c/t for 99 vlx

I've been trying to find out what car tire I can put on my 99 vlx. Also what is the biggest size I can go without any modifications.

Welcome. I see you posted in shadowriders too. These guys will help you a lot

On my 2001 VLX I'm running a Federal 165/80/15. Hnadles great. Not much wider than a m/t, just a different cross section.

As for the biggest size, I'll let the experts on size chime in. Good luck.

Eric

Otis56 is running the same tire on his 2006. Not sure if it's the bigest or not, but it is a proven tire and a safe first one.

Jerry

there once was a guy posting here, claimed he put the 195/--/15 on his vlx, I don't know, he never posted but twice or so, I've been looking at the wider tires, I know the 205/--/15 would be too wide, I am real interested in the 185.
Some day if the 165/80/15 wears out I'll try the 185.

Good luck sir,, ride safely, let us know what you do.

mark f

Otis56 wrote: Some day if the 165/80/15 wears out I'll try the 185.
mark f

Big IF! I love it. Tires last so long we pull them off BEFORE they wear out! I want to see your vlx with a 185 on it too. Ought to look sharp....

Now the problem I'm having is finding the 165 without having to order it on the internet.

d-dallass@hotmail.com wrote:Now the problem I'm having is finding the 165 without having to order it on the internet.

I had to order off the internet. No biggee. Shipping ran about $12 and UPS brought it right to my door.

I went into a local tire store and had a big hassle with the manager, who was a biker and couldn't fathom why I would do something so stupid as to put a car tire on my motorcycle! :cyclops:

Fortunately I had done my homework on here and Hondashadownet and had a response to every silly argument that he had. In the end, I told him that I would take my business, and my $57, elsewhere.

If you try the locals, the tire size is basically a replacement for a stock Volkswagon Beetle tire. Telling them that is better than haveing the whole discussion.

Eric

took my tire to a local car shop and they didnt ask no questions lol,they just mounted the sucker !!i even asked him if he wanted me to take it somewhere else next time,and his reply was,it wasnt that bad lol.come back when you wear that one out

d-dallass@hotmail.com wrote:Now the problem I'm having is finding the 165 without having to order it on the internet.

If memory serves me well, wal-mart has the kumho 165 in stock.

You will get the best deal on the internet if you ask me. Better selection and better price. But there is some value to brick and mortar stores - being able to touch, feel, measure, and look at the tire before you buy.

The local Walmart told me they quit handling Kuhmo,not sure if its nation wide or what.

tried walmart with no luck

They must have pissed off WalMart......

http://www.treadepot.com/groupdetail.html

Kumho power star 758 for $41 plus shipping

if you dont want to order on line,i'll bet you can go to your local ct shop and they can order it for you.thats what i did,got it the next day.

I think sears carries the kumho, they may have to order the size. but it's worth checking out.

mark f

working on wearing out the 165 now, put another 300 miles yesterday, going from the piedmont of sc, to the coast and back. I can't smoke the tire off, it's just a vlx but this bike rocks on the 165/80/15.

Waiting for the old tire to wear out can be painful..... :-)

well not painful, kinda like christmas, a long time coming, plus my bike is so light, and i can't make it do a burn out, or maybe I cant do the burn out

but I do ride it daily, and someday I will move up again.

mark f

finally found the 165 at a local shop. Your vlx should be able to do a burn out. Since I found a new tire I just tried with no problem. Have you tried standing up with your feet on the ground while pushing your weight forward.

d-dallass@hotmail.com wrote:finally found the 165 at a local shop. Your vlx should be able to do a burn out. Since I found a new tire I just tried with no problem. Have you tried standing up with your feet on the ground while pushing your weight forward.

Or maybe running down a rainslicked road at 45 in 3rd, popping the clutch and hanging on for dear life Just kidding

Eric

Sometimes burnouts turn into wheelies when you have CTs on the back. Too much grip to slip.

too much grip isn't necessarily a bad thing. I know the m/c tire doesn't grip for shit when it comes to quick stops.

d-dallass@hotmail.com wrote:I've been trying to find out what car tire I can put on my 99 vlx. Also what is the biggest size I can go without any modifications.

Back to the topic......

I don't think anyone was gone really wide on a vlx. Another member had a great idea for judging max tire size on bikes. Take some modelling clay and stick it on the side of your tire-both sides and top. Roll your bike back and forth, sit on it, bounce around a bit. Take a look at the clay, measure and see what kind of clearance you have. Now go to a tire store and measure the tires.

I'd be suprised if a 185 did not fit. 205 may be pushing it. Still, Michelin Hydro edge in a 185 would look really good back there. it would last forever too! That's a 90k rated tire. It wouldn't last that long on a bike, but probably 30k. My bike is years old and just now has 30k. 5 years on a single back tire is a long time. You may have to grease the spines in between (if your bike has spines). Remember to take a look at the date stamp on the tire. Make sure it's new. You should really change any tire that's 6 years old. so, if the tire is going to last 30k, that may be 5 years away. Make sure it's a fresh tire!

let us know what you decide and don't forget the pics!

well today I bought a federal 165. Today I took the old tire off and am trying some np 1 to seal the rim for tubeless. Now the frustrating part of waiting for it to cure so I can put the new tire on the rim. I used the np 1 because I got it for free. I figure it turns into rubber and is used on roofs so it should be able to withstand heat. I will let you know how it works.

What tire pressure is everyone running in their 165? I'm guessing around 34 lbs.

I ran 40 in mine, but that's a 1100. I think if you do a search on Otis56, one of his posts has his tire pressure. He has the same bike and tire.....