120/60/17 Up Front?

Heya folks,

I sincerely apologize if this has been covered elsewhere, but from all the searching I've attempted I can't seem to find an answer on the boards (probably because "120" and "60" are too short of a search term, and "tire size" doesn't yield what I'm looking for), nor can i seem to dig up any info on those "other" VFR boards. :)

Basically, the front tire on my '02 is about done. Worn down the center, cupping, etc. A buddy of mine has a 120/60/17 Metzeler M1 that's barely used in his garage off his old Monster 750 that he says I can have if I want it. I know the stock size is 120/70/17, but are there any horrible disadvantages to a 120/60/17 tire? Most of what I use the bike for is commuting and the occasional mountain jaunt, and even then I don't ride terribly aggressive.

Opinions/thoughts? Am I going to completely mess up the bike's handling by moving to a 120/60 from a 120/70? Turn-in would obviously increase, but would the weight of the bike be an issue? Good idea, bad idea? Will the bike spontaneously erupt into flames? I don't see how it could make that much of a difference, to be honest, but I thought I'd run it by some others first.

As you can see I'd rather take a free tire that's nearly new instead of dropping coin on a brand new shoe, obviously.

Could result into twichty handling for your front end. It could be like you're going down to a 16.5" front wheel. But being that the VFR has a very "relaxed" front end geometry, maybe it wouldn't be too bad.

Beck
95 VFR

Just under 1/2 inch difference, on a comuter bike?? hmmm, for free??? give it a try. :fing02:

Let us know how it does.... I'm getting ready to replace my front tire as well....


seems, though, that if anything it cause the motorcycle to not want to turn or feel sluggish as the tire will be "flatter". Probably be a safer bet to put the 120/70 on.

Well, I'll snag the tire from him tomorrow and see about getting it put on later this week. I'll certainly update the thread and let you know my impressions. As long as it works well enough for commuting and doesn't give me fits in corners when I decide to ride some twisties from time to time, it'll work well enough for me.

Not advise... study my drawing... the diameter of a 120/60/17 is smaller by a whopping inch than a 120/70/17...

120 x .6 x 2 / 25.4 + 17 = 22.669 or 575mm

130 x .7 x 2 / 25.4 + 16 = 23.16 inches or 588mm...

120 x .7 x 2 /25.4 +17 = 23.61 inches or 600mm...



http://home.comcast.net/~netters2/PicsDec03/bigimages/FrontTireSizes.JPG

Dude, not to rain on your parade or anything, but tires are the only thing that separate you from the pavement.

You can get a brand new PP for 100 bucks here:

tiresunlimited

Quote

Dude, not to rain on your parade or anything, but tires are the only thing that separate you from the pavement.

I have to agree, somethings you can cheap out on, but tires are kind of inportant. If its only $100 for a good tire why take the chance of screwing up your handeling and ending up in a ditch somewhere.

ill tell you what happened to me.my father was helping me change my front tire and he asked me to make sure my new tire was the same size.comparing both i saw i currently had a 120/60r17 and my new tire was a 120/70/r17. i said WTF so i had been riding around on the 120/60 and never even knew i had the wrong one on it.i dont remember it handling much differently.and yes "busylittleshop" is right a 120/60 is shorter specially if you compare side by side.

I believe these tires were the bridgestone bt020.i like the continental road attacks now.

02 vfr.

That will work. You'll never get to most out of the tire and bike, but it's better than a worn out tire for sure. When you change back to a 70, you'll realize how much your bike improves in turn in.