going from 140/70-18 to 150/???-18 BT45

1986 GSXR750
Rear rim is: 18x3.50
1986 OEM tire was a 140.

Current Rear is:
Bridgstone Battle Ax BT45
"140/70-18 M/C 67V"

Can I replace this rear with a Wider 150/70-18 BT45?

Also these are the 3 types of tires they have, I dont know what the differences are?
Thank you.

150/80-16 M/C 71V TL
150/70-17 M/C 69V TL
150/70-18 M/C 70V TL

The one that is currently on there is:
140/70-18 M/C 67V

I have no idea what these 67v, 69v, 70v, 71v mean

Thank you

 

Funny you are asking that.
I am preparing my FZR750RT for some action...
It came with a 160/60/18... currently has a 170/60/18.
Shinko is the only manufacturer makin a 170/60/18

 

The number is the load index and V is the speed rating. V is speeds to 150 mph. And the higher the number the more load it can carry.

 

michelin makes some decent vintage 18s... on my gpz I went with a 130... stock sized. Pilot Activs

 

I'm an idiota'

150/80-16 M/C 71V TL
150/70-17 M/C 69V TL
150/70-18 M/C 70V TL

Im so stupid....
150/70-18 M/C 70V TL is the correct tire

ThANKS gUYS!!!!

 

Metzeler make race compound tires for this application if needed.

 

I've been eyeing up the Bridgestone Battlax BT016 Pro in the 18" sizes, but I think a slightly wider rim would help as these tires have a profile that gives it a tendency to very quickly go into a lean from what I gather.

On my vintage bike pictured in my avatar, I run a 3.50 x 18 rear rim, and if I get to the edge of the tire in a hard lean, I'm nearly grinding the stator cover on the asphalt on a 140/70-18. On a 150/70-18, it pinches more and actually gives slightly less thread contact patch due to being pinched slightly more than the 140, so less traction but more lean angle than I can utilize on this bike.
150/70 is usually the MAXIMUM width the manufacturers recommend on a 3.50

I actually may be leaning towards preferring a 130/80-18 on my inline-four street ridden bikes with 3.50x18 rims... 140 or 150 depending on how you value max lean angle vs greater contact patch.

 

We just recently got the new Bridgestone CR-11's in (CR = Classic Race). We have 150/65-18 in stock now, $200, and a 110/80-18 for the front, $150.

We also have one more 150/60-18 BT090PRo left, $175. The 090PRO has been winning races for us for years.

 

Podium finishes every race besides 2 mechanicals, back in 2016. The only full season ive ever been able to do,and a few weekends were twin sprints,so double the race time. All on the bt090,and only 1 rear tire all year. Love that tire for DOT. Plenty of grip and lasts. Hell,its on my 400 streetbike now.

 

A radial tire is more sensitive to rim sizes than a bias tire and of course using the wrong rim width can distort the tire profile.
Here's the suggested/permitted rims for these Metz vintage race tires
110/80R18 front, rim range 2.50-3.00
130/80R18 rear, rim range 3.00-3.50
150/65R18 rear, rim range 4.00-4.50
160/60R18 rear, rim range 4.25-5.00

 

While I was away on vacation I noticed the new metzler banner ad and clicked it. I saw those options for 18” vintage racers and thought of this thread........but that pesky vacation......... CLICK the ads people!!!!