Fittin a 180/55ZR 17MC on a VFR750 '92, normaly on 170/60 17ZR MC?

Hi everybody! Please help me find out a competent answer to the question in the topic I've opened. I read most of the posts here on tires, somebody had a 5'' rim, but from hearsay my bike's is a 5,5''...true?

I forgot to mention that the tyre im looking at is a Dunlop Sportmax Qualifier with the above specifications (those beginning with 180...).

The size of the rim is actually cast into the metal itself. I've typically seen it on the inside of one of the spokes. Take a look.

If you have the original '90-'93 8-spoke rear rim fitted, it is indeed 5.5" and yes Virginia, you CAN fit a 180 to it no problem.

'94-'97 rims are 5", '98 to '09 are 5.5"


Search is your friend:

http://www.vfrdiscus...all-discussion/

The size of the rim is actually cast into the metal itself. I've typically seen it on the inside of one of the spokes. Take a look.

I've looked for that imprint, can't see it. The rim doesn't seem recently painted either. I reckon it's a 5,5''!

If you have the original '90-'93 8-spoke rear rim fitted, it is indeed 5.5" and yes Virginia, you CAN fit a 180 to it no problem.

'94-'97 rims are 5", '98 to '09 are 5.5"


Search is your friend:

http://www.vfrdiscus...all-discussion/

Thanks for your help! I've looked what "my friend" revealed, excellent info!

How does putting a 180 on the rear impact the handling? Is there any chain clearance issues?

How does putting a 180 on the rear impact the handling? Is there any chain clearance issues?

In general, wider tires will make a bike steer slower, all else being equal.

That's why you don't see 360 kits on MotoGp bikes.

[image: Posted Image]

How does putting a 180 on the rear impact the handling? Is there any chain clearance issues?

I've looked carefully today, even used a tape measure. Old tyre still on it. Chain seems at a reasonable distance in case the 18o tyre is wider, but the chain guard is close. However, a little mod can take care of that issue. It is on the inside of the swing arm that I am concerned. It seemed to be just about 5 millimetres to the old tyre...reason I started this topic here.

Thanks! The slow steering is one of my concerns, it may look nice but if it hurts handling, not sure it would be worth it, unless availability becomes an issue, which I think is the case on this thread. I know in the RC30 world, there was a lot of talk about a 180 not having enough room to clear the chain without the use of a spacer, wasn't sure if this would be an issue too. If you do do this, take a few pictures and let us know how it does on the road.

I use 180 wide tires on the 5,5" eight spoker, no clearance issues whatsoever. Most modern 180 tires are designed to be used on a 5,5" rim, see chart:

[image: Posted Image]

Maybe a modern 180 tire on a 5,5" rim will actually steer quicker than a modern 170 on a (too wide) 5,5" rim.

In the VFR's case, going with a larger section tire would just be more of a cosmetic thing (is the difference in looks really that noicable?) as the bike does not produce the same power and torque of an open classer that might use that extra width to some advantage. Add to that the tendency of the older VFRs to understeer because of it's mild angled frame geometry. slowing down the steering with a wider tire than spec does not make sense, even worse if you do it with the 4th gen with it's narrower rim that will distort (pinch) the tire profile and result in weird handling. I say just install what Honda spec'd for the bike size-wise as the VFR's were never "undertired".
Oh I forgot..... :beatdeadhorse:

Beck
95 VFR

It's been a while... in the meantime fitted the 180 tyre, and runs. so far! Yet I am afraid to stick my finger between the swingarm and tyre :) Above someone has asked for photos of the tyre. Sorry for my rubbish mobile shots! My conclusion: the 180 can be fitted on this particular rim of 5,5'' yet it is tight in there! Handling/steering issues? None, if not handles better! And I ride it (quite aggresively) daily for 24 miles. To work and back.
Thanks for your guys input!

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It's been a while... in the meantime fitted the 180 tyre, and runs. so far! Yet I am afraid to stick my finger between the swingarm and tyre :) Above someone has asked for photos of the tyre. Sorry for my rubbish mobile shots! My conclusion: the 180 can be fitted on this particular rim of 5,5'' yet it is tight in there! Handling/steering issues? None, if not handles better! And I ride it (quite aggresively) daily for 24 miles. To work and back.
Thanks for your guys input!

