HOWZIT-- TIRE LOAD RATING HOW CRITICAL IS IT REALLY?, STOCK TIRES WERE 185/70/13 @ #85 LOAD(1135lbs.) FOR THE 1ST GEN RIGHT?-- SO IF YOU WANTED TO SAY PUT A TIRE WITH A LOAD RATING OF 1045LBS.- AT A DIFFERANCE OF ONLY 90 LBS.PER TIRE, WHAT KIND OF PROBLEMS MIGHT OCCUR-

 

That depends on how much you weigh It really depends on how much weight is over each tire, since first gens are 2300-2600 lbs. it stands to reason that any tire over 1000 lbs. Max load rating is plenty, possibly overkill.

Oh, I think the stock tires are rated 35 lbs, not 85.

 

Understand, though, that a tire load isn't just vehicle gross weight / 4. Cornering forces can plant a lot more than that on the outside front tire, etc.

 

I wouldn't worry about it. I occasionally ride with some old Bridgestones that are probably older than my car (dry-rotted, cracked, little tread left). I've gone up around 80mph and they seem safe...I just don't use them in the rain.

 

Ditto.

 

Yea, understood, but with only a couple of inches of suspension travel, and spring rates close to 100 lbs/in., and a close to perfect 50/50 weight distribution, the load on a tire can't be much more than 2500/4 + 3" * 100 lbs/in. = 950 lbs.

Of course in view of my other statement, don't drop too much below the stock rating. Engineers tend to leave a little room for worst case scenarios... I'd hate to be the one that blows a tire at 80mph in a corner.

 

hehehe that "it can't be much more than" reasoning can kill ya.

a 100 lb woman wearing high heels can break a man's foot just by stepping on it. It all comes down to pressure, not weight.

 

Oh yea, and don't drive over any womens' high heels, or other somewhat sharp objects