2014 Bonneville SE Tire Substitution Sizes?

[2wheeljake]

Hi there
New to the site and just acquired a 2014 Bonneville SE with 17" rims. I need to replace tires for certification and wondering what tire size substitutions are possible with this bike - I believe the tires on the bike are stock front Metzeler 110/70R17 Rear Metzler 130/80/R17
Specifically wondering if anyone has successfully replaced tires with larger sizes - in the past on bikes I have often gone up 20mm in width but not sure with this bike - any experience with this?

Ideally if I know what works I can work within those parameters.

Thanks

Jake

 

[2wheeljake]

So I was in a rush to get tires for the bike to get it certified and registered on the one day I was home this week (Saturday) - timing is always a challenge for me. I was having difficulty sourcing stock sized tires for the bike (they are relatively narrow compared to most modern bikes) and in my area shops are having trouble or not bothering to carry a lot of stock - it seems they mostly all order tires as needed - I didn't have access to the bike and could not definitely determine what larger tires I could fit (this would have made more options available) so the only stock sized tires I could source in short notice were Kenda 671s. These are probably the cheapest tires you can buy - and I don't usually opt for that as I like softer better quality rubber - but in an effort to get the bike registered and on the road I decided to give it a go. The stock Metzlers were actually totally serviceable (under 5000 miles on them) but the bike tech insisted on new tires for certification due to their age. I figured if I didn't like them I could replace the Metzlers after the safety - or keep them for future use.

Once I mounted and balanced the Kendas I went for ride and while they are not sticky track tires (far from it) after a little scrub in I pushed it into the corners a little and tested them out with some hard(ish) braking on the road. The bike actually handled quite well and the tires seemed good. The bike rolls in nicely when cornering and I really couldn't fault the tires for their street traction on asphalt at all. Really only the second decent ride on the bike and I am enjoying it more and more. It really is a nice contrast to my big sport touring bike - it feels light and nimble and relatively "peppy" (do people still use this word?)

I do think I will look into the decat procedure with the x-pipe or replace the exhaust with a straight though version in the future - I also want to replace the bars with lower ones and get the tall mirrors out of my way - maybe with bar end mirrors.

I do like the highway pegs my dad fashioned for it - but I will be removing the red "Thigh Master" foam once the bike is in my possession - He's a bit of a MacGyver but sometimes I don't relate to his artistic flair...

Cheers,
Jake

 

[Red Dog]

2wheeljake,

I also have a Bonni SE, so hear your woes about finding tires. When I got the bike there was a major scuff on the right, rear sidewall. The Metzlers no longer being made to fit the SE's rim sizes - let put it this way - it took the dealer and myself a month to find a set that would fit: Pirelli Sport Demons. I don't push things when I ride ( No getting into the chicken strips for me. ) and the Pirellis work wonderfully.

However, I will say this, stay with stock sizes. Yes, people will go 20 extra mm, but it changes the way you go into corners, and other behavior of the bike. Also, your bike tech is correct about the age of the tire. Time will break down the rubber. Small and large cracks will start to appear and that's when you know the tire has aged out.

As, you found out by your second post, don't dis Kendas. Over on the DRRiders web site, the are riders that swear by the Kendas. Then there people, like me that swear by Shinkos. You want to talk cheap - uh, I mean inexpensive - look at the prices for Shinkos.

Oh, I do still use the word peppy.

Well I've spent my two cents. Happy riding,
Alec