Larger rear tyre? - Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 (centre/center stand, USB ports & heated grips)

This rear tyre:
Avon Roadrider MK II 150/70 R18
Stock rear tyre:
Pirelli 130/70 R18
(Both tubeless tyres with a tube)
Correction:
As @danweston6043 pointed out, these bikes are 47bhp standard, so maybe around 3bhp increase.
Contents:
- 0:00 Showing the larger tyre and describing the difference.
- Accessories:
- 4:42 Sports exhaust
- 4:58 Centre stand
- 5:39 Headlight grill
- 5:43 Windshield
- 6:05 USB charger
- 6:57 Oxford heated grips
- 7:22 Fuel injection modification
- 8:20 Panniers (Royal Enfield)
- Auto cleaners:
- 10:18 Simoniz Wheel Cleaner
- 10:50 Mr.Bling
- 11:45 Engine run, showing the sound of the exhaust.
- Accessories:
- 12:58 Air radiator grill
- 13:06 Dirt plate

[@karlj1717]

Looks great in the black and gold, I recently took my dads continental out for a ride and fell in love with it, great little bikes.

[@derosabike]

Great Video and I really like all of the subtle improvements that have been made on this GT, it looks great.

[@RideWithJerry]

I also changed the rear tire on my RE Continental to a 150 and noticed a huge difference in stability at high speeds! Before it would feel a bit washy/wobbly over 60MPH. Now it feels stable even at 90MPH. And yes, I got a flat with the tubed tire and it was a miserable experience (took over 9 hours to get fixed and cost alomost $500 because I had to get it towed to two different repair shops and then pay for the repair.) So I also did a tubeless conversion so I could run tubless tires on the spoked rims. Hopefully next time I get a flat i can eaily plug it on the side of the road! 🤞

[@ckhatton]

Ha, pretty much the same experience. A bus pulled up beside me on the motorway and hand-signed the flat tyre. I was taken with the bike in a van to a local garage, they only had a 15 inch tube, which only lasted an hour on the road. It was now evening and the tow wouldn’t come for hours, so I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express. The tow didn’t come until late the next day! 30hrs to get home. It was towed to a depot before arriving a week later, and tyre changed another week later haha. Glad to hear you also experience better handling 👍

[@ckhatton]

I forgot to also mention that the previous owner added pre-loadable front forks. If you look hard enough, you'll see the adjustable tops.

[@jamesmcgrath1952]

The usb can be connected in the headlight housing. There's a line for it. The only time I've felt wobble is on a cut or uneven surface. I put a set of Red Rooster mufflers on mine. Also bar end mirrors, the bigger fly guard, single hump back seat. I'm 70 years old, been riding a long time (58 years). I've owned a lot of bikes. I'm 6' 0" yet my knees hug the top of the engine. I don't like that. I think in the spring I'm going to install a set of Interceptor mid controls. That will allow my knees to hug the tank. Nice vid.

[@ckhatton]

Thanks. Awesome to hear! Keep on riding! My dad stopped 10 years ago in his early 80’s only because he had an operation to his legs 40 years ago that made them weaker. I’m interested in the single hump seat but don’t want to be caught short when I need to take a passenger - I’m look at a softer full seat on eBay. I didn’t know you could get intercepter mid controls, but I guess it’s the same frame. Keep in mind, my BMW has straight handle bars fitted, which makes me reach over the tank - with the cruiser foot pegs, it cuts the circulation in my hips due to the tighter angle, and gives me a dead leg. I lean back time to time to get the blood flowing.

[@SimonPass230267]

Great Video Chris. Well done. I am thinking of a RE 650 as a second bike, hence came across your video. I will mod mine for sure, hence looking for ideas.

[@ParasChaudhary21]

You did the right thing! Tire size is not too big, but looks little better than stock

[@ckhatton]

Cheers @ParasChaudhary21!

[@neiljarvis8911]

Nice bike, good choice, can see how much you love it.

[@mohammadyaqoob746]

This is the exact build I'm aiming for with my GT

[@ckhatton]

I really want to change to the drop-down mirrors

[@bultacowally]

RE seems to install small tires on all their models for some reason. I bought a 2020 Bullet 500 which I love but even when I first got it I noticed the tires looked rather small for the bike in relationship to the width of the rims so I went up one size on both ends...much better now.

[@antonyheadford6538]

Nice video, it’s a 150 for me next tyre 😎😎

[@colinsaunders8723]

The instability is well known, this is due to OE tyres. Almost any other type of tyre is an improvement. You don't need to go up in size.

[@ckhatton]

Thanks, that's good to know. My objective for a larger tyre was mainly for looks.

[@philliprobertlawman2232]

150x70x18 pirelli scorpion trail 2 on mine, no issues 👍

[@wickedmetalhead]

But you at least had to remove the chain guard, right?

[@skydog1989]

looks sweet man!

