rear tire circumference

[NVdan]

I need help and opinions. I have two new rear tires same brand and size. However they measure about 3/4 inch difference in circumference. Will this cause problems ?
The trike is a 1983 200X.
Thanks, Dan

[350for350]

That's not a very big difference. It may cause some problems, but I kind of doubt it. You can adjust the air pressure in one or the other to get them both to the same circumference if you do have issues.

[NVdan]

350 for350, thanks for the reply. I was concerned that one tire would be going faster than the other and cause some side to side problems

[350for350]

Unless you ride it on hard pack, you probably won't even notice it.

[wonderboy]

I agree with all the previous comments, but wanted to add that I find it better to inflate the tires to the same circumference. The pressure is good to get in the right ballpark, but I always tweak one tire to match the other's circumference. On dirt, I agree you'll not really notice a difference. But it is pretty easy to get to within an 1/8" or at worst a 1/4" measuring around the tire.

[Shawn Powell]

I disagree. I had a set of brands new Kendas that did this , one about 3/4 taller than the other. Pulled hard to the low side. I thought I had bent my trike. Flipped em pulled to the other side. Put on the tires from my other bike , straight. Felt like one was flat. Kenda sent me two new ones and it’s fine now. This was on dirt , gravel and trails. Ride it and see but if it pulls send em back.


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[350for350]

I disagree. I had a set of brands new Kendas that did this , one about 3/4 taller than the other. Pulled hard to the low side. I thought I had bent my trike. Flipped em pulled to the other side. Put on the tires from my other bike , straight. Felt like one was flat. Kenda sent me two new ones and it’s fine now. This was on dirt , gravel and trails. Ride it and see but if it pulls send em back.


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NV Dan doesn't have one tire that's 3/4" taller than the other, he has one that's 3/4" larger in diameter than the other one. You probably can't even see this difference.

[Shawn Powell]

NV Dan doesn't have one tire that's 3/4" taller than the other, he has one that's 3/4" larger in diameter than the other one. You probably can't even see this difference.

Got it , I mis read the original post then. My bad. Yeah that’s super minimal on height then. Probably ride it and see but probably won’t mater much


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[NVdan]

Thanks to everyone who replied. The reason one tire is different than the other is because one is a different series of the same tire. They are both CST ambush 22-10-10 but one is almost 3 years older than the other. The company I bought them from is exchanging the older one for a new one.262419

[350for350]

That's good to hear. I'm not terribly experienced with this, but from my own limited experience, there usually isn't much of a difference in tire circumfrances these days (assuming that the two are made at close to the same time). It's my opinion that even the cheaper ones are made better than tires were back in the 80's. I've bought a few pairs of tires in the last several years and haven't had any issues by just using the same air pressure in them. If they were made three years apart, then I can see where that may make a difference.

[MrConcdid]

Also found out the width varies greatly as well.
I have a Carlisle Timber wolf 25x12-9 that mounted on a stock 85 Big Red rim will not fit between the front forks of the same bike. Even thought it is the correct size, this brands tire is wider than others.

MrC.

[NVdan]

the tire with the colored logo is the older one, date code 0817. The one with no logo is date coded 4219. I believe the date codes are week/year. The one that has no logo in the sidewall makes me think the tire molds were different as the colored logo on the older tire is actually imbedded in the side wall on both sides. The newer one has none on either side.
Dan

[350for350]

Also found out the width varies greatly as well.
I have a Carlisle Timber wolf 25x12-9 that mounted on a stock 85 Big Red rim will not fit between the front forks of the same bike. Even thought it is the correct size, this brands tire is wider than others.

MrC.

Despite the stated sizes, tires actually made to ift in "rear only" and "all position" sizes. The rear tires are wider than the all or any position tires. They usually have a more aggressive tread. To run a rear tire on the front, you need to go with a narrower width than the factory size. The height can stay the same.

[Dirtcrasher]

They sold you 2 different aged tires with YEARS between them!!??

I guess they were hoping to unload them somewhere...

[MrConcdid]

Despite the stated sizes, tires actually made to ift in "rear only" and "all position" sizes. The rear tires are wider than the all or any position tires. They usually have a more aggressive tread. To run a rear tire on the front, you need to go with a narrower width than the factory size. The height can stay the same.

I was unaware that the front and rear designation would change overall size of a tire beyond what was printed on the tire casing. So Honda used 3 front tires on there 3 wheeler's so that they could be rotated or moved around?
I have never heard that reasoning before.
You are correct I have some very narrow 25x12-9 and some very wide 25x12-9 all mounted on the same rim, I thought this difference was between manufacturers not tire placement.

MrC.

[350for350]

Tire sizing may be different today than it was back in the 80's. There wasn't a lot of big mud tires available back then like there is today. It may be that the two different sizes came about because of this. It also may be that three wheelers were being made and sold so all of the tires needed to fit between the forks. That is something that isn't very common today. Our community is a small percentage of the total number of ATVs that are out there. Before I buy any tires online, I'll look at the description closely to see where the tire can go. If it's not for "any" position, I won't buy it. In the last couple of years, I've bought a 1985 250SX and my 250ES that had the front tires rubbing on the forks. The SX forks were shot so I had to get different ones. I was lucky on the ES and the wear marks aren't very deep. From my observations, the more aggressive mud tires are almost always made for the rear on the machine while the knobby ones are all position.

[MrConcdid]

Since we are talking tires, Weight must be a consideration on these under powered machines also,
I have a very old goodyear 25x11-9 mounted on a rim that weights almost nothing may be 6 lbs compared to a 25x12-9 Carlisle Timber wolf mounted on the same size wheel makes me grunt, must be close to 15 pounds, that is a lot of rotational weight to have to muscle. Granted the Goodyear is an inch narrower that is not why it is so light, the Goodyear is a 4 ply, the Carlise is a 6ply that alone is the biggest factor.

I really like the 4ply 25x12-9 Ocelot 318 knobby, they look like the OE tire, they are super light I have a 200m with the timber wolfs and a 200e with the Ocelot 318, there is a considerable difference in speed, and take off on other wise comparable machines, the Carlisle's grip better and have less roll in them but Like with most things it is a trade off, as to whats most important to you.
Thank you, 350for350 for explaining the "tire placement" meaning, I have read it, but never understood its true meaning.
MrC.

[350for350]

The lighter tires usually have fewer plies in them as well. They ride smoother since they aren't as stiff.