Hi All, I'm new to the site and forum. I did not research prior threads so excuse my ignorance... I have a Honda GL 500 with a Velorex sidecar. I want to get some opinions on what new tires I should go with.
Thanks, Don
Don, welcome aboard, all questions are welcome here.
A little more information would be helpful.
What size tires are you running now?
Looking to go darkside? or stay with MC tires?
Want something for strictly pavement or some off road too?
According to the CCJon to English dictionary...
Going "dark side" means using automotive tires [with their more square tread profile that does not run up the side walls] instead of using tires designed for motorcycles with their round profile tread.
This is a common alternative for sidecar folks and will not void your warranty since you already voided it by attaching a sidecar. In general, automotive tires last longer and are cheaper than motorcycle tire when used on sidecar rigs.
Hi Guys,
The front on the bike is a 2.15-19, and the rear is 130/90-16. I don't know the sidecar size, but i'm sure it's the stock Velorex tire. Since I will never unmount the sidecar, maybe the car tires would work better? It is not a heavy rig, and not built for speed, so on the other hand the motorcycle tires work fine. Let me know your thoughts on each...
Thanks, Don
Oh, I don't have to worry about warranty as the bike is 35 years old...LOL.
It's hard to beat the OEM 3.50x16" Mitas tire the Velorex uses for longevity. The 4 ply sidecar tire has very good resistance to side pressure that is inherent with sidecars' $120. from Velorex, USA.
Lonnie
NWSC
Don--when you say the front is 2.15x19, that's the size of the rim, right? And is it tubeless? Based on a "yes" to both those questions, you should be able to fit any modern 100/90-19 tire on there, and if the fender has enough clearance you can use a 110/90-19. Revzilla list 27 "touring" tires in 100/90-19 including the Dunlop D404 and Avon AM26, both of which are good sturdy bias-ply tires, and the Metzeler ME888 which is just a really good tire. In the 110 size, Revzilla shows 15 touring tires including the Dunlop 404 and Metzeler ME888, as well as the Bridgestone Exedra bias-ply.
I'm pretty sure your rear rim is 2.50x16. I think the 130/90-16 is about as wide a tire as you can fit on that rim. Revzilla (again) shows a bunch of cruiser/touring tires including the bias-ply D404, the ME888, and the Michelin Commander II which is a real decent tire.
Have owned 5 rigs but Rig #2 is my current one!
I have had really good luck with the Metzler ME888 tire on the front of my GS in that same 19" size and they also make it in the rear size for you. They are made as a big cruiser tire so they would be way overrated as far as load bearing for your rig but that is a good thing. The ME888 come in radial or bias and should not be a problem with the Comstar mags you have.
Will I be able to fit car tires on the bike and sidecar???
Here is the link. https://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.jsp?zip-code=&width=135/&ratio=90&diameter=16&rearWidth=255/&rearRatio=40&rearDiameter=17
Don't be put off by the 'donut' tires, I run one on the rear of my KLR650 rig. A lightweight bike like yours can get 5-6000 miles out of a donut tire. If you want to do more off-road exploring, then a knobby MC tire is best.
Car tires on your rig? Front--no. Not on a skinny 19-inch rim. Rear--you can buy a temporary spare like CCjon suggests, but why? An ME888 is safer and will outlast it. Sidecar--I don't know what size is your rim, but if Lonnie is right that a 3.50x16 fits, then again the question is why? The only thing that might fit would be some kind of temporary spare tire, while there are any number of excellent moto tires that will give you better performance, safety, and longevity.
Have owned 5 rigs but Rig #2 is my current one!
Ned,
You speak with absolute authority. Have you ever tried the compact spares? I'm not challenging you, just asking if this is based on theory or experience. Also, you post here a lot but your profile doesn't tell us much, how about filling us in? Thanks!
Al Olme - 10/26/2016 2:20 PM
Ned,
You speak with absolute authority. Have you ever tried the compact spares? I'm not challenging you, just asking if this is based on theory or experience. Also, you post here a lot but your profile doesn't tell us much, how about filling us in? Thanks!
Al, you could get to know a bit more about Ned aka Drone in the Sit, Stay, Ride the story of America's sidecar dogs video. He's a friend and a good guy.
I'd just like to know more about someone who seems to have so much information and posts so often. 'Pretty sure the "good guy" status is a given based on his participation here.
It's actually based on a friendship that began at the Bigfoot sidecar rally at the Toad Rock campground in August 2013. (See the Sept. '13 issue of the Sidecarist.) Then we were both asked to be part of the Sit Stay Ride video and because of that our paths have crossed more times and we've corresponded via e-mail. And Petey and Kirby are friends. If your dog likes the other guy's dog, that's an indication he must be a good guy. lol... There are people on here who I feel are friends though we've never met personally. Ned is not one of those people. Sven is. We've e-mailed many times over the years off the forum here. Just one example of that kind of friendship. I've actually sat many times eye ball to eye ball with Ned and had conversations that weren't reliant on a keyboard.