[@modusop8]

HAHAHAHa I put a 150 on my Mahem before I even rode it off the lot. Bike handles extremely well no loss in power , And it looks exceptional ! I also have a 1300 90GL cafe and a 09 Busa. My Mahem also has S&S exhaust , engine guard end bar mirrors & 865 cc kit

[@cryptopsycho4838]

Wow all you guys already modded yout GT650, mine is still on stock.

[@modusop8]

@@cryptopsycho4838 When your ready you to will change the genetic code of your GT , Guess what they make a 850cc kit to make the lil beast even more fierce !!

[@motomitch]

Love it man. I'm thinking about upgrading tires when I have to replace mine as well. Was thinking of doing a 150 on the rear but seeing how tight of a squeeze it is for you I might just settle for 140... I'd pay someone to do it and don't wanna have to hear about how little wiggle room they'll have, even if I know you've been fine with it ya know. For the front, did you increase the width at all/did the previous owner? Stock is 110 if I remember, I may do 120 there as well.. Because I agree the bike looks a bit.. wonky with such thin tires. and if I get better stability I will massively appreciate that. Ride safe man.

[@ckhatton]

Thanks! Yeah, you hear it rubbing when the tyre is flat. Fortunately my garage “Irelands” didn’t mind as long I was true in what I was saying. I haven’t worried about the front, it was the back mainly that I was concerned about the appearance. I did see/hear someone that had increased both tyres, so it is do-able. Safe riding 🏍️💨

[@SlowRiderDucati]

Ok my GT 650 feels wobbly at 60 + on the freeway. I'm definitely getting the fatter tires because I like to go 80 to 90 MPH out here in California. My Ducati Diavel V4 is smooth as silk at any speed and I knew there was a way to fix the GTs wobble at speed. Thanks for the video . I can't wait to rip down the freeway at 90 MPH++ on the GT 650!😮😮

[@jonathanmanhorn]

Really? Or yi bullshitting

[@SlowRiderDucati]

@@jonathanmanhorn I have since installed Michellan Commander II 150/70 B18 on the rear and a Pireli Sport Demon 110/90 18 on the front. Now it handles 100 mph on the freeways very stable. And it handles much better on the Twisties. Just the tires made a huge difference in handling and stability of the GT 650. Remember I am comparing it to my Ducati 2023 Diavel V4 and 2024 Panigale V2. To make it a little more peppy I installed the chrome Red Rooster exhaust, high flow synthetic air filter, cut out the air intake internal front cover to improve intake air flow. So this removes the catalytic system and I run without the dB killers. Some people report 8 to 10 HP Dyno gains with this simple modification. I love the bike and it really sounds awesome. The tires really fixed the bike, now it rips smooth as butter.

[@jameslynch5716]

VERY INFORMATIVE , THANK YOU.

[@georgebamforth7372]

I put a 150/60 rear Tyre on mine which keeps the overall wheel size just 1mm different than the stock diameter.

[@ckhatton]

Interesting to hear that, thanks for letting me know!

[@user-xq7lc8js8c]

Exhaust??

[@UliMuliko]

My friend said that enfield wire wheels must be tighten and cheked even new bike.

I’ve got an interceptor. I put it at 85mph last Saturday and it didn’t wobble at all to be honest. My previous bike was a Suzuki Van Van 125 and that trembled like a fawn at 50 mph though. Did you have to change the wheel or sprockets at all?

[@sugardaddy9721]

some people changed to 17" rim to maintain the gearing

[@ckhatton]

I did wonder as someone else mentioned a 17” rim

[@janpeyyoyyo4514]

Great info. I'm thinking about changing them to Pirelly Scorpion Rally Str 110-80R18 and 150-70-R18. How did you manage having tubeless? Are you using the stock spoke rim?

[@ckhatton]

Thanks. I’m afraid this is a tubeless tyre, but with a tube - I haven’t done a conversion. Ask @Ride.WithJerry though, as he says he did a conversion in case he had another flat tyre. I was looking to put another Pirelli on, but the garage chose Avon - it’s good for both wet and dry. www.avontyres.com/en-gb/tyres/roadrider-mkii

[@philliprobertlawman2232]

Got the Scorpion trail 2 in 150x70x18 on mine, no issues 👍

[@alvinmichael2001]

Hi bro it’s a nice vdo and I have a doubt, is there any change in the mileage?

[@ckhatton]

I haven’t noticed a change. My other bike doesn’t have a fuel gauge, so I use the mileage as a gauge and copied over the habit to this bike. The fuel warning flashes around 140 miles, and did the same with the older slimmer tyre. In retrospect the bigger tyre is meant to lower the miles per gallon because of the bigger weight the engine has to shift. Hope that helps!

[@alvinmichael2001]

@@ckhatton thank you ❤️ it was informative

[@lalhmingmawiangente4784]

Hey buddy, would you recommend a 140/70 (17inch) or 140/60 (17inch) tyre for the continental gt? I'm fairly new when it comes to tyres and I have little to no lnowledge on this.

