Recommended Tire and Wheel to Replace 23 x 8.5-12 Wheel and Tire on Smithco Red Rider Scooter

Updated 11/07/2020 | Published 11/04/2020

Question:

You say that the 205/65-10 is slightly wider than a 20.5 x 8. Can you point me to a 20.5 x 8 tire/rim combo with 5 on 4.5 bolt pattern? I need a front tire/wheel for an obscure Smithco Red Rider. I only have 9.75 clearance between the front forks and have to mount a sprocket assembly to the tire/rim, so its a very tight fit. If your 205/65-10 tire is 8.3 wide, then a tire thats slightly narrower should be what Im looking for. If I could even find a tire/rim combo thats about 7.5 wide, Im sure it would be perfect. The original tire on this vehicle was 23x8.50-12. The height of the original tire was 23 but Im willing to go smaller and would like to keep the height at least 20. Thank you. This is your info that Im referring to: The Kenda 205/65-10 Bias Trailer Tire with 10 inch White Wheel, # AM3H390, for example, is 8.3 inches wide with a diameter of 20.5 inches. So it will be slightly wider than a 20.5 x 8. Even though it is such a small difference, I would recommend measuring for clearance on the trailer to ensure a proper fit. I have also included a link below on measuring a trailer tire for reference.

asked by: RUSSELL

Expert Reply:

I may have a solution for you, but we do not have a 20.5 x 8 tire available that would work for you or anything really that is as wide and tall as you've mentioned. However, the Kenda Karrier S-Trail ST145/R12 Radial Tire w/ 12" White Spoke Wheel - 5 on 4-1/2 - LR D # AM31199DX is 21.3" tall and 5.7" wide and would be the best solution I've been able to locate. This is a 12" wheel like the one you've stated originally came on the scooter, and the main difference is the overall width; it should still work just fine as long as you're ok with having a slightly less wide wheel.

expert reply by: Erik B