Question about tires

[McKonker]

Ok, so my DRZ400 needs a new rear tire. I looked on the side of the tire and saw the following numbers:140/70R17. I also googled what these numbers mean and have a general idea of what they are about. Problem is that I have looked around a few different online shops and I cannot find a tire with the same numbers. So....will these fit? 150/60ZR17

I don't quite get it can you put different size tires on 17 inch rims? After doing a bit of reading I want to get something like this:

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/28/394/6164/ITEM/Michelin-Pilot-Power-Rear-Tire.aspx

Will they fit?

[katoranger]

A 150 will be 10mm wider.

[McKonker]

A 150 will be 10mm wider.

So if it's only 10mm wider it will still fit the rim right? and if it fits in the space between the swing arms it should work right? Are all 17 inch rims the same size where the tire meets the rim?

[SpudRider]

A 150 will be 10mm wider.

does that mean 10mm wider where the tire meets the rim? if that is the case i have to use a 140 because the 150 will be too wide right?
No, the tire is 10mm wider across the tread. ;)

You current tire is size 140/70-17. The first number, 140, is the sectional width of the tire in millimeters. The next number indicates the height of the tire is 70 percent of the sectional width; therefore, this tire is 0.70 x 140mm tall, or 98mm tall. The last number, 17, indicates this tire is designed for 17-inch wheels. The rim size of your wheel will determine the correct tire size. Once you know the wheel's rim size, you can find the proper tire by searching the tire manufacturers' fitment guides. ;)

Spud :)

[McKonker]

Um forgive my noobness :oops: but just to clarify, where rims are concerned the only number I have to worry about is 17" right? so both a 140/70R17 size tire and a 150/60ZR17 will fit my bike?

[Weldangrind]

We also started as noobs. :D

Here's the bottom line: as Spud pointed out, your stock tire is 98mm from the top of the rim to the top of the tire. Therefore, double 98mm (because we need to account for the top and the bottom of the tire) and add it to the rim height. In the case of your stock tire, your overall height is 17" + 98mm + 98mm = 24.72". With the proposed tire, your overall height will be 17" + 90mm + 90mm = 24.08".

That means that the 150/60-17 will be roughly 5/8" shorter than the tire you have now, which will make your speedometer read higher than you're actually travelling (assuming the speedometer is correct now).

If you can safely add 5mm between the side of the tire you have now and the swingarm, then yes, the 150/60-17 should fit. The new tire will be shorter and fatter than your existing tire.

[katoranger]

It will fit on the rim. I believe Spud was getting at rim width. If you look on your rim it may say something like 3.50x17 on it. The would be 3.5 inches wide.

I don't see any problem using the tire you picked out. You are not changing by much.

Also the rear tire will not change the speedo reading unless it drives the speedometer cable.

Weld must have been thinking front tire.

[SpudRider]

It will fit on the rim. I believe Spud was getting at rim width. If you look on your rim it may say something like 3.50x17 on it. The would be 3.5 inches wide.

I don't see any problem using the tire you picked out. You are not changing by much.

Also the rear tire will not change the speedo reading unless it drives the speedometer cable.

Weld must have been thinking front tire.
Yes, besides the diameter, rims also come in different widths. For example, the rear wheel on my Zongshen 200GY-2 has a size 2.15x18 rim. This indicates my rim is 2.15 inches wide at the inside base of the rim, and 18 inches in diameter. Different tires are designed for different rim widths. If a tire is too wide for the rim, it will not inflate as correctly as a tire designed for that size rim.

http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=219790

Therefore, I always check the tire fitment guide provided by the tire manufacturers. The fitment guide indicates the proper tire to choose for the particular rim width of your wheel. For example, here is the fitment guide for the Kenda, K760, TrakMaster tires I like to mount on my size 2.15x18 rims.

http://www.kenda.com.tw/eng/product/mc/K760.htm

You can safely fit a tire onto a rim either one size smaller, or one size larger than the rim specified in the tire fitment guide. The Kenda K760 tires in size 100/100-18, and size 110/100-18 are designed for a size 2.50x18 rim. Therefore, these particular tires will also properly inflate on size 2.15 rims, and size 2.75 rims. ;)

However, most riders don't look at the tire fitment guides. :roll: Therefore, without knowing your rim size, I will agree with Katoranger. Since your proposed tire is only 10mm wider than your current tire, it will probably work for the rim on your rear wheel.

Sometimes if the tire is too wide, it will rub on the swingarm, the chain guard, or even the drive chain itself. Therefore, you should check the clearances with your current, smaller tire. If you have a lot of clearance in these different areas, the slightly wider tire will probably work for your motorcycle. :)

Spud :)

[katoranger]

Thus the problem with my ranger and all the others that are similar to mine. Noticed personally on 3 different trucks.

People installed 225/70R14 tires on rims designed for 195-205 width tires. The 225 wear excessively fast in the centers if inflated to the correct psi. Espicially the rear tires.

[Weldangrind]

Also the rear tire will not change the speedo reading unless it drives the speedometer cable.

Weld must have been thinking front tire.

Duhh. :oops:

The coffee hadn't kicked in yet.

[FastDoc]

My BSA has the speedo drive on the rear wheel.

Of course it will be reading 'zero' for a long time to come... :cry:

[BillR]

Ok, so my DRZ400 needs a new rear tire. I looked on the side of the tire and saw the following numbers:140/70R17. I also googled what these numbers mean and have a general idea of what they are about. Problem is that I have looked around a few different online shops and I cannot find a tire with the same numbers. So....will these fit? 150/60ZR17

I don't quite get it can you put different size tires on 17 inch rims? After doing a bit of reading I want to get something like this:

Will they fit?
Yes, it will fit. I'd check the rim width, also. Nothing like brand new rubber on the sides of a worn out center...

What type of riding do you do?
Sport bike sticky or sport touring commuting?
Me, daily commute with an occasional run through the twisties.
My Skorpion came with a 150/60/R17 sport bike tire. Nice and sticky...wore out in 3k miles...bought another just like it...'nother 3k...and I ride 9-10k per year... :cry:
According to all the tire charts, also a bit wide for the rim.
Went to a 140/70/17 sport touring tire (Bridgestone Battlax BT-45 recommended by me :D )...6+k miles, plenty sticky for my tilt-O-meter and a pair cost a bit more than one of those Michelin Pilots... 8O
Good luck,
Bill R

[katoranger]

Bill. That is a good response. If a 140 is good for your MZ it should be plenty of tire for the DRZ too.