New with sidecar, but already logged ~2K and do drive in wide range of conditions. It occurred to me that we probably do not need a standard rear tire with a rig: bike does NOT lean. On the other hand with additional weight of the sidecar we put like 200% load on the rear wheel: pulling the extra weight, extra drag, extra braking and all of it on the central portion of the thread. I have worn out my tire almost completely on that central part, sides are nearly new. Question/suggestion: are there special kind of tires for the rigs with flat surface, may be wider; are there tires with better longevity for this particular application; may be it's worth to change the whole rear wheel for something wider?
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The rig is: Yamaha Virago XV250 (twin V-Star 250) with Velorex 562 sidecar
Rear tire 130/90-15
sidecar load ~90 lb
Most of us run a car tire! Check out this site, they have conversion charts and you should be able to find your bike and what will fit! Searches on this site and the second link will get most info needed!
http://mcdarksiders.forumotion.com/
http://advrider.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=56
If you have 18" or 19" wheels sidecar block tires are available. They have a flat tread.
Lonnie
What bike are you running?
Jay G
DMC sidecars
www.dmcsidecars.com
866-638-1793
Thanks fro the quick help! What a surprise, that my "original idea" is like an "invention of a bicycle"... But IT IS TO ME! 😀 THANKS everybody! I researched provided links and beyond and found a perfect (?) solution for MY rig: my stock wheel is 130/90-15 and there is a doughnut 135/90-15. I consider this a perfect fit. The only hesitation: at the bike shop (which agreed to install a car tire (without receipt and paid in cash 🙂 they raised a question which worried me a bit. It is a radial tire. But front wheel and sidecar's wheel both are non-radial. For now I think that the rig is a pretty non-symmetrical structure anyway and this little mis behavior, although definitely would affect braking, is not gonna make it more un-predictable. Just because it already is that: UN predictable... Could anyone calm me down on this? while I run for a cup of calming tea... lol (sidecar is for a little passenger and he is nearly always with me there, so I have a good little reason for concern)
15" motorcycle rims and 15" automobile rims are different size. Mount an auto tire at your (and the mounters) risk of personal injury or worse. The tire also may fail later due to overstretched and damaged bead reinforcement.
An auto will mount safely on a 16" bike rim but the 15" swap is not recommended due to the size difference.
What's your "little passenger" worth?
Lonnie
You scared the bejesus out of me...
I almost ordered the tire today; now I think I'll take the normal motorcycle tire and then gather more info.
Although it's not clear to me where and how. Experience others have and share all with larger wheels.
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Anyway, I've got a Yamaha Virago XV250 (twin V-Star 250)
with Velorex 562 sidecar
Rear tire 130/90-15
sidecar rider with the dog and hockey gear ~90 lb
Front sprocket changed from 16 to 14 teeth
rear sprocket: 45T intend to change to the most teeth count possible (found only 47)
Hack'n - 8/16/2012 3:29 PM
15" motorcycle rims and 15" automobile rims are different size. Mount an auto tire at your (and the mounters) risk of personal injury or worse. The tire also may fail later due to overstretched and damaged bead reinforcement....Shura, take a look here for more info re: 15" wheels, tires, etc.: http://www.sidecar.com/mbbs22/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=9896&posts=8&highlight=tire&highlightmode=1#M61967
Lee
MB5+TW200+CRF250L+GTV300+INT650
XL883R w/Texas Ranger Sidecar
Zuma 50F + Burgman w/Texas Sidecar<Mrs. SwampFox
Maybe there's a Yamaha (or other) 16" wheel that will slip into your swingarm.
Lonnie
Good info re 15" rim. Looks like I'll Be sticking with MC tires in the 1100 Shadow(15" rear). The Kenda seems to be wearing well. 4000 on it prior to mounting the Velorex. About 1600 since becoming a tug. Looks to holding up well. Seems to be decent tire for the money.
Since you claim good wear,could you share specific of the tire model, please?
Kenda Cruiser S/T. They were new on the bike when I bought it. Had some serious doubts at first, unfamilar with the brand. Prior to sidecar ran 38F/40R. Currently running 40F/44R. I believe the Cruiser is Kenda's mid weight tire. I tend to get pretty good milage from tires. Keep pressure checked and guess I ride like an old grandpa, wait I think I is one of them(several times over). Have fun and ride safe.
I also have 15” rims. I was going to look into running car tires, but now I don’t have to thanks to Lonnie educating us. What are the options for us 15”ers? Should we just buy the MC tire with the highest load rating? Or is there another option?
Thanks,
At least I am look into changing the whole wheel to 16" and put a CT on that. For the moment though I'll do just that: install the highest rated by mileage MC tire. Load rating doesn't give you any more miles on it, I think From what I hear at MC mechanic's shops people DO put CT and get up to 30K ml. That's without a sidecar though. But MCT routinely get like 5-7K. I myself pretty much finished mine in ~1500ml (had like 60-50% tread left before sidecar installation) IMHO it very much makes sense to have CT on the rear wheel (or both rear) when you driving a rig! Flat profile, overloaded rear bike wheel, braking surface is also wider wit the CT
We run a 195/60R/16 on a 09 ultra with sidecar, we ran the car tire before we put the sidecar on, just FYI
