What car tire size should I fit - 225/60 or 215/60R15?

[OzarkBob]

Hi everyone, I am a fairly new Spyder rider, bought my 2021 RT Limited last fall. This is my first post. I have about 8,700 miles on the Spyder now and am looking for a new rear tire. After reading extensively on this forum about using a car tire, brands, sizes and air pressures I have narrowed it down to the General Altimax RT43. My questions is about what size. I had originally decided on a 225/60R15 because it was closest to the OEM tire size, 225/55R15, but I see a lot of people using the 215/60R15. I like the idea of the 225/60/R15 because of the extra width but is there a reason I should go with the 215/60R15? We ride 2 up 90% of the time.

We are really enjoying the new ride and appreciate all the information here on the forum.

Bob

 

[Peter Aawen]

Hi everyone, I am a fairly new Spyder rider, bought my 2021 RT Limited last fall. This is my first post. I have about 8,700 miles on the Spyder now and am looking for a new rear tire. After reading extensively on this forum about using a car tire, brands, sizes and air pressures I have narrowed it down to the General Altimax RT43. My questions is about what size. I had originally decided on a 225/60R15 because it was closest to the OEM tire size, 225/55R15, but I see a lot of people using the 215/60R15. I like the idea of the 225/60/R15 because of the extra width but is there a reason I should go with the 215/60R15? We ride 2 up 90% of the time.

We are really enjoying the new ride and appreciate all the information here on the forum.

Bob

Hi Bob, welcome to posting on the Forum!

Firstly, be aware that right across the model/year range, all Spyders (so far) have and can use the same size tire, so any previous recommendations still apply, if you can still get those sizes/brands of tires.

That said, there's arguments either way on which tire width to go for, either will bring your Spyder's speedo (& odo too! ) a little closer to 'accurate', but I'd say the biggest/most valuable of the reasons for going for the 215/60R15 over the 225/60 is that the Spyder is somewhat 'over-tired' with the 225, especially if you don't drop your car tire pressure to 18-ish psi, and it's easier to run into hydroplaning problems with the wider tire if you ever end up riding in the wet. . Sure, you can reduce the likelihood of that by reducing the pressure in a car tire a bit more (but NOT the OEM Kendas or any of their clones!), down to about 16 psi, but if it starts raining while you're out on a ride, who wants to stop to drop rear tire pressures, even if riding on might be a bit more iffy?!? :dontknow:

Other things may come into play/be of concern too, but without going thru a few of them some in detail, the simple fact is that the 215/60R15 is usually a 'better choice' of a/mkt tire size for the majority of Spyders & Spyder riders, including those who ride heavily laden &/or 2-up most of the time. . But it is your Spyder, and if you prefer the 225/60 for any reason, maybe just like the fat rear tire look more, &/or don't ride in the rain too often (altho maybe that one does mean you should go with the narrower tire to be safer if/when it does rain?!? :dontknow: ) then you should run the tire size/width you prefer - both those sizes will fit! hyea:

Good Luck! :cheers:

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Hi everyone, I am a fairly new Spyder rider, bought my 2021 RT Limited last fall. This is my first post. I have about 8,700 miles on the Spyder now and am looking for a new rear tire. After reading extensively on this forum about using a car tire, brands, sizes and air pressures I have narrowed it down to the General Altimax RT43. My questions is about what size. I had originally decided on a 225/60R15 because it was closest to the OEM tire size, 225/55R15, but I see a lot of people using the 215/60R15. I like the idea of the 225/60/R15 because of the extra width but is there a reason I should go with the 215/60R15? We ride 2 up 90% of the time.

We are really enjoying the new ride and appreciate all the information here on the forum.

