Narrower front tire?

[kmac]

After Kiwi asked about a wider rear tire the other day and I rode more sand and still dislike it...
I came up with an idea and thought I would ask if anyone else had tried it or had any relevant ideas on this:

The stock Ten front tire is a 110/80-19", I find in soft sand {I know this is not a sand bike ...yada yada} the tire is not wide enough to float on top, like a quad, but too wide to knife in and act like a rudder, like a 21" does.

I am not up for a 21" conversion any time soon and do not see a need for my riding. BUT- what about using a 100/90-19" ?
My logic {right or wrong?} is that the tire is 10mm narrower and about 2mm taller profile. Maybe, just maybe, making it that tiny bit better in soft stuff and a minimal loss on the street, certainly less loss on tar than a 21" wheel would?

What do you folks think?

The TKC 80 in 100/90-19 is only TT but the Heidi is TL so would still work.

 

[talonboy]

Interesting theory, would require testing. I know the Mitas E-07 front tire made by bike better in the sand, compared to the stock tire. The Mitas does seem a little taller than the stocker, and clearly more knobbie like. I am certain the tire being more knobbie like helps, but not so certain about the thinner or taller aspect.

 

[kmac]

To prove out the possibility/theory you would really need to run 2 of the same tires back to back in the two sizes and test.
Just curious, thinking out loud. The 110/80 is about $135 and the 100/90 is about $110 so if it worked at all it would say $25 per tire. Not saying that would be a motivation for me per say, but would be a nice + if the tire worked any better off road and had low loss on the street.

Often small differences can have disproportionate results. Thought it would be worth asking. The load rating on the 100/90 is a bit lower but still over what is required for my set up. I don't see a big down side tar, and do see possible upsides off tar.... :question:

 

[scott123007]

Thinner tires never worked better for ME in sand. On anything. Just sayin...

 

[snakebitten]

Tire test?

I'm recusing myself from this thread. However, if one of you conquers sand on this Pig, come get me.

I figured the only way to stay on top with this beast requires more......you know, gonads than I have.

 

[MojoToot]

I don't know the limits for size variations from stock for the S 10 but at some point will the ABS become compromised?

 

[snakebitten]

Not sure why. ABS just steps in at wheel lock.

 

[Mark R.]

Give it a try. It will be interesting to find out.

Jaumev put a 21" front wheel on his Tenere, and said it was the best improvement he made to the bike. I know his threads still get a lot of traffic. ( His is one of the best looking Teneres out there, IMHO.)

http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?topic=8791.msg146602#msg146602

Mark R.
Albuquerque

 

[kmac]

I don't know the limits for size variations from stock for the S 10 but at some point will the ABS become compromised?

There would be no interference with ABS, but possibly with TC...not positive, but I doubt it is that sensitive.

Scott, Thinner fronts do help in sand...definitely not on the rear, but on the front they work more like a knife or a rudder. Sand is kind of viscous, not sure if tat is the right word for it, but think of why paddles work on the back, they dig in like a prop does. Same for steering, you need a rudder or something to keep a boat tracking.

Look at any sand vehicle, even if they have big ballonish tires they have a rib down the front centers to work like a rudder.

I am not saying it WILL work, or that it would be better at all, just thinking about trying it...seat of the pants test.

I have ridden a BMW GS with a 21" conversion and it was almost rideable in the sand where a stock 19" wheel GS is a wallowing beast in sand and most GS riders avoid it like the plague. I know part of that improvement equation is the larger gyro effect of the 21", but it also cuts better into the sand imho and experience. I own a BMW with a 21" wheel BTW, so I can speak from experience.... ::025::

 

[scott123007]

Scott, Thinner fronts do help in sand...definitely not on the rear, but on the front they work more like a knife or a rudder. Sand is kind of viscous, not sure if tat is the right word for it, but think of why paddles work on the back, they dig in like a prop does. Same for steering, you need a rudder or something to keep a boat tracking.

I only said what didn't work for me. I was pretty fast off road in the late 70's (at least that's what race results showed anyway, LOL), and you can see where I'm from, right?

 

[kmac]

Morning Scott,
I appreciate the input. I want the input. People like you with experience is what I am hoping for with this discussion.
I will start with either a K60 or a TKC80, haven't decided yet, but in the stock size and see what improvement that makes first for sure at least as a base line then maybe try the 100/90. It is only $110 and maybe worth a try at that price. What is the worst that can happen? 3K miles of mildly worse performance and back to the 110/80....no big deal. Chalk it up to R&D....

We have a good bit of sand here in So Cal as well....lol. ::008::

 

[Ramseybella]

I am running 90/90-21" front on 140/80-18" on the rear.
The verdict, I had a Triumph Tiger 900 with 17"X19" the Tenere has a bit more manageability with the thinner tire and larger rim but not by much, on rocks and dirt it's 10 times better to maneuver.

This bike is heavy bottom line, plowing it through sand and mud just ages you. I cringe when I see it and evaluate if it's worth the try.

If it's a short few yards OK if the mud has deep 4x4 ruts and dripping wet I am planning my way out if I get stuck or around it.

That's just me, I got stuck in both you get a work out both ways..
Jamie took the 21" off due to it hitting his skid plate when bottoming out the front shocks, the ones in those photo are standard.

 

[dclements0]

I am running 90/90-21" front on 140/80-18" on the rear.
The verdict, I had a Triumph Tiger 900 with 17"X19" the Tenere has a bit more manageability with the thinner tire and larger rim but not by much, on rocks and dirt it's 10 times better to maneuver.

This bike is heavy bottom line, plowing it through sand and mud just ages you. I cringe when I see it and evaluate if it's worth the try.

If it's a short few yards OK if the mud has deep 4x4 ruts and dripping wet I am planning my way out if I get stuck or around it.

That's just me, I got stuck in both you get a work out both ways..
Jamie took the 21" off due to it hitting his skid plate when bottoming out the front shocks, the ones in those photo are standard.

Where'd you get your 21" and 18" wheels from? Did you use your stock hubs and have them laced or???

 

[Ramseybella]

Woody's Wheel out of Denver, this came with the bike 2rear hub is stock front is Woody's custom with KTM rotors.

http://www.woodyswheelworks.com/home.htm

 

[snakebitten]

That bike calls me. I try to ignore it.

 

[dclements0]

Woody's Wheel out of Denver, this came with the bike 2rear hub is stock front is Woody's custom with KTM rotors.

http://www.woodyswheelworks.com/home.htm

Can i ask what price this runs?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Philistine]

To get a bike to run in soft sand, you need to get as much weight off the front wheel as possible eg:- Bum over the rear wheel pull back hard on the bars and keep the throttle wide open, this might work for the S10 but I wont be trying it any time soon ::025:: Otherwise I think the wider the front tyre the better the bike would run in sand

 

[Ramseybella]

Can i ask what price this runs?

Don't know it the wheels came on the bike used..
Give them a call..


The front end is defiantly lighter with the 21"..