Here is a nice tire size calculator, it seems that a 170/70-16 is very close to the same height as the 150/80-16

150/80-R16 vs 170/70-R16 Tire Comparison - Tire Size Calculator (tacomaworld.com)

 

For the 170/80-16

• Tire Pressure Chalk Test
• Understanding metric sizes

Current Tire Size: / R
New Tire Size: / R
Your Calcs (x): 150 / 80-16 - 170 / 80-16150 / 80-16 - 170 / 70-16
Side by side Overlay

	150/80-16	170/80-16	Difference
Diameter inches (mm)	25.45 (646.4)	26.71 (678.4)	1.26 (32) 5%
Width inches (mm)	5.91 (150)	6.69 (170)	0.79 (20) 13.3%
Circum. inches (mm)	79.95 (2030.73)	83.91 (2131.26)	3.96 (100.53) 5%
Sidewall Height inches (mm)	4.72 (120)	5.35 (136)	0.63 (16) 13.3%
Revolutions per mile (km)	792.5 (492.43)	755.12 (469.21)	-37.38 (-23.23) -4.7%

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Speedometer Difference

Speedo Reading	Actual Speed
20 mph (32.19 km/h)	20.99 mph (33.78 km/h)
25 mph (40.23 km/h)	26.24 mph (42.23 km/h)
30 mph (48.28 km/h)	31.49 mph (50.67 km/h)
35 mph (56.33 km/h)	36.73 mph (59.12 km/h)
40 mph (64.37 km/h)	41.98 mph (67.56 km/h)
45 mph (72.42 km/h)	47.23 mph (76.01 km/h)
50 mph (80.47 km/h)	52.48 mph (84.45 km/h)
55 mph (88.51 km/h)	57.72 mph (92.9 km/h)
60 mph (96.56 km/h)	62.97 mph (101.34 km/h)
65 mph (104.61 km/h)	68.22 mph (109.79 km/h)
70 mph (112.65 km/h)	73.47 mph (118.23 km/h)
75 mph (120.7 km/h)	78.71 mph (126.68 km/h)
80 mph (128.75 km/h)	83.96 mph (135.12 km/h)
85 mph (136.79 km/h)	89.21 mph (143.57 km/h)
90 mph (144.84 km/h)	94.46 mph (152.01 km/h)
95 mph (152.89 km/h)	99.7 mph (160.46 km/h)
100 mph (160.93 km/h)	104.95 mph (168.9 km/h)

It seems that there are no tires in this size, for a 16" rim. There are 15" rims, though.

 

So the 170/70-16 is about 3/4” wider than the stock tire, and rim width is quoted at 4”-5” wide. It would likely fit better on our stock rim width of 3 1/2”. The 170/80-16 would also fit our rims, and is only 1/2” wider than the stock tile, but it is noticeably taller than the stock tire, which would help the ground clearance and give a quicker steering geometry to the Scout. Depending upon your needs and taste, either one of these would be a better fit on a stock Scout rear rim.
Charlie

 

Shinko, Metzler, Dunlop, and Avon all make this size of tire, 170/70-16. As I was searching, I found that Shinko has two, the 777, and a new 999 touring long distance tire. The 999 is supposed to give long life, and superior performance than the 777, which I currently have on the rear in a whitewall. It’s not too expensive, either, so that might be my next rear tire. The current 777 I have did very well on the trip to California and back last September, and I currently have about 7k miles on it, and there is plenty of tread left. I estimate at least 10k tread life for the 777, and they say at least 12-15k for the 999. With added lifespan, and better performance in the wet, the 999 may be a very good tire for our Scouts.
Charlie

 

That’s probably the first positive thing I’ve known anyone to say about Shinko tires. Maybe they’ve gotten better. Be sure and let us know how they do.


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Yeah, I got to know every bump and crack at Nelson Ledges, it was my favorite track. But, they repaved it about 6 years ago, new owners, and they put in curbs and painted them red and white stripes, they are updating the facilities, and making it into a world class track. There was talk of putting in garages at the pits, to make it better for the racers. I would love to see them bring back the 8 hour endurance races like back in the late ‘70’s. It is probably the fastest track in the country since the paving, and man, can you fly around it. I recommend doing another track day there. I think Sam Wang may still be doing Lean Track days. Google it and see. He was doing 1 and 2 hour light displacement endurance races. There is a lot of excitement watching 250-400cc machines come into turn 12 3 across, lol. I was racing an RD350, and a VTR250 Interceptor there.
Charlie

I haven’t done any track days for several years. I still miss it sometimes. Never did race.
Do you still have the VTR 250? That must be a sweet handling and nimble bike.


