15" or 17" wheels and tires.

[Dr. Dan]

Hi all...I will be ordering a new Motor Trike Razor for my 2012 Goldwing next week...My question ...Do I stay with 15" stock wheels and tires or...upgrade to 17"...Better ride???? After 50 years of 2 wheels.... This will be my first trike..I am sure I will have many questions..Thanks... Dr. Dan

 

[DWATC]

I have no idea how it will ride with either tire on it, however I've seen Motor Trikes with the 15" tires and don't like the looks. The 15" tires will be much cheaper than the low profile 17" if that is a consideration.

 

[Solidbob]

17" is a low profile Radial tire for that rim, (ME) I'd stick with the 15" as you get more tire and have a better chance of getting it stopped before the tire shreds in case of a flat or blow-out. If they give a Chrome option for the 15" I'd go that way, plus its easier to get out of the wheel well....

 

[trikeleader]

The 15 inch will give you a better ride (more side wall to dampen bumps in the road). with the 17 inch it looks good but you will feel every crack in the road (rougher ride).
Just my experience, take it for what it is worth.
epper:

 

[Papa Zook]

Dan, the 15's will give you a slightly better ride, but a lot of guys are going with the 17's and 18's for the look these days. Not a good comparison I know, but I had 16's on my Chevy Tahoe and switched to a set of new stock Chevy LTZ 20" take offs I bought from a friend and the ride is excellent even though the tire profile is much lower, so I don't think the shorter sidewall makes a huge difference unless you get extreme with it. The switch also lowered my cruising speed RPMs (about 80MPH on the interstates) which I like.

 

[mhgoldwing]

Most riders I know that have 17" rims started with 16". Starting with 15 & going to 17" seems like a leap on the trike and I would be concerned about the ride quality. Handling around curves will be excellent!

 

[Veritas44]

Split the difference and go for the best of both worlds,,,
16"
(if they offer the option)
If not from MT, see if your Dealer/Installer can/will take care of the custom Combo and swap the Stock ones out.
Shouldn't be any issue as long as the overall diameter and Offset is the same.

 

[KBot]

15 or 17"

I had a 2005 MotorTrike with 15" wheels, and now have a 2014 MotorTrike Razor with 17" wheels. I like the looks of the 17" and don't feel a difference in the ride.

 

[SMSgt]

The 17" wheels and tires will have less side wall role as there is less sidewall, imagine that:laugh: . You should have tighter cornering. I'll be going to 17's as soon as I need new tires.

 

[jtilmon]

I've had17" chrome wheels on a Roadsmith for 4 yrs and they ride great.
like the look much better than the 15" wheels.

hope this helps

 

[mhgoldwing]

I've had17" chrome wheels on a Roadsmith for 4 yrs and they ride great.
like the look much better than the 15" wheels.

hope this helps

My 2011 HT1800 came with 16" tires.

 

[dirtdobber]

Mine with 18 inch wheels and 245x 45 tires it handles great but the ride isn't as good. With a smaller tire it may be better. I have 10 inch wide wheels.
I have 205x65x16 handles good with a good ride. I just don't like the wheel design. It seems every maker of trikes like the same design. What's up wit dat?