'04 Vulcan Classic 1500

Hey all,
I'm trying to find out if anyone has mounted a car tire on a 2004 Vulcan Classic 1500 without any problems. So far the tire that I've found is the closest match is a Dunlop Sport SP5000 195/60-16, the origonal being a 150/80-16 and that only having 'bout 5/8" clearance to the swing arm and driveshaft tube. I'd give it a go if the damn tire wasn't over $150 but I don't want to waste the bucks if it ain't gonna work, anyone.....Mike

mrmikey wrote:Hey all,
I'm trying to find out if anyone has mounted a car tire on a 2004 Vulcan Classic 1500 without any problems. So far the tire that I've found is the closest match is a Dunlop Sport SP5000 195/60-16, the origonal being a 150/80-16 and that only having 'bout 5/8" clearance to the swing arm and driveshaft tube. I'd give it a go if the damn tire wasn't over $150 but I don't want to waste the bucks if it ain't gonna work, anyone.....Mike

MrMikey,

Glad to have you here and Welcome to our site.

It looks like it might take a while to get this info. Since we just getting out to all the brands that the Darkside is not only possible but a blast to ride and much safer. It's taken a while to convince people that it does every thing we say it can do.

I have all confidence that if it does fit with out any rub issues, it will do the job.

.....................bobby

.

I'm 99.9% convinced DS is the way to go, it's the actual fit of the tire that I'm wondering about. I don't want to get into modifications, not that I can't I just don't want to....Mike

I mounted a 205/60-16 Goodyear Eagle LS on my 01 Nomad. There's about 1/8" clearance on the driveshaft and a little more (3/16?) on the other side. Had some reservations about the 3 1/2" rim pulling the sidewalls in that much but it seems to be fine. The tire measures 6 and 7/8 wide on the rim which was narrow enough to get it past the differential without any problem. Handling is about the same except that grooves or cracks in the pavement don't affect it as much as the MC tire. The rear end wiggles more with the trailer attached when I deliberately jerk the handlebars but I'm hoping 40 psi air pressure will take care of that. Even so, it's acceptable the way it is. The Goodyear has pretty soft sidewalls so a stiffer tire might help - possibly in the future.
No regrets so far with about 2200 kms (about 13-1400 miles) on it so far. Wish I'd done this sooner.

Kudos to Critterslave, very first post and it is to help out a fellow rider. Says a lot for the fine folks on this site.
Good show critterslave, Thanks

See you out there
Smokey

I just joined this site and i think i can help a little bit. I picked this info off another site, KVRF, it might be of use to the Vulcans and maybe some of the other brands. Oh Mods i will go the the introduction thread and introduce myself. Hope this helps.Travis

Eagle Ultra Grip GW3 (runflat) - 195/55HR16 - $145 - 24.4"
Goodyear Eagle Ultra Grip GW3 EMT
Kumho Ecsta SPT XRP (runflat) - 195/55R16 - $132 - 24.4"
Kumho Ecsta SPT XRP
Pirelli Eufori@ - 195/55R16 (runflat) - $163 - 24.4"
Pirelli eufori@
Dunlop SP Sport 5000A DSST (runflat) - 195/55VR16 - $178 - 24.4"
Dunlop SP Sport 5000A DSST
Continental ContiProContact SSR (runflat) - 195/55HR16 - $145 - 24.4"
Continental ContiProContact SSR

Toyo Proxes T1R - 195/55R16 - $140
Toyo Tires - Proxes T1R
Falken Ziex ZE-912 - 195/55R16 - $92
Part Number FALK-28922615
Achilles ATR Sport - 195/55R16 - $104
API Tire - ACHILLES Brand Tires

Dunlop SP Sport 5000 - 195/60TR16 - $113 - 25.2"
Dunlop SP Sport 5000 Symmetrical
Bridgestone Turanza EL400-02 - 195/60HR16 - $100 - 24.7"
Bridgestone Turanza EL400-02

Continental Vanco Contact 2 - 195/65TR16 - $112
Continental VancoContact 2
continental vanco 4 Season - 195/65TR16 - $120

good men , Critterslave and Tens1600 both first posters and helping people out , welcome to the darkside .
Horse

mrmikey, This is my very first post here. Pretty much I signed up to reply just to you.

