New rear tire

rxhealer said:

I just ordered a new tire for the rear. I choose the new Dunlop Image 3. It's a 250/40/18. I was wondering if we could possible go any larger maybe a 280/40/18. There seems to a alot of clearance under there to fit. Any suggestions?

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I think we can go 280 or even 300 but I think we may have to go to a bigger rim. Next week my partner and I will be looking at what we can do to the bike as far as aftermarket stuff. I think a 280 or 300 would look killer on this bike.

Sounds like you've been doing some riding if you alreadt wore out a tire. 8)

The tire isn't worn out yet, but had to put a plug in it last week & I usually get a new tire after I plug one just to have a spare one ready. I will put the new tire on & keep the old one as a spare with a good patch put on the inside.

I was told by a dealer that you can fit up to a 280 tire with no modifications. But that does not make it true.

I'll double check that before I have them put my new tire on. If that's the case I'm going with the 280.

rxhealer said:

I'll double check that before I have them put my new tire on. If that's the case I'm going with the 280.

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If you go with the 280, could you post pictures and tell me how it effected the handling of the bike. Thanks a lot and good luck.

I looked up the 280, you need a 9.5-10.5 rim I believe are bikes are 8.5 rim width. I did see they make a 260 that might fit on the stock rim.

kwcrawler said:

I looked up the 280, you need a 9.5-10.5 rim I believe are bikes are 8.5 rim width. I did see they make a 260 that might fit on the stock rim.

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Dunlop states that you need a 9.0 rim to go with a 250 tire and we have a 8.5.
http://www.dunlopmotorcycle.com/tirecatalog_tire.asp?id=91
I will have to look into this a little more.

Well it looks like we can go with a 260 tire. That's what Metzeler says.
http://www.us.metzelermoto.com/media/metzeler_05_brochure.pdf;jsessionid=2PJOI0DXBZKNVFYKJOPCFFA

We did a bunch of fitting of big tires on the VTX last year. Here are the actual tire widths for you to compare.

Here is some information that may be helpful to some of you:

240 Metzeler on rim is 9.5 inches wide at the seam on the sidewall

250 Avon on rim is 9 5/8 inches wide at the seam on the sidewall

250 Dunlop on rim is 10 inches wide at the seam on the sidewall

260 Metzeler on rim is 9 7/8 inches wide at the seam on the sidewall

have you gotten the tire yet? If so how big can you go without changing the rim? Also how many miles did u get out of the original?

Just my .02, but don't forget that the stock tire was designed specifically for that bike and contributes strongly to it's magical handling (for a phat tired bike). To get a tire that wide to handle properly, it's my understanding that they had to chose a certain profile. If you don't care and just want the aggressive look, go for it, but if you like the bike's overall package, don't mess with the formula.

rynosback said:

Dunlop states that you need a 9.0 rim to go with a 250 tire and we have a 8.5.
http://www.dunlopmotorcycle.com/tirecatalog_tire.asp?id=91
I will have to look into this a little more.

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I just ordered a Dunlop 250/40-R18 from HDL. Our M109's have a 8.5 inch wide rim. I checked with the local Polaris dealer about their Victory Hammer. The Hammer has a 8.5 inch wide rim and comes stock the the 250/40-R18 Dunnie. Based on that I feel comfortable that the 250 will work fine on the stock 109 rim. There is approximately 3/4 inch clearance on both sides of the stock 240/40-R18. With that much room side clearance shouldn't be a problem.

HalGreenlee said:

We did a bunch of fitting of big tires on the VTX last year. Here are the actual tire widths for you to compare.

Here is some information that may be helpful to some of you:

240 Metzeler on rim is 9.5 inches wide at the seam on the sidewall

250 Avon on rim is 9 5/8 inches wide at the seam on the sidewall

250 Dunlop on rim is 10 inches wide at the seam on the sidewall

260 Metzeler on rim is 9 7/8 inches wide at the seam on the sidewall

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Hal: What was the width of the rims you had these tire mounted on????

Thanks bob109, just ordered up myself

OMEGA said:

Thanks bob109, just ordered up myself

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Curious as to where you ordered your tires and the price paid? I spent several hours searching the Net and found the lowest advertised price at Cruiser Customizing. I called HDL and gave them the info and they beat CC's prices by $5 per tire. HDL prices were 130/70 R18......$107.17.........250/40 R18......$120 .97.....with free shipping HDL lives up to their reputation of having the lowest prices.

who is "HDL"? website or #?

BlueM109R said:

who is "HDL"? website or #?

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This is the main Honda website. http://hondadirectlineusa.com

This is the Direct Line Parts website. www.DirectLineParts.com

There is a store being setup now for the 109 but there's not too much out there yet. We are working on it.

BlueM109R said:

who is "HDL"? website or #? Â

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As lamonster has stated, HDL is Honda Direct Line. They have a store and on line site dedicated to Honda motorcycles to include the infamous VTX. They are great people to deal with....their service is second to none.

I hope that they become involved with parts and accessories for the 109.....if they do you can rest assured that there will be plenty of quality goodies to enhance you present ride.

you can go to 280 but whoever is putting the tire on you can't blow it up until you get it back on the bike it will not go on already inflated