2003 motortrike solid axle.would lower profile tires give me more suspension travel ?

[abefroman]

I love my 2003 goldwing trike but being a solid axle, it is kinda hard on my neck and spine. The thing is, is that the rear tires are huge.. they completely fill up the wheel well and, although I havent measured it, just by eyeballing it, it only looks like I've got about an inch or two of clearance between the tire and the inside of the wheel well. If I dont keep the airbags pumped to 22psi+ or so, they rub in the corners.

The tires are the ones that came with the bike. I bought it about 7-8 months ago. The tires are in good condition, but I was wondering that if I go with a lower profile tire I would get more suspension travel and maybe a better ride. I do keep the tire pressure way low for a smoother ride. I should probably mention that I've changed out the airbags to ones i bought from airbagit.com.. BAGA-800-LONG 800# Long Airspring Bag 1/8"NPT port Dia 3.50" B1868

whatta ya think ? this is the only pic I've got right now, hopefully you can see how the tires fill up the wheel well.

Oh also, would going to an Aluminum wheel make any difference ??? and if so, what size / offset should I look for ?

Cheers

[rhino 2]

I love my 2003 goldwing trike but being a solid axle, it is kinda hard on my neck and spine. The thing is, is that the rear tires are huge.. they completely fill up the wheel well and, although I havent measured it, just by eyeballing it, it only looks like I've got about an inch or two of clearance between the tire and the inside of the wheel well. If I dont keep the airbags pumped to 22psi+ or so, they rub in the corners.

The tires are the ones that came with the bike. I bought it about 7-8 months ago. The tires are in good condition, but I was wondering that if I go with a lower profile tire I would get more suspension travel and maybe a better ride. I do keep the tire pressure way low for a smoother ride. I should probably mention that I've changed out the airbags to ones i bought from airbagit.com.. BAGA-800-LONG 800# Long Airspring Bag 1/8"NPT port Dia 3.50" B1868

whatta ya think ? this is the only pic I've got right now, hopefully you can see how the tires fill up the wheel well.

Oh also, would going to an Aluminum wheel make any difference ??? and if so, what size / offset should I look for ?

Cheers

Normally lower profile tires will give a harder ride what with less sidewall cushioning....

What size tires are on there now........

[wehrme]

Wheels look just like mine - came with the trike.

Your tires do look larger to me...

[FuzzyWuzHe]

As Rhino stated ... Low profile tires will stiffen the ride, but, a little lower with less air in the bags might be a winner ... just don't go too low ... did that on a truck once ... major drama and really bad ride ...

[radismukes]

Normally lower profile tires will give a harder ride what with less sidewall cushioning....

What size tires are on there now........

I have a 2007 GL motortrike razor kit, it came with 225/R60/15 tires.

[msrvpeig]

I agree that lower profile tires would create a "stiffer" ride. I run 205/70/15 tires on my 2005 MT solid axle@22lbs. That's a little "skinner" and a little bit smaller diameter. No problem with fender clearance issues. Remember, there is also a shock adjustment you can try once you solve the clearance issue.

[NC Triker]

I had a Gold Wing with a Motor Trike kit. You are right, the tires are big and fill the wheel well. I ran 24 PSI in the rear tires and about 25 PSI in the air bags. I had spring over shocks that I could adjust for a little more clearance in the wheel well.

[RUMRUNR]

I love my 2003 goldwing trike but being a solid axle, it is kinda hard on my neck and spine. The thing is, is that the rear tires are huge.. they completely fill up the wheel well and, although I havent measured it, just by eyeballing it, it only looks like I've got about an inch or two of clearance between the tire and the inside of the wheel well. If I dont keep the airbags pumped to 22psi+ or so, they rub in the corners.

The tires are the ones that came with the bike. I bought it about 7-8 months ago. The tires are in good condition, but I was wondering that if I go with a lower profile tire I would get more suspension travel and maybe a better ride. I do keep the tire pressure way low for a smoother ride. I should probably mention that I've changed out the airbags to ones i bought from airbagit.com.. BAGA-800-LONG 800# Long Airspring Bag 1/8"NPT port Dia 3.50" B1868

whatta ya think ? this is the only pic I've got right now, hopefully you can see how the tires fill up the wheel well.