[@lalhmingmawiangente4784]

Ohh I'm talking about the rear tyre size by the way

[@JohnSmith-xw5qe]

The 150 rear tyre looks very close to the chain guard? I remember seeing sometime ago on KZbin a guy who cut a slight groove into the chain guard(as it was plastic) would it not be wise to do that just incase the tyre expands a bit due to heating up?

[@ckhatton]

Well I’ve personally only experienced it rubbing when I had a flat tyre. But yes, if one is concerned, it would be a good idea.

[@tinkert3100]

These bikes were built to be "retro", and they are well done. However, if you think back to RE bikes that were being built in the 1960's, you might remember none of them had rear tires anywhere near that size. Also, if you think that bike puts out 70 hp, or even 64, you are dreaming. The real number is about 48. Look it up.

[@vermamilan]

you sound like a cricket commentator

[@paulmessenger1006]

Have you not heard of rim protectors for when changing tyres with levers

[@ckhatton]

I have now haha Na I hadn't, and at the time I was so frustrated I just wanted to get the tyre off. I have since heard about using washing up liquid around the rim and scrunching the tyre one side with cable ties.

[@paulmessenger1006]

@@ckhatton good plan and use talc powder on the tube, lets it move to centralise.use cable ties to keep the protectors in place. One reason i dislike black rims. The damage would look 20 times wirse! Btw i think 150 is too much you may have less contact patch as the rim pulls the tyre around, 140 would be a better choice.

[@danweston6043]

Hi chap. They are only 47bhp standard. Your probably only getting around a 4bhp increase with the fueling changed. So around 50bhp ish 👍 Nice bike

[@ckhatton]

Thank you Dan. Thought so, I was working off the top of my head. My BWM R1200C is 61bhp (which is surprising for that size of bike), so I think I was confusing it with that.

[@danweston6043]

@@ckhatton No worries Chris. I have a 2017 Royal enfield classic 500. Great bike. I may be changing for the continental gt in spring as its on around 27 bhp. I'm not in it for speed it's all about getting there and back and enjoying the ride. Gets a lot more attention when I park up at bike meets than most other bikes. Merry Christmas 🤶

[@ckhatton]

@@danweston6043 Yeah, totally! It scares me when I think of people that race 140mph around the French Alps. Although the power of the Triumph Thruxton does appeal to me. I think a lot of these modern, very comfortable, bikes have lost the charm of what a motorbike is. I like this bike because it looks ratty, has modular parts, and feels more like a bike should. Merry Christmas! 🎄

[@BB43inc]

@@ckhatton Do you have any links to the fueling injection change product(s)? Keen to suss for my conti. Cheers mate

[@ckhatton]

@@BB43inc I’m afraid I don’t and couldn’t, as the previous owner did the mod. But what I did find out is the injector part sits just under the rear end of the fuel tank, horizontally coming out the engine cylinder. It looks like it has a electric cable attached to it, I guess from the onboard computer. Hope that helps, at least a bit.

[@kevindarkstar]

What is the advantages of the wrapping on the exhaust pipe?

[@ckhatton]

Good question. It contains the heat in the exhaust from heating up the engine, and this increases the performance. But it’s not that noticeable for motorbikes, it is really meant for car engine bays. It also protects you from burning your legs. Some like it for the look, as it makes the bike look ratty. I was thinking of removing it when I got the bike as I keep having to degrease it, which makes a smell come from it after washing it. I wonder what the bike would look like with a shiny exhaust. Also it has tarnished and started rusting the metal, which is why I’ve decided it’s too late for me to remove it now 😏 I believe it’s quiet time taking to put it on anyway - to make it look neat.

[@brizz769]

Do you think larger rear tyre needs larger rear sprocket?

[@ckhatton]

Probably slightly bigger, if getting technical - it might ease the strain on the engine, but I don’t think there’s that much a difference in circumference than the stock tyre.

[@leonstancliff7218]

Wobbles behind a lorry???? I am an American RE rider, I also own a full size 1/2 ton Ford pickup @ 2000kilos. The freekin' Ford wobbles behind a lorry! Sorry but you can not convince me there is any motorcycle that does not wobble behind a lorry so don't even throw that card on the table.

[@ckhatton]

Well I have a BWM R1200C, and that doesn’t wobble behind a lorry. I’ve noticed that the effect is less on this RE if I don’t have the panniers attached.

[@leonstancliff7218]

@@ckhatton Nothing buffets when you are sitting at a stop light. Move that bike, or any bike or car, up to 65+ mph normal distance behind a lorry on the motorway and it is going to move. That is just physics at work.

[@bigred8438]

Larger rear tyre, same 12 month valve clearance mandate check up, or lose your warranty.

[@doomsday854]

Dugudugudugu

[@vietnamdualbiketrip5040]

구독자가 8명인데 광고는 졸라긴거 2개씩이나;;

[@ckhatton]

네 죄송합니다. 유투브가 작동하는 방식입니다. 거의 모든 KZbin 동영상에는 광고가 있습니다.

[@doomsday854]

The cheapest,slowest and worst quality 650cc bike