I've used both and prefer the 170 for handling. My local bike mechanic says he has mounted many 190's on this rim, but thats his word.

It's been a while... in the meantime fitted the 180 tyre, and runs. so far! Yet I am afraid to stick my finger between the swingarm and tyre :) Above someone has asked for photos of the tyre. Sorry for my rubbish mobile shots! My conclusion: the 180 can be fitted on this particular rim of 5,5'' yet it is tight in there! Handling/steering issues? None, if not handles better! And I ride it (quite aggresively) daily for 24 miles. To work and back.
Thanks for your guys input!

I've used both and prefer the 170 for handling. My local bike mechanic says he has mounted many 190's on this rim, but thats his word.

You said 190, are you sure?

It's been a while... in the meantime fitted the 180 tyre, and runs. so far! Yet I am afraid to stick my finger between the swingarm and tyre :) Above someone has asked for photos of the tyre. Sorry for my rubbish mobile shots! My conclusion: the 180 can be fitted on this particular rim of 5,5'' yet it is tight in there! Handling/steering issues? None, if not handles better! And I ride it (quite aggresively) daily for 24 miles. To work and back.
Thanks for your guys input!

I've used both and prefer the 170 for handling. My local bike mechanic says he has mounted many 190's on this rim, but thats his word.

You said 190, are you sure?

Thats exactly what he told me......"I've mounted many 190's on this rim with no problem".......I'm not sure what the width difference is between the 180 and the 190, but with the 180 mounted on my 91

there was still clearance.....not a lot mind you, but still space. The stock can was close, but it can be rotated and shimmed if needed.

It's been a while... in the meantime fitted the 180 tyre, and runs. so far! Yet I am afraid to stick my finger between the swingarm and tyre :) Above someone has asked for photos of the tyre. Sorry for my rubbish mobile shots! My conclusion: the 180 can be fitted on this particular rim of 5,5'' yet it is tight in there! Handling/steering issues? None, if not handles better! And I ride it (quite aggresively) daily for 24 miles. To work and back.
Thanks for your guys input!

I've used both and prefer the 170 for handling. My local bike mechanic says he has mounted many 190's on this rim, but thats his word.

You said 190, are you sure?

Thanks for clarifying that! With my present 180 there is so flipping little clearance that as I've said I'm afraid to put my finger in there:) So when I've heard of a 190 fitted on this 5,5'' it made wonder. Now are mechanics like fishermen? :)) I don't indend to fit a 190, just wonderin... Cheers!

Thats exactly what he told me......"I've mounted many 190's on this rim with no problem".......I'm not sure what the width difference is between the 180 and the 190, but with the 180 mounted on my 91

there was still clearance.....not a lot mind you, but still space. The stock can was close, but it can be rotated and shimmed if needed.

It's been a while... in the meantime fitted the 180 tyre, and runs. so far! Yet I am afraid to stick my finger between the swingarm and tyre :) Above someone has asked for photos of the tyre. Sorry for my rubbish mobile shots! My conclusion: the 180 can be fitted on this particular rim of 5,5'' yet it is tight in there! Handling/steering issues? None, if not handles better! And I ride it (quite aggresively) daily for 24 miles. To work and back.
Thanks for your guys input!

I've used both and prefer the 170 for handling. My local bike mechanic says he has mounted many 190's on this rim, but thats his word.

You said 190, are you sure?

Thanks for clarifying that! With my present 180 there is so flipping little clearance that as I've said I'm afraid to put my finger in there:) So when I've heard of a 190 fitted on this 5,5'' it made wonder. Now are mechanics like fishermen? :)) I don't indend to fit a 190, just wonderin... Cheers!

Thats exactly what he told me......"I've mounted many 190's on this rim with no problem".......I'm not sure what the width difference is between the 180 and the 190, but with the 180 mounted on my 91

there was still clearance.....not a lot mind you, but still space. The stock can was close, but it can be rotated and shimmed if needed.

It's hard to imagine a 190 fitting. I've tried to find pics of one fitted through google with no success. That's the problem with these fishing stories....no hard evidence...or witnesses for that matter.