TS185,
A 4.00x18 is the only available 18" size Shinko SR241 available for our TW's. Without getting into all the size charts, the SR241 is very close to the same width of the stock tire.
An option which many TW riders used instead of the stock tire and before the SR241 was discovered by forum members was the Shinko SR244. This tire came in two sizes, 5.10x18 and 4.60x18 to fit our TW's. Reasons vary to width and weight of this tire between the two sizes as to which one to buy. Some people were wary and scared away from what was proposed as a heavier front tire and slower turning response and migrated to the 4.60. Some could not tell the difference and some could not but everyone agreed that this tire in either size was better than the stock tire. Then came the SR241.
(I should note that a Kenda 270 has a very similar tread pattern to the SR244 but most went with the SR244 because it cost less-we're cheap).
I would suggest you get a SR241 but by your riding description, you'd be just fine with the SR244. However, as I mentioned in my first post in this thread, you'll also find the SR244 will be noisier than the SR241 on pavement, especially when wear patters develop. Additionally, if you were to choose the SR244, you'd be fine with either size.
P.S. I wish and hope to weigh less than you & your wife put together someday soon.
admiral,
Wow--thank you for your excellent "Cliff Notes" review of what looked to be a ton of tire reading before me!
And thanks for the SR241 recommendation--I was kind of leaning that way from what I'd read so far, but I'm a noob, so the more info, the better.
I do have a question--when you say this...
"Without getting into all the size charts, the SR241 is very close to the same width of the stock tire."
...does that mean that the SR241 is almost the same width as the stock, 5.10"-wide front tire?
I (think I) want a wider tire, for off-road stability's sake, so do you know if the SR241 is actually a little wider, or a little narrower, than the stock "Death Wing"'s 5.10" width?
And because I'm OCD, would you be able to "ballpark" the difference, in inches, for us metrically-challenged, '70's-children?
And re: the weight-thing?
I
truly appreciate your sharing, as I was afraid someone was going to tell me that our combined 300lbs. (with boots/gear, etc...) might be too much for safe, SLOW off-roading.
Re: Rubber-"Softness": the SR241 vs the SR244:
I thought I read the SR241 is made of a softer compound. If so, this too, appeals to me, as when riding solo, I'd like to do a little "rock crawling" (we have some shale--I'm hoping to find some more solid rock to ride on) and the softer compound would be a plus, there.
Re: Mud-Clearing Ability Between the SR241 vs SR244:
I thought I read the SR241's lugs are closer together, and they could "turn into a slick" sooner than the SR244. IF I've got that right, is that only re: clay and/or "river-muck," or does that refer to general "field-mud," say from the tractor-paths around a corn field? Because it sounds like it's not considered a big deal, based on your recommendation of the SR241.
Re: the Kenda 270 option:
I'm part Scottish, so "cheap" is in my DNA.
. (My father grew up in The Great Depression--he's 93 soon, and a WWII vet, but I think I'm now "tighter" than he is! LOL)
That said, IS the Kenda 270 better, in any way? Because I don't mind spending the extra dollars, if there's
any perceivable safety increases to be had, OFF-road, with the Kenda 270,
given that I'll have my wife on board. (I won't be taking her with me, IF I venture out onto pavement, unless I wake up as John Surtees, some day--May he R.I.P.)
FULL-DISCLOSURE re: the "Weight-thing":
Not so long ago, I weighed 185 (like my screen name--HA!), and only recently dropped down to the low 160's. TBH, I
do fluctuate up to 170, but that's better than a couple of months ago, when it was up to 175+. Being injured, myself, I'm not able to exercise, so (other than cutting down on the Peanut M&M's) I don't know how I lost it, other than depression, which I don't recommend. But I do think a T-Dub will help with depression!
My point is:
I have every confidence you will attain your goal, soon, and we're wishing you, and all the Members, a Happy, HEALTHY, Peaceful, Prosperous and SAFE New Year!