Dark side (car tire) size?

rhodyrider401 · 05-24-2011, 12:18 PM

I know it must be here somewhere (but I am apparently not very good at searching this forum), so can someone tell me, point me to a link about what size care tire is best for a 2002 Nomad 1500FI.
Thanks!
I 'think' I would like one that is as close to the same size as stock, but am open to being talked into a different size if there are benefits.
I was also thinking that skinnier would be better, but am interested in what others think.
Finally, any brands that people like/dislike? What makes a car tire, good on a bike?
Thanks!

**Jared** · 05-24-2011, 12:40 PM

Here ya go.

http://darkside.nwff.info/database.php

**ringadingh** · 05-24-2011, 05:14 PM

We have some good info in the Tech boards here.

**MAS Tequila** · 05-24-2011, 07:19 PM

195/60 or 195/65/16

BTDT Got The T-Shirt

MT

mobandy78 · 05-25-2011, 12:33 PM

Bridgestone Turanza - 195/60

You can't go wrong with it! I love it and it handles AWESOME!

rhodyrider401 · 05-25-2011, 04:39 PM

Thanks for the input.
Any thoughts on run-flat tires?

**MAS Tequila** · 05-25-2011, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhodyrider401

Thanks for the input.
Any thoughts on run-flat tires?

Don't do it. The benefits of a run flat on a four wheeled vehicle do not translate to a bike.

Some have had them shred after running low on pressure unnoticed.

A shredded tire on a bike is different than on a car.

MT

macmac · 05-26-2011, 02:10 PM

No run flats..... No fix it in a can either. For a nail use a plug, glue and a 12 volt compressor.

trosco · 05-26-2011, 05:37 PM

Rhody, be careful about people's tire size recomendations. They are all being helpful but sometimes they don't know your bike they just know theirs.
I don't remember what year it was (05 or 06?) but Kaw changed the frames on the Nomads and switched from 150/80/16 rear tires to 170/70/16 rear tires. When they did that they went with a wider rear rim on the rear wheel. I think the older model was about 3.5 inches wide (don't quote me on that) and the newer model was about 4.75 inches wide.
The tire you buy (car tire or motorcycle tire) needs to match the wheel rim width or you'll stress the tire sholders and bead to the point you could risk a failure. I am not the end all authority on what car tire to pick but I think you have a older Nomad with the narrower rim so some of the popular choices being thrown out are maybe not the right one for your bike?
Do your research for your specific model and you will be safer!

macmac · 05-26-2011, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trosco

Rhody, be careful about people's tire size recomendations. They are all being helpful but sometimes they don't know your bike they just know theirs.
I don't remember what year it was (05 or 06?) but Kaw changed the frames on the Nomads and switched from 150/80/16 rear tires to 170/70/16 rear tires. When they did that they went with a wider rear rim on the rear wheel. I think the older model was about 3.5 inches wide (don't quote me on that) and the newer model was about 4.75 inches wide.
The tire you buy (car tire or motorcycle tire) needs to match the wheel rim width or you'll stress the tire sholders and bead to the point you could risk a failure. I am not the end all authority on what car tire to pick but I think you have a older Nomad with the narrower rim so some of the popular choices being thrown out are maybe not the right one for your bike?
Do your research for your specific model and you will be safer!

You are correct..

The basic difference is the last year of 1500's was 04, and the first 1600's came out in 05.

A 1500 can go as large as 195/60 and as tall as 195/65.

The 1600's can run those and go as wide as 205, but just...

trosco · 05-26-2011, 06:14 PM

Hey mac, you are much more knowledgeable about the car tire thing than me. I seem to remember something about the 1500 owners having to grind down the weld/bead in the corner of the swing arm to get clearance for certain tire sizes. Do you remember which size that was the case for?

macmac · 05-26-2011, 06:19 PM

Not sure I recall but think it was a 185/70 a much taller tire someone fit. I wasn't happy about the grinding a bit. The loss is in stiffness. But i wasn't asked first.

**MAS Tequila** · 05-26-2011, 10:16 PM

I had a 185/75/16 on mine which required grinding. But not enough to make a difference structurally.

The 195s don't need to have any grinding done.

A 175/75/16 needs very minor grinding, you can almost do it with a sander.

The 1600 Classic was released in 03. It had the same swingarm and rim width as the 05 Nomad.

