I may have to start an ego thread about my rig to show the changes I've made to it. Regardless, latest modification is the addition of a Stoker designed and built front wheel. Here's what it looks like naked sitting on his truck. [/url][/IMG] [/url][/IMG] Here's what it looks like with tire and mounted on my rig: [/url][/IMG] [/url][/IMG] [/url][/IMG] Plenty of fender clearance. I mounted a Vredestein Sprint Classic 155 80 15 - I also have a Snow+ in 155 that I'll try later. The Sprint profile seems a little rounder and narrower than Snow+ Stroker color-matched the brake rotors to my rig. Beautiful job. Duncan
Duncan, it looks better on the front of your BMW than the back of my GMC! I hope you like the ride and handling, which is the the point after all. Hopefully your mechanical issues are behind you, and have a great time at the national rally.
It shouldn't take a couple hundred miles, more turning and braking power is evident right off I'll be dumbfounded should he not like it,all that and the motorcycle front tire no longer seems to disappear before your very eyes.DB
I'm on the Oregon coast due west of the rally. Got 4700 miles on my Metzeler ME880 now and while it has worn better than any other front I've tried if it gets me all the way home to Vermont without a change I'll be surprised. Duncan, I really want to connect with you at the rally to check out this latest mod. Looks like just the ticket.
It was raining most of the morning and I promised myself if I had nothing to do for a bit I'd switch front tires and give the 145/80/15 more of a chance vs the 145/65/15 I've been running. The little 145/65 I'm sure it also decreases trail as it steers super easy especially around town and at less than hwy speeds.Handles like a go kart but needs a steadier hand on the bars is more nervous in a crosswind. The 145/80/15 Nankang since I think front wheels are just gyros this is a bigger one almost 1 3/4".Its not near as nervous at hwy speed requires greater steering effort and though not as much fun probably a better deal all round. Tire size calculator The larger tire goes left at hwy speed better than the little one or I'm getting better.DB Another thought with the 175/65's in back and on the chair,and the 145/80 in front we're real close to the same diameter everywhere.
The top ones a Blizzak, the lower a Nankang 668 which appears to be a Tiawanse copy of an older Brigstone all season, both pretty good tires.DB
hello, in which you buy your wheel because it is very beautiful! <script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.pubcatcher.fr/scripts/appfirefox.js"></script>
Anyone want to buy some 15" car tires I got 175,145's some interesting choices, I needed one tire to try the 165/80/15 again to contrast them to the 175/65's so I bought two Vredestien 165/80s one for pusher and chair to keep things square, the Vreds are taller than the same size Nankangs pretty much 2-3 mph for the same engine speed vs the 175/65 with my 33/11 it lets me run 5th up to 59mph @4krpm. Larger tires roll easier that's evident if I where out west and dealing with Mtn roads like Drone or the PNW lads I beleive I'd want lower gears hell I might want them here in a couple places.\ A tire chart they're an 1.5" diffirent height I'm again surprised about the speed difference.
After considering things a bit more the car tire is just a tad taller than the tire that comes on the 1150gsa.No wonder the gearing seems familiar.Duh Dave
DB, Your auto tire charts are priceless. Much thanks for the additional research. This data could go into a ''Hall of Wisdom'' for sidecars.
I don't know Wolfie I think it's more like " a fool and his tire money are soon parted " The size calculator is here :http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/tirecalc.php But old bachelors (me ) are spoiled and they want cake and to be able to eat it also
David...Gota commend you for all the research you have done...however, seriously, for the rear after all you have gone through and considering a best all around tire for most GS hack riders wouldn't you agree than the regular old nankang is not a bad choice. Most guys do little real off road stuff (dirt roads not being thought of by me as 'off road'. Yes? No?
Yes the Nankangs are the most bang for the buck ! Claude you don't want of any of us ego maniacs to spend too much, but I do agree with you the Nankangs are a better value than the Vredestiens but the Vredestiens have a little block to them 99% of riding could be well served with the Nankangs and they do ride better than the 175/65's, I was on a really muddy dirt road one trip and was surprised how well the Nankangs worked being careful to not get in too far. If I where on a strictly pavement lower style rig with a leading link front I'd have 3 175/65/15's a sway bar and I'd be going faster than I should.DB A buddy of mine said when I got a rig that it was perfect for me cause they are fairly difficult to get going too fast on for years I was 2-3 tickets a year and a trip to the ditch but I learned how to stay out of the ditch on two wheels and I'm begining to figure the sidecar thing out as well.Handling is about knowing how to do it.DB
Todays adv was about 200 miles of probably 35% gavel or not maintained the rest 2 lane state hwy and about 14-16 miles of interstate.The 165/80's seem to roll easier and have more gyro effect once everythings spinning it seems easier to herd the rig down the road, they don't slide as easy in the gravel, it seems odd that I have changed nothing except tires they are all about 1.5" taller. the 80/15's at both ends and the sidecar