Tire Size for Motor Trike

[Skeet7373]

I sure wish I could find a posting about tire sizes for motor trikes. I vaguely remember, I hate growing old, that many of the owners have gone to a less wide tire for better traction. Is this so and what sizes are you seeing works better. MT shows 225/60/17, but someone said 225/45/17 rides better. I would prefer a 16" if that rides even better.

[Gold Rush]

I sure wish I could find a posting about tire sizes for motor trikes. I vaguely remember, I hate growing old, that many of the owners have gone to a less wide tire for better traction. Is this so and what sizes are you seeing works better. MT shows 225/60/17, but someone said 225/45/17 rides better. I would prefer a 16" if that rides even better.

Just a bit confused here... Your avatar and profile lead me to believe you own/ride a HD yet you are asking questions on the Honda Forum... But hey -- we all bleed red don't we???

By it's nature any size tire in a 16" will ride some smoother then it's 17" counter part simply because there is more sidewall to flex and absorb the bumps. I don't know if I'd go as narrow as a 45 series. That doesn't put much rubber on the road. Usually, going to a narrower tire is to counter the hydroplaning not to gain more traction. More rubber equals more traction.....

Hope that helps you out some..

[Skeet7373]

Yes my avatar is a TG, I joined here back in 2012 when I bought my retirement present to me my new Tri Glide. After 3.5 years of a hate love relationship, it was time to part ways with Mother Harley, so the TG was sold at a loss to me. When I find the right Honda Trike for me then I will change the avatar.

Thanks on the tire info, it makes sense to me. I was wondering why a builder would recommend that tire size that is different than factory.

Karen

[Gold Rush]

Yes my avatar is a TG, I joined here back in 2012 when I bought my retirement present to me my new Tri Glide. After 3.5 years of a hate love relationship, it was time to part ways with Mother Harley, so the TG was sold at a loss to me. When I find the right Honda Trike for me then I will change the avatar.

Thanks on the tire info, it makes sense to me. I was wondering why a builder would recommend that tire size that is different than factory.

Karen

It all becomes clearer now.... Sorry I missed you name in the OP Karen. I would have made the connection then...

16 and 17" wheels look really cool but they do nothing for the ride. Most GL1800 conversions come with 15" wheels but the manufacturer offers larger ones. Personally, I like the 65 series tires. They offer good traction with a bit less tendency to hydroplane... Not that there is much danger of that here in west Texas you understand. On occasion I get out of here so the 65s work best for me. If you can get what ever kit you decide on to do the 65 series I think you'd be happy...

[grumpy]

FWIW 245/60R-17 = Tread width is 245mm. Sidewall height is 60% of tread width. R means radial. 17 is the wheel diameter. 245mm is approximately 10". Overall diameter = 28.57" If going from a 17" tire/wheel combination to a 15" you would have to change the width or the sidewall or both to retain the same overall diameter. Closest match would be a 265/65-15, diameter of 28.56". About 3/4" wider & 3/4" taller sidewall. Here is a link to a page where you can compare any tire/wheel combo to any other. http://ejelta.com/tiresize/index.htm...eel=&maxwheel=

[Gold Rush]

Karen, if you decide to go with the 17" wheel, I'd suggest the 205/65-17. It's only .5% shorter (27.49" vs 27.63") and @ 50 mph would only be off .25 mph. That would let you have the cool and still keep the tire width down so the trike would be less prone to hydroplane.

The down side is the side wall is a tiny bit shorter so again you'd have a rougher ride. Just depends on the choice between cool and comfort..... Your ride - Your choice...

[Skeet7373]

Thanks for the tire info, I'm always willing to learn stuff even if I don't undersand it. Yep, the 17" look cool, and then again I'm thinking which would be a better ride...decisions.

[clint44]

Just a bit confused here... Your avatar and profile lead me to believe you own/ride a HD yet you are asking questions on the Honda Forum... But hey -- we all bleed red don't we???

By it's nature any size tire in a 16" will ride some smoother then it's 17" counter part simply because there is more sidewall to flex and absorb the bumps. I don't know if I'd go as narrow as a 45 series. That doesn't put much rubber on the road. Usually, going to a narrower tire is to counter the hydroplaning not to gain more traction. More rubber equals more traction.....

Hope that helps you out some..

