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[Robertschmidt1982]

Has anyone pushed the limit on how wide a tire can go on the back of an 08 road glide. I know what the recommended size is but will any wider tire fit? It's my understanding that the 08 is a stand alone frame... It's not the "new frame" but it was a prototype before changes were made for the 09... Can anyone help me out here?

[2k]

Group Buy? Need to post in Wheel & Tires. Hey Gary if you help Robert out, I won't be a smart azz anymore

[Twolanerider]

Has anyone pushed the limit on how wide a tire can go on the back of an 08 road glide. I know what the recommended size is but will any wider tire fit? It's my understanding that the 08 is a stand alone frame... It's not the "new frame" but it was a prototype before changes were made for the 09... Can anyone help me out here?

Your rear tire size wouldn't alter because of some prototype or beta 08 only frame.  The tire size would be accommodated for by some different swingarm  Perhaps a swingarm change in conjunction with a frame change.  But the tire fits inside the swingarm; and the swingarm hasn't changed since 2002.  Not even for the 08 bikes. 

The 08 Road Glide's swingarm is the same (47549-02A) swingarm that is for bikes back to 2002.  Same swingarm and part number for all the touring bikes from 02-08.

[grc]

Has anyone pushed the limit on how wide a tire can go on the back of an 08 road glide. I know what the recommended size is but will any wider tire fit? It's my understanding that the 08 is a stand alone frame... It's not the "new frame" but it was a prototype before changes were made for the 09... Can anyone help me out here?

The swingarm (rear fork in Harley terminology) is the same part number for 2006-2008.  The frame assembly part number changed from 2006 to 2007 and again to 2008, but it's not a prototype for the changes that were made in 2009.  Apples and oranges if you know what I mean.

As I usually do when folks start asking about the biggest tire they can install, I'll suggest you first decide if you plan to stick with the stock rims.  If you do, that will probably be the real limiting factor rather than clearance of the tire to the swingarm/belt/fender.  Tires are designed to fit a narrow range of rim widths, and it's not wise to install a tire designed for a 5.00 inch rim for instance on a 3.00 inch rim.  Your bike comes stock with a 3.00 X 16 rim, and the tire is about 5.5 inches wide.  The MU size of the stock tire is roughly equivalent to a 140 btw.  I would expect you could find a 150 - 16 that would work with the stock rim width, but when you go to a 160, at least in the Dunlop tires, they call for a 3.50" minimum rim width.  As a point of reference tires like the 180's on the later models call for a 5.00" minimum rim width.

Don't forget about load rating when searching for a replacement as well.  The stock load rating is 77; the same or higher is good, less is not good.

Jerry

[Robertschmidt1982]

Thanks for the info. I am considering a wider rim. It's safe to say though that no matter what I do, I won't get a 180 between the swing arm? As for the term prototype, I was using that very loosely in this circumstance. I just meant it was a stand alone 1 year only frame. I however did not know if the swing arm was the same as previous years or not.

[bigskyroadglide]

not to contradict anything that has been said about the rear fork(swing arm). I just wanted to add, the exception to previous statements about swing arms is the 07 and 08 SE Road King, The SE RK rear fork has a specific part number and is 1/2 inch wider than the normal 02 to 08 swing arm. It also has a specific rear axle that is unique to the 07 & 08 SE RK. Along with a specific rear fender and rear grab rail and tail light.  

The SE RK rear swing arm, accommodates a 170/60/17 tire on a 17 X 4.5 rim and is available in RED, Blue or Black.  They also cost approx $700.

IF the OP is looking to add a wider tire and wants to do a bit of part swaping, the SE RK rear fender, grab rail, rear swing arm and wheel will fit on an 02 through 08 frame with ZERO modifications.  It is a direct bolt on.

I know this as i converted my 04 rear setup to the 07 SE RK and currently run a 170 tire on a 17 X 4.5 rim with the 04 1 1/2 belt with ZERO issues.

FYI only.