Larger rear tire... adjustment to rear suspension?

[JNadler]

Good afternoon y'all... I read through this great forum that you could fit a 240/55r16 rear tire on the rocket 3 roadsters. This worked out wonderfully for me but I have a question about rake and trail (heard this from a mechanic, still looking into how it works).

The question is, do I need to adjust the rear suspension after fitting this new larger tire that is roughly 1" taller (original tire height was 25.4") to ensure the bike rides properly?

 

[TURBO200R4]

although the tire is 1 inch taller it only raises the bike 1/2 inch

 

[Mongler07]

Good afternoon y'all... I read through this great forum that you could fit a 240/55r16 rear tire on the rocket 3 roadsters. This worked out wonderfully for me but I have a question about rake and trail (heard this from a mechanic, still looking into how it works).

The question is, do I need to adjust the rear suspension after fitting this new larger tire that is roughly 1" taller (original tire height was 25.4") to ensure the bike rides properly?

3 things
1: Turning is going to be harder a tiny bit and you can't turn as sharp without leaning further this it widens the turning and hardens the handling. Not a huge deal but a deal breaker for me!
2: there is wiring under the rear fender, word is if you drop the suspension from the stock 13 to a 11.5 or lower that you run a high risk of the tire contacting so I would assume if you go with a bigger tire that might be an issue if you were 2 up or something .... Food for thought
3: cost. There are still some amazing deals for the 240 rear. I posted that deal. Under 200 bucks a tire.
Why go bigger if the only thing that it does is increase cost and decrease handling.
Imo if I was a harder rider I would go with a slightly smaller tire if I could find one.

Pros: looks amazing with a bigger tire for sure. Also a little more life? I get almost 9k to a rear on the bridge stones I linked the deal to.

Directly to answered your question... Probably not. Handling is all about the relationship of the front tire to the rear tire in its radius as you turn. As long as they are strait with each other and it's not cupped or dished it's probably fine
I'm not an expert on going with that tire exactly but I have enough seat time and book time to know that the best handling is either stock or smaller.

 

[JNadler]

3 things
1: Turning is going to be harder a tiny bit and you can't turn as sharp without leaning further this it widens the turning and hardens the handling. Not a huge deal but a deal breaker for me!
2: there is wiring under the rear fender, word is if you drop the suspension from the stock 13 to a 11.5 or lower that you run a high risk of the tire contacting so I would assume if you go with a bigger tire that might be an issue if you were 2 up or something .... Food for thought
3: cost. There are still some amazing deals for the 240 rear. I posted that deal. Under 200 bucks a tire.
Why go bigger if the only thing that it does is increase cost and decrease handling.
Imo if I was a harder rider I would go with a slightly smaller tire if I could find one.

Pros: looks amazing with a bigger tire for sure. Also a little more life? I get almost 9k to a rear on the bridge stones I linked the deal to.

Directly to answered your question... Probably not. Handling is all about the relationship of the front tire to the rear tire in its radius as you turn. As long as they are strait with each other and it's not cupped or dished it's probably fine
I'm not an expert on going with that tire exactly but I have enough seat time and book time to know that the best handling is either stock or smaller.

I appreciate the time and thought for this response it raises some really interesting directions.

I actually sized up with the rear tire because it was cheaper than any 240/50r16 I could find (number one being the Metzler 888 which is double the price of the Bridgestone) and im hoping it lasts a bit longer cause the Metzler wore down quickly. I could honestly care less about having a bigger tire, you can't really see the difference once the saddle bags and exhaust are back on.

I cleaned up the wiring to ensure it would be safe from the tire (if it hits the inside of the fender I got bigger problems then). Also after test driving it I found that I can corner more comfortably and bang out figure 8's and U turns with greater ease (maybe I got lucky with the set up, or its a psychological thing, or the other tires were more spent to which they affectedthe handling).

 

[JNadler]

although the tire is 1 inch taller it only raises the bike 1/2 inch

You right, my math wasn't matching too well.

 

[Mongler07]

I appreciate the time and thought for this response it raises some really interesting directions.

I actually sized up with the rear tire because it was cheaper than any 240/50r16 I could find (number one being the Metzler 888 which is double the price of the Bridgestone) and im hoping it lasts a bit longer cause the Metzler wore down quickly. I could honestly care less about having a bigger tire, you can't really see the difference once the saddle bags and exhaust are back on.

I cleaned up the wiring to ensure it would be safe from the tire (if it hits the inside of the fender I got bigger problems then). Also after test driving it I found that I can corner more comfortably and bang out figure 8's and U turns with greater ease (maybe I got lucky with the set up, or its a psychological thing, or the other tires were more spent to which they affectedthe handling).

I picked up 2 of the bridgestone for $190 a pop. had to order 2, the rebate came in 2 weeks. EASY PEASY.

 

[Journeyman]

I had a 2011 roadster and routinely ran the Exedra Max. I also run it on my 3R. The increased height effectively shortens the rake, which * improves * handling on that bike. It will turn with less effort. It’s all twisties where I live. Trust me and many others who will chime in- it’s not psychological . It’s not a compromise. It’s an improvement.

 

[1olbull]

I'm sorry, but no way is turning harder with a taller rear tire.
This decreases trail and quickens turning. In fact, you should not only go with the 240/55R16 ExcedraMax rear, a smaller front tire will further reduce trail and improve handling even more!
DO NOT lower the rear suspension! If your inseam is more than 30", consider 13" shocks over the 12" OEM.
LESS TRAIL = QUICKER STEERING.
MORE TRAIL = MORE IN LINE STABILITY AT SPEED.
Obviously the best trail setting has to do with what and how you ride. Trials bikes have the least because they never go fast and demand slow speed control and balance. Drag bikes have way more trail because they go high speed and in a straight line.
The R3R is a huge bike and it was designed with the rear axle .5" lower than the front axle (WTF?). Most likely it was done for litiguous reasons.
If you are an intermediate or better rider, do the tire changes. If not, you have no business riding a R3R or R3.
Burma Shave . . . . .

 

[1olbull]

PS: As Herman pointed out the 240/55 raises the axle .5". Now lower the front axle .5" and you will have a whole new, BETTER HANDLING, motorcycle!
If interested, I have prepared scale diagrams with all the pertinent dimensions (including rake and trail) for both stock and with suggesred tire changes.

 

[Mongler07]

I'm sorry, but no way is turning harder with a taller rear tire.
This decreases trail and quickens turning. In fact, you should not only go with the 240/55R16 ExcedraMax rear, a smaller front tire will further reduce trail and improve handling even more!
DO NOT lower the rear suspension! If your inseam is more than 30", consider 13" shocks over the 12" OEM.
LESS TRAIL = QUICKER STEERING.
MORE TRAIL = MORE IN LINE STABILITY AT SPEED.
Obviously the best trail setting has to do with what and how you ride. Trials bikes have the least because they never go fast and demand slow speed control and balance. Drag bikes have way more trail because they go high speed and in a straight line.
The R3R is a huge bike and it was designed with the rear axle .5" lower than the front axle (WTF?). Most likely it was done for litiguous reasons.
If you are an intermediate or better rider, do the tire changes. If not, you have no business riding a R3R or R3.
Burma Shave . . . . .

I mean not smaller.... Not as wide.