A 45 series isn't any narrower than a 65 series. Those are aspect ratios. A 45 series aspect ratio means the tire sidewall is 45% as tall as the tire is wide. Only difference between a 205/45/17 and a 205/65/17 (that size doesn't exist) is overall tire diameter.
205 = tire width, 45 = aspect ratio (or what we call profile),and 17" = wheel diameter

- - - Updated - - -

Thanks for the tire info, I'm always willing to learn stuff even if I don't undersand it. Yep, the 17" look cool, and then again I'm thinking which would be a better ride...decisions.

With an independent rear suspension,you probably won't notice much difference in ride quality unless the tires have really short sidewalls. If you want 17's,go for it.

[clint44]

I sure wish I could find a posting about tire sizes for motor trikes. I vaguely remember, I hate growing old, that many of the owners have gone to a less wide tire for better traction. Is this so and what sizes are you seeing works better. MT shows 225/60/17, but someone said 225/45/17 rides better. I would prefer a 16" if that rides even better.

All else being equal,a narrower tire will have less traction,not more. Motor Trike lists a 225/60/17 size for their conversion. That tire is 27.6" tall. The closest in a 16" would be a 225/65/16,which is 27.5" tall. The former tires would have a 5.3" tall sidewall and the latter would be almost the same. Just depends on whether you want 16" or 17" wheels.

[Skeet7373]

Which brand of tire is better at not hydroplaning?

[Gold Rush]

Which brand of tire is better at not hydroplaning?

Tire shopping takes some serious time Karen. Once you choose the size then you start looking at traction ratings and tread patterns. The manufacturer rates traction and you will need to balance that with an open tread pattern that will disperse water effectively. The number and width of groove effect traction and water shed. It's another trade off.... Sorry I couldn't narrow that down more. A trip to a trusted tire shop might help a lot...l

[Gorilla]

All tires will hydroplane at a high enough speed. At what point depends on the tire design, the weight on the tire and YOUR SPEED. Police Car tires are designed to not hydroplane at low speeds but the design of the tread and the gripping power of the rubber the tires are made of means they only last about 20k miles. A police car tire will hydroplane just like any other tire but just at a higher speed and the amount of water on the road. I have hydroplane one at 55 mph in 1 inch on standing water. Like I said the trade off is tire wear mileage because, you have less contact rubber on the pavement, because of the water grooves. But the real key to hydroplaning is SLOW DOWN. Speed is the one factor that you have real control over. Tires have a traction rating "AA" "A" "B" "C" with the best being "AA". This rates the tires ability to stop on wet pavement. It MIGHT equate somewhat to a tires resistance to hydroplaning but they do not come out and say that.

[clint44]

I guess I've lived a sheltered life because in 45yrs of driving cars,trucks,bikes,and trikes,I have only experienced hydroplaning one time. The vehicle was my 1969 El Camino protourer with 275/40/17 front and 335/30/17 rear Kumho DOT tires.(basically road race slicks w/minimal rain grooves & siping) We were on the 2004 Hot Rod Magazine "Power Tour",heading to Green Bay,WI. It rained a bunch on the 1,200 mile tour and only once did the car get a little loose.

Our Boss Hoss trike never did it and it had much bigger tires than our Harley trike. However,enough of you folks are very concerned about this issue so the first time I drive our trike in the rain,I'll pay even more attention than normal.

[Gold Rush]

I guess I've lived a sheltered life because in 45yrs of driving cars,trucks,bikes,and trikes,I have only experienced hydroplaning one time. The vehicle was my 1969 El Camino protourer with 275/40/17 front and 335/30/17 rear Kumho DOT tires.(basically road race slicks w/minimal rain grooves & siping) We were on the 2004 Hot Rod Magazine "Power Tour",heading to Green Bay,WI. It rained a bunch on the 1,200 mile tour and only once did the car get a little loose.

Our Boss Hoss trike never did it and it had much bigger tires than our Harley trike. However,enough of you folks are very concerned about this issue so the first time I drive our trike in the rain,I'll pay even more attention than normal.

Can't say that I have ever hydroplaned either Clint. One time on my '06 as a two wheeler it got awful loose but that was while slowing down so I think I just lost traction on wet street. I understand the principle and I know several have actually accomplished is.. Sure doesn't break my heart not to be one of them.... I never have been a huge fan of riding in the rain so that may account for my lack of participation...