Hey there! I just bought a 2014 grom and I LOVE IT. I'm using it regularly on the back of my RV set-up and it's the perfect size bike for my needs. I'd love to get some bigger wheels and more dual-sport tires for it, as I spend a some of my time on gravel roads. I've ridden plenty of smaller wheels on gravel in the past. I know that one option is to just get dual sport tires for the OEM wheels, but I'd prefer bigger wheels if possible--I know it's subjective, but these OEM wheels just seem smaller than my preference. This looks like a reasonable wheel-set at 14" here:
BUT I'm struggling to find any dual-sport tires to match them. Looks like this set comes with 2.5 and 3.5" rims. I honestly don't understand tires sizes that well....what sizes of tires would be best with those wheels? Any other suggestions?
Thanks everyone! I've read a lot of threads on wheels in this forum, but I haven't found any suggestions on tire sizes to match, and I haven't found anyone asking quite this question yet.
THANKS!
Stephen
not that you asked for opinions but, if you are driving on gravel roads and trails i think your money is better spent putting dual sport tires on the stock wheels and spending money on the suspension. The stock suspension is very soft and bottoms out quiet easily. if you put bigger rims and lower profile tires it is going to get worse as there is less rubber to absorb the terrain. Moreover off road bikes used spoked wheel for their strength and that is why they can be bigger and narrower while still taking the abuse of off road use. plenty of people have had success putting the Maxxis tires on the stock wheels and i plan to do the same with some added suspension mods to get a bit more travel in the suspension.
14" is an odd size. You're better off sticking with the more common 12" rim found on Groms, Scooters, etc or switching it up entirely and getting an actual dual sport motorcycle instead.
Besides the tires, there's no protection under the Grom because the engine hangs, etc. I love my Grom, but if I was doing what you're doing, I'd buy something like a CRF250L instead. I actually did do what you were doing and had a CRF250L and it's a great bike. Once my dad sold his cabin I didn't really dual sport it anymore, so I converted to a SuperMoto, and while great, a 250 kind of sucks on the street. Great for dual sporting, but street riding, I'd rather have a Grom.
Just my 2 cents. 14" is just not a common size rim so finding tires will always be a pain.
Thanks for the quick replies, everyone! I'm really not looking to ride this like a dirt-bike. I know that it's not a dirt bike I'm on pavement 80% of the time. I'm just looking for something with a little better traction and smoothness when I'm on gravel/SMOOTH dirt roads. So far, it's looking like there aren't really any 14" tires at the 120-130 width made for dual sports, so I'll need to reconsider. Likely either go for the 12" DS options, or 14" street. Thanks for all the QUICK replies!
Stephen
Thanks for the quick replies, everyone! I'm really not looking to ride this like a dirt-bike. I know that it's not a dirt bike I'm on pavement 80% of the time. I'm just looking for something with a little better traction and smoothness when I'm on gravel/SMOOTH dirt roads. So far, it's looking like there aren't really any 14" tires at the 120-130 width made for dual sports, so I'll need to reconsider. Likely either go for the 12" DS options, or 14" street. Thanks for all the QUICK replies!
sweet shot. Looks like that was an awesome trip! That's exactly the kind of surface that I find myself on fairly regularly. Found your fork mod...looks great. I'll have to try that. Those Kenda's did well for you in that washy stuff?
cheers!
Stephen
[
QUOTE=nd4spdbh;296033]Throw in my fork mod for an inch more of front suspension travel, and a DG header for extra ground clearance... win win
10.8k Feet up looking at mammoth mtn this past summer. Thing did great.
Those look awesome! That size looks like the right size for this bike to me. I just can't find any dual sport tires to fit those rims . I wonder if there are any other hubs that could fit these axles/bearings that I could set something up with spokes and a rim that'll fit the kind of tires I'm looking for?
Stephen
WHOA!!! that looks epic, but probably more $$$ than I'd like to get into right now. Any idea what size axles/bearings the grom uses? maybe it could share hubs with another small honda?
I am considering this myself.. Amazon so I am sure e bay also has some retailers that carry pit bike parts.There are 4 or so outlets I found.. This is the closest and think this will be a far better ride in any rough surface..
60?100-14" knobby tire and tube. Laced on rim..about $100.00
Next month!
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Honda Grom
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