Kenda 130/90 wider than Dunlop 140/90???

So I am shopping around for new shoes, and I hear a lot of people using/liking their Dunlop 404. I'm a bit OCD, so I get out the ol' calipers and measure what's on there now (Kenda Challenger 130/90-16), which comes to 136mm. Then I head over to the local speedshop, and put them on a pair of Dunlop 404 140/90-16, and I get 131mm.

So the Kenda 130/90 is wider than the Dunlop 10/90...

Has anyone else seen this kind of variance in widths before, or are these particular manufacturers know for being fat/skinny (respectively)?

See that all the time. Compare same size tires from any of the manufacturers and they will vary, sometimes quite a bit. I try to find spec.s on any tires I'm looking at to find tread width, etc. just for that reason. Many times you see just what you came across. Just because it is labeled a bigger size doesn't actually mean it is bigger the a smaller one from another brand. Check the spec.s before you buy if room is at a premium for this reason. You have to measure the tread width from tread edge to tread edge and actual side to side width which are two different measurements. It can depend of the tread/sidewall ratio (130/90 or 130/80) and the profile. Some tires have a rounded tread profile and to get a certain width, the actual tread width is wider then a tire with a flatter profile. That's why I check the spec.s if I can find them and like you, get actual measurements if possible. Most tire makers have tire spec.s on their websites if you can find them and even some companys like Dennis Kirk might have the spec.s. Just have to look around and see what you can find.

Sorry, see next post.

It even varies across different model tires from the same manufacturer. The 3 tires in the photo below are all new 100/90-v19 front tires. Starting from the left theres a Michelin Macadam 50E then a Michelin A-48, then a Pirelli Sport Demon. The A-48 is about 1/2" wider than the others, but look at the difference in height. They're all different and the Pirelli is WAY taller than the A-48 or the Macadam. I can't imagine why the manufacturers can't be more consistent. I guess as long as the hole in the middle is 19" nothing else matters. Ed

It even varies across different model tires from the same manufacturer. The 3 tires in the photo below are all new 100/90-v19 front tires. Starting from the left theres a Michelin Macadam 50E then a Michelin A-48, then a Pirelli Sport Demon. The A-48 is about 1/2" wider than the others, but look at the difference in height. They're all different and the Pirelli is WAY taller than the A-48 or the Macadam. I can't imagine why the manufacturers can't be more consistent. I guess as long as the hole in the middle is 19" nothing else matters. Ed

This is all true, but sitting on the shelf unmounted it's impossible to determine the actual size of a motorcycle tire. You mount it on a wheel, add air and they take their shape. So chances are all those tires in Eds post are closer than what it seems at first glance. Mount them all on a 1.85" wheel and I doubt a huge variance.

RonKZ650 wrote: "Mount them all on a 1.85" wheel and I doubt a huge variance."

Actually, sadly, there is still a big difference after they're mounted (at least between the 2 Michelin tires). I haven't yet tried the Pirelli's (waiting for a bit more wear on the Macadams currently in use) but for many years I used the Michelin A48's (with ME48's on rear) and when they stopped making them I switched to the Macadams. When I mounted the Macadams on the bike is when I noticed the big difference in width and in reduced stopping power (I can't say I noticed a difference in height). I only wish Michelin had kept the A48/ME48 in production. I'll report on the Pirelli's when try them, but it may not be until the autumn. Ed

I have found all the above to be quite accurate and well stated. I was running a Kenda Challenger in a size 130/90-16. Then bought a Dunlop Elite 3 in size 149/90-16. Both were mounted on a 3" wide wheel. The section width on the Dunlop 140 was exactly 10 mm. wider. In my case, the sizes corresponded perfectly, but this is probably the exception rather than the rule.

I believe the Elite 3 is quite different ftom the 404. The Elite is belted with an extremely firm tread casing and not many sipes in the tread. I believe the 404 to be softer, with a "busy" tread pattern and most likely better in the rain.

I found the Dunlop to be manufactured to much closer tolerances than the Kenda. Good luck.

If you buy the tires from a dealer, check the numbers on the sidewall for the date they were manufactured. Hopefully someone on here can tell what to look for but I know they put that on the tires. Dealers may have their tires sitting there for a year or more and I wouldn't want to buy a tire too old. They degrade over time even sitting on a rack in an air-conditioned shop. Try to get as new tire as you can.

I had figured this sort of scenario would be the case. It's a shame that manufacturers can't be held to some kind of unladen/deflated tolerances.

With all of this in mind, and one recommend a set of tires for my 550TLD? I like the Kendas width (from my first post)as it basically gives me less than 5-10 mm of play on either side. Thats's why I was looking at 140/90-16 (I had heard the Kendas are sized a bit wide). But the lip of the tread going up the sidewall leaves something to be desired (especially in the rain or on turns)even though most of my miles are freeway.

It'd be great to get a set of tires for $150 shipped. My buddy says he'll mount and balance them for a six pack at his shop.