2015 vulcan 900 custom Can't find a bigger rear tire under $400.

567 Views 24 Replies 10 Participants Last post by mrezguy1, 15 d ago

phantompiggy

Discussion Starter · 20 d ago

I have a 2015 vulcan 900 custom with 4500 miles. I have a 2 inch lowering kit coming in and wanted a new bigger tire. Problem is only one 200 size tire is available at $400 and zero 230 tires. The center of my rear tire is bald so I need to order one very soon....id rather not spend over double a 180 tire for something slightly bigger but really really want that bigger tire look. I'd think about spending that for a 230. Any alternative suggestions would be appreciated.

I don't want to spend the money on a big tire kit yet as I just got the bike 2 months ago and just spent $1200 yesterday on a memphis bullet fairing, power commander V(came straight piped lots of backfiring), lowering kit, mirrors, iridium spark plugs, and some other small stuff. I will probably send it away for the winter to get turboed but thats for another day/post.

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Plee911

· #2 · 19 d ago

Tire prices are high right now because of supply and demand issues.
There are some made here in the USA but ALL rubber comes from overseas and there are port delays on EVERYTHING. This is pushing the prices up. Add to that this is prime riding season so everyone who needs a tire is hitting the shops and demand is really high.
I think the last tire i got around that size still ran me over $300.
eBay could be an option just make sure you dealing with a reputable dealer

phantompiggy

Discussion Starter · #3 · 19 d ago

Plee911 said:
Tire prices are high right now because of supply and demand issues.
There are some made here in the USA but ALL rubber comes from overseas and there are port delays on EVERYTHING. This is pushing the prices up. Add to that this is prime riding season so everyone who needs a tire is hitting the shops and demand is really high.
I think the last tire i got around that size still ran me over $300.
eBay could be an option just make sure you dealing with a reputable dealer

Thanks for the info. I checked ebay to see if maybe I could find a used one for right now but nothing yet. I can find tons of 170 tires and 180s for our bikes between $150-250 but nothing 200+.... Assumed it was just not a very common tire size but yea im sure its more a combination of both uncommon tire size and supply and demand issues. Guess im sticking 180 for now until I can get the big tire ki

Sabre-t

· #4 · 19 d ago

You are looking for a tire that is almost 30% (actually 28%) wider than stock putting a 230 on a rim for a 180. As you go up in % wider, tires above 10% have a higher chance of popping the bead off the rim if you hit a bump or pot hole. Yes, I know, lots of folks have way oversized tires and have never had problems, but I have known several folks with tires in the 10 - 15% range that have popped beads off the rims when hitting bumps, one time with near catastrophic results (he was very luck to have only minor injuries when it popped off at highway speeds). Every one of them swore off oversize tires after that.

Not trying to tell you what to do, just throwing that out for consideration.

Reactions: 2

phantompiggy

Discussion Starter · #5 · 19 d ago

Sabre-t said:
You are looking for a tire that is almost 30% (actually 28%) wider than stock putting a 230 on a rim for a 180. As you go up in % wider, tires above 10% have a higher chance of popping the bead off the rim if you hit a bump or pot hole. Yes, I know, lots of folks have way oversized tires and have never had problems, but I have known several folks with tires in the 10 - 15% range that have popped beads off the rims when hitting bumps, one time with near catastrophic results (he was very luck to have only minor injuries when it popped off at highway speeds). Every one of them swore off oversize tires after that.

Not trying to tell you what to do, just throwing that out for consideration.

Yea I totally agree that it is something to consider. I would really like to stick with the 200 as it will fit better anyways with the lowering kit. Im willing to risk a blowout for a 230 if I can't get a 200 because I really really hate the way the rear end of this bike looks. Mine has the stupid ass green flames so im kind of desperate to make it look better.

ENRICO

· #6 · 19 d ago

phantompiggy said:
Yea I totally agree that it is something to consider. I would really like to stick with the 200 as it will fit better anyways with the lowering kit. Im willing to risk a blowout for a 230 if I can't get a 200 because I really really hate the way the rear end of this bike looks. Mine has the stupid ass green flames so im kind of desperate to make it look better.

Are you really willing to risk a blowout ?!

Reactions: 1

phantompiggy

Discussion Starter · #7 · 19 d ago

See

ENRICO said:
Are you really willing to risk a blowout ?!

I don't know ive seen plenty of people on here have no problems running a 230. Im sure literally anything is safer than what I have on right now. Rear tire had 40psi in it and its the stock tire so it is completely worn in the center but the outside looks brand new lol i lowered the psi to 28 but something feels very weird about the tire now.... and it definitely felt better with more air in it so itl probably explode on my way home tonight from work at 1am. It leaned into corners way easier with more air in it and low speed feel very wrong.

retiredandflying

· #8 · 19 d ago

Summit Racing has the Avon Cobra Chrome 22/70B-15 for $277.00 plus $10.00 oversize package surcharge. Still not cheap, but better than $400.00. I have one on my bike and really like it. The only mod I had to make to fit it was move the belt guard out a bit with a couple of washers under the mounting bolt because the tire was rubbing it very slightly.

