Just install my rear tire. Decided to go with the dunlop 404 but went to a 170/80 rear tire. Let me tell you you wouldn't belive the ride diffrence. I am so please the the handling of the bike and how much control you have when cornering. And the only thing I had to do was install the drive shaft to the wheel befor putting it in. Still have plenty of clearence. I recomend going with the wider tire if you want more stability and control.

And lower rpms! Mine runs about 500 rpms less now with the 170/80.
I also have the Dunlop 404.

And lower rpms! Mine runs about 500 rpms less now with the 170/80.
I also have the Dunlop 404.

Well, you would think so, but you're the first one I've seen post on the lower rpms. Good info! I know what my next rear tire will be...

I rode my bike to work today and I work About 45 miles from home all highway miles. The rpms were deffently down and when I was doing about
65mph it didn't shoud like the motor was under as much strain as before the bigger tire.

I have a 200 instead of stock 170 on my Meanie and it made a big difference in handling. Didn't hurt in the looks dept either !!

Jon

Sorry for being such newb goofball but if I understand correctly you guys are running bigger overall tire AND wider front and back. And the result is a smoother ride, better handling, and lower engine rev to preform on the highway. Is that correct?

So what is lost if anyhting? Gas mileage perhaps?

I need new tires and want to save as much money as possible what do you all recommmend?

No you don't even lose gas mileage. A little low end power maybe as there is just a teeny tiny bit more to spin but because your rpms are lower with the rear tire your bike is not burning quite as much.
Now the 110 front tire will make your speedo a bit truer. They are usually about 5-10% off. So if you were thinking you were doing 50, you probably were actually close to doing 45 mph. With the 110 front tire, 50 mph is much closer to actual.

Thanks Dianna,

I feel like this bike has plenty of low end torque and plenty of top speed for my abilities so sacrificing either of those for improvements in other areas is a welcome trade for me.

I also like the look of big, thick, tall and fat tires.

How big can we go without having to modify or change rims?

I believe the 170/80 is the limit. It's not so much rim fitting but swingarm clearance. I believe a 180/xx would rub against the swingarm in certain situations.

and the front?

Should be about the same. As it is because I have the VN750 Tour package fender on my front wheel, I can not run a 110 tire, it will rub on the fender sides.
You can with a stock fender though.

iHAVE A 110/90 ON FRT WORKS PERFECT ASLONG AS YOU HAVE A STOCK FENDER

will the metzeler me 880 170/80 - 15 work on the vulcan.

darrelc5 is running a ME880 170/80HB-15 on his.
Might want to drop hiim a note to see if it's a stock rear end.

Just install my rear tire. Decided to go with the dunlop 404 but went to a 170/80 rear tire. Let me tell you you wouldn't belive the ride diffrence. I am so please the the handling of the bike and how much control you have when cornering. And the only thing I had to do was install the drive shaft to the wheel befor putting it in. Still have plenty of clearence. I recomend going with the wider tire if you want more stability and control.


I have been running 170 80/15 irc Wild flares on my back end and i have never had to remove the final drive to pull the rear tire off. I know its a tight fit but if you angle the wheel just rigt you can coax (nice word for a gentle SMACK here and there) past the final drive and the frame.

:smiley_th

how do you know if you have the stock fender or the tour package fender?

See the folder here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ddhughey0620/sets/72157600678736436/
the teal is the Tour Pack fender, the black one is a GL1100 Fender
Both are longer than the OEM Fender.
The GL1100 is a bit wider and you can use a 110 tire with it.
The Tour Pac is a bit narrower than OEM and a 110 will rub.

.
Now the 110 front tire will make your speedo a bit truer. They are usually about 5-10% off. So if you were thinking you were doing 50, you probably were actually close to doing 45 mph. With the 110 front tire, 50 mph is much closer to actual.

I think it’s closer to 5%. I have 404’s stock size. When my speedometer shows 50 my GPS shows 48. At 70 the GPS shows 67. Also my truck is off about the same amount, so it’s not just a bike thing.

See the folder here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ddhughey0620/sets/72157600678736436/
the teal is the Tour Pack fender, the black one is a GL1100 Fender
Both are longer than the OEM Fender.
The GL1100 is a bit wider and you can use a 110 tire with it.
The Tour Pac is a bit narrower than OEM and a 110 will rub.

Thanks for the pictures Dianna. I definately do not have the GL1100 fender. But am having trouble on seeing a difference between the OEM and tour pack fender? How much longer is it? Is the picture on the front page of an OEM one? I am wanting to get tires this weekend and was planning on getting the 110, but now wanting to make sure it will fit.

Looking at the picture at the top of the page, that is an OEM fender.
the tourpack fender comes down lower in the back to almost the next spoke on the wheel and the front entends a little forward and has a more squared off look. XChances are you have an OEM. The tour pac ones are very rare and harder to find then hen's teeth.

I just put a MZ 880 170/80-15 on this evening, and I don't have any rubbing on mine at all. I am very happy with the new tire and I have noticed an RPM drop at 70 mph. Now it is 4600rpm instead of 5000rpm.:motorcycl