The most common tire size seems to be 180/55R17 now a days. So most of the newest rubber (specifically the Michelin PP/PR 2CT) does not explicity fit the 4th gen VFR. I do see sizes for both 160/60R17 and 180/55R17. Trying to stay closest to stock numbers what would give a better handling bike and would the 180's even fit on a 4th gen bike?
It's been mentioned over and over and over that the 180 series tire on the 4th gen makes the bike handle poorly. Should be in an FAQ somewhere, it gets asked so often.
I would just look for something else in a 170 series if the 2CT isn't made in that size.
SAFE-T, Dec 15 2008, 07:57 PMIt's been mentioned over and over and over that the 180 series tire on the 4th gen makes the bike handle poorly. Should be in an FAQ somewhere, it gets asked so often.
I would just look for something else in a 170 series if the 2CT isn't made in that size.
What about the 160 though. If I cant get the C2T I'm probably going to go to the original PP tire or hope the C2T comes in a 170 by springtime.
SAFE-T, Dec 15 2008, 08:57 PMIt's been mentioned over and over and over that the 180 series tire on the 4th gen makes the bike handle poorly. Should be in an FAQ somewhere, it gets asked so often.
I would just look for something else in a 170 series if the 2CT isn't made in that size.
They DO make the PR2CTs in a 170 section which will fit the 4th gen VFR. I have it on my bike right now.
Keep looking around and you will find them.
BTW, the PR2CTs are the BEST handling/wearing tires I have ever had on my 95. Can't say enough good about them!
Beck
95 VFR
Beck, Dec 15 2008, 09:14 PMSAFE-T, Dec 15 2008, 08:57 PMIt's been mentioned over and over and over that the 180 series tire on the 4th gen makes the bike handle poorly. Should be in an FAQ somewhere, it gets asked so often.
I would just look for something else in a 170 series if the 2CT isn't made in that size.
They DO make the PR2CTs in a 170 section which will fit the 4th gen VFR. I have it on my bike right now.
Keep looking around and you will find them.
BTW, the PR2CTs are the BEST handling/wearing tires I have ever had on my 95. Can't say enough good about them!
Beck
95 VFR
same here..... 170 on my 4th gen...
(IMG:
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n206/Dutchy_748/HPIM0641.jpg)
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)
you can also go with a Pirelli Diablo, Diablo Strada or Diablo Rosso as well as a Bridgestone BT16 in a 170
all excellent choices. 180 is a non-starter
I just checked a few online stores I could remember off the top of my head, and none of them had Pilot Power 2CT in size 170. Dutchy, you sure your picture is not photoshopped? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
As for a 180 tire on a 4th gen... It's been discussed numerous times. Yes, it does physically fit, no, it is not recommended.
P.S. Oops, just noticed that Dutchy's tire is a Pilot Road, not Pilot Power. Does that mean there is no PP2CT 170? That's sad, because I was going to try it...
You can really only go up one size, e.g. 150- 160....160-170....180-190. anything more that an increment of 10mm(tire width) and your going to seriously distort the shape of the tire, if you can even get it on the rim.
Bigger is not always better....unless you ride a custom hardley...and don't need to turn. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif)
I should not have abbreviated. I was looking at the Pilot Power and Pilot Race(for track days) not the Pilot Road. Neither have a 170 in the new 2CT model. The Pilot Roads do have a 2CT 170.
The regular PP 170 works great on the 4th gen even though it actually measures closer to 175mm. If you're going to use them on the track I've heard that the original PP works better then the PP 2CT on the track. From what I've heard the PP 2CT's tend to over heat and wear really fast on the track.
I fitted a 160/60 D207 once when I could not get a 170, and it was great - felt very nimble and predictable (and I knew and liked the D207's feel). D207s were wide for their sizing, though, so perhaps not the best example.
Get a 3rd-Gen 8-spoke wheel (5.5")???
(or a 5th/6th Gen wheel, also 5.5")
The Phantom, Dec 16 2008, 09:35 AMI fitted a 160/60 D207 once when I could not get a 170, and it was great - felt very nimble and predictable (and I knew and liked the D207's feel). D207s were wide for their sizing, though, so perhaps not the best example.
I can confirm the above also. Felt pretty good in the wet in the far northern reaches of the Pacific Hwy in NSW. Previously had BT56 (F) BT57 Rear combo and the D207s felt like I was on ice skates at first with very little input required at the bars.
The Phantom, Dec 16 2008, 03:35 PMGet a 3rd-Gen 8-spoke wheel or a 5th/6th Gen wheel
+ 3rd gen wheel will have the cutouts to clear the rotor mounting bolts on your 4th gen
- heaviest VFR wheel by a couple of lbs
- sometimes hard to find
- used ones cost within a few dollars of a brand new one
- not available in black
+ Lots of 5th/6th gen wheels around
+ usually under $150
+ black most common color
- you will have to dremel the backside of the wheel to clear the rotor mounting bolts on your 4th gen
I'm looking to getting new tires as well since my front has the infamous deceleration wobble and is quite worn and cupped (very old and deprecated Metzelers).
