Tire Sizes - White Wall?

[jeffmartinaz]

Fellas,

I'm in need of a new set of tires. I'm wanting a set of white walls, but I'm really having a hard time finding a 140/90-16 in any brand in a white wall. Anyone know of a manufacturer who has these sizes in a white wall...or...is there an alternate size that will fit our back wheel?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Jeff Martin

[Donkey Hotey]

Jeff, I'm not sure where you got the 140/90 size. I'm almost positive that I put Continental Milestones on 1525 when I changed them recently. I'm pretty sure the front is MT90-16 and the rear is MU85B-16.



I'm pretty sure that the rear on my Jennie is also MU85-16, except that one is an Avon. It needs a replacement front right now. That'll probably be a matching Avon MT90 for the front.

[rt66john]

According to the PDF version of the Rider's Handbook, the rear tire size is MU90HB16.

According to the PDF version of the Rider's Handbook HCXT Supplement, the rear tire size is 140/90-16 WW TL.

[Donkey Hotey]

Yup. The point is: the MT90 is a standard 16" tire, available in both front and rear applications. The MU90 is a slightly wider version, available for rear wheels.

The MT is a 130 tire width
The MU is a 140 tire width

Both widths are in millimeters.

In the tire market, things are dominated by the most common cruiser sizes. I believe there were some Harleys that couldn't take the 140mm tire on the rear. That's why they still sell the MT90 or 130mm width for rear applications.

[jeffmartinaz]

According to the PDF version of the Rider's Handbook, the rear tire size is MU90HB16.

According to the PDF version of the Rider's Handbook HCXT Supplement, the rear tire size is 140/90-16 WW TL.

Exactly...that's where my confusion comes in. I've seen both of those docs. I know NOTHING about tire sizing. I just go right off what my manufacturer's (cars and bikes) tell me to buy. So, are the MU90HB16 and 140/90-16 the same size in reality?

-Jeff

[Donkey Hotey]

We could get into breaking down all the sizing information and debating aspect ratios, load ratings and other nonsense. The short answer is: yes, the MU90 is the same as the 140/90 and that's what you want for your bike. Avon and Continental both make front and rear tires that match your bike.

Tell us the brand you prefer and we'll give you the exact size to buy.

[rt66john]

What Greg said.   

 

The factory probably listed the newer metric size designation for the Jennie bikes because that's what they found when Dunlop was chosen as the tire vendor.

A quick search found Metzler, Avon, Continental, Dunlop, and Shinko tires in the right size with wide white walls.

I have Metzler ME 880 Wide White wall tires on my Jennie and I like them.

[Donkey Hotey]

The factory probably listed the newer metric size designation for the Jennie bikes because that's what they found when Dunlop was chosen as the tire vendor.

Damn! Great point! Now it makes sense. Even though the bikes all had the same basic tires, they came in three flavors. Owner's Manuals have to list the OEM stuff.

• The regular bikes came with Dunlop 481 Elite II blackwalls
• The Deadwood Specials came with the same tire with raised white letters
• The Jennies came with wide whitewalls

And yes, I forgot about the Metzelers as well. They seem to be a little more expensive but, some guys online report better handling with them.

The only one I wouldn't recommend is the Dunlop D401. It's available in whitewall but, it says Harley Davidson on the sidewall in big letters. You pay extra to get that privilege. Lots of tire dealers stock that one because the Harley guys like them. Nothing wrong with it other than that. I have one on 333 and it handles fine. I just wish it didn't have the HD logo.

[ChadeArndt]

Ugh.  "Harley Davidson" is a total deal breaker.

I've got Dunlop Cruisemax on mine, and it says nothing about Harley, thank God!  Whitefoot and I were thinking of replacing the skins, but they don't seem to be that old.  The black lettering pops beautifully, and it would be a real shame if I couldn't replace them with the same tires. 

I know they're Dunlop Cruisemax tires, and I WILL find out where they can be bought eventually.  They're beautiful, especially on a fully dressed X.

[2CoolWheels]

I'm running a 150/80 on the rear of 741. It's a little wider, looks better in my opinion. It's the second time I've run this size and previous tires have rubbed the belt guard slightly. I put a very minor notch in the belt guard to keep it from rubbing. The tire I have on there now has plenty of clearance, so apparently there is some variation in overall width depending on brand.

[ChadeArndt]

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/558/d/cruiser-motorcycle-whitewall-tires?N=4294963527+4294963680&source=tire-picker


Kinda dig the Continentals

[Donkey Hotey]

Did the original Dunlop Cruisemax white walls actually have black letters? I've only ever seen that on the original Jennie photo, taken by the factory.

Doing a Google search for them, either they don't show them that way in the advertising or the current Cruisemax tires no longer feature contrasting letters.

[ChadeArndt]

I bet you're right Greg.  I'll keep looking around even if I have to call DUNLOP I'll get an answer for sure.

[jeffmartinaz]

I'm running a 150/80 on the rear of 741. It's a little wider, looks better in my opinion. It's the second time I've run this size and previous tires have rubbed the belt guard slightly. I put a very minor notch in the belt guard to keep it from rubbing. The tire I have on there now has plenty of clearance, so apparently there is some variation in overall width depending on brand.

Hey Mike, thanks for that info. I was wondering if the 150 would work! Shopping right now...

[blackheart]

To avoid the Harley sidewall, the Dunlop American Elite series comes in wide whitewall or black as well.  They'll be MU85's to fit the 04-08 HD's in addition to offering them in MT as well.  This is a higher quality and higher load rating than the cruisemax series and is made in the USA