What are the absolute fattest tires I can get?

Stock 78 650.

I have Kendas, but want to upgade.
With a stock set up what is the fattest tire I can run on the bike without mods?

Yukabodos Buddy!!!
:blink:

on a stock rim id say no more than 130,although 120 would probably fit rim better

you probably can only go to a 130 tire as you won't have much room at the front of the swingarm or by the the brake tourque arm also you will be tight to the chain gaurd on the other side.so unless you set the wheel all the way back in the adjusters or replace the swingarm your kind of stuck.and definitly lose the kenda's they suck huge i'm running a 130/80-18 avon roadrider on mine and it has been an awesome tire for me, great traction and really good life out of it so far. and it looks good it doesn't look out of place or cartoonish. but i'm using a bit wider wheel than your using i have a 3.25" lester mag on mine.

Just a couple of cautions

Bigger tires will affect handling. More gyroscopic effect on the front can do strange stuff. Making bike want to stand up and slows steering. Not to mention more unsprung weight affecting suspension. Some like the effect some don't.

One other thing is from my late brother. He brought his 900 to a shop and told them he wanted stock size Bridgestone Spitfires. They put on a larger tire and said that is what everyone does. I hate that answer wherever it's given. He was not happy but decided what the hell. That is until he went to drop his front tire and found that he could not clear his fender bolts without deflating the tire or removing the fender which was a real PITA. Just a warning. Your results may differ. GLuck!

Interesting info, thanks guys. I'm looking at the 120/90/16 and 100/90/19 kenda challengers for replacements. I'm hoping it works out well.

I too double that notion. I liked the big rear tire on a bike because it "looks cool" I had my tires on my zephyr 1100 replaced and told the guy that I wanted a "fat" tire on the rear... I am just glad he didn't listen to me. The quick steering is much more conducive to handling than I can say. In a word probably safer but for sure I need the responsiveness that the proper sized tires offer on the bike. Besides you aren't going to scare anyone on a 650 no matter how fast you make it go unless you stuff a 900 in it. And that just about defeats the whole purpose I guess. So what would you need fat tires for?
Locozuna wrote:

Just a couple of cautions

Bigger tires will affect handling. More gyroscopic effect on the front can do strange stuff. Making bike want to stand up and slows steering. Not to mention more unsprung weight affecting suspension. Some like the effect some don't.

One other thing is from my late brother. He brought his 900 to a shop and told them he wanted stock size Bridgestone Spitfires. They put on a larger tire and said that is what everyone does. I hate that answer wherever it's given. He was not happy but decided what the hell. That is until he went to drop his front tire and found that he could not clear his fender bolts without deflating the tire or removing the fender which was a real PITA. Just a warning. Your results may differ. GLuck!

yet again clearer heads prevale bigger is not always better. my bike still makes over 100 horsepower even 12 years after i built it but the 130 tire still works well for me.