will BT45 120/90 rear tyres fit twin shock r65's?

[ambrose78]

Well it is about time for tyres. Having read prior tyre rants and the article at http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle-tires/sizes.htm, I'm going to go with the BT45 for the next stint as the metzlers may be contributing to head shake.

However I've read conflicting info about what fits on the rear of the twin shock bikes.

Just wondering if anyone has successfully fitted the 120/90 bt45 tyre to the rear of twin shock R65?

Cheers

[Bob_Roller]

A 120 width rear tire, will complicate removal and reinstallation, you need to deflate the tire first, or it's nearly impossible to remove or put back on again, I know, I've had that size tire for about 10 years now .

[weasel01]

I just went thru a tire nightmare...I tried to use a 100/90 on the front and even though some people here run them it absolutely would not fit...
I tried 2 different new Metzlers and they just wouldnt go...ended up going with a 90/90 and it popped right on?

Wanted to go bigger on the back too but ended up using 4.00 x 18 dreading the hassle of deflating and reinflating everytime I pulled the back wheel.

[Justin B.]

I have stuck with a 90/90 on the front and 110/90 on the back.  No clearance issues, keeps very close to the stock geometry, handling is pretty much neutral, couldn't be happier...

[montmil]

Aussie Pete, you may later regret the choice of a 120 profile. I had one and was glad to see it go. All the above info is too true... rubbing on the swingarm, deflate tire to remove and reinstall, I even had to back out a lower shock bolt. Argh!

Of course, the choice and money is your decision so go with whatever makes you happy. Besides, how often do you plan on pulling the rear wheel?  [smiley=2cents.gif]   Monte

[ambrose78]

Thanks. So running a 110/90 for the rear looks like the go.

Would running a 110/80 as per the articles suggestion be a rather rash thing to do if running a 110 rear?

[nhmaf]

Personally, I'd stick with the 90 series ratio to maintain as close to stock turn in  characteristics.    I run a BT45 110/90 on the back of my LS (there is a newest set of thrust sleeves that one can get for the rear wheel that will give you a TINY amount more clearance on the rear swingarm - you'll likely have to pull the grease seals on the rear wheel to replace them - if you want to go that route with a 120/90  tire, I'll try to locate the part numbers, but it won't help any with fender clearances, etc so deflation would still be a likely possibility to remove/install the rear wheel..

A BT45 100/90 fits fine on the front of my  '82 LS.   I think that it gives just a little bit more interstate/high-speed straight line stability than the smaller tire, but it still handles very nicely in the twisties - and I sure hit alot of twisties on the trip last month to the BMWMOA rally.

[bruce_launceston]

Hi Pete, I run BT45's front and rear, 100-90 and 110-90, with no problems. In the past I have run a 120 (might have been an Arrowmax) but it's not worth the hassle.

[ambrose78]

Thanks Bruce,

I think I'll roll on a set of those some time in the next few weeks.

By the way - love the yellow on your LS.

p.