[Boots]

Ok, the topic sounded a little off. BTW, I will also query the Classic forum as well.

I started this thread just to get a quick and dirty poll of folks who may be running a 3.5 tire up front and their general experience. A few have mentioned this as their setup of choice, for various reasons, some with K70s, K81s, etc. I have a traditional full fendered B5 and want to do this, so any with similar bikes Please chime in!

What tire?
Did it fit?
Experience?
Aesthetics?

[GSS]

3.5x19 Dunlop K70 front on my C5.  Great fit, ride and handling, but needed longer fender stays as the 2010 C5 had a stock 18" front tire.  4.0x18 K70 in the rear.  There are plenty of Bullets similar to your B5 that have always run 3.5x19 front and rear.

GSS

[Craig McClure]

3.25 is a better choice of front tire, especially in Dunlop K70. "NARROW HANDLES BEST", If I had not already had a 3.50 K70 clone for the rear, I'd have used a 3,25 there as well.  I'm not making this up, it is a known historic motorcycle fact.  FAT TIRES, FLAT BLACK PAINT, EXHAUST WRAP  ARE STYLE EMBELISHMENTS, & NOT IMPROVEMENTS, they can cause sluggish (or worse) Handling & Overheating.  About as necessary to riding as lots of body graffiti.

[gremlin]

..................as necessary to riding as lots of body graffiti.

 

[Royalista]

3.25 is a better choice of front tire, especially in Dunlop K70. "NARROW HANDLES BEST", If I had not already had a 3.50 K70 clone for the rear, I'd have used a 3,25 there as well.  I'm not making this up, it is a known historic motorcycle fact.  FAT TIRES, FLAT BLACK PAINT, EXHAUST WRAP  ARE STYLE EMBELISHMENTS, & NOT IMPROVEMENTS, they can cause sluggish (or worse) Handling & Overheating.  About as necessary to riding as lots of body graffiti.

I shall quote it because I can't improve it. 

Sic et non (Petrus Abelardus) ("it is so and not else")

[Boots]

Craig, I've got ten tattoos last time I counted and I'm pretty sure they make me a wonderful motorcyclist. 

So, 3.5 in the front sounds like nothing more than a look, much like unnecessary body graffiti - I've got to do it! Hahahaaa!

[GSS]

Boots,
There was very little difference in handling between a 3.25 and a 3.5 based upon what I remember from past experience with the old iron barrel Bullets.

Jokes notwithstanding, it is not like you are proposing to stuff a 4.5 in the front.

The skinny 90/90 OEM (about 3.25) scared the heck out of all of us C5 riders with high speed wobbles, unpredictable instability and probably the worst handling I have ever seen in 30+ years on bikes.  The 3.5 in a 19" finally made my C5 rock stable at all speeds.  You have a B5 so this is not an issue. You will be fine with the 3.25.

GSS

[Mcurrier]

I have a 3.5" front and rear (Shinko dual sports) and I love them. Handling seems a little better than the stock front tire, but it's not like I'm trying to drag knees.  Big tires up front might only be a style thing, but so is buying a 2011 bike on a 1955 frame. If you want something high performance I'm guessing a bullet isn't for you in the first place. I chose a 3.5" tire simply because I couldn't handle the look of the 3.25".

[Bulletman]

[quote author=GSS link=topic=16727.msg183670#msg183670

The skinny 90/90 OEM (about 3.25) scared the heck out of all of us C5 riders with high speed wobbles, unpredictable instability and probably the worst handling I have ever seen in 30+ years on bikes.  The 3.5 in a 19" finally made my C5 rock stable at all speeds.  You have a B5 so this is not an issue. You will be fine with the 3.25.
GSS
[/quote]
I hear you GSS, my next move will be to the 19" and a 3.5.. Although after the last wobble fiasco on my C5, with help from GHG and you kind folks from the forum, its been resolved..I'd still like the 19" soon though..

[Boots]

Thanks for chiming in all. I'm going to be doing this 3.5 front and back, in a day or two. Can't wait. Will provide feedback soon.

Cheers!

[gashousegorilla]

Boots,
There was very little difference in handling between a 3.25 and a 3.5 based upon what I remember from past experience with the old iron barrel Bullets.

Jokes notwithstanding, it is not like you are proposing to stuff a 4.5 in the front.

The skinny 90/90 OEM (about 3.25) scared the heck out of all of us C5 riders with high speed wobbles, unpredictable instability and probably the worst handling I have ever seen in 30+ years on bikes.  The 3.5 in a 19" finally made my C5 rock stable at all speeds.  You have a B5 so this is not an issue. You will be fine with the 3.25.

GSS

[quote author=GSS link=topic=16727.msg183670#msg183670

The skinny 90/90 OEM (about 3.25) scared the heck out of all of us C5 riders with high speed wobbles, unpredictable instability and probably the worst handling I have ever seen in 30+ years on bikes.  The 3.5 in a 19" finally made my C5 rock stable at all speeds.  You have a B5 so this is not an issue. You will be fine with the 3.25.
GSS

I hear you GSS, my next move will be to the 19" and a 3.5.. Although after the last wobble fiasco on my C5, with help from GHG and you kind folks from the forum, its been resolved..I'd still like the 19" soon though..

  +1 , The 19" wheel transforms the bike for the better IMHO.