Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Accessories Fatty up front?

Its time for some new tyres. I am thinking to fit a Fatty up front and lifting the front guard. I can remember some posts (re tyre size etc) on this but can’t seem to locate them. Can somebody point me in the right direction please?

130/70-18 requires no fender modifications.

Cheers moe

I love the look of that tire on my bike. wurks guud tooo.

wow I wouldn't have thought a 130 would fit under the stock fender. There are no negative effects on handling or road feel? Are you using it in conjunction with the stock sized rear tire?

I run a 120/90. A little taller, a litter fatter. Requires minor fender mount modification. Handles great!

I like the look to Friah, and I’m sure you would know if it didn’t work well.
I have ordered a new stock rear and a 130/70-18 for the front.
Once I have them fitted up and go for a blat I will report back.
Thanks guys

Stock rear tire. No rubbing up front. I'll be honest, it's a little heavier in the turns than the 100, 110 or 120 tires with a taller aspect ratio, but still does okay and rides nice. I've had all those on my bike before. If I wanted to be twitchier (flickable?) I'd go 100.

I have a modified fender bracket but I went back to a stock one when I ditched the 120/90.

Hmmm, makes me wonder how one my BA would act with a 130/70 front and a 180 /70 rear. Anyone know if a 180/70/15 will fit the rear? I thought it would make the steering a bit heavier with the fatter front, but I'm thinking the difference would be small enough that the looks would more than make up for it.

Can't imagine that small of a difference would affect much. I thought about a 180 but I like my Avon Venoms too much and they don't make one.

I run a 130/70 in the front.
I have used a 180 rear, doesn't feel any different than a 170.
I only tried it because it was cheaper than a 170 at the time.
The reason the 130 doesn't rub is it's a 70 aspect ratio.
Only 3mm taller than a 110/80.

brian t Did the 180 rear fit with no issues

That'd be a 180/70 not a 180/80 correct?

Well the tyres are on. I have been for a short ride around town and corrected the pressures. I do like the way new tyres tip in when cornering. Now I'm off for a 30min ride to a great coffee shop to finish scrubbing them in. I'm thinking a sedate ride up and a bit of fun on the way back as there are some nice twisties and sweepers along the way. There is plenty of clearance around the front guard (fender for you northern cousins) which is good. Thanks for the help guys.

Any before and after photographs?

Yup, I'd love to see some pics too. And did what did you do with the fender to accommodate the new tire?

No before photo. But the tyre was quite munted - sort of bald in the middle which if ok on the dry but a little tricky when its damp. I had a few moments on the last ride when it was almost snowing on a road alongside the Ruahine Rangers. I don’t do photowhatever but if ya want to send me a pm with a e-m addy I can take some pickies and send them to ya and you can view them and/or post them up. The tyre went on no trouble at all. I can get my fingers under the guard. I spose its the 70 aspect as to the 90.

130/70 on the front and a 180/80 on the rear?

did the bigger front tire change the speedo reading.

170/80-15 rear K 673
130/70-18 front K 673F
Kenda Kruz

Haven't noticed much in indicated speedometer change vis-vis tachometer.

Nice to see someone else fitting the Kenda tires, I love them. In my experience the 130/70 makes the speedo read a tiny bit fast at slow speeds and much more accurate at highway speeds. Conversely the odometer reads less than actual. according to gps 1 mile on the odo = 1.11 miles. 150 miles on the odometer (my normal fill up point) read 165 miles on the GPS.

I know when I stepped up to a 120/90 my speedo was almost bang on... it cured the exaggerated readout.

Moe and Keith.

The 130/70 is only 1% bigger in diameter than the standard 110/80. So there won't be a significant speedo difference.

The 120/90 is 6% bigger in diameter. So there will be a significant speedo difference.

kinda what i was saying.

Also, spooning on the fatty was a beech.

My speedometer is right on with a 120/90.

My odometer is right on with 130/70.

I'll stick with the latter.

John, you should pin a tire size chart to the tech vault.