Entered the Darkside

[Rasta]

I officially entered the Darkside today! I have a 2004 Nomad with 13,900Miles on it and I put a 185/75/16 Continental Vanco-8 tire on it. It was a pain getting it on the rim,then couldn’t put the rim on the bike since it was big. Took the air out but that did not help. I ended up grinding the weld on the left and right side of the swingarm for the tire to fit. After getting everything back together I drove it around a parking lot to get a feel for it then went on a 40mile ride. Stopped along the way to plug the GPS in so I could check the speedometer. There is just a 2mph, at the most 3mph difference between the two now.

Oh, by the way the ride is comfortable too! Just like Brad said, with this tire the ride is pretty smooth. The only rumble I hear is from the front tire, which is still the original tire. So the plan is to put the rear tire that I took off with about 4,000miles on it, on the front later! I want to feel comfortable with CT on the rear first.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

I was under the impression that tire size only affected the odometer and not the speed. I know when I put a larger tires on my bike the odometer is about right on now but the speedometer still shows I am going about 5 mph faster than actual speed.

[ringadingh]

They are a snug fit in there, I managed to get mine in without grinding anything.
Although I installed a Vredestein 175/70/16. And I had to install it from the LH side of the bike as well to get it past the final drive.

[Jared]

I've got a 195 on mine without any grinding and I know several have 205 without grinding. It's interesting that you had to grind the swingarm. Perhaps you weld is thinker and is sticking out a bit more.....?

Welcome to the DarkSide!

[Rasta]

It could be that the weld is thicker but this tires outer diameter is 26.9".Ithasa thick tread so that might have been the issue.
Might be able to get the 170/70/16 in Canada or the Uk but Icant find it here in the USA. Eventhough I got this tire from a local dealer it was made in the Czech Republic by continental tire.

[ringadingh]

I got my tire in the states and it was made in Holland.

[Rasta]

The sizes you and I got are not a common size for North America from what I am gathering from this advanture!

[ringadingh]

Probably not, I wanted to stay as close to the stock size as I could. Thats why I chose the tire I did.

[MAS Tequila]

Jared, it isn't the width that caused the need to grind. I had this same tire on my 03 a couple years ago. The height is the problem. I had to grind both sides of the swingarm so the tire wouldn't rub.

MT

Originally Posted by Utah Motorcyclist

I've got a 195 on mine without any grinding and I know several have 205 without grinding. It's interesting that you had to grind the swingarm. Perhaps you weld is thinker and is sticking out a bit more.....?

Welcome to the DarkSide!

[coacha]

IIRC, the 1500 swing arms are a tad different than the 1600's. Plus, even though tire size might be the same for sales purposes, actual tire dimensions can be different. I know my SP5000 fit perfect but the new Turanza is a tad bit different and I will be grinding a bit on the swing arm.

[markclark57]

I run a 205/60-16 on Grace. No grinding was necessary. Next tire I might take a look at a different size, but I'm sticking with the GYTT. It might be a while . . . I have just over 5K on this one and it still looks new.

[blowndodge]

Rasta from the pic you posted it appears you have it aired up pretty high... ???

[Rasta]

Originally Posted by blowndodge

Rasta from the pic you posted it appears you have it aired up pretty high... ???

Yes, I was waiting for someone to notice!! I figures you would see it. I actually have aired it up to 35psi and now I am going to start droping a pound or two at a time to get a feel for it. At 35psi it actually still feels like it is riding good but will see what lower psi will do.

I do have a picture that I posted on facebook VBA, that I cant post on here since the picture size is big, to show how much bigger this tire is compared to the stock tire.

[jimo]

I did the same thing this week, went with a 195/16/65, Bridgestone. Can't wait to get it out on the road once this weather gets warmer! Lucky enough to have a guy just a few miles away with an independent shop that had no problems changing it. He was skeptical at first, but said the new tire popped on right away with no problems.

[Rasta]

Originally Posted by jimo

I did the same thing this week, went with a 195/16/65, Bridgestone. Can't wait to get it out on the road once this weather gets warmer! Lucky enough to have a guy just a few miles away with an independent shop that had no problems changing it. He was skeptical at first, but said the new tire popped on right away with no problems.

Way to go! Looks good!!