Larger front tire size pictures

[reggystan]

After speaking with some members on the forum I decided to do a 3 wheel swap and threw on 2 sizes larger on the front to see what it would look like and feel. New size for the fronts are Falken Ziex ZE512 185/60/14 vs 165/65/14 stock. It fills the wheel wells nicely. Tight but no rubbing and rides really nice and feels much smoother. Less roll in the corners probably due to the car profile of the side walls. So if anyone was curious as to what they would look like, here you go.

 

[fastfraser]

:thumbup: Thanks for that, looks very interesting,might just go that route !

 

[Raptor]

Many thanks for the pics. I had planned to do that anyway but now it's a lock! :thumbup:

 

[Phil]

Does it mess with the computer to have larger tires?

 

[Raptor]

To my knowledge, no one has reported any problems by going to a larger tire size. As long as the tire height stays close to OEM you should be just fine.

 

[pjp623]

:2thumbs: Very nice Reggy, I'll probably be swapping mine out this summer as I am seeing some wear. I'm surprised that you stayed with a uni-directional tire though. I'd be interested in hearing the pros and cons of keeping to this route.

 

[Trickie Dick]

I switched out my rear for a Falken tire last summer and so far I like it fine. I will be interested to hear how you like the fronts after you've had a chance to get some miles on them. opcorn:

 

[Bob Denman]

:thumbup: That tire even has a real nice-looking tread on it. You ought to be able to turn hard enough to throw the radio out of tune!

 

[tatt2r]

swapped rear tire for toyo tr1 great in rain and dry roads but i noticed on cold nights leaving work tire rubber must get harder in cold that combined with cold tar road traction lacks till warms up ....

 

[reggystan]

I've not experienced any issues with the computer or any fault codes. A friend of mine has 19" on the front with a 215/35's on them and he does not experience any codes on it either.

As to the thread pattern it is similar to our factory set other than the center groove which should channel out water pretty good in the rain.

Do most of you experience tire wear on the inside thread? The dealer said this was normal and they would just swap the tires from left to right and put the wear towards the outside.

I'm curious and might try moving the fender bracket and center it on the tire. Might be able to fit one or two more sizes in there. Anyone try this yet?

 

[BajaRon]

Do most of you experience tire wear on the inside thread? The dealer said this was normal and they would just swap the tires from left to right and put the wear towards the outside.

You'll have to dismount your tires and remount them to get the desired effect. A lot of work and expense when the problem is alignment.
Why do dealers say things like that? :gaah:

Your tire should have even wear, or, if anything wears more quickly it should be the outside edge as that takes the most abuse in turning.

Other things can contribute such as if your roads have an extreme crown where you live.

I've got 20k on my front tires and they are wearing evenly and look like they'll go another 20k. Lamont's getting pretty much the same thing.

If your tires are wearing on the insides you've got an alignment issue (and a dealer issue when they tell you that's normal).

Just my 02...

 

[Raptor]

I agree. I have 9,000 on 14 now and so far the tires are wearing very evenly. At first I was showing signs of coming into corners a bit hot on the tires (imagine that!) But since I have learned how to turn in a little smoother and take a slightly later apex, then unwind on throttle. Much less abuse on the tires now and better exit speeds!

 

[SpyderGirl]

Hmm... you didn't have to make any adjustments to the front fenders??

I might go that route when my front tires need to be replaced... at this rate, another 2 years. I've got more than 50% life left and I'm at 30,400 miles roughly.

 

[1VENOM]

opcorn:opcorn:

 

[Raptor]

I seem to remember someone who went that size and they did fit without adjustment but he ended up sloting the bracket holes to center the fender over the tire more. That would make sense to me...

 

[NancysToy]

You'll have to dismount your tires and remount them to get the desired effect. A lot of work and expense when the problem is alignment.
Why do dealers say things like that? :gaah:

Your tire should have even wear, or, if anything wears more quickly it should be the outside edge as that takes the most abuse in turning.

Other things can contribute such as if your roads have an extreme crown where you live.

I've got 20k on my front tires and they are wearing evenly and look like they'll go another 20k. Lamont's getting pretty much the same thing.

If your tires are wearing on the insides you've got an alignment issue (and a dealer issue when they tell you that's normal).

Just my 02...

+1 :agree:

 

[pjp623]

.
Do most of you experience tire wear on the inside thread? The dealer said this was normal and they would just swap the tires from left to right and put the wear towards the outside.

Yes, and I know that it's an alignment issue, That was why I asked about using unidirectional tires. It would be much easier to swap the front tires out if they weren't. :dontknow:

 

[reggystan]

I seem to remember someone who went that size and they did fit without adjustment but he ended up sloting the bracket holes to center the fender over the tire more. That would make sense to me...

From Capt Jim "I moved my fenders out about 3/8", that's about all you can go. You have to take the fender off and elongate the holes in the fender bracket underneath, this will center the fender exactly in the middle of the tire. I have the 185-60-14 michelin pilot exalta's, love my michelins!"

I agree on the alignment issue of the front tires, how does a dealer do an alignment on the Spyder? Has anyone done this? When the dealer told me it was normal he showed me 2 other spyders that had the same wear towards the inside and I know I have seen a few others out there with the same. :dontknow:

 

[venom]

looking at your pictures,,,it seems to be the max you can go without modifying the fenders....im a wrong

 

[NancysToy]

I agree on the alignment issue of the front tires, how does a dealer do an alignment on the Spyder? Has anyone done this? When the dealer told me it was normal he showed me 2 other spyders that had the same wear towards the inside and I know I have seen a few others out there with the same. :dontknow:

All that can be adjusted on the Spyder alignment is the toe-in. Fortunately, that is the likely culprit for the tire wear issue. The alignment procedures are in the shop manual. The procedure involves an 8' length of aluminum angle, marked in three places, a couple of pieces of metal strap, some clamps, and a magnetic laser level. A person could do the mechanical part himself, but the steering sensors must be reset after alignment, which requires BUDS. Unfortunately, some of the tire wear issue is not able to be resolved for heavier riders. The Spyder steering geometry is such that the alignment changes slightly as the machine is loaded. Rider/passenger weights above a certain point seem to aggravate the wear...especially for an aggressive rider.