Rear Rim Size 17" or 16"

[neJeff]

I wasn't going to spend another dime this year on the cycles but you guys got me running scared on rubber so I guess I need new rubber. I'll make the tire decision but I have the option of going with my 16" rear or 17" standard wheel. If I go standard I will also match out the front with the standard rim also. I bought a set of standard wheels/tires because of the great tires on them but turns out they are from 2000 and although they look great and barely used I guess I wont use them. So any advantage or preference to the taller rear or stick with the special rims (with the neat slot in the rotors)? BTW: I have already bought all the hardware for the 17" so I am ready to go. What you guys think?

[natemoen]

You will have a lower rpm at speed with the 17" rear but you have less tire options with the 17".

You will have a slightly higher rpm at speeds with the 16" but more tire options. If I had a 16" rear I would most definitely use a dunlop elite 3 tire.

As to changing out the front rim it does not matter all the fronts are the same, unless it is not marked for tubeless or is the swirly spokes.

[neJeff]

You will have a lower rpm at speed with the 17" rear but you have less tire options with the 17".

You will have a slightly higher rpm at speeds with the 16" but more tire options. If I had a 16" rear I would most definitely use a dunlop elite 3 tire.

As to changing out the front rim it does not matter all the fronts are the same, unless it is not marked for tubeless or is the swirly spokes.

5 Motorcycle shops in town, 2 not open Monday's (Wtf?) one did not answer phone, one I'll never go to again (long story) and the one had ONE option for 130 90 16 and it was a Dunlop 404. I had decided what tires I wanted but this guy told me very few shops keep much selection on hand (including the dealers). I need to figure out the size for the 17" and then I'll call again...maybe tomorrow when people are back to work

[natemoen]

5 Motorcycle shops in town, 2 not open Monday's (Wtf?) one did not answer phone, one I'll never go to again (long story) and the one had ONE option for 130 90 16 and it was a Dunlop 404. I had decided what tires I wanted but this guy told me very few shops keep much selection on hand (including the dealers). I need to figure out the size for the 17" and then I'll call again...maybe tomorrow when people are back to work

17" is 130/90/17

[DGXSER]

I would suspect there is little options for tires on hand, but you can even order them online yourself, get what you want. Then have a shop install the tire and balance it. Around here, runs about $25 to have one mounted and balanced for you.

As to the 17" versus 16", Nate has it down pretty well. One thing to keep in mind, the spacers are different between the 17" and the 16" and you need the correct spacer and position of it to keep all things aligned.

[xs11lover]

I like the 17......you can put the slot rotors on either.

[neJeff]

I would suspect there is little options for tires on hand, but you can even order them online yourself, get what you want. Then have a shop install the tire and balance it. Around here, runs about $25 to have one mounted and balanced for you.

As to the 17" versus 16", Nate has it down pretty well. One thing to keep in mind, the spacers are different between the 17" and the 16" and you need the correct spacer and position of it to keep all things aligned.

I do have correct spacer and brake bracket on hand for the 17". I bought a tire for my little GS550 because no one had one in town and took it to a shop (the one I won't go to again) and they goofed up the valve core and didn't tighten down the nut on the rim too. Got two blocks and flat! And that was the only shop I could find who would take a tire off the street (internet) and install it..for $35.00 bucks!. I thought I would have much better selection with my Yammy but apparently not. They want $110 installed for the rear Dunlop 404 and $100 for the front. Doesn't sound to bad. This place did a tire for me about 15 years ago and everything was fine (even though they prefer harley they treated me fine). They don't have the 17" instock . Maybe I call the other two tomorrow and see whats up. The lower rpms actually sounds good to me...

[neJeff]

I like the 17......you can put the slot rotors on either.

I was told taking off the rotors was a real bit*h. I guess now would be the time to do it, then when they put the new tire on and balance all would be good with the world. I'll wrench on the standard wheels tonight and see how it goes

[crazy steve]

...One thing to keep in mind, the spacers are different between the 17" and the 16" and you need the correct spacer and position of it to keep all things aligned.

