how wide can my tire be?

Wondering how wide of a tire I can put on a factory rim off an 82 xj750. I know I can't go much wider without bumping into the swingarm, but there is room there. I just don't know how it is with motorcycles when getting a tire that's wider than the rim. Will that affect the ride in a bad way?

 

You're pretty much limited to the stock size tire because of the rim width and swing-arm clearance.

Tony

 

Well I notice I have about an inch from the tire to the swingarm so I figured if I went an extra inch wider (1/2 inch on each side) it would clear, but not sure if I could do that on the stock rim

 

Right, using a wider tire on a rim not designed for it will not be very safe.

What size is on it now?

Tony

 

I have a 1993 xj600 which calls for a 130/70 x 18 on the back. I was able to put a 150/70 x 18 on with no adverse effects. It fit fine and I've never had any issues. 20mm doesn't make a huge difference but my thinking is the more rubber on the road the better.

 

Stock rear is 130/90-16 I believe

 

Nope. Stock rear on mine is a 130/70 x 18. Also says it in the manual.

 

Oh my bad its a 120/90-18

 

The 600 doesn't have a driveshaft to clear.

Unless someone wants to get REALLY creative, we're stuck with stock.

"NEW MEMBERS - your rear brakes come unglued and 7 year old tires are unsafe
35 year old hydraulic brakes need all-new rubber parts. "

 

The OP's 750 is pretty much limited to the stock tire width. There is about 1/8 of an inch clearance on the driveshaft side (it looks like more, but it isn't. the tire has to fit past the narrowest part of the swingarm gap to be able to fit). If he can find a tire with no shoulder at the sidewall transition he can fit a 130. Stock is a 120/90 18, which is plenty wide for the machine. Wider ≠ better for most street bikes.

 

i fit a 130/90/18 kenda in my seca after a little filing on the swingarm weld. now there's about .030 clearance. not all 130/90/18 tires have the same maximum width

 

What kind of tire did you go with?

 

economical (el cheapo) kenda challenger

 

If you're gonna be as close as Polock's, make sure you measure when the tire is WARM.......that's when it will be expanded the most, too---

 

Hi! I have xj650 seca -82. Can i but 110/80 -19 front and 140/80 -18 to rear? The tires i have plan are Heidenau k60 scout. I think that the front tire is not the problem but the rear tire i`m not sure-

 

I have 110/90/19-140/90/16 on my 82 750 Maxim, significantly improved handling and stability, much more Responsive. I've been considering a 150/70 Rear, but I think I would have to make a Spacer for the Drive gear in the Rear Tire to keep it from rubbing...

 

Jerrod, I'm wondering why you want to change from stock? Yamaha has always put a LOT of work into getting the handling of their motorcycles just right. Motorcycle tires are round on the bottom so the contact patch will not change by changing the size of the tire. The only thing that will change is the geometry of your motorcycle which could affect the handling. Have a look at https://global.yamaha-motor.com/stories/yamaha-handling/ before changing from OEM spec.

 

nice read

 

Below is just a random bias-ply tire I selected from Bridgestone
https://www.bridgestone.com/products/motorcycle_tires/products/detail/pr140/

For the 16" rear they list these tires:
130/90B16 M/C 73H RFD TL 3.00 2.50～3.50 639 130
140/90B16 M/C 77H RFD TL 3.50 2.75～3.75 660 144
150/80B16 M/C 77H RFD TL 3.50 3.00～4.25 647 151

All 3 of these can be mounted on the 3" wide Maxim rim without distorting the profile of the tire.
The 1st number is the suggested (ideal) rim width, the next 2 numbers are minimum - maximum rim widths.
140 & 150 widths might rub on the drive shaft.
Having said that I would personally stick with the 130/90.

Bigger tires will not improve handling.
One thing, they are heavier and likely to slow down handling and suspension action.

 

But my XJ is no longer Stock in any way, I originally went to the 140 because I was having trouble keeping traction. When I did I realized that it handled better so I went from there. Next thing I'm gonna do is go from a 110/90 to probably a 110/70 in the front.