Dumb Newbie Question on Tire Size

[w3srl]

OK, guys, flame away. :angry:

Can anyone give me a quick primer on how the tire size designations actually work for kart/BSR tires & rims? I'm getting ready to order up the stuff for my BSR and I *think* I have it down, but I want to be sure before I pony up the $$$ for my new toy.

For example, if a tire is advertised as being 11 x 7 x 5, does this mean that the tire is 11" wide, 7" in diameter and uses a 5" rim?

Also, how closely should the tire width match the rim width?

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated... :dizzy:

[VashRazr83]

yes 11 wide, 7 outer diameter, and 5 inch rim diameter. On mine the front are the exact same width, and the rears are .25 or .10 smaller....example, my rims in the front are 6x6 and so are my tires, the rear ones are 8.25 wide and the tires are only 8.10 or 8 can't remember.

[CritterBuddy]

With the type tires you want to run, VashRazr is right in that you want your rims wider than the tires by about 1/2". This allows the tire tread to be flat on the ground and not rounded.

[c.schulz]

yes 11 wide, 7 outer diameter, and 5 inch rim diameter. On mine the front are the exact same width, and the rears are .25 or .10 smaller....example, my rims in the front are 6x6 and so are my tires, the rear ones are 8.25 wide and the tires are only 8.10 or 8 can't remember.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v347/cschulz/Whatdidyousaycopy.jpg

Sorry thats not right. It's 11 in dia. and 7 in section width on a 5" rim.
Take a look at these below. Rears are 11.5X8.00-6 rear rims are 10"Wide 6" Diameter rim. Just look at the rim size in side view. If the rim is 6"dia. is that only an 1" on side wall? No! The dia. may be a little smaller because of width streach. But in no way is it only 8 in dia. Keep in mind that the rim overall dia. from lip to lip is more like 7" the bead size is 6".
If it was the other way around the tire width section(11.5") would be wider than the rim(10"). Most kart guys that run on the dirt stretch the tire 2" wider than section width.

Chris
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v347/cschulz/bar_st1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v347/cschulz/bar_st2.jpg