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Fri Sep 06, 2019 8:01 am

Im looking to see if anyone can help with my topic, I have the standard tire size on my 1969 bug 165 80 15 I would like to know if there is any other tire size that I can use ? the beetle is all stock , all original .

Fri Sep 06, 2019 9:16 am

Here is a page from the 1969 owner's manual:

You can see the "original" tire that came on your Beetle was a bias-ply 5.60x15. The closest modern radial tire match to this is a 145SR-15 (5.60in = 142mm). After a quick search, this is the closest match to that I could find to a 5.60x15 radial:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/cok-56044

The next closest tire sizes are as follows (I've included links where I could find them):
145/80R-15 (https://www.jbugs.com/product/145R15.html)
155R-15 (https://www.summitracing.com/parts/cok-56047)
165R-15 (dimensionally this is closer to a 165/82R-15)(https://www.summitracing.com/search/department/whe...e%3A165-15)
165/80R-15 (https://www.summitracing.com/parts/nxn-11766nxk)

Those are all tires that try to stay close to stock. If you are looking for "fatter" tires... here's a clip from another thread:
Scott H wrote: I've run 195/75 tires on stock wheels all the way around on a stock height '72 with no problems. The fenderwells were filled nicely.
I currently run 205/70s on stock wheels on the rear but the 205 is slightly shorter than the 195.
I post the above with a warning... tires have a recommended safe range of wheel sizes/widths. Your stock wheels are only 4" wide. That is unusually narrow. When you install tires onto wheels that are narrower than the manufacturers suggestions there is a safety risk they will flex in ways they are not meant to. Add this to the fact that Beetles are light and their recommended tire inflation pressure (18/28psi) is much lower than modern tires expect, you quickly enter a danger zone. Do your research and if you choose to install tires that are not designed for your narrow stock wheels... you have been warned.

Fri Sep 06, 2019 9:41 am

some bugs came with whitewalls or white stripe. my 61 Bug being one. Still have the stock spare, whitewall.

Bug On!

Fri Sep 06, 2019 10:28 am

ashman40 wrote: You can see the "original" tire that came on your Beetle was a bias-ply 5.60x15. The closest modern radial tire match to this is a 145SR-15 (5.60in = 142mm).
The closest width-wise, yes, but the 145SR-15 is also a full inch and a half shorter than a 5.60x15 bias ply. It won't fill the fender well as much as the stock tire and will look slightly odd on a stock suspension Beetle, plus result in the speedometer and odometer reading roughly 5% higher than true.

It'd be helpful to know from the OP if there is anything specifically in mind behind the question, or if it's really just a simple "what fits?" query.

Fri Sep 06, 2019 11:45 am

I've always gone with 155 R 15.

Fri Sep 06, 2019 12:08 pm

I want to thank all who sent me their information .

Fri Sep 06, 2019 2:45 pm

mukluk wrote: The closest width-wise, yes, but the 145SR-15 is also a full inch and a half shorter than a 5.60x15 bias ply.
Good catch! I was focusing on the tread width and forgot to take into account height. I suppose 155R-15 may be the closest. It was actually listed as the correct stock tire size for later years.

Fri Sep 06, 2019 2:52 pm

markj60616 wrote: I've always gone with 155 R 15.

have been running 165 sr 15 for decades, good fit, near stock diameter.

Fri Sep 06, 2019 3:02 pm

A 165SR15 or 165HR15 is the closest size in diameter to a 5.60x15 bias ply that will also safely fit on a stock '69 Beetle wheel, though even that size can be close to a half inch shorter than the bias ply tire.

Fri Sep 06, 2019 3:08 pm

I had trouble fitting a spare tire with 165s into the spare tire well on my STD Beetle. I had to keep an old 155 in there just in case.

Fri Sep 06, 2019 7:37 pm

I have been running 165 80 15 Kuhmos on my 69 for the last 6 years and am very pleased. I think this is the perfect tire size for stock ride, looks good, not overly wide, and adds a bit more stability.

ashman is correct however that one will not fit in the spare tire well.