Bob

225/55-15 rear OEM tire ..... Nope ... it's a 225 .... 50 -15 , and you want to go to 60 ..... I think that size ( on a 260 width ) ... very well may cause fitment issues .... the 215/60-15 is already a much larger tire ( in circumfernce ) than the 225/50-15 .... going even larger 225/60-15 imho is asking for trouble ..... good luck .... Mike :thumbup:

 

[OzarkBob]

225/55-15 rear OEM tire ..... Nope ... it's a 225 .... 50 -15 , and you want to go to 60 ..... I think that size ( on a 255 width ) ... very well may cause fitment issues .... the 215/60-15 is already a much larger tire ( in circumfernce ) than the 225/50-15 .... going even larger 225/60-15 imho is asking for trouble ..... good luck .... Mike :thumbup:

Thanks BlueKnight911 for catching my mistake:banghead: Now I understand why the 215/60R15 is the better choice. I'll be ordering one tomorrow.
I appreciate both your's and Peter's advice. Bob

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Thanks BlueKnight911 for catching my mistake:banghead: Now I understand why the 215/60R15 is the better choice. I'll be ordering one tomorrow.
I appreciate both your's and Peter's advice. Bob

I hope your read this post BEFORE you buy a REAR tire ..... I don't type well so just look for my NEW thread about a NEW Rear tire I just found...... Mike :thumbup:

https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?148805-A-new-tire-i-found-amp-am-buying-it

 

[OzarkBob]

I hope your read this post BEFORE you buy a REAR tire ..... I don't type well so just look for my NEW thread about a NEW Rear tire I just found...... Mike :thumbup:

Thanks Mike. I will look for at. I haven't quite figured out how to navigate around the web site. LOL I have trouble finding the thread I posted in...Bob

 

[DGoebel]

Mike, which this post were you referring to, What's your latest tire recommendations again?

 

[Peter Aawen]

I just put a link in Mike's post #5 above :thumbup:

 

[BCNewell]

Also - my wife’s recent-purchased ‘15 F3-S came with a new Kumho 225/50R15 on it - same size as OEM.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Mike, which this post were you referring to, What's your latest tire recommendations again?

There's NOW a LINK to the thread .... see POST #5 above it's in RED ..... and much thanks to Peter who added it to my POST :clap::clap:... makes life easier for those computer challenged folks like me ::thumbup:......Mike :2excited:

 

[Lew L]

.

I have the General 215/60R-15 and it really is perfect. NO fitment problems and the speedo is right on. The 60% aspect ratio gives the correct diameter to make the speedo very accurate. The 215 width is just fine for 2 up riding, which I do a fair amount ( at about 19 to 20 PSI).

Learn from Mike and Peter----------------

Lew L

 

[Pooch]

Ok.. my head is swimming with all these tire numbers, year model of Spyder, how much load the Spyder carries..and their associated reasonings.. I have read them all and made handwritten notes. I look back at my notes and find various sizes written down and just throw my hands in the air as it is so confusing to me. I know NOTHING about tires except inflation numbers and I want good tires all the way around that hopefully last a long time. Looking for grip on slick bumpy areas in a curve.
PLEASE could someone tell me which tires to specifically buy for both front and rear for MY Ride?
Thank you, thank you gentlemen.

Here are the facts for my ride:

2021 RTL Spyder
7144 miles
Total load with driver and stuff in storage areas: 145 lbs
One-up…. 99% of the time… occasionally 2-up once or twice a year
Twisty hill country paved/often-bumpy-in-the-curves, side roads, and cattle guards
Those roads will have a 20-35mph sign but we usually take them at 10mph+/- over the sign.
Interstate highways 70+mph
Usually dry weather unless caught out in a rain.
Current OEM Front: Kenda KR31 165/55R15. Run them at 18 cold
Current OEM Rear: Kenda KR21A 225/50R15. Run it at 28 cold

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Ok.. my head is swimming with all these tire numbers, year model of Spyder, how much load the Spyder carries..and their associated reasonings.. I have read them all and made handwritten notes. I look back at my notes and find various sizes written down and just throw my hands in the air as it is so confusing to me. I know NOTHING about tires except inflation numbers and I want good tires all the way around that hopefully last a long time. Looking for grip on slick bumpy areas in a curve.
PLEASE could someone tell me which tires to specifically buy for both front and rear for MY Ride?
Thank you, thank you gentlemen.

