Tires on 800 -- 150/80-16 rear

Started by Lucky, May 17, 2019, 10:26:22 AM

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Lucky

Thanks Rob -- i hear ya, we all have brand preferences for reasons

i cut my tire sidewall on a piece of angle iron -- so, off comes the rear, and in for a new tire...

exactly the same tire, but a bit more in price -- 150/80-16 .. went and ran it for about 100 miles down back roads --

I love it

"Scout"  800 Drifter
900 classic rear shock
18/ 38t gearing
Michelin Commander II mt/90-16 front 150/80-16 rear
1 3/4 turns on A/F, 1st clip,48 pilot, 160 main - 41mpg
K&N
Marbled and Modified airbox
Vulcan Classic 800 sissy bar
Viking saddle bags

Near future
135 main / 42 pilot

rob f

Gotta chip in my 2 cents on this topic. Stay away from Michelin Commander 2's. Had a bad experience with one and have a sour taste in my mouth with that brand and have vowed to bad mouth them when ever i can.

Put a brand new Commander 2 on my Yamaha Royal Star ( 950 lb bike ) ,left Calgary on a  charity ride with the Military Police across Canada. Got about 3000 miles down the road to PEI and whilst waiting for the ferry noticed that the tire had a bulge the size of my fist on the side wall. From what the tire shop and myself surmised was that the plies had separated and a pocket of air had slipped in-between. Not sure how long I was riding like this but I can tell you that the next 2 hrs to Halifax was a pins and needles ride. Took me 3 months of fighting with Michelin to get reimbursed for the new tire and cost of R&R. To top it all off the sidewall said, "made in Taiwan" or Indonesia ( or one of those 3rd world Asian countries) Not the States.
Better check your "where made" stamp on that tire. Must be a reason that you  are getting a "smoking deal"


boyfootbear

I've replaced the factory original Bridgestones on my '06 800 with 150/80-16 on the front and rear and have never experienced any handleing issues


Lucky

#7
Quote from: Troll on May 17, 2019, 12:19:19 PM

the 150/80-16 tire requires a 3.5" wide rim, the 130/90-16 uses a 3" wide rim. Stuffing that tire on the narrow rim will distort the profile and alter handling characteristics

Troll,
Again, thank you for the safety message, and it lead me to research this a bit more (and I have an email into michelin to confirm) the stated rim sizes for the 150/80-16 are
Max Rim Width   3.50 in.
Measuring Rim Width   3.50 in.
Min Rim Width   3.00 in.
Found here
https://www.denniskirk.com/michelin/commander-ii-tires.pfp544126.prdf
and then clicking on the 150/80-16 and specs

<update - Michelin confirms via email, rim width is 3 to 3.5 - 3.5 is max, tire conforms on 3" 5/22/19>

So, while putting on a 3" may change the shape of the wheel, it is within design parameters - So, likely the case, sure, it's a thing, though not actually out of bounds --

it's interesting to note that the 140/90-16 is ALSO measured on a 3.5" wheel, from the same page

Again, you are correct, that putting on a 3" wheel will give different measurements, and, the drifter wheel is within allowable spec for the tire

this is odd -- the 150 is speced at weighing 2+LBS less than the 140 .. not what I would have expect
"Scout"  800 Drifter
900 classic rear shock
18/ 38t gearing
Michelin Commander II mt/90-16 front 150/80-16 rear
1 3/4 turns on A/F, 1st clip,48 pilot, 160 main - 41mpg
K&N
Marbled and Modified airbox
Vulcan Classic 800 sissy bar
Viking saddle bags

Near future
135 main / 42 pilot

greenbarn

Jeffeosso, seems to me that last time I was looking for tires for my 800, that several manufactures listed the 150/80 as an alternate size.   I think I've seen where several folks have used it.

No Worries

Troll

It's in the service manual as well as many tire suppliers fitment charts. The 800 uses a 3x16" wheel at both ends, the 1500 uses a 3.5x16" wheel at the rear, the 3"x 16" wheel at the front.

Recovering H-D owner...W-650 Cafe' No excuses...Ride it or sell it to someone who will!

Lucky

Troll
I re-read your post, and saw that you said 130 ..3" vs 140..3", which may have lead to my failure to communicate well. The tire guy said the rear is 3.5, but idk

This went on the rear, with less issue that reinstalling the replacement (same size as was" front. Zero clearance issues

If there were wheels to support them, there is a great deal more clearance back there.

With new Michelin commander ii tires, it handles much better. Far more authoritative in Corning and feels better going down the road.

The Dunlop elite 3 (unknown mileage) which came on the bike when I bought it, had xx09 date stamps.

Btw, the front COULD take a wider tire, and stock would install on the bike easier,. If we used the racing bicycle trick of deflating tire during install. However I would STRONGLY SUGGEST that one maintain the same sidewall height ... Both due to clearance needs of the front caliper

"Scout"  800 Drifter
900 classic rear shock
18/ 38t gearing
Michelin Commander II mt/90-16 front 150/80-16 rear
1 3/4 turns on A/F, 1st clip,48 pilot, 160 main - 41mpg
K&N
Marbled and Modified airbox
Vulcan Classic 800 sissy bar
Viking saddle bags

Near future
135 main / 42 pilot

Lucky

Hi Troll
Not discounting what you have said, do you have anything that references that? as that goes against what I have understood and I'd like to clear it up. Several places call for 3 to 4 " rim for the tire and if you could help me be safe i sure would appreciate that.

I do appreciate the reply and safety notice.

Michelin does list the 150 as fitting the bike. 

"Scout"  800 Drifter
900 classic rear shock
18/ 38t gearing
Michelin Commander II mt/90-16 front 150/80-16 rear
1 3/4 turns on A/F, 1st clip,48 pilot, 160 main - 41mpg
K&N
Marbled and Modified airbox
Vulcan Classic 800 sissy bar
Viking saddle bags

Near future
135 main / 42 pilot

Troll

the 150/80-16 tire requires a 3.5" wide rim, the 130/90-16 uses a 3" wide rim. Stuffing that tire on the narrow rim will distort the profile and alter handling characteristics

Recovering H-D owner...W-650 Cafe' No excuses...Ride it or sell it to someone who will!

Lucky

(i did try searching first)

Anyone try a 150/80-16 michelin commander II on the 800 rear?
it's 0.39" wider and a -0.47 diameter --  (0.235 lower/shorter -- but, i am going to a taller rear shock, EVENTUALLY)

Which is .02 wider, per side, and i am going to a 38 sprocket anyway ...

why the 150/80? i have a SCREAMING good deal on ONE

"Scout"  800 Drifter
900 classic rear shock
18/ 38t gearing
Michelin Commander II mt/90-16 front 150/80-16 rear
1 3/4 turns on A/F, 1st clip,48 pilot, 160 main - 41mpg
K&N
Marbled and Modified airbox
Vulcan Classic 800 sissy bar
Viking saddle bags

Near future
135 main / 42 pilot

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