I also wanted the Michelin Pilot Power2CTs but also noticed they lacked a 170 rear. I then thought about it awhile and realized that I will mostly be commuting (although on a somewhat windy, but not challenging road) and figured I was just being a squid; not enough to stick a 180 on the rear, but enough to think I needed the latest and greatest dual-compound trendy GSXR-rider's tire. But then I thought about it and in being honest with myself, reality set in and I elected to compromise and just opt for the sport-touring dual-compound version which does come in the the factory 170 size, the Michelin Pilot Road 2.
I also have thought of getting the older 5.5-inch wheel because I think with the "openness" of the single-sided swingarm and the width of the rear, it would look pretty decent, but again, I don't know if this is just the squid coming out of me and I would end up messing up the "geometry" or whatever. Is the main problem putting a 180 on such a "narrow" (5.0-inch) wheel, or are there other geometric factors that need to be considered?
As a final thought, the Michelin Pilot Powers are not considered a sport touring tire, so you may want to look into those also. True, they don't have the trendy new dual-compound (and hence they're actually cheaper than the Pilot Road 2), but they're considered a legit race/street type tire, not a sport-touring one. They are for more spirited riding and probably won't last as long, so are they really cheaper in the long run?
Anyway, lots to think about, and that's just in analyzing the Michelins! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)
P.S. This whole 160 thing is very interesting to me and that's a whole other "google" I need to research! Seemed odd to me that so many make a 160, but not the 170! Must be something to it! Or is the truth more likely that some modern and somewhat popular bike (SV650?) runs it so they make it to satisfy that masses?
VFR Vaden, Dec 23 2008, 04:09 AMI'm looking to getting new tires as well since my front has the infamous deceleration wobble and is quite worn and cupped (very old and deprecated Metzelers).
I also wanted the Michelin Pilot Power2CTs but also noticed they lacked a 170 rear. I then thought about it awhile and realized that I will mostly be commuting (although on a somewhat windy, but not challenging road) and figured I was just being a squid; not enough to stick a 180 on the rear, but enough to think I needed the latest and greatest dual-compound trendy GSXR-rider's tire. But then I thought about it and in being honest with myself, reality set in and I elected to compromise and just opt for the sport-touring dual-compound version which does come in the the factory 170 size, the Michelin Pilot Road 2.
I also have thought of getting the older 5.5-inch wheel because I think with the "openness" of the single-sided swingarm and the width of the rear, it would look pretty decent, but again, I don't know if this is just the squid coming out of me and I would end up messing up the "geometry" or whatever. Is the main problem putting a 180 on such a "narrow" (5.0-inch) wheel, or are there other geometric factors that need to be considered?
As a final thought, the Michelin Pilot Powers are not considered a sport touring tire, so you may want to look into those also. True, they don't have the trendy new dual-compound (and hence they're actually cheaper than the Pilot Road 2), but they're considered a legit race/street type tire, not a sport-touring one. They are for more spirited riding and probably won't last as long, so are they really cheaper in the long run?
Anyway, lots to think about, and that's just in analyzing the Michelins! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)
P.S. This whole 160 thing is very interesting to me and that's a whole other "google" I need to research! Seemed odd to me that so many make a 160, but not the 170! Must be something to it! Or is the truth more likely that some modern and somewhat popular bike (SV650?) runs it so they make it to satisfy that masses?
170's aren't that hard to find (yet?). I think they are just harder to find as a full on sport or race tire, but enough STs out there use the tire size.
If ever there was an odd tire size, it was the 150 that was standard on my Hawk GT 647. But maybe you are right that manufacturers tend to migrate towards certain tire sizes. In this case, it might be they prefer to really just go with even second numbers. You know,..120...140..160...180....
Beck
95 VFR
Many bikes come with a 160/60/17 rear
Ninja 650
SV650
FZ6r yammie's new bike
YZF600R
Ninja ZZR600-04 and down
I think you should really check out the Continental Road Attacks for twisty vengeance and holding up
to miles of commuting. I used these tires on my 04 Katana 750, 07 R6S, and now on my 4th Gen VFR.
They came on the Kat, I removed the 208GP dunflops for them, and replaced the badly worn tires on my 4th gen with them.
On the Kat I was learning to ride and purchased the R6 for twisty fun when i was stationed at Ft. Campbell. I put over 3k on these tires of hard riding before I ETSed and never had a slip up plus they are great in wet weather. I got rid of the R6 to save me money each month as I am a full time student now.
I didn't get to ride the VFR much because I just got it right before it started snowing here in Northern IL. My experience with these tires are great and I recommend them to any sport tourer as they are great in the cold, wet, and for thrashing the twisties. I have not worn a set all the way down but after 3K on them they didn't show much wear.
I have a black 5/6gen (5.5 inch wide made for 180's) that is modded to fit the 3/4gens swingarms which I'll put up for sale in the classifieds. Easy solution.
FotoMoto, Dec 23 2008, 05:47 AMI have a black 5/6gen (5.5 inch wide made for 180's) that is modded to fit the 3/4gens swingarms which I'll put up for sale in the classifieds. Easy solution.
I'm going to do a bit more research, epically as someone here mentioned that the PP might be better than the PP 2CT for track days. Even if they are close I'm thinking I'm just going to go with the regular PP because of better fitment.
