Changing Rear Tire

[Mr Jensee]

Well, my work week is over and I head home today to another week of solid rain on my days off. I figure I would take this opportunity to change my tires since my new Elite 3's came in last time home. Since this is the first shaft drive bike I have ever owned I was wondering, what is involved in removing and replacing the rear tire. Do the exhausts have to be removed? It looks pretty tight in there to remove the axle without doing so. I know the saddle bags must come off and I've already removed them before, no big deal there. Any help would be appreciated.

[Furchin]

You do not have to remove the exhaust system to change out the rear tire. You DO have to drop it down by removing the 2 bolts (one each side) that holds the mufflers in place at the rear passanger floor boards. This will enable the rear axle to be pulled out.

[Wild Hair]

You do not have to remove the exhaust system to change out the rear tire. You DO have to drop it down by removing the 2 bolts (one each side) that holds the mufflers in place at the rear passenger floor boards. This will enable the rear axle to be pulled out.

don't pull the muffler off--they can be a BITCH to get back on

[Rhinestone Kawboy]

You do not have to remove the exhaust system to change out the rear tire. You DO have to drop it down by removing the 2 bolts (one each side) that holds the mufflers in place at the rear passenger floor boards. This will enable the rear axle to be pulled out.

You will also want to loosen the muffler clamp on each side just ahead of the muffler to allow the muffler to more easily drop down. You still may have to apply a little pressure downward on the mufflers when removing the axle so as not to scrape against the mufflers.

[frank in ohio]

There is a step by step procedure under the tech tips section on the home page, rear end components, then rear tire change.

[Mr Jensee]

Thanks for the advice. I took off and changed the front tire today. I had to drive 25 miles to a small town to have a wonderful gentleman with his Harley repair shop mount and balance it for a mere $20. Tomorrow I will tackle the back tire and hope it goes just as smooth as this one. I am anxious to try out the Elite 3's between the rain storms this week.

[Mr Jensee]

Today I got the rear tire changed. Not as hard as I anticipated but it was quite a lot of work. I spoke with Gator Mike and agreed with him to go ahead and grease the splines while the wheel was off. I am not yet ready to tackle the rear gear oil change and the vent mod. I will before Summer though. The good news is the bike seems to handle much better. I only took it around the block and not yet on the highway but I can tell you the wobble is gone. The Dunlop Elite 3s are good tires. Now I am going to take the 56 year old out of shape body to bed because I know tomorrow I am going to be plenty sore!

[Mr Jensee]

Oh man! I took the bike out onto interstate 10 and road a 50 mile round trip at an indicated 70. These tires are amazing! You know I've been reading posts on here on how great the Voyager handles and I have to admit I was plenty skeptical. As I've mentioned I already have a Kawasaki ZRX1100 and have ridden it in Arkansas and Texas and it handles pretty amazing in the twisties, very responsive and fun. I never thought a touring bike would even come close to that. But as I pulled out of the driveway today I realized the head shake and wobble that made the bike feel hinged in the middle was completely gone. Got it out on the highway and it was rock steady and smooth at every speed. On and off ramps were a breeze, the bike tracked like it was on rails. Totally confidence building unlike it was with the Dunlop 404's on it. I only wish it wasn't raining so much today because I really really want to take a couple hundred mile trip on it as soon as possible. I LOVE THIS MACHINE!!!!!

[Martin & Karen]

Hello Mr Jensee, I have a rear tyre change to do soon, handy tip not to drop off the muffler's. I wish we could get Dunlop E3's in Oz, the only tyres available here are ME880's or Bridgestone, I have a ME880 on the back at the moment and I don't like the feel I get, tried different pressures etc, so I'm going for a Bridgestone this time. I already have one on the front that works well so hopefully a Bridgestone on the back will work well too. We are heading into winter here, plenty of rain so no riding, I'm 57 and sore after crawling around overhauling the back brake, but as you say I LOVE THIS BIKE.

Kind regards Martin.

[Mr Jensee]

Martin, you can't even order Dunlops and have them shipped to Oz? Somebody needs to get with your government and get them into the 21st century. The Dunlops are well worth the shipping costs.

[Martin & Karen]

Hello Mr Jensee, I think you have convinced me to shop around for a Dunlop, I have read so many good reports about them, I'm sure it's worth the extra mile. I don't let shops strip my bike, I just take them the wheel, it's going to be a big trip in the car where ever I go, bummer!! At least I have some time to do my homework, the ME880 still has plenty of life but I don't intend taking it to the limit. Firstly I have to find someone who will order it for me, all I get from shops is 'funny bloody size that mate'. Brisbane is Queenslands capital city about 3 hours drive from here but plenty of big dealerships there, so time to do some exploring!!

This site is invalueable to me and my Voyager, it keeps us both in good health! Thanks again.

Kind regards Martin.

[Chris near Kansas City]

Even with the problem I had last year with my ME880, if there wasn't a Dunlop alternative available, such as living in Australia, I'd put Metzelers back on. If you've had good luck with it, and it's somewhat readily available, why change now?

Edit: make sure your front and rear match for best results.

[Mr Jensee]

I posted elsewhere that I took a 200 mile trip on Saturday with my 10 year old grandson. The trip was great, the Voyager ran great and those tires instilled so much confidence in the bike. Before with the Dunlop 404's it handled OK but when I would take off the front end would shake slightly and was really noticable between 30 mph and 40. Now there is none of that. She is stable at all speeds. One thing I did note. The front tire when it had the 404 was never balanced. The rear tire was. Now both are balanced and the ride is incredibly smooth. There was tread life on both of the old tires but I have no idea on whether or not these were OEM tires or not. The bike had 20,230 miles on the OD when I got it so there is every chance the bike came with those tires on it.

[Martin & Karen]

Hello to you both, what a huge subject tyre choice is, I have read many posts and the 'poll' on what's best. When I got my bike she had ME880's front and rear, front end shake was my problem until I changed the front to a Bridgestone Spitfire 11F, the shake disappeared and has a good feel to it on the road. The ME880 on the rear is cupped slightly and has been since I got her, tried different pressures but no change. With the Voyager tyre size being rare in Oz, what ever I go for will have to be ordered and you can never be sure if you will get it! Bridgestone being Japanesse means there is a good chance my size will be available if I order it, Dunlops are not popular here, so pot luck rules. Do you see my problem.


Kind regards Martin.

[DaveofHutto]

I have been following the use of car tires on the Wings with much interest, now I have seen them put on the new Yamaha FJR.
I know some one has put a car tire on the Voyager. I am just trying to figure out what size.

[Martin & Karen]

Hello Voyager's, This post is getting old but still very important eh. I went for a matching Bridgestone Spitfire for the rear of my Voyager XII after my Metzler lost a chunk of tread. I've done a few thousand miles since then, loads of grip! I'm told they won't give high mileage as they are softer, that doesn't worry me with the grip and agility that I'm getting, I want to live!

Kind regards Martin.