TOPIC:

So if I get new tires they have to be the biggest that can fit the bike. As long as it don't rub I'm fine. Please don't tell me to stick with skinny stock size. I need the chunky look. This will be a around the corner and back bike so no long trips anywhere. This is the look I'm going for

A fatter rear tire is probably going to be a tight fit. My 650-CSR has the same stock tire & wheel as the 550-Ltd, and there isn't much room to go much wider. A 140/90-16 might work, but it will be tight at the least. 130 mm = 5.1"

Look at the rear wheel to see how much gap there is between the swing arm & tire. Check & measure both sides --- one side may have less clearance than the other. Subtract an acceptable amount of clearance from the smaller measurement, multiply that number by 2, convert to mm if using inches, then add that to 130. I guess that's how I'd do it, anyway.

Also be aware that each 140 tire will measure a little differently. Some of the manufacturer's websites offer actual width measurements.

TexasKZ wrote: Also be aware that each 140 tire will measure a little differently. Some of the manufacturer's websites offer actual width measurements.

Exactly! The image below shows 2 Michelin front tires. The designated size (100/90-19) is the same for both, but as you can see the actual size is very different. You should measure before buying. One other thing to keep in mind is that the cross-section of the tread will deform if a wide tire is pinched onto a narrow rim. Been there / done that. This may not matter much though since you won't be able to mount a really wide tire due to interference with the chain and swing arm. Ed

How wide is the rear rim? For a 2.5" wide rim a 130 is the max recommended size. If the rim is 2.75 or 3.0 then you can go up to a 140, although I'm not sure about on-bike clearance. Just don't be dumb and ignore the rim size situation. Using a tire that's wider than the rim can support is not advised.

I have a 130/90-18 on mine. Next time I'll go to a 120. Waste of money.
Steve

The 550-Ltd Rr wheel is 3.0 x 16. Stock tire is 130/90-16.

If I have go with a tire that looks the part that fine with me. If I had the tools and money I would do the fat tire mod... But I'm not really trying to go that deep....

If you a are really set on a fatter rear tyre then get the right sized bigger rear rim for it, otherwise you will lose that precise steering feel.

You might have a few wider rear wheel options in the same cast alloy 7 spoke design from the bigger bikes of the same age,

Nothing screams "I'm a Squid" like wide tires on narrow rims. Just saying.

80B4 wrote: Nothing screams "I'm a Squid" like wide tires on narrow rims. Just saying.

HA ha ha.... got that right.

Might as well be wearing shorts, tank top and flip flops.
Bikes like that don't go through mud puddles or any water for that matter.
Steve