The Yamaha Road Star Warrior Forum

O.k for all you Warrior Gurus, I'm looking to little by little customize my 07 Warrior. I've seen many awesome images here on the forum posted by many of you. I wanted to know what is the largest size tire I can put on my Warrior now without having to change the swing arms, wheels ect?I dont knwo if it is possible. I've been a crotch rocket guy all my life and the Warrior is my first cruiser and I know nothing of it. Thanks to you guys I recently did my own oil change ( wow...2 drain plugs! Who would of known) I want to make sure I educate myself well on the Warrior before I start making any changes. I am in the process of obtaining the lowering links sold by one of the members on this site. I read great reviews so I am going to get them to lower my bike a bit until I go and get this fat tire and or kit. I am looking to get a 240 although I read I should just go get the 260. If I do so, I know I will have to change my entire swing arm and God knows what else. So I need some advise before I go Phukin things up.

 210 Metz is largest that you can go on stock rim, but it will wear out fast!  The 240 and 260 kits are complete kits.  They modifty your stock swing arm or send you one and keep your swingarm to modify for next person.  The kits should have all the parts already installed.  There are quite a few discussions on these with finishes, prices, and options for the different ones. The only thing that most people have suggested is that you upgrade your spring to 1000lb when you do the kit.  

These bikes are pretty easy to work on if you have some basic mechanical skills and a few tools.  There are enough topics to just about answer any question you have and even some that you didn't.  Search function is a great tool, but be prepared to spend a little time learning how to use it.

If you'd like to save some money you can do the DIY Fat Tire conversion and you have two choices if you go that way.

8" rim / Dunlop Elite III 240 / very minor swingarm modification

8-1/2" rim / Metzeler ME880  240 /  addtional swingarm modification

To elaborate some on these, both swingarms can be modified by you so the only thing you need to send out to have done is the rim. According to factory specs there is only 3/16" difference between the widths of the two tires with the Metz being slightly wider. Cost wise the Metz will cost you about $70 more. Wear wise I've had very good luck with the Dunlops.

SWINGARMS:  The swingarms will require some stock removal. Most guys do this with an angle grinder. The 8" rim/Dunlop requires very little removal. The 8-1/2"/Metz requires quite a bit more. Some members feel that the swingarm requires some rewelding after doing clearance for the Metz, but others have done it with no ill effects. 

TIRES:  The difference in the tires is as follows: The Dunlop has a more round contour and will give you handling that's a bit more like stock. The Metz is a flatter profile. Mileage is similar.

WHEELS: There is no cost difference to modify to 8" or 8-1/2" wide. The only variables is the finish. Kosman Specialties does an excellent job on these and many guys choose to go with the "raw" wheel. That is a wheel that has been welded but the welded bead is not smoothed out or removed. It will save you about $200. Mine is done like that and it looks fine. The bead is so uniform that is actually gives the wheel some character. The only time I would remove it is if I was going to chrome the wheel.

SUMMARY: You can do the DIY Fat TIre Conversion (with raw wheel) for between $800 and $950 depending on which wheel/tire combo you choose.

PS: If you are lowering your bike I'd recommend a 1000 lb Eibach spring or larger. The stock spring is a bit weak and could cause you to bottom out.

Personally, I went with the 240 and did the swing arm and rim exhange.  Having the swing arm shaved and returned worked well for me along with going with chrome rims. Remember when you step up to a fat tire beside your rim getting stretched to a 8 or 8.5 the diameter also goes up from a 17 to a 18 inch rim.