Rear Tyre Size

I need to replace the rear tyre on my XJ900.

Currently I have a 120/90-18 size tyre on the back (Michelin) and considering replacing it with a Bridgestone BT45 of the same size.

Anyone know if a 130 width tyre will fit without rubbing up against the swingarm?

Thanks.

 

It would probably work but walk into a shop and take a 120 width tire and a 130 width tire and squeeze it the same as the rim will. Then look at the profile of each tire. Most likely the 130 will be a smaller radius because the tire is pinched more than it should be. If you have the 120 rear and have chicken strips, then you will never get to the sides of the 130 rear. Since the radius is actually smaller with the 130 than the 120 you will probably wind up with a smaller contact patch of rubber. When I was racing I started out using the 130's and went to the 120 width. The rear tire felt alot better.
You are putting this on the 900, I was using it on the seca 550. Your rear rim might be wider than the stock 2.25 width, atleast I think the 550's was a 2.25 width. If you have the 2.5 width rear tire then go for it and try it and see how it works. Hopefully someone here has the 900 and can help you out.

Sean

 

I don't know about the 900, but I just put a 130/90V 16 BT45 on the rear of my 81 xj650 and it fits fine.

 

My xj900 as a Dunlop Elite SP 130/80-16" and I'm not getting any rubbing.

 

Thanks for the feedback.

Have done my homework at the cycle shops in my lunchbreak and it seems the best and safest way to go is to use the recommended
120/90-18 size. I was told the 130/80-18 would fit without rubbing the swingarm but it was not a recommended siz for the 900, probably for the reasons stated above regarding amount of rubber touching the road.

The standard 120/90 has worked well for my last 20,000kms so, when you're onto a good thing...stick to it unless there's a compelling reason to change.

 

(I know it's an old post . . .)
I just mounted a Bridgestone Spitfire S11R - - 130/90-18 without rubbing, but it's as close as you can go.
0.130 " to the brake strut - - 0.050 to the driveshaft !!
Probablly a couple hundred RPM lower at hiway speed too.

Didn't realize that bit about "pinching" the tire reducing the contact patch, prolly doesn't matter for me. The old tire had thick, juicy chicken strips :lol: .