bigger front tire?????

[hecoon]

Has anyone put a 175/65/14 tire on the front????

it calls for a 165/65/14

thanks
clay

 

[DragonLorD]

yep

Has anyone put a 175/65/14 tire on the front????

it calls for a 165/65/14

thanks
clay

185/60/14

 

[SPYD3R]

YES

YES, i have KUMHO 175/65R14's up front...
they are gr8 tires... 1 problem however, they are discontinued, but you still can find them out there...
http://www.kumhotireusa.com/tire/category/car/D769508F-2DB6-4AE6-B49A-2EF1777A6970

 

[Big Arm]

YES, i have KUMHO 175/65R14's up front...
they are gr8 tires... 1 problem however, they are discontinued, but you still can find them out there...
http://www.kumhotireusa.com/tire/category/car/D769508F-2DB6-4AE6-B49A-2EF1777A6970
View attachment 58565

They still have them listed on tirerack.com 136.00 for the pair, plus shipping.

 

[hecoon]

thanks guys

 

[BajaRon]

I plan to put 185/60/14's on my Spyder. Others have done this with success.

Here is a great little tire comparrison calculator. http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

Though size may vary from brand to brand (and even model to model) with the same size markings, this at least gives you some ball park figures to work with.

Standard Size Comparrison.

165/65/14 = Diameter - 22.4", Circumference - 70.5"
175/65/14 = Diameter - 23.0", Circumference - 72.1"
185/60/14 = Diameter - 22.7", Circumberence - 71.4"

As you can see, the 185/60/14 is closer to stock Diameter/Circumference dimensions than the 175/65/14 and the 185 gives you more tread on the ground at the same time.

 

[Y-me]

I plan to put 185/60/14's on my Spyder. Others have done this with success.

Here is a great little tire comparrison calculator. http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

Though size may vary from brand to brand (and even model to model) with the same size markings, this at least gives you some ball park figures to work with.

Standard Size Comparrison.

165/65/14 = Diameter - 22.4", Circumference - 70.5"
175/65/14 = Diameter - 23.0", Circumference - 72.1"
185/60/14 = Diameter - 22.7", Circumberence - 71.4"

As you can see, the 185/60/14 is closer to stock Diameter/Circumference dimensions than the 175/65/14 and the 185 gives you more tread on the ground at the same time.

Did the 185/60/14's fit okay under the stock fenders?

Y
Be

 

[capt.jim]

The 185-60's will fit but will be tight, I removed my fenders and elongated the holes in the brackets to move them out 1/4-3/8 ", which actually puts them directly in the middle of the tire, others have added washers between the bracket and fender to raise them up slightly.

 

[Barbarossa]

Hi,

I exchanged the original Kendas for the Toyo Proxes CF1 ==> 175/60-R14. The tyres are in use for approx. 17.000 miles now and look almost new. No significant signs of usage!

From my experience I can recommend these tyres, but I don't know if these tyres are available in the US?!

Regards,
Alex

 

[Bob Denman]

Do these tire size changes show any affect to Nanny and her speed sensors?

 

[jerpinoy]

If wider tires works on front wheels the better especially for stopping, the more contact surface between tires and road the better:yes::yes::yes:

 

[BajaRon]

Hi,

I exchanged the original Kendas for the Toyo Proxes CF1 ==> 175/60-R14. The tyres are in use for approx. 17.000 miles now and look almost new. No significant signs of usage!

From my experience I can recommend these tyres, but I don't know if these tyres are available in the US?!

Regards,
Alex

That is a great tire choice (or Tyre as they say). The diameter is virtually the same as OEM, a bit more tread on the ground and the Toyo CF1 looks to be a very good tire. I do not believe that tire is available in the US.

 

[capt.jim]

These are 185-60-14 Michelin Exalta's, these fenders have been moved out 3/8", the tires line up with the center of the fender now.

 

[Bob Denman]

If wider tires works on front wheels the better especially for stopping, the more contact surface between tires and road the better:yes::yes::yes:

I don't actually know if that's true... :shocked:

It's about pressurealso; the larger surface area will spread the bike's weight out and reduce the pounds per square inch on the ground...
Or is it strictly a traction thing?
Is there an engineer here who can tell me if I'm barking up the wrong tree?

 

[BajaRon]

These are 185-60-14 Michelin Exalta's, these fenders have been moved out 3/8", the tires line up with the center of the fender now.

How did you go about moving the fenders out?

 

[Bob Denman]

probably just an extra thick "washer" between the bracketry and fender... :dontknow: with longer bolts!

 

[capt.jim]

How did you go about moving the fenders out?

I elongated the holes in the brackets outward with a dremel tool. I also trimmed the bottom of the splash guard straight down, this made getting the tire in or out much easier without it hanging up on the tip of the guard.

 

[Campverdefela]

I don't actually know if that's true... :shocked:

It's about pressurealso; the larger surface area will spread the bike's weight out and reduce the pounds per square inch on the ground...
Or is it strictly a traction thing?
Is there an engineer here who can tell me if I'm barking up the wrong tree?

:agree:Also the half inch or less in the choices given would probably make little difference.

 

[BajaRon]

I elongated the holes in the brackets outward with a dremel tool. I also trimmed the bottom of the splash guard straight down, this made getting the tire in or out much easier without it hanging up on the tip of the guard.

Thanks, I will need to do mine soon and I know they won't fit with the stock setup.

I don't actually know if that's true... :shocked:

It's about pressurealso; the larger surface area will spread the bike's weight out and reduce the pounds per square inch on the ground...
Or is it strictly a traction thing?
Is there an engineer here who can tell me if I'm barking up the wrong tree?

I'm not a tire engineer and your theory has merrit on the surface. But if more pressure per square inch were the formula then dragsters would be running pizza cutters.

 

[NancysToy]

I'm not a tire engineer and your theory has merrit on the surface. But if more pressure per square inch were the formula then dragsters would be running pizza cutters.

:roflblack: In general, traction improves with more tire on the ground, but vehicles seem to have a point where increasing the contact area begins to reduce traction. This effect is enhanced by wet or snowy conditions. From what I have seen, the point at which it happens is at least partially dependent on the weight of the vehicle, the tread pattern (or lack thereof with a dragster), and the weather or road conditions. If it was a cut and dried thing, we would probably all run the same tire, with the same pressure, all the time. Each owner must find what works for him and the way he rides. BTW, I don't recommend the pizza cutters.