Oh also, would going to an Aluminum wheel make any difference ??? and if so, what size / offset should I look for ?

Cheers

What part of the tire is rubbing?

[CrystalPistol]

I love my 2003 goldwing trike but being a solid axle, it is kinda hard on my neck and spine. The thing is, is that the rear tires are huge.. they completely fill up the wheel well and, although I havent measured it, just by eyeballing it, it only looks like I've got about an inch or two of clearance between the tire and the inside of the wheel well. If I dont keep the airbags pumped to 22psi+ or so, they rub in the corners. Are you saying the rear axle moves sideways an inch or two? That seems a lot for a SA trike. I can just get my fingers between the tire sidewall and fender lip, but never rubs. I know, MT uses links instead of a swing arm, but just seems like a lot.

I don't know what that 22 psi in your airbags translates to, but 22-25 psi is all I run in rear 215/70-15 tires. 22psi normal & 25psi loaded & two up & pulling trailer.

The tires are the ones that came with the bike. I bought it about 7-8 months ago. The tires are in good condition, but I was wondering that if I go with a lower profile tire I would get more suspension travel and maybe a better ride. I do keep the tire pressure way low for a smoother ride. I should probably mention that I've changed out the airbags to ones i bought from airbagit.com.. BAGA-800-LONG 800# Long Airspring Bag 1/8"NPT port Dia 3.50" B1868It might help to know the actual size of tire? Those air bag numbers, size, don't mean a lot in absence of the size removed.

whatta ya think ? this is the only pic I've got right now, hopefully you can see how the tires fill up the wheel well. I like tires that fill wheel wells without rubbing. Lower profile tires will mean shorter sidewalls for less cushion.

Oh also, would going to an Aluminum wheel make any difference ??? and if so, what size / offset should I look for ?Alloy wheels are lighter than steel, which results in less un-sprung weight, which means a better ride, but don't know that it'll be enough to notice.

Cheers

Good Luck!

[KYBubblehead]

I love my 2003 goldwing trike but being a solid axle, it is kinda hard on my neck and spine.

​I also have a M/T solid axle conversion. 19 psi in the tires and 15 psi in the air shocks works best for me. As others have mentioned, a lower profile tire usually translates to a stiffer ride. Make sure the preload on the shocks is on the softest setting....

[cjmitch]

If I dont keep the airbags pumped to 22psi+ or so, they rub in the corners.

You air bags should NEVER be that low... EVER

The tires are in good condition, but I was wondering that if I go with a lower profile tire I would get more suspension travel and maybe a better ride.

But you will lose he cushioning of the sidewall, so not it will not make a softer ride.

But i would go with a narrower tire that the ones that came with straight axles. they are too wide for the weight they carry, an make hydroplaining a great concern. Go with 70's or 75's

[alwrmcusn]

JMO: I have a 2008 GL1800 with a 2013 Motor Trike conversion. A few months ago the air line burst while on a long distance ride. Had to trailer it home, BUMMER!

It was a quick fix but the accident was helpfully informative.

I contacted Motor Trike who explained how and why the air suspension worked. I had never paid any attention to it before and really had no idea it was even part of the conversion. I just assumed that the regular shock absorbers were the entire rear suspension.

Motor Trike told me that for two up riding with my wife and I combined weight would be best set to about 50-60 PSI. It had always shown an indicated 20 PSI before the accident. When I picked the trike up after the repair the mechanic gave me a demonstration of the air settings. I discovered that at 60 PSI (always ALWAYS adjust the PSI while off the trike Motor Trike said). Now when I get ready to ride I slide my fingers into the fender well and just across the top of the tire and that gives me a visual that my settings are just right. I also keep the same 50-60 PSI when riding solo. Some people say they might notice the difference but I simply like the setting.