Posted by Tumi on October 22, 2002 at 10:14:21:
In Reply to: Re: 140/90-15 rear tires posted by kahos on October 21, 2002 at 13:46:07:
I really agree with your comments about the final drive ratio. Thatīs the reason why I ran 150/90 rear tire with even worse fender clearance. I have a deep suspect the short gearing and related high piston speed has something to do with Savage engine longevity, though I don't like to mention it aloud.
Another issue is the rear tire/rear rim combination. Savage rear rim is something like 2.85" narrow and it's borderline for a 140 tire. Modern bikes have 5" to 6" rear rims with their 180- 190mm rear tires. I didn't like the looks of a 150/90 rear on a Savege, it reminded me of a huge balloon. If I bothered to fit a chain final drive (which you seem to have done) I would probably have fitted a 16" rear rim and ran something like 120 or 130mm rear tire. It would have given better riding characteristics, though the looks are a matter of taste, of course.