[bstreet329]

just bought a 03 vrod tires are 120/70-19
180/55-18
was wondering if these are stock and if I should go bigger on back ? with out cutting anything.

 

[frogman_h2o]

2003 Harley-Davidson
V-Rod - VRSCA

Specs/Edit

• Drive Type: Belt
• Front Tire Size: 120/70-19
• Rear Tire Size: 180/55-18
• Spark Plug: DCPR8E
• Drive Belt Width: 1 3/8 in.
• Drive Belt Teeth: 149
• Front Sprocket/Pulley Teeth: 28
• Rear Sprocket/Pulley Teeth: 72
• Fork O.D.: 49mm
• Battery: YTX14-BS
• Engine Type: Revolution Style
• Throttle Cable Length: 30 in.
• Idle Cable Length: 29 in.

 

[Knut J]

with out cutting anything.

By going up to 200 there is a chance that something will have to be cut away from e.g. luggage brackets. Then place an adult man on the passenger seat and a flashlight to check whether there is sufficient clearance.
Going up in tire size will reduce the driving characteristics somewhat, not much, but a little. My general recommendation is to stick to the standard size, there are good tires to buy today such as Pirelli, Avon etc that have good properties except lifespan...

 

[noechamp]

I don't have experience with every brand of tire that fits a VROD. But I do have experience with several brands. I currently have 2 tires mounted on stock wheels for my 2003 A model. An Avon Cobra Chrome 200-55-18. And a Metzler 200-50-18. Neither one of these tires will hit anything, including saddlebag brackets, which I have. The Metzler is a little bit tighter and comes closer to hitting the belt guard than anything else. Belts guards can be trimmed to fit . Of the 2, I would recommend the 200-50-18 over the 200-55-18. Because of the gearing on a 2003 model. That said, the only thing you will gain by using any other than stock size tire. Is a better look. I have about 6500 miles on the Avon. It looks to have around half it's life left. Typically, that mileage is where I would change the tire.

 

[noechamp]

2003 Harley-Davidson
V-Rod - VRSCA

Specs/Edit

• Drive Type: Belt
• Front Tire Size: 120/70-19
• Rear Tire Size: 180/55-18
• Spark Plug: DCPR8E
• Drive Belt Width: 1 3/8 in.
• Drive Belt Teeth: 149
• Front Sprocket/Pulley Teeth: 28
• Rear Sprocket/Pulley Teeth: 72
• Fork O.D.: 49mm
• Battery: YTX14-BS
• Engine Type: Revolution Style
• Throttle Cable Length: 30 in.
• Idle Cable Length: 29 in.

The gearing is incorrect in your chart. 2003 models did not come with a 28t front sprocket. It came with a 30t. That changed in 2004.

 

[frogman_h2o]

I would recommend the 200-50-18 over the 200-55-18.

Correct, it is virtually the same in circumference as the stock tire.

The gearing is incorrect in your chart.

I copied and pasted from Dennis Kirk............... 🤪

 

[frogman_h2o]

�

	180/55-18	200/50-18
Diameter inches (mm)	25.8 (655.2)	25.87 (657.2)	0.08 (2) 0.3%
Width inches (mm)	7.09 (180)	7.87 (200)	0.79 (20) 11.1%
Circum. inches (mm)	81.04 (2058.37)	81.29 (2064.65)	0.25 (6.28) 0.3%
Sidewall Height inches (mm)	3.9 (99)	3.94 (100)	0.04 (1) 1%
Revolutions per mile (km)	781.85 (485.82)	779.47 (484.34)	-2.38 (-1.48) -0.3%

 

[frogman_h2o]

	180/55-18	200/55-18
Diameter inches (mm)	25.8 (655.2)	26.66 (677.2)	0.87 (22) 3.4%
Width inches (mm)	7.09 (180)	7.87 (200)	0.79 (20) 11.1%
Circum. inches (mm)	81.04 (2058.37)	83.76 (2127.49)	2.72 (69.12) 3.4%
Sidewall Height inches (mm)	3.9 (99)	4.33 (110)	0.43 (11) 11.1%
Revolutions per mile (km)	781.85 (485.82)	756.45 (470.04)	-25.4 (-15.78) -3.2%