Here are the facts for my ride:

2021 RTL Spyder
7144 miles
Total load with driver and stuff in storage areas: 145 lbs
One-up…. 99% of the time… occasionally 2-up once or twice a year
Twisty hill country paved/often-bumpy-in-the-curves, side roads, and cattle guards
Those roads will have a 20-35mph sign but we usually take them at 10mph+/- over the sign.
Interstate highways 70+mph
Usually dry weather unless caught out in a rain.
Current OEM Front: Kenda KR31 165/55R15. Run them at 18 cold
Current OEM Rear: Kenda KR21A 225/50R15. Run it at 28 cold

Read my post # 5. & #10 above .... But be advised these are AUTO tires and not all dealers will mount them .... there are other ways to get it mounted tho ..... Mike :thumbup:

 

[Pooch]

Read my post # 5. & #10 above .... But be advised these are AUTO tires and not all dealers will mounty .... there are other ways to get it mounted tho ..... Mike :thumbup:

Thank you for reply Mike. Believe me I have read your posts.. and did so again just now.
Will the size you discussed in those posts fit my 2021 Spyder RTL.. since I know the tires you ordered were to fit your 2014 Spyder..?
I have no idea if the 2021 and the 2014 take the same tire size.
Thank you for your patience with this clueless person.

 

[Ex-Rocket]

.

I have the General 215/60R-15 and it really is perfect. NO fitment problems and the speedo is right on. The 60% aspect ratio gives the correct diameter to make the speedo very accurate. The 215 width is just fine for 2 up riding, which I do a fair amount ( at about 19 to 20 PSI).

Learn from Mike and Peter----------------

Lew L

So a 60R is not causing any fitment issues. Then post #3 is incorrect.

 

[Peter Aawen]

.

I have the General 215/60R-15 and it really is perfect. NO fitment problems and the speedo is right on. The 60% aspect ratio gives the correct diameter to make the speedo very accurate. The 215 width is just fine for 2 up riding, which I do a fair amount ( at about 19 to 20 PSI).

Learn from Mike and Peter----------------

Lew L

So a 60R is not causing any fitment issues. Then post #3 is incorrect.

The post you quoted Ex is referring to running a 215/60, while post #3 is expressing an opinion and a word of caution about running running a 225/60 tire - see below...

225/55-15 rear OEM tire ..... Nope ... it's a 225 .... 50 -15 , and you want to go to 60 ..... I think that size ( on a 255 width ) ... very well may cause fitment issues .... the 215/60-15 is already a much larger tire ( in circumfernce ) than the 225/50-15 .... going even larger 225/60-15 imho is asking for trouble ..... good luck .... Mike :thumbup:

So no, post #3 is fine as it stands. :thumbup:

 

[Lew L]

.

Aspect ratio is a % of the tire width and it is the side wall height. 60% of 225 mm is 135 side wall height. 60% of 215 is 129 mm. A slight difference in diameter. Again the 215/60/ 15 is a good fit.......

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Thank you for reply Mike. Believe me I have read your posts.. and did so again just now.
Will the size you discussed in those posts fit my 2021 Spyder RTL.. since I know the tires you ordered were to fit your 2014 Spyder..?
I have no idea if the 2021 and the 2014 take the same tire size.
Thank you for your patience with this clueless person.

The wheels and tires of the 14 and 21 are the exact same size ( not the same appearance tho )..... Most folks use 215/60-15 on the rear because it is both available and corrects the speedo / odometer error from the OEM size .... Mike :thumbup:

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

So a 60R is not causing any fitment issues. Then post #3 is incorrect.

In post #3.- I was referencing the OP thinking a .... 225/ 60 -15 would fit .... I don't think it will, there is very little room at the REAR of the tire..... Mike :thumbup:

 

[Pooch]

In post #3.- I was referencing the OP thinking a .... 225/ 60 -15 would fit .... I don't think it will, there is very little room at the REAR of the tire..... Mike :thumbup:

Thank you ever so much!
Also.. I appreciate the tip you gave a few months back about placing a wedge on the Utopia backrest to get just the right angle for lumbar support.. prior to that simple tip I had tried some harsh attempts at getting a supportive angle on the backrest..