tires

I'm a total newbie to sidecars so it will be interesting to hear if there are car tires lurking out there in sizes to fit your rims. I've never seen a car tire even close to those sizes.Narrow car tires normally have small diameter rims. Trailer tires probably come the closest to being a close width match but would probably be on 10, 12 or 13 inch rims.

I suspect that for you to run car tires you'll have to have new rims laced up to your hubs and the size will be limited by the clearance between your forks and the rear swingarm. So, for rims and spokes figure about $250/wheel. So, $750 for all three wheels. You can buy a lot of Duro sidecar tires for that money and the tug can always be returned to solo status.

regards,
Rob

There are two vendors for 18" and 19" sidecar block flat tread tires for this bike. Avon makes one size and Michelin makes the other.
I never have re-tired a beemer but have had many in the shop for sidecars that were so equip'd.

My last Beemer rig had them installed by Big Twin BMW in Boise.

Lonnie

Lonnie,

Did you mean Metzler when you said Michelin? The 4.00 x 18 Block K is still available. I run 3 of them on my rig.

Yep,
I sure did. I didn't run enough miles to tell how well they lasted.
Do you recommend them for an overall price/mile value?

Lonnie

I think they're a pretty good value. BikeBandit has them for a little over $100 each. I get more then 10,000 miles on a pusher tire but remember, I have an old lower power rig with these tires.

Running a Heidenau K-28 (4.00x18) on the front, dramatic improvement over the standard Bridgestone tyre that the bike had when Jay hacked it for us.

Solved the low speed head shake, I can still overpower the improved traction with spirited riding, still trying to learn how to add a little front brake to shift the weight onto the front end on right hand bends (car on the starboard side - officially we're left hand drive country).

We have been happy with Heidenau tires, they have tires in your size and soon will also have a 4:00 19.
Full disclosure, we are a dealer for Heinenau tires, this is the only brand of tire we are a dealer for.
Jay G
DMC sidecars
www.dmcsidecars.com
866-638-1793

Jay, have you tried mounting the 4:00 19 Heidenau K-28 on a R1100GS or similar? Based on the diameter from the Heidenau specs and my inexact ruler, it appears this tire will be too tall to clear the lower fender.