Scotty, at Invader Wheels sent me the following “wide tire/comfort zone info”. Enjoy the numbers.
“When bikers call and want to install a wider tire on their hard tail frame, I give them these hard facts. Tire specifications are taken from the Metzeler 2008 V-Twin tire catalog for the Marathon 880 series tires. These are the numbers for a 200 and a 160 series tires”.
200 Series Tire 200/60 R16 (Recommended rim size = 16 x 5.50-6.25, Tire diameter = 25.94″, Tire width = 7.76″). Comfort zone = 25.64-16.0 = 9.64/2 = 4.82 (Tire rim to ground height).
160 Series Tire 160/80 B16 (Recommended rim size = 16 x 3.50-4.50, Tire diameter = 26.06″, Tire width = 6.38″).
Comfort zone = 26.06 -16.0 = 10.06/2 = 5.03 (Tire rim to ground height). Add .5 to the total for spring or shock mounted seat. Add .25 for gel filled seat. Add .25 for backrest. Add .25 for floorboards. Add 1.5 to the total for Softail shocks. Add 1.5 to the total for dual rear spring shocks. Deduct 1 for any tire with a ration of 50 or less. Deduct .25 for 26 to 49 years old. Deduct .75 for 50 years older or younger. Deduct .75 for any back problems. A satisfactory ride comfort zone rating is 5.55 or better.
Comfort Zone Ratings Summary. 3.0 or less = make sure your insurance is paid up.
3.05-4.0 = Iron Butt and Die Hard riders only. 4.05-5.55 = 100 miles or less between pit stops recommended. 5.56 or better… ride safe and have fun…
That’s my rear tire rating system for rider comfort zone. Of course, the mind set of the biker, for just wanting the look of the wider tire, negates any logical quantifying expert opinion. Scotty. Invader Wheels.
This is what I have been trying to tell people for years! Now I have some numbers to use. THANKS! peace
I’m a 4.53, so stops every 100miles. No problem as the petrol tank capacity won’t reach that far!
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Neato…let’s see what “stuff,” if any, returns.
It looks like I had a few typo’s in the text. I need a proof reader. Someone will undoubtedly find them and report back. I would like to see if someone comes up with a new set of calculations. Anyway, it was something to generate some fun.
The bottom line was, to inform bikers in a humorous way, that hard tail frames really do injure your back over the years.
Scotty
Invaderwheels, LLC
614-519-1687