19" front wheel or stick with the 18?

[StevieUT]

Yeah, I'd say that's a drawback. I'll stick with the 17" rear but with a warp9 rim. I really want to install a rim lock and there's nada for the stock rear rim. I do think I will go at least with 19" in the front, which should help with the silt I run into. Also, I'm not crazy about the lack of availability of heavy duty tubes for the 18" front.

Thanks for the replies!

[BlackBike]

Wow surf, you were not intended to get such use and abuse from a $3800 motorcycle. Cease and desist immediately and go purchase a $15k bmw.

[GSC]

Originally Posted by willy dog

the 17inc. rear can bottom out and scrape the inside of the fender and air box would be careful adding to rear tire

Especially with the ' lowering link ' installed.

I must add that Ryan warned me first ! I went for it anyway, and yes a few hard knocks and the Kenda big blocks scrape the air box connectors.

[detours]

Let's nail down the rear wheel/tire/suspension combinations can rub the inner fender and airbox.

Sounds like these combos will rub:

• 18" rear wheel and tire with stock dogbone
• 17" rear with off-road tire and lowering link

Any others?

I haven't seen any rubbing with my stock 17" wheel with Shinko 804/805 (130/80-17) using either the stock or progressive shock, and I've ridden some pretty rough trails.

[Juanro]

With a 17 rim and a 120/90/17 Metzeler Tourance, standard dog bone link, it rubs. I had to add a monoshock extender to raise it a few centimeters.

[3banger]

I've up graded to the 19" mostly because I made a poor on line choice on a rocky step up and made the OEM 18" wheel a little more square. But IMO the upgrade is worth it have better tire choices. My new favorite is the Heidenau K60 Scout front (110/8019 59T) and rear (130/8017 65T). They are just as good as the Kenda's off road but corner like a street tire on the pavement. The Kenda's get a little squirrly when you push them on asphalt.

[willy dog]

Originally Posted by detours

Let's nail down the rear wheel/tire/suspension combinations can rub the inner fender and airbox.


Any others?

I haven't seen any rubbing with my stock 17" wheel with Shinko 804/805 (130/80-17) using either the stock or progressive shock, and I've ridden some pretty rough trails.

i weigh around 280 with no trouble on the kenda's 5.10/17

[madsocial]

I actually got the 19 inch as a spare wheel. I even bought a spare 17 inch wheel for the rear. That way I can quickly change from off-road to on-road tires without having to deal with tire irons and all that mess. For the cost it just made sense. Also, the front 19 inch will offer you more off-road tire options than the stock 18.

[jbfla]

Just finished mounting a Shinko 705 (110/80-19) on the 19" rim ----- twice

I had it mounted, then looking over on the work bench, I realized I had forgotten to put on the rimstrip.




Adding to the fun, I couldn't use my wheel mounting stand because the centering spindle was too large to fit through the wheel bearing.

I don't know if it makes a lot of difference, the 19" rim is 2.15" and the Shinko tire calls for a 2.50" rim.




The tire seems to fit OK.

jb

[jezzrite]

What spoke length did you use for this? Can one use the original 18" spokes?

I asked this because the stock 15" spoke fitted nicely with my new 17" rim for the rear tyre (South East Asia got 15" wheel for stock), and I wonder if the front can do the same.

Originally Posted by jbfla

Just finished mounting a Shinko 705 (110/80-19) on the 19" rim ----- twice

I had it mounted, then looking over on the work bench, I realized I had forgotten to put on the rimstrip.




Adding to the fun, I couldn't use my wheel mounting stand because the centering spindle was too large to fit through the wheel bearing.

I don't know if it makes a lot of difference, the 19" rim is 2.15" and the Shinko tire calls for a 2.50" rim.




The tire seems to fit OK.

jb

[jbfla]

Originally Posted by jezzrite

What spoke length did you use for this? Can one use the original 18" spokes?

I asked this because the stock 15" spoke fitted nicely with my new 17" rim for the rear tyre (South East Asia got 15" wheel for stock), and I wonder if the front can do the same.

The 19" wheel was purchased complete with hub, spokes, and rim from CSC, the US distributor.

jb

[jezzrite]

I can confirm with 100% accuracy that if one wishes to change from 15" rear to 17" and 18" front to 19", one does not need to buy new spokes for both rear and front. The original spokes are of sufficient lengths.

These are the proof. My Zong is outfitted with rear Mitas E07 130/80-R17 on a 2.5x17 rim with stock spokes and front Mitas E07 110/80-R19 on a 1.85x19 rim also with stock spokes.

Can't wait to try them out!


Rear Mitas E07 130/80-R17 on 2.5x17 aluminium rim.


Front Mitas E07 110/80-R19 on 1.85x19 aluminium rim. Note the clearance between mudguard and tyre. Entirely stock.


Note that after changing to 17 rear and 19 front, the double stand is unable to give ground clearance to both wheels. Only managed to keep the bike stable.

[Jay In Milpitas]

Very good, Jezzrite!

The stand can be changed to hold one wheel off the ground with just a little metal welded on. Very easy.

[jezzrite]

Originally Posted by Jay In Milpitas

Very good, Jezzrite!

The stand can be changed to hold one wheel off the ground with just a little metal welded on. Very easy.

Nice. I will do exactly that. Thanks Jay!

[BlackBike]

Originally Posted by jezzrite

Nice. I will do exactly that. Thanks Jay!

Pure awesomenes! I am looking foward to mounting my new tires too.