You not only need the spacer but the 'special' caliper bracket as well if swapping to the 16" wheel; while the wheels interchange, they are machined slightly different.

There are more options (not necessarily better) in the 16" size as that's the 'standard' rear tire size for most Harleys, so you might check at HD shops if you want something that's 'in stock'. The needed 130/90-17 is not a particularly popular size these days and will no doubt need to be ordered. Jake Wilson and MotorcycleSuperStore both offer 3 day shipping (and it's free if you spend over $100)...

[neJeff]

You not only need the spacer but the 'special' caliper bracket as well if swapping to the 16" wheel; while the wheels interchange, they are machined slightly different.

There are more options (not necessarily better) in the 16" size as that's the 'standard' rear tire size for most Harleys, so you might check at HD shops if you want something that's 'in stock'. The needed 130/90-17 is not a particularly popular size these days and will no doubt need to be ordered. Jake Wilson and MotorcycleSuperStore both offer 3 day shipping (and it's free if you spend over $100)...

You had posted a pic (I think it was you) with parts needed for the 17" swap and I got them from Andrea many weeks ago. Got a tire for my Suzi from MotorcycleSuperStore and had great service but finding a shop to mount it is an issue.

[crazy steve]

I do my own mounting, and it's not all that hard if you can get somebody to give you a hand (having a 'third hand', if only briefly, is a big help). Pick up a couple of sets of 'rim savers' (so you don't gouge the soft aluminum), three 'tire spoons', and you should be able to change a tire in under 60 minutes even if you're slow. I've found the 17" tires are actually easier to mount.

But I've done them by myself more than a few times too, so it is doable...

[neJeff]

I do my own mounting, and it's not all that hard if you can get somebody to give you a hand (having a 'third hand', if only briefly, is a big help). Pick up a couple of sets of 'rim savers' (so you don't gouge the soft aluminum), three 'tire spoons', and you should be able to change a tire in under 60 minutes even if you're slow. I've found the 17" tires are actually easier to mount.

But I've done them by myself more than a few times too, so it is doable...

Yeah but when its all done I want them balanced right too. I think I'm going to leave this one to someone who knows what they are doing

[fredintoon]

- - - guy told me very few shops keep much selection on hand (including the dealers). - - -

Hi Jeff,
what with JIT parts ordering programs, lack of storage space and having to pay for stuff up front, nobody stocks nothin' any more.
But they are usually pretty good at bringing stuff in for you and they'll be more sanguine about installing a tire they sold you than about installing one you got on the 'net.
16" vs 17"? Not as many choices available in 17"; unless you can get the one you really want in a 17" size, go for the 16" wheel instead. If you need the long distance gearing you can swap in an XS750 FD. It's a bit of an expense and hassle but you only gotta do it once.

[fredintoon]

I was told taking off the rotors was a real bit*h.

Hi Jeff,
nah, it's a doddle, done it lotsa times taking the unslotted disks off to drill them. Betcha it don't even matter if the front disks are swapped left and right on reinstall; I see no way that the brake pads will know or care which way the slots are pointing.
Mind you, drilling the bastards ain't easy, the disk material is tougher than old boots.
MikesXS will sell you new tabwashers if all the tabs break off your old ones. Or come to think of it, your local Yamaha dealer should still be able to bring them in for you, that same tabwasher is used on at least half of all the bikes that Yamaha ever made.

[neJeff]

Hi Jeff,
what with JIT parts ordering programs, lack of storage space and having to pay for stuff up front, nobody stocks nothin' any more.
But they are usually pretty good at bringing stuff in for you and they'll be more sanguine about installing a tire they sold you than about installing one you got on the 'net.
16" vs 17"? Not as many choices available in 17"; unless you can get the one you really want in a 17" size, go for the 16" wheel instead. If you need the long distance gearing you can swap in an XS750 FD. It's a bit of an expense and hassle but you only gotta do it once.

Yeah, that buying off the net I think affects the "level of service" you receive so I won't do that again. They want to make their margin on the sale of the tire so I get that. For now I've decided to swap the standard set on directly and see how those tires hold up. If not good I'll walk the special set in and get new ones installed