Sabre-t

· #9 · 19 d ago

phantompiggy said:
See

I don't know ive seen plenty of people on here have no problems running a 230. Im sure literally anything is safer than what I have on right now. Rear tire had 40psi in it and its the stock tire so it is completely worn in the center but the outside looks brand new lol i lowered the psi to 28 but something feels very weird about the tire now.... and it definitely felt better with more air in it so itl probably explode on my way home tonight from work at 1am. It leaned into corners way easier with more air in it and low speed feel very wrong.

That wear is a perfect description of an over inflated tire. And 28 psi is very under inflated. No wonder it feels weird. One extreme to the other.

Reactions: 2

phantompiggy

Discussion Starter · #10 · 19 d ago

retiredandflying said:
Summit Racing has the Avon Cobra Chrome 22/70B-15 for $277.00 plus $10.00 oversize package surcharge. Still not cheap, but better than $400.00. I have one on my bike and really like it. The only mod I had to make to fit it was move the belt guard out a bit with a couple of washers under the mounting bolt because the tire was rubbing it very slightly.

Sabre-t said:
That wear is a perfect description of an over inflated tire. And 28 psi is very under inflated. No wonder it feels weird. One extreme to the other.

So 28-32 psi is incorrect for the stock 180? I thought it would be better to have the tire on the lower end of the acceptable tire pressure from kawasaki since im 200lbs and its worn bad in the center.

Sabre-t

· #11 · 19 d ago

phantompiggy said:
So 28-32 psi is incorrect for the stock 180? I thought it would be better to have the tire on the lower end of the acceptable tire pressure from kawasaki since im 200lbs and its worn bad in the center.

I guess it might depend on how far and how fast you rode in one session. At low psi, a tire will flex too much and will build up heat, especially at higher speeds. It can get VERY hot. Since you already have excess center wear, that could be a disaster at highway speeds. At lower speeds, there is not as much flexing so the heat doesn't build up so much.

phantompiggy

Discussion Starter · #12 · 19 d ago

Sabre-t said:
That wear is a perfect description of an over inflated tire. And 28 psi is very under inflated. No wonder it feels weird. One extreme to the other.

Put 38psi

Sabre-t said:
I guess it might depend on how far and how fast you rode in one session. At low psi, a tire will flex too much and will build up heat, especially at higher speeds. It can get VERY hot. Since you already have excess center wear, that could be a disaster at highway speeds. At lower speeds, there is not as much flexing so the heat doesn't build up so much.

Yea I pulled over twice cause it felt like something was was wrong when I was leaning into some corners. I ended up putting in 38psi from the 28psi and now its fine again. Thanks for the help.

crashtested

· #13 · 17 d ago

FortNine - Metzeler ME 888 Marathon Ultra Rear Tire 200/70/15 $450.99/CAN so a bit cheaper for y'all south of the line.

whoaru99

· #14 · 17 d ago

Darkside could get you a fat tire at a lower price, potentially much lower, and a lot better tread life too.

phantompiggy

Discussion Starter · #15 · 17 d ago

whoaru99 said:
Darkside could get you a fat tire at a lower price, potentially much lower, and a lot better tread life too.

il have to look into them. I think i might have to order that tire from summit racing cause thats not a bad deal.....$280 for an avon cobra.

ENRICO

· #16 · 17 d ago

I wonder why they make tyres specifically for motorcycles when you can get car tyres so much cheaper ?!

whoaru99

· #17 · 17 d ago (Edited)

Talk about one of the biggest bend-overs foisted on people. The price of a motorcycle tire. Half the rubber, a fraction of the treadlife, and 2x the cost or more.

phantompiggy

Discussion Starter · #18 · 17 d ago

whoaru99 said:
Talk about one of the biggest bend-overs foisted on people. The price of a motorcycle tire. Half the rubber, a fraction of the treadlife, and 2x the cost or more.

well i ended up ordering it from american moto tire for $270 so not that bad.... its the av92 cobra chrome tire. Heard they were good and its the 200!

whoaru99

· #19 · 17 d ago

I get motorcycle tires from Dennis Kirk. They have a "beat it by a buck" price policy as long as they can verify the price to beat is in print, same tire, etc. Conditions are on their website.

RyanNC

· #20 · 16 d ago

phantompiggy said:
I have a 2015 vulcan 900 custom with 4500 miles. I have a 2 inch lowering kit coming in and wanted a new bigger tire. Problem is only one 200 size tire is available at $400 and zero 230 tires. The center of my rear tire is bald so I need to order one very soon....id rather not spend over double a 180 tire for something slightly bigger but really really want that bigger tire look. I'd think about spending that for a 230. Any alternative suggestions would be appreciated.

I don't want to spend the money on a big tire kit yet as I just got the bike 2 months ago and just spent $1200 yesterday on a memphis bullet fairing, power commander V(came straight piped lots of backfiring), lowering kit, mirrors, iridium spark plugs, and some other small stuff. I will probably send it away for the winter to get turboed but thats for another day/post.

Darkside. You may find something for less than $100.

Reactions: 1

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