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160 Back Tire for 2016 Gunner

16K views 31 replies 10 participants last post by  Ronnycruise 
#1 ·
The 140 that comes on the Gunner is fine, but I'd like to put a 160 on it at the next tire change.

Will the back wheel accommodate a 160? Has anyone tried this?

Thanks!
 
#2 ·
Hi Kevin,

I can see the discussion went not so far on the subject;)

Have you found anywhere else the satisfactory answer to yur quest? I mean not the one like: "It's recommended so and so rim width for 160 tyre" or "Why you want to change something what was designed to be like it is, are you wiser than the bike designers?" or "You want wide tyre, why not go for Hammer instead". I'm sick already with some forums and their advisors.
I also do plan 160 on the rear first change, however it's still some 3 years to go... What I know, the High Ball in 2012-13 came with 150 rear on same 3.5" rim, I hope 160 shall be on the upper limit for the rim, but better to find one who tried. 150 is still not wide enough:grin
BTW there is a lot more 'bout the tyres in HB section of the forum. Looks like HB owners are far more eager in customizing, cutting and cropping their rides. I know, coz last winter I read most of the topics over there while still orientated on buying the HB. Myself not so old yet, but always had in my head the only cruise bike picture with "real", shining, spoked wheels. On the other hand, mature enough to leave behind all the shining, chrome leaking armature... Then I saw the High Ball, the picturesque of my imaginations of perfect cruiser. HB attracted me to new Victory line, which I started exploring, and when I saw the Gunner's wheels, I was sold. Cast aluminium, bare-metal-edged spokes... Even my wife didn't tell it looked like from museum:wink
Back to the tyres, I saw a couple HiBalls with 200 rear. With no modifications to the swingarm and even original rear fender. Of course on rim wide enough. I do not want to get rid of stock rim, but If 200 fits, I am sure 160 will easily find enough clearance for free rolling.
Some say the high profile tyres are less vulnerable to rim width. In other words you can put (reasonably) wider tire on narrow rim and it won't loose the shape as easily as the low-profile one. It sounds logically, there were even cross section sketches for the two cases in one of sport bikes' forums.

As for today, I'm nearly sure I will go for 160 in a couple of years. I assume 10mm (less than half of inch) extra rubber each side will not be too much for the stock rims. But I will know for sure only when I try... unless I met one, who tried already and failed. Maybe you wanna be the first?...;)
 
#3 · (Edited)
Funny, I'd forgotten all about this post. I haven't talked to anybody yet, because I'm not anywhere near ready to get a new tire either.

I've put 4000 miles on the bike since I posted that question, and the tread still looks pretty darn good.

You made some good points. I've put wider tires on bikes in the past, with no problems. The last time, I put a 180 on the rear of my '07 Super Glide - on the stock rim. Stock size was 160. The 180 looked better and handled just fine.
 
#7 ·
Funny, I'd forgotten all about this post. I haven't talked to anybody yet, because I'm not anywhere near ready to get a new tire either.

I've put 4000 miles on the bike since I posted that question,
Dead sure you will be the first one to decide what size to put on:grin
I bought mine this early April with some 160 miles and due to unusualy unfavorable weather just managed to reach 500 for first service. And now I'm in separation until end of June... I promise to try my best, but cannot see even coming close enough to see your back ahead of me;)
 
#9 ·
Got a friend who just put a Metzler Marathon 160 on his Judge. No issues at all...fitting or handling.
I'm assuming the clearance between the Judge swing-arm is similar to a Gunner.
 
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#10 ·
Avon Cobra 160/80

I just ordered an Avon Cobra 160/80 for the rear on my 2016 Gunner. Avon specs say the tyre can be used on a 3.5-4.5 wide rim. The guard, swingarm and belt seem to provide more than enough clearance. 1cm extra from stock on each side. The tyre should also increase the overall diameter by 12mm, to improve clearance and presumably improve ride comfort. Too bad I only realised that I could fit a 160/80 a week after I bought a new 140/90 Cobra (and 130/90 for the front). At least I have a brand new spare for the back now. :)
 
#13 ·
I just ordered an Avon Cobra 160/80 for the rear on my 2016 Gunner. Avon specs say the tyre can be used on a 3.5-4.5 wide rim. The guard, swingarm and belt seem to provide more than enough clearance. 1cm extra from stock on each side. The tyre should also increase the overall diameter by 12mm, to improve clearance and presumably improve ride comfort. Too bad I only realised that I could fit a 160/80 a week after I bought a new 140/90 Cobra (and 130/90 for the front). At least I have a brand new spare for the back now. :)
You're right, just now I visited Avon web, and their 160/80 will fit 3.5 rim. That's good news. For some of the manufacturers I've checked before, they reccommend 4" for 160 tyre.
Now waiting for the pics.:grin
 
#11 ·
I'll probably go with a bigger tire as well.
 
#12 ·
avonmoto

i quite often use the avonmoto site to check specs, they vary a bit for different manufacturers but not an issue unless clearances are close. the actual shape of tyres vary as well with some more rounded-sporty giving better handling like my fave night dragons, + some like dunrocks flatter profile for higher mileage, like oil lots of choices
 
#14 · (Edited)
160/80 16 Avon Cobra rear on Gunner

Here's the 160/80 Cobra AV72, in place of the 140/90 Cobra AV72, which I bought two weeks ago, before I realised I could fit the 160/80 on the 3.5 rim. It was worth writing off the 140/90. The bike feels much better planted, more solid and more comfortable. Also looks more like it should have stock. Not quite as easily flickable now, but the benefits are worth it. The height of this tyre is 11mm more than the 140/90, so I can afford to adjust the rear shock back down by that much (currently 22mm above stock), to fill out the rear guard more. Will decide whether to do that or just exploit the extra ground clearance after some extended riding.
 

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#15 ·
Here's the 160/80 Cobra AV72, in place of the 140/90 Cobra AV72, which I bought two weeks ago, before I realised I could fit the 160/80 on the 3.5 rim. It was worth writing off the 140/90. The bike feels much better planted, more solid and more comfortable. Also looks more like it should have stock. Not quite as easily flickable now, but the benefits are worth it. The height of this tyre is 11mm more than the 140/90, so I can afford to adjust the rear shock back down by that much (currently 22mm above stock), to fill out the rear guard more. Will decide whether to do that or just exploit the extra ground clearance after some extended riding.
Only 20mm but looks much better. Looks serious. More mature. As it should. I lke it! You're absolutely right: 160 should be the stock:grin
 
#24 ·
Well, I thought about Marathon Ultras, they came in correct size, but for some reasons I cannot download the specification chart. And... I like the Cobras look more.
I would like to go for Michelins Commander II, but they don't have 160 for 16 inch wheel.
Never tried Avons myself, but heard very good opinions of them. And some bad ones as well - as about everything;)... I will know only when I try, and when I do a couple of thousands on them.
 
#31 ·
I have 200 in the rear of my gunner, its a gnats dick away from the inside of the rear mudguard, I wouldnt want to carry a pillion

but it looks so right :)
 
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