Wider rear tire

[Troll]

Changing the rear tire width will effect handling. Here's a fact about the current tire size on your 800. It's the same size that H-Ds have had since they went to the 16" wheel, up until just recently when they decided to change some models to 17"...

[John Hopkins]

I can't really answer for the 800 because I ride a 1500, but the 1500 is a pretty heavy bike and it handles like a dream, with the correct size tires on I feel confident enough to lean into the corners until the boards scrape and take the bike as fast as it will go (107mph) and hold it there until it runs out of fuel (70 miles to reserve), I wouldn't feel confident with the wrong tires so I wouldn't do it to mine.

Anyway it is a mean looking bike as it is, and as others have said, who is going to say "wow will you look at that rear tire, it's an inch wider than stock." and most of it will be hidden by the fender.

John.

[greenbarn]

I kind of doubt if you could go as wide as a 170.  That's more than an inch wider.  Even if it fits inside the fender, if you put it on the stock rim, it will tend to distort the shape quite a bit.

Let's say the 1 inch extra width will fit, maybe.   Now you have to go to a 170/70-16 to keep the same height (gearing).  A 170/80-16 will be significantly taller - if it doesn't rub, it could very well change the gear ratio significantly.

I have seen many people who go to the 1500 size - 150/80-16, so I think that would work.  I might do that on my 800 this spring.  I wouldn't go any bigger than that.

In my experience, I have found that unless you are talking about a 4wd truck, most things work out better with the stock size tires, or something close.

[kfoster]

10mm would likely be the only size increase that would work. Even then you should go to a lower profile tire to get the correct diameter. So, you might be able to fit a 140/80/16 if such a tire exists. (I have not checked). I regularly use a 180/55 on the rear of my ZRX. It has a 5 inch wide wheel and is specd for a 170/60. I have found that turn-in is not quite as sharp with the larger tire. They are just much more readily available and more frequently on sale. I would think that a 170 or 180 would be a mess on a 3 inch wide wheel.

[CDNRatMan]

 It has been discussed a number of times and I think GreenBarn had the answer for most of the questions and he is a tire guy so let him speak up here, and like Troll said check everything because once you buy it and it does not fit then oh hell what do you do.
Personally I don't think you will be able to go much wider then you have perhaps one size if I remember all the talk, and the difference is not noticeable in any form.

[gdrudd13]

I thought about looking into it, but the tires are more expensive (at least the ones I was going to get) and you really can't see them anyways with a fender and bags on.

[Troll]

Be aware of a few things. aspect ratio. diameter, required wheel width (ex. your 800 has a 3x16 wheel, and runs a 130/90-16 tire, the 1500, for example runs a 150/80-16 tire but has a 3.5x16 wheel) and last but not least, chain clearance. HOMEWORK!!!!

[Matchu116]

I'm looking into getting a new rear tire for my bike. I was looking to get a wider tire to fill the fender more. I was looking at something around a 170 or close but I cant find anything on line as to how wide we can fit. Can anyone answer for sure I'd hate to buy the tire and it not fit.