‘89 V-MAX tyres tubeless?

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SENTíNEL

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So....

Having ridden for 30 years, and my V-MAX for 3+, I’ve had my first puncture [emoji45]

I’ll order a new tyre, just need to get the ol’ girl to a dealer, so just want to confirm the ‘89 model has a tubeless tyre before I use a plug to fix the tyre and ride her there?

TTFN


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A new set of quality (bias-ply) tyres made to fit the speed rating of the bike and its stock wheels will help the bike's handling but one of the best ways to improve a VMax is to get wheels which allow you to run radial tyres. Because of the 15" rear wheel, you have to run bias-ply motorcycle tyres. The bike's rated top speed of 149 mph means V-rated tyres.

Getting a modified rear wheel to run a 17" or 18" tyre will allow you to run a set of radial tyres. The width of the front tyre isn't optimal for a radial tyre, but you can get radial tyres for the front in 18" but you don't want an oversize tyre, as it's already narrower than is recommended for a radial, the typical radial tyre in front for an 18" rim is supposed to be on a 3-1/2" wide rim. So the stock 110/90 V 18" rim is already 1 inch narrower than the size tyre that is fitted in radial applications. https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=cq1k7k5t&id=A136191135F76E91D928261631C90DCAC6BE7B7E&thid=OIP.cq1k7k5tJzu0tgVmMLbWZgHaHT&mediaurl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.maxxis.co.uk%2fmedia%2f100828%2fwheel-rims_940x928.jpg&exph=928&expw=940&q=motorcycle+rim+size+chart&simid=608055247009285052&selectedIndex=3&ajaxhist=0

Another chart, giving height of wheel/tyre combos, you can calculate the % of less/more acceleration/speed (a rough idea) from this:
http://www.doofclenas.com/misc/MetzelerME880.jpg

The stock VMax has a MT 2.50 inch X 18 inch front rim. A good width in the rear is 5-1/2" and anything more-than that, you're likely going to be looking at having to widen the swingarm to fit the wider tyre.

A 17" tyre is shorter than a stock 15" tyre/wheel, so that's equivalent to running a shorter gearing, meaning more acceleration but less top-end/top speed. An 18" tyre/wheel is much-closer to the stock tyre/wheel height, so you will retain more of your top-end. But, how-often do you go 140+ mph? 'Coprunner,' you're excused from replying. :rocket bike:
 
I've plugged them and rode awhile till I got the cash to get a new tire. You should be fine just running it to the dealer or mechanic.
 
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