We mentioned the Vinnie by Matt Hotch a while back and again when I saw it at the Cleveland Motorcycle Show. One of the unique design characteristics was his use of a 26 inch front wheel and tire and as I asked in the comments on that story, where do you get 26 inch tires? I never saw them in any tire catalog I’ve run across. Well, the other day I did a little digging and they come from a company called Vee Rubber based in Thailand. Now this may be old news for the custom builders out there but it was news to me.
The tire is called the VRM 302 Monster and comes in a number of sizes, one being 120/50-26. Of course, step two is finding a wheel to mount the tire but if you’re a custom builder you just build your own. Another bike that uses the 26 incher is the Bobster trike built by Zeel Designs.
This isn’t a tire you’ll find on any normal street bike but like the ever wider rear tires, now we have taller and taller front tires. OK, who’s going to be first to 30 inches?
Link: Vee Rubber (very slow website)
Diesel says
I noticed in one of the biker build offs that someone used a 22 inch rear tire that looked in the 180-200 series width. I had not heard of those before either and I kinda keep up on the custom side of things. I think Hotch’s Vinnie rear wheel is 23×4 and also uses special VEE RUBBER tires. Ever since I saw 32 and 34 inch car wheels at SEMA, I guess there is no limit (or taste) for some companies.
hoyt says
good point Diesel…
a 240mm rear tire on a cruiser looks good and is still functional if the bike is designed right (e.g. Victory seems to get praise for retaining good handling while still utilizing a wide tire for “that” style).
What is with the no limit wide-ness? Is it some twisted 2-wheeled equivalent to a “compensating vehicle” ? Odd
GenWaylaid says
A 26″ tire might look right on a retro (i.e. 1900-1920s inspired) custom if it was used front and back. Motorcycle and car tires were surprisingly tall and thin back then.
tjm73 says
120/50-26 = 120*.50 = 60 / 25.4 x 2 (2 sidewalls) = 4.72″ + 26″ rim = 30.72″. So to answer your question they already have gone to 30″ tires.
Leroy Jones says
Question, do you make a 240/40/17 or 260/40/17 rear tire? I have a custom 240 rear wheel that is 240, but it is a 17″ rim. If you do not make it do you know a company that does? I am aware that many company make 240/40/18 or 240/40/16 rear tire. Thank you for your help