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[fastboatnut]

just bought some new 18" for my 05 cherry will a 18 x 70 x 130 fit without rubbing on the front, I am going with Metzler tires 150 for the back I looked at the other treads but could not find if the tire was a 60 70 80

[hogasm]

rear...150/70VB-18  Metzler 880

on the front  you can run  a 140/70HB-18  Metzler 880

[fastboatnut]

any pics of the 140??

[Midnight Rider]

any pics of the 140??

Here's as good as I've got...the 140 is no problem with width or height...in fact, it is less than an inch taller than the stock 16" wheel/tire combo.

[fastboatnut]

Thanks that is what I was looking for, I like the larger look on the bagger not the chopper look thanks I will go with the 140/70/18

[mhjimh]

I'm thinking 18's too, what rim width do you run front and rear?

[Midnight Rider]

On the front, it's a 3.5" x 18.

On my rear, I stayed with the 16", and it's also a 3.5", and I'm running a 140/90X16 Metz.  There's been a lot of discussion on the board about the rear wheel/tire sizes for the rear.  You can go with a 4.25" x 18, and up to a 160 rear tire (some clearancing might need to be done on the belt guard).

This is also my OPINION, but it's based on some real facts...there is NO 18" rear tire with a load rating equal to a 16" rear.  The 160/60x18 has the load rating, but is not recommended by Metzler on a touring bike, IF you ride the bike loaded up.  It will wear quickly because of the excess heat generated due to lower volume of air in the tire.  This is what a Metzler rep told me, and at least one person on this site can confirm this in practice.  If you ride solo and not fully loaded, you can go to a 140 or 150 x 18 rear without worry, BUT if you tour on the bike two up and loaded down, I would think hard about the load rating on the 18" rear tires available...the ratings are significantly lower than the stock 16" tires.  If you run fully loaded, you need a rear that is 900lbs or better, IMO.

The 18's look great on the rear, but I personally would give carefull consideration as to how you ride the bike and what you use it for.  I'm two up on the Ultra 95% of the time, and tour on the bike two up, saddlebags loaded, TP full, and another bag on the luggage rack, so chose to stay with a rear tire rated for 900+ lbs.

[fastboatnut]

I will post some pics when I am done, I went with the 150/70/18 on rear I ride 2 up a lot but not a lot of touring, hope I don't have issues, every thing is bought and ready to install

[mhjimh]

TCnBham
I can agree about the load rating I had some avons on my 1996 RK that where not rated for touring and they did wear very bad had to take them of after only 3000 miles.

[porthole]

you need a rear that is 900lbs or better 

[fastboatnut]

I talked to a Metzler rep today and he told me that the load rating for the ME 150/70/18 was 860  he also said make sure to keep proper air pressure :2vrolijk_21:pictures soon

[Midnight Rider]

I talked to a Metzler rep today and he told me that the load rating for the ME 150/70/18 was 860  he also said make sure to keep proper air pressure :2vrolijk_21:pictures soon

You'll be fine then...Metzlers like a lot of air pressure,and I was told to run 50lbs in the rear if fully loaded. 

Show us some pics when you get it all installed!!!!