I am in the market for a new back tire. I priced one for $159.00 @ Cycle Gear that is 190x55xR17. I currently have the factory tire (180x50xR17) and was wondering if there is a difference in performance tires.
I mostly commute but occasionally put a little heat on her when i am not in traffic.
Recommendations anyone?
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Try www.tireexpress.com I think they are the cheapest. Check the tire poll on the site, lots of info.
A 190 will earn max poser points, but your bike will steer like a loaded wheelbarrow.
Stick with the 180 width for best handling. (IMG:style_emoticons/oldemoticons/fing02.gif)
veefer800canuck, Dec 26 2006, 12:35 PMA 190 will earn max poser points, but your bike will steer like a loaded wheelbarrow.
Stick with the 180 width for best handling. (IMG:style_emoticons/oldemoticons/fing02.gif)
A 190 is not recommended on a 5.5" rim, anywho.
I think the stock size is a 180/55, not 180/50.
I could run a 190 on the 6" rim on my Falco, but most say the 180 is better handling, so I'll probably stick with those.
Huge difference. Do NOT get a 190, get a 180. a 190 will handle like crap. If you want a good sport tire, get Pilot Power or Metzler M3. If you want a tire that is not as sticky but will last a while get Metzler Z6. You should replace the front as well because the stock tires are garbage.
Yeah tires make all the difference.....buy a re-tread...LOL. Seriously though......I like to save money and get bargains just like the next guy. When it comes to tires on a bike.....only the best. It's all preference. I really like my Pirelli Diablo Strada's.....great mix of street/handling tire for all around useage (like FL roads)
I agree with JBY28. Stick to the stock sizes. I've tried Metzlers, Dunlops, Pirellis with 20K on my 5th Gen. My choice are the Pirelli's. Diablo front and Strada rear for the summer and Diablo front/back for the winter. I've found that the Strada front is too hard...even in the summer....almost lost the front on three occasions. Strada rear is too hard for the wet winters we have here in the NW, so I stick with Diablo. Have never used a Michelin on the viffer, though they were great on my R1150RT so I can't speak to that. Front end handling could be suspension setup. I'm 180 lbs and use pretty much stock setup. Bottom line is get the best tire available...keep tire pressure correct and change them when you see excessive wear. Good tires cost a fraction of what a low side will cost you.
shotgun21
Thanks for all the great input everyone!
I will stick with the stock which i stated incorectly in my OP which is 180x55xR17.
Since i live in the south (North Alabama) and don't ride when it is below 32 degrees, I will prolly stick with the summer tires because it doesn't get below 32 here very often...maybe 2 months out the year.
Thanks again. (IMG:style_emoticons/oldemoticons/flag_alabama.gif)
ULEWZ, Dec 29 2006, 03:35 AMveefer800canuck, Dec 26 2006, 12:35 PMA 190 will earn max poser points, but your bike will steer like a loaded wheelbarrow.
Stick with the 180 width for best handling. (IMG:style_emoticons/oldemoticons/fing02.gif)
:)
Is there any opinion on running a 170/60ZR17 as used on the 3rd/4th gen VFRs?
I use my '99 primarily for commuting, and it now has >120,000km. The standard 180/55 doesn't get the sides scrubbed in and as it wears the handling gets a bit heavy. I'm hoping to liven things up and wonder if i should try the narrower tyre for quicker turning.
Also, I have run Shinko radials and get outstanding mileage out of them (18,000km off the front, 15,000km rear) and they have never let me down. Great grip wet/dry, though when cold the rear will drift nicely under heavy throttle. Ideal for commuter/touring duties IMHO.
Opinions from the forum?
Pete
Melbourne,
Australia
VFR800Boy, Jan 23 2007, 08:28 PMIs there any opinion on running a 170/60ZR17 as used on the 3rd/4th gen VFRs?
I use my '99 primarily for commuting, and it now has >120,000km. The standard 180/55 doesn't get the sides scrubbed in and as it wears the handling gets a bit heavy. I'm hoping to liven things up and wonder if i should try the narrower tyre for quicker turning.
Also, I have run Shinko radials and get outstanding mileage out of them (18,000km off the front, 15,000km rear) and they have never let me down. Great grip wet/dry, though when cold the rear will drift nicely under heavy throttle. Ideal for commuter/touring duties IMHO.
Check with the tire manufacturer and make sure the tire will fit on the rim width first.
You just need to lean further to scrub the sides in, but the poor handling is because the middle gets a lot more wear than the sides and it develops a flat spot, a narrower tire is not going to have much effect on that.
If you like the Shinkos and have never had any problems with them, enjoy them, just don�t try a nice modern sport tire or you will be spoiled.
VFR800Boy, Jan 24 2007, 02:28 PMAlso, I have run Shinko radials and get outstanding mileage out of them (18,000km off the front, 15,000km rear) and they have never let me down. Great grip wet/dry, though when cold the rear will drift nicely under heavy throttle. Ideal for commuter/touring duties IMHO.
Opinions from the forum?
They may have improved greatly over the last 7 years, but the Shinko Podiums I had on my VFR750 when I bought it never inspired confidence in me. Because of that, I never pushed them very hard, so never had an scary moments, but that's because they offered so little feedback. They lasted no longer than the tyres that replaced them, so I was happy to spend more for something that made me feel comfortable to lean and in the wet.
jeremy556, Dec 26 2006, 03:41 PMHuge difference. Do NOT get a 190, get a 180. a 190 will handle like crap. If you want a good sport tire, get Pilot Power or Metzler M3. If you want a tire that is not as sticky but will last a while get Metzler Z6. You should replace the front as well because the stock tires are garbage.
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turtlecreek, Jan 23 2007, 10:13 PMjeremy556, Dec 26 2006, 03:41 PMHuge difference. Do NOT get a 190, get a 180. a 190 will handle like crap. If you want a good sport tire, get Pilot Power or Metzler M3. If you want a tire that is not as sticky but will last a while get Metzler Z6. You should replace the front as well because the stock tires are garbage.
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(IMG:style_emoticons/oldemoticons/offtopic.gif) Nice to meet you this weekend. Sorry you got stuck without a ride. I only did about 4 sessions over the weekend myself. Did you at least get to ride on Saturday?
Thanks guys.
I suppose I'm proposing something against the fashion of ever-fatter rear tyres. I remember the days when a 140 rear was F.A.T. (on my old FZ750N) and 16" fronts were de-rigeur.. The stigma of a Taiwanese tyre hangs around for a while too, but they suit my purpose (and budget).
I'll mull it over some. IIRC my rear rim is 6", so the 180 may get a guernsey again. The 170 on a 5.5" rim probably suits the Gen3/4 VFRs perfectly.
Cheers,
Pete