Now I am not certain, because i never had a Classic, but I did once have a 01 Nomad, and do have a 06 Nomad.

The rear tire on the 05 and up Nomad isn't the same size wheel as the front. The rim distance between the beads is wider by 1.5 inch.

If I am correct, the wheels you have are both the same size and take the 150/80/16 size. This wheel is 3 inches wide across the bead. So the rear tire pretty much must be no wider than 180.

The 1600 Nomad rear being that 1.5 wider at 4.5 inches will allow a 195/60/R16, and some are trying the 205/60/R16.

I don't believe you can fit these. On my 01 I had a the 160 wide metzler and things were pretty close. Maybe a 170 wide could have fit, but i am sure no 180 would have more than a credit card gap at the drive shaft tube.

I hope I am not out of line saying this, but my point is you will waste money.

Now if the rear wheel is 16 x 4.5 inches be my guest and try a 195/60/R 16.

Thanks for the replies all.
My rear rim width is 3.5" which is the same as Critterslave's rim that he mounted a wider tire on with apparently no problem and my stock tire is a 150/80-16.....Mike

I read that. I guess the tire was pulled in, and became taller. I am still not convinced doing this is a good idea, but I can be WRONG....

Mac_Muz wrote:I read that. I guess the tire was pulled in, and became taller. I am still not convinced doing this is a good idea, but I can be WRONG....

Mac_Muz,

The darkside isn't for everyone, because some people can't get their head around the idea that it's a just a tire. Mostly, the car tire is mental because it does work and very well also. Don't feel bad if decide not to try it, no one's going to beat up or make fun of you. This website soul purpose is...if you want to try it.....here's the data!

It you feel this isn't for you, thanks for at least giving us a shot instead of condemning us for our choice........................

.................bobby

.

twin1300 wrote:

Mac_Muz wrote:I read that. I guess the tire was pulled in, and became taller. I am still not convinced doing this is a good idea, but I can be WRONG....

Mac_Muz,

The darkside isn't for everyone, because some people can't get their head around the idea that it's a just a tire. Mostly, the car tire is mental because it does work and very well also. Don't feel bad if decide not to try it, no one's going to beat up or make fun of you. This website soul purpose is...if you want to try it.....here's the data!

It you feel this isn't for you, thanks for at least giving us a shot instead of condemning us for our choice........................

.................bobby

.

That isn't it at all. I have a 06 Nomad with a Dunlop Sport SP 5000 (195/60/R 16) on it. My rear wheel is 4.5 inches wide. This tire is made for a rim no less than 5.5" inches wide.

Now the tire these guys are using is wider yet, and being mounted on a 3./5" wide rim. I am voicing some concern, due to closing a big tire up more than I have..

The data sgheet direct from Dunlop with the 205/60/ R 16 says the same thing, no rim less than 5.5.

I am pushing this size limit at 4.5, and they are pushing it to 3.5". That is where my concern is.

Respecfuly Mac.

Mac
I too am running a tire designed for a rim an inch wider than mine. While I only have a little over 9k on this tire I can tell you that sucking it up onto the smaller rim has not hurt the tire or performance at all. Those on the site that know me can tell you I ride the piss out of my bike in all conditions and my tire has never been an issue. Sometimes the idiot hanging on the bars has caused some concern but hey thats why I ride A lot of folks are running tires that are designed for rims 2 inches wider than the bikes rim without any effects. The best thing to do is take a tape measure into the tire store and meaqsure the bead on the tire while it is sitting at rest. Find one that is close and you can live with then ride it like its yours.

See you out there
Smokey