First time poster, and was hoping I could get an opinion

[Deleted User 287]

I know the expansion joints you are talking about.

They are usually cratered (concave) on both sides where the car & truck wheels run.
And they are WAY convex (pushed up) in the middle with a little bit of squeezing out at either side of the lane.

I usually try to aim for a transition spot where the pavement is fairly even.
It doesn't always work out, but I've yet to dent a rim.

Stock tire sizes.

And stand up on the pegs.

[Major Softie]

I'm still trying to wrap my head around the idea of a first post from a guy named "fck" being a serious post.

[She'llbe]

opinions are like armpits. Everyone has 2 and they usually stink. Ride what makes you feel safe. I don't ride scooters, our potholes here are bigger than the tires!!!!

[Seth]

Regarding protecting rims. Last year, I hit a large pot hole and slightly bent the front rim on my 77RS. I don't think a larger tire would have helped. And it was a very large pot hole. Otherwise, in all the years I've been riding (since 1970), I haven't bent any other rims. Our roads here in NJ aren't always in the greatest shape. So I wouldn't worry about it too much.

[fck]

I've done a bit more research and I found out the 74 has a particular problem even with the 100/90 by 19 tire.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=658765

Apparently there are some variations within manufacturers even though the tires are "standard". I think that by getting the after market bracket, I may now be able to use that Bridgestone Spitfire S11 tire now, whereas before I believe the narrowness of the original bracket may have not allowed me to mount it.

Thanks for the help, I am going to order that Bridgestone tire and give it a try.

[the quinner]

I've done a bit more research and I found out the 74 has a particular problem even with the 100/90 by 19 tire.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=658765

Apparently there are some variations within manufacturers even though the tires are "standard". I think that by getting the after market bracket, I may now be able to use that Bridgestone Spitfire S11 tire now, whereas before I believe the narrowness of the original bracket may have not allowed me to mount it.

Thanks for the help, I am going to order that Bridgestone tire and give it a try.

The "approved rim size" as stated by Bridgestone for the 100/90-19 S11 is 2.15" - 2.75" ...with 2.50" being ideal. Again, your rim is a 1.85" ...a full 25% below the ideal size and more than 10% below the smallest approved rim. I think you're trying too hard to find the wrong solution to your perceived problem.

[Deleted User 287]

I noticed on my way home from work last night that Indianapolis has already begun the annual grinding down/filling in of the frost-heave affected expansion joints!

[Deleted User 72]

I've done a bit more research and I found out the 74 has a particular problem even with the 100/90 by 19 tire.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=658765

Apparently there are some variations within manufacturers even though the tires are "standard". I think that by getting the after market bracket, I may now be able to use that Bridgestone Spitfire S11 tire now, whereas before I believe the narrowness of the original bracket may have not allowed me to mount it.

Thanks for the help, I am going to order that Bridgestone tire and give it a try.

The "approved rim size" as stated by Bridgestone for the 100/90-19 S11 is 2.15" - 2.75" ...with 2.50" being ideal. Again, your rim is a 1.85" ...a full 25% below the ideal size and more than 10% below the smallest approved rim. I think you're trying too hard to find the wrong solution to your perceived problem.

I have a Spitfire on my /5 front. It is wide, hard, and difficult to fit to the rim, compared to other tires I have run (Macs.) FWIW

[Unclviny]

With narrow rims think about what you are doing to the "contact-face" of the tire, the contact-patch goes from being rounded to being triangular and the bike "falls" into corners. A wide tire on a narrow rim = less usable tire and bad handling!

Vince

[dougie]

+1 what Vince said.
A friend, ex racer, and Japanese sportbike rider swapped bikes with me for 1/2 hour.
What did he think?
"I can't believe how agile this thing is for its size."
90/90-18 front, 120/90-18 rear.