MT

05-24-2011, 12:18 PM	#1
rhodyrider401 Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 93	Dark side (car tire) size? I know it must be here somewhere (but I am apparently not very good at searching this forum), so can someone tell me, point me to a link about what size care tire is best for a 2002 Nomad 1500FI. Thanks! I 'think' I would like one that is as close to the same size as stock, but am open to being talked into a different size if there are benefits. I was also thinking that skinnier would be better, but am interested in what others think. Finally, any brands that people like/dislike? What makes a car tire, good on a bike? Thanks! Login or Register to Remove Ads
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05-24-2011, 12:40 PM	#2
Jared Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Greeley, Colorado Posts: 6,772	Dark side (car tire) size? Here ya go. http://darkside.nwff.info/database.php __________________ Jared VBA #1051 (Former President)
	0

05-24-2011, 05:14 PM	#3
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Dark side (car tire) size? We have some good info in the Tech boards here. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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05-24-2011, 07:19 PM	#4
MAS Tequila Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Psychiatric Ward FL Posts: 3,429	Dark side (car tire) size? 195/60 or 195/65/16 BTDT Got The T-Shirt MT __________________ MT 2016 FLHP Psychiatric Ward FL VBA 936
	0

05-25-2011, 12:33 PM	#5
mobandy78 Sr. Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Owasso, OK Posts: 1,485	Dark side (car tire) size? Bridgestone Turanza - 195/60 You can't go wrong with it! I love it and it handles AWESOME! __________________ Matt "Mo" Moore Owasso, Oklahoma VBA #1250 2005 Nomad 1600 - Darkside "There is no normal life, there's just life. So get on with it." - Doc Holiday Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

05-25-2011, 04:39 PM	#6
rhodyrider401 Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 93	Dark side (car tire) size? Thanks for the input. Any thoughts on run-flat tires?
	0

05-26-2011, 02:10 PM	#8
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	Dark side (car tire) size? No run flats..... No fix it in a can either. For a nail use a plug, glue and a 12 volt compressor. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
	0

05-26-2011, 05:37 PM	#9
trosco Sr. Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,464	Dark side (car tire) size? Rhody, be careful about people's tire size recomendations. They are all being helpful but sometimes they don't know your bike they just know theirs. I don't remember what year it was (05 or 06?) but Kaw changed the frames on the Nomads and switched from 150/80/16 rear tires to 170/70/16 rear tires. When they did that they went with a wider rear rim on the rear wheel. I think the older model was about 3.5 inches wide (don't quote me on that) and the newer model was about 4.75 inches wide. The tire you buy (car tire or motorcycle tire) needs to match the wheel rim width or you'll stress the tire sholders and bead to the point you could risk a failure. I am not the end all authority on what car tire to pick but I think you have a older Nomad with the narrower rim so some of the popular choices being thrown out are maybe not the right one for your bike? Do your research for your specific model and you will be safer! __________________ trosco: just call me Ross 2007 Black & Titanium Nomad (Nomad made 65K but got replaced 2014) 2010 Titanium Goldwing 2014 KLR 650 New Edition
	0

05-26-2011, 06:14 PM	#11
trosco Sr. Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,464	Dark side (car tire) size? Hey mac, you are much more knowledgeable about the car tire thing than me. I seem to remember something about the 1500 owners having to grind down the weld/bead in the corner of the swing arm to get clearance for certain tire sizes. Do you remember which size that was the case for? __________________ trosco: just call me Ross 2007 Black & Titanium Nomad (Nomad made 65K but got replaced 2014) 2010 Titanium Goldwing 2014 KLR 650 New Edition
	0

05-26-2011, 06:19 PM	#12
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	Dark side (car tire) size? Not sure I recall but think it was a 185/70 a much taller tire someone fit. I wasn't happy about the grinding a bit. The loss is in stiffness. But i wasn't asked first. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
	0

05-26-2011, 10:16 PM	#13
MAS Tequila Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Psychiatric Ward FL Posts: 3,429	Dark side (car tire) size? I had a 185/75/16 on mine which required grinding. But not enough to make a difference structurally. The 195s don't need to have any grinding done. A 175/75/16 needs very minor grinding, you can almost do it with a sander. The 1600 Classic was released in 03. It had the same swingarm and rim width as the 05 Nomad. MT __________________ MT 2016 FLHP Psychiatric Ward FL VBA 936
	0

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