VN-2000A model, with sidecar

I have a 2004 VN-2000A model with a sidecar.
The Hannigan factory rep. sent me to the darkside forum for information as to correct tire size, recommanded brands & clearance information.
I plan on replacing the stock rear Bridgestone 200/60-16 & eventually the front 150/80-16 MC tires with automobile tires. The vertical position of the sidecar rig lends itself to automobile tires, but I don't want to get carried away and buy somthing too tall or too wide for the fenders / swingarm / drive belt clearances.
Can you help me out here?

"Easy"

e-mail sent

MT

I've put ~120mi on my new rear tire, 215/60R-16 Goodyear Eagle GT. I got on tire rack and the only Ultrahigh Performance tires at 16in were 215mm and only 4 of them. The Eagle GT looked like the best shoulder tread. Doubt shoulder's would mean much for a side car rig. Tire seems to be doing well on my Vulcan w/o car, no rubbing at any time. Running it at 45lbs, haven't tried other pressures yet.

I just installed a CT on my 2005 Vulcan 2000. I also have a sidecar attached. Went with a 205/60-16 as a replacement. It's perfect for this bike. There is not a lot of clearance with the original tire and this size works just fine. Found a local dealer to mount the tire and balance it for me. I would suggest having the tire mounted (without the drive belt and disk brake on it) and then reinstall the drive pulley & disk. Then have it balanced. Hardest part was getting it back together. Also redid the back brake while I had it apart. Good luck!

Sent you a post before I saw this one.
Do you think a 225 60/16 will fit? ... how much clearance do you have with the 205?

A 225 60 would be 3/4" wider at the sidewall and 1" taller (diameter) than your 205 60 / 16.
A 215 60 would cut those #'s in half.

Tell me what you think?

Thanks,

Bob

hmm i have been running a gy tt on my Rouge for 2 summers and it works great .205/60/16 . i would recommend using dyna beeds

I also have a VN2000 and need to replace the front tire. Have had no luck finding one. Have you found one yet?

I've given up trying to find a car tire for the front on the VN 2000. I think major front fender modifications woulh be required. I'm going with a Dunlop 150/80 X16 reartire mounted on the front.

Bob

Finally got around to tearing down the bike and going to the darkside .. double darkside actually.
Replaced stock rear with Goodyear TT in 215/60V-16. Perfect fit on 2004 Vulcan without modification, but there is no extra room between the tread and the inner fender guard for a larger diameter tire. Front stock Bridgstone was replaced with Dunlop Rear GT501 150/80VB-16 mounted normally (not reversed) because it just did't look right backwards.

The Goodyear was too stiff to mount with a No-Mar motorcycle tire rig a friend owns, it required a car tire machine to get the bead over the rim. Bead set at about 30 lbs and I am running it at 35 lbs. Front has 2 oz of Dyna Beads & the rear 3 oz.
The rig tracks straight & true. I may play with the rear & front pressures for ride comfort, but with no lean to worry about on a sidecar, I don't know how much it will change handling.

Thanks to all for the information / recommendations for brands & sizes. Dyna-Beads were the way to go.
Photos? ... Working on it, I don't do facebook or any of those other public sites & I don't speak geek well.

Ride safe.