Got a flat on the way to the office this morning...

Currently my '06 Standard is sitting in our office parking structure with a rear flatter than my ex-wife's. Luckily when the tire let go near Queen Emma's Summer Palace off the Pali Highway it still held enough air to get the rest of the way to my office in downtown Honolulu. Incredibly, the damage was on the sidewall, of all places.

Anywho, given that the Metz is done I'm thinking about making the switch to the DS. However, I'm now thinking there may not be enough clearance because the rear looks like this:



Maybe my eyes deceive me, but that shock looks shorter than normal and I'm not so sure a 225/55 or a 215 would fit under there without rubbing issues. Am I looking at it wrong?

NOTE: I am the 3rd owner of this machine and the 2nd owner could not tell me anything at all what the original owner had done to the bike, what parts were installed, etc.; all I know is, the clutch was way out of adjustment when I got it plus a few other warts I've since fixed. I must be cursed, because two weeks after I bought my CBR brand new the rear tire went flat with less than 200 miles on the bike, and I've owned this R3 just three weeks and now its rear is done too.

Thank you for your help!

They look sort of like stock...but a bit short....maybe somebody got some shorties, but the clearance looks pretty normal.

Bugger

Make sure the bike fits you if that means lowering the back a bit go for it nothing more comical than watching someone looking like a ballet dancer when sitting on the bike, you can lower the front a wee bit to even it up, I had 11.5" on my old (still have it) 2005 for years with no problem what so ever and if they are 11.5" dump them and buy the progressive 440 I have for sale
Now my 2011 Roadster for some reason i do not need the shorter shocks but i do have a lowered Corbin seat.

Get a new Avon Cobra. Go for performance. Do not cheap out.

I'm on island and have progressive 440s and stock Roadster shocks (440s have 4k miles, stockers have about 400) that will fit if those are shorter than stock, both are an upgrade vs '06 stockers. I've also got a 1k mile Bridgestone coming off my bike, replacing with an Avon.

Send me a PM if interested.

PS: The roads here are very harsh to our tires with the heat, traffic, and poor road surfaces! Revzilla will ship here, but you have to order via phone as the website won't take a Hawaii order.

Including you there are only 6 Captains on Oahu, such a small group.

Thanks to everyone for their input! Claviger, I sent you a PM about shocks and CT mounting on island.

Here's where the tire went flat-- I have never had a tire do this, bike or auto! Check out the bead...that is not a hole; when I run my finger over it it feels like a plug of rubber is wedged between the bead and rim...

1olbull said:

Measure your rear shocks!
They should be 12½ inches eye to eye.
If less - change them!

Click to expand...

with weight off shocks ie rear wheel in the air

That pic is crazy. I wonder how old the tire is, I know the bike was up for sale for a while, saw it on Craigslist a few times.