock tire. The funny thing is ... I was going to go to the darkside but didn't think I could find anyone local to do the install, who would have thought that the m/t was a problem. This is a dealer I previously would have recommended for service...

[oldbikers]

Put a ratchet strap around the tire and tighten it up then put the air to it when it starts taken air loosen the strap.

[patmahoney]

They said that they couldn't get the bead to seat and that it was because the tire was not as wide as the stock tire. The funny thing is ... I was going to go to the darkside but didn't think I could find anyone local to do the install, who would have thought that the m/t was a problem. This is a dealer I previously would have recommended for service...


Sounds like my kind of luck ???

[goldstar225]

I had a local independent bike shop mount my E3 160/80. No problem or at least none that they felt was important enough to speak off anyway.

[gv550]

Spray some WD40 into the tire and light it with a BBQ lighter, pop that sucker right out to the bead, and fast too.
I mount my own tires, and use the 160/80 tire. I buy the tire well in advance and put 4" wood blocks between the beads and let it sit for a month. Remove the blocks just before mounting and the beads are spread out and seat nicely on their own.
Garry

[landman]

??? my dealer had no problem mounting the e-3 160/80 on my
nomad.

[jonsamson]

+1 for the rachet strap around the tire tread circumfrance. I had a tire come in like that was strapped down too long during shipping. Couldn't get it to seat either. Than I read on this form somewhere to us the rachet strap to squash the gire bead agains the rim, pumped up about 50 psi and seat the beads. Sounds like an inexperience tire installer.

[toxictavrn]

i switched to an elite 3 this summer, went with the 160 in the back and 150 in the front, had no problem putting em on,

i tried 2 dif 180 tires, the venom x and the metzler, both were scary chopped up by 3k miles and junk before they hit 7000 miles, both were radial, i think they were too soft and switched to the 160 Elite 2, got 10k perfect miles no problem, no chopping and coulda squeaked out 1k more, now they dont make the Elite 2 for the nomad and just went with the Elite 3, new and improved they say, i ll be the judge of that! if i get 10k out of em then i ll be happy!

[bsa2nomad]

Thanks for the responses, in the future I will probably find an indepedent or learn to do it myself.

Update, although the dealer was sticking to the believe the 160/80 wouldn't fit, he swapped out the tire I ordered and replaced it with the 880 180/70 radial, mounted no charge. I've heard negative feedback here, mostly with the ones made in S.A., this was made in Germany.

Though not my tire of choice, a good tire and I think the dealer did try to do right.

[coldfingers]

I did the same as you, I wanted an elite 3 but no one had one in stock so I went with the 880 in the 180/70 size. The guy said I don't think it will fit and I told him about the board here and how others were running them so he went ahead and put it on and came back I said you were right, they do fit in there okay, ha! It wasn't cheap so I sure hope it doesn't chop for me. Oh yeah, he also said, you know that its a radial, right?