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I haven’t done any track days for several years. I still miss it sometimes. Never did race.
Do you still have the VTR 250? That must be a sweet handling and nimble bike.


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Oh yeah,it’s one of the best handling bikes out there. A Yamaha R3 has nothing on the VTR250. I grafted on a set of 1989 CBR600 front forks with the triple trees from a VF500 Interceptor. It has the same rake and trail, but allowed me to mount the 37mm front forks and 2 1/2-17 front wheel from the CBR600 and the J-box and fuse box and ignition switch mounted just like stock. I did have to use the shorter stem in the lower triple tree, but it was a simple swap. I got the benefits of a dual disc front brake with dual piston calipers, and it stops real well. I used to go around the 600cc race bikes in the corners when we were practicing. It had a top speed of 108-114mph depending on gearing.
I also mounted the swingarm and rear rim from a 1990 VTR250 whic was a 3” wide 17” rim.
‘Jamie Daugherty, who does all the VFR700 guys suspensions did the front forks, and a CBR600F3 rear shock for me. He converted it from eye to Clevis on the bottom of the shock. Man, was it fun! I actually beat a TRIUMPH 900CC bike at VMD Mid Ohio one year. I would pass him down in the valley, and then he would pass me on the back straight. Then, I would be on him after two turns, and pass him right before the hill. Did this 5 times, and the 6th time, I never saw him again, lol. The last few photos are at Nelson Ledges, you probably recognize the tire walls, lol
Charlie

 

Will the 170/80-16 fit diameter wise? Will it rub on the fender support while the rear suspension is fully compressed?

As well as the bigger diameter tire throwing off the speedometer, it virtually changes your final drive ratio. A bigger diameter tire is the same as having taller gearing and will reduce your torque multiplication. But again, the Scout is pretty powerful, a difference of a little more than an inch is 5% and you'd probably wouldn't notice a difference except the speedo being slightly off.

I'd still say the 170/70 is the better way to go.

Motorcycle Tire Sizes Explained - Dennis Kirk

Dennis Kirk has everything you need to learn about tire sizes. Our tire sizes explained guide shows what the tire size numbers mean and why they are important.

www.denniskirk.com

Calculate overall diameter yourself:
Width / 25.4 converts the mm to inches, i.e. 170mm/25.4=6.69in
Width * Aspect Ratio produces the sidewall height, i.e. 6.69in*70%=4.68in
Sidewall height * two because there is a sidewall on either side of the wheel, i.e. 4.68in*2=9.36"
Sidewalls + Rim Diameter gives overall diameter, i.e. 9.36in+16=25.36in

 

Rick, I stated that they do not make a 170/80-16, only a 170/80-15. So, yes if you run a larger diameter, it will throw off your speedometer. As far as rubbing, some here have ran a 180/65-16 and it rubbed the sub frame for some manufacturers of this size, and others were close but didn’t rub. This is why I suggest a 170/70-16, as it is wider, but should have plenty of clearance between the swingarm. It will fit better on a 3 1/2” rim, too.

 

I'm riding on shinko 170/70-16 for me it doesn't feel right. So I'm going to try the 999 and see if I feel any better. Besides the fact that I had to patch the tire with a plug. Also if you use the tail tuck from combustion industries the tire will run. Just a warning to anyone that does this.

 

I have a Shinko 777 170/70-16 on my Scout and it rides well, even with a tire plug for the last 4k miles. I bought another one, and will mount it before winter, but wanted to get some wear out of this one as it had plenty of tread left. What about that tire doesn’t feel right? Is it possible that your belt was damaged by the puncture, and where was the puncture located?
Charlie

 

It was right in the middle of the tread pattern. See before these I was riding Metzler cruisetics, which are radial tires.
Shinkos are bias ply.

 

Yeah, I don’t care for Metzler tires. For the price they aren’t worth it. I have had very good performance out of the Shinko tires, ran them on a variety of bikes before the Scout. As for radials, Continental makes a great tire in the Conti Motion but don’t have sizes for the Scout. The 777 doesn’t squirm as much on tire snakes, either. If they would make a 999 in whitewall, I would mount up a set when these 777’s wear out. I have read very good reviews on their performance and handling.
Charlie

 

Ya I'm looking at the 999 also, since my front tire is pretty new. Now then has anyone tried the Dunlop elite I'm looking at a new set. For next year. Now that my new saddlemen seat will be arriving next week.