Tire Height

[Guido]

Hello i am new here and own a 2003 r1150r I am ok with the 170 rear tire but was thinking of finding a taller tire..(I am 6ft3) does somebody make a taller tire ? my rim is 5.0 and I am ok with the width just looking for a tire that is taller also am looking for a taller front tire....is this safe?

[Rags]

No it isn't safe.

The unintended consequence is you change the rake and rail and you can have serious handling problems

I put a larger rear tire on a Sportster I converted to a Street Tracker.

It changed the rake & trail and I had frame shake at 80.

I put a fork stabilizer on front and it mitigated the problem, but I never trusted the bike after that

I lowered the pegs on my R1150RS and it reduced leg cramps, you might like to check them out

Rags

[towerworker]

Some of the aftermarket seats may help as well. I have a Sargent seat and it made a very noticeable difference in height (probably an inch or more) plus a much more comfortable ride.

[riceburner]

I'd say the danger is more that you're going to risk rubbing the outer tyre diameter against the swingarm/shock mount.


Bets bet if you want more ride height is to use a GS Paralever arm. This will pull the rear wheel down relative to the rest of the Paralever geometry.

I've done just this on my Rockster and it works perfectly. The steering made a little more responsive as well.

Rags, I hesitate to say this - but it could be that the issues you had were down to more than just minor adjustments to the rake & trail. The BMW frames are more accepting of these types of adjustments. (eg - look at the different setups across the R-259 series range... R1100S, R1100/1150RS, RT, R, Rockster... etc

[Rags]

I'd say the danger is more that you're going to risk rubbing the outer tyre diameter against the swingarm/shock mount.


Bets bet if you want more ride height is to use a GS Paralever arm. This will pull the rear wheel down relative to the rest of the Paralever geometry.

I've done just this on my Rockster and it works perfectly. The steering made a little more responsive as well.

Rags, I hesitate to say this - but it could be that the issues you had were down to more than just minor adjustments to the rake & trail. The BMW frames are more accepting of these types of adjustments. (eg - look at the different setups across the R-259 series range... R1100S, R1100/1150RS, RT, R, Rockster... etc

Yup... could be... it brought the tracker rake & trail to near Ducati angles

Rags

[sweatmark]

Ditto riceburner's recommendation.

I'm using the 365mm GS Paralever piece, plus longer-than-stock length shocks, on my Rockster. The front Ohlins is R1150R Roadster spec (longer than Rockster); the rear is Rockster length + 10mm via adjuster. The wheels remain grounded with center stand down. I'm 6ft tall with 31" inseam and touch both side on tiptoes when seated on aftermarket seat built 1" taller than the Roadster seat norm (about the same as Rockster high seat, after some seat squish). Bike turn-in improved, and I greatly prefer the twitchy handling over solid OE Rockster, and over standard Roadster handling... We owned R1150R Roadster for 40k miles (OE shocks and then Ohlins), so that's my point of reference. These motorcycles will never be sportbikes, but have potential for good overall handling despite the Telelever. I love my Rockster sport utility cow.

My suggestion is to start with the GS Paralever link for your Roadster, consider a taller seat if not already equipped with same, and possibly change handlebar depending on preferred ergonomics.

[Guido]

all you folks have good ideas thanks so much!!!