Question about tire sizes for 4th gen.

Sorry if this has been answered already, I did some searching around but couldn't find a definitive answer.

I bought a 94 VFR that's pretty beat up and cobbled together. I want to get the tires sorted out. So here goes:

Currently:
Rear 190/50-17
Front 120/70-17

I want to go with a Michelin Pilot Road 2 on the Rear. I read somewhere the optimal size for Viffers is 180/55-17. Thoughts?
I want to go with Michelin Pilot Power on the front, but I don't know what size to go with. Any help?

This is my first 'sportbike' and I mostly commute with some twisty time here and there. Pavement is everything from smooth to cheese grader here in Kentucky.


Thanks for your help!

If it has the stock 5x17 rear, then a 170/60-17 is the correct size.

If someone has fitted either an earlier or later 5.5x17 rear wheel, then the correct size is a 180/55-17.

Front fire is 120/70-17 no matter what.

stock rear size is 170. PR2's are incredible. The 4th gen wheel is a 5" wide rim... IF you wanted to go to a 180, you would be best served finding a 3rd gen rim, or the 5th/6th's (will work with some small modifications - search) - all of which are 5.5" rims. Stuffing a 180 on a stock 4th gen wheel will distort the tire profile somewhat.. FWIW

Yeah, I wouldn't bother going up in size unless you're just doing it for looks and you're not worried about having the best handling. Motorcycles and tire width are somewhat different than cars, where as most cars can benefit from a size up in tires, bikes usually don't. Tire manufacturers design tires to have a specific contour once mounted, and using a different width tire on a rim designed for XXX size alters the profile of the tire, and for best results, front and rear need to have corresponding profiles. Using a tire larger than the rim was designed for pull the beads of the tire in tighter thus giving the tire a steeper contour, so instead of running out of contact patch at extreme angles on the rear, you're gonna run out of contact patch on the front, and that a lot more dangerous.

I've ridden 160,170 and 180 on the 5 inch rim, and I'll be honest in telling you that 80% of the time you won't tell a difference, but when you actually start pushing the bike is when you notice it. Now being that you haven't run other sizes yet, you won't be able to tell that its not ideal, but slap a 170 on there and I'm willing to bet you can corner much harder.

Since the rear currently has a 190 on it post up a pic of the rear wheel so we can tell you the width. More than likely someone has changed the rear wheel to a 5.5" width already (in which case and as posted above) the correct size for which is a 180.

Since the rear currently has a 190 on it post up a pic of the rear wheel so we can tell you the width. More than likely someone has changed the rear wheel to a 5.5" width already (in which case and as posted above) the correct size for which is a 180.

That would be pretty sweet, but considering the shape he said it was in, I'm willing to bet the PO put that monster on the stock wheel.

Since the rear currently has a 190 on it post up a pic of the rear wheel so we can tell you the width. More than likely someone has changed the rear wheel to a 5.5" width already (in which case and as posted above) the correct size for which is a 180.

That would be pretty sweet, but considering the shape he said it was in, I'm willing to bet the PO put that monster on the stock wheel.

Good point, but cobbled together could mean the owner stole a wheel from another VFR...a pic would really eliminate all our SWAGs. And help the OP out as well.

If you have the stock 5" rim, replace that 190 with the stock 170, and I guarantee that your handling will improve a whole lot. As already noted, the only way to go wider without handling issues (except that your transition handling might slow down a bit) would be to install an earlier or later VFR 5.5 rim that will not distort the wider tire. I'm surprised/curious that a 190 even fits on your bike as most found it pretty close already to the swingarm when they stuffed in a 180 on the bike. Did the PO sort of shaved down the tire edge to do so??

Beck
95 VFR

I just got a 8 spoker from ebay (100 bucks shipped!). So from reading here, it's 5.5 wide and I should go with a 180? It's got a 170 on it now, but it's toast. I mounted it and rode it around the block to make sure the rim was Ok.

My stock wheel has the 190 on it. I didn't see anything that looked shaved or anything. That wheel has a lot of thread on it, but I'm not confident with it at all, from the numbers, it's 3 years old. A buddy said it could just be really hard and that's why it feels slippery in corners?

Granted, I'm new to sportbikes so hopefully I'm understanding the feedback the wheels are giving me.

Also, sorry for the crazy font change in the OP.


I currently have the 8 spoke 170, but if you guys want to see pics I can remount the 190.

A picture of the rear wheel will really help us help you.

I have a '98 rear wheel on my '96.
I love the feel of the 180... But that is just my opinion.

190/50-17 just seems to big for a forth gen.
I would guess it handles like crap with any wheel. (Handles like crap in the twisties.)

A 180 with the right 5.5" rim will be OK, Just a little slower turning and a little heavier, but the 8 spoker is always a better looking wheel than the original 4th gen 5 spoker. Just avoid doing a 5.0" rim with anything bigger than a 170.

Beck
95 VFR

Well here's the results of what I found with some more details after digging into it.

Tires that came with the bike: (Rims appear to be stock.)
Continental ContiMotion
190/50 ZR 17 rear
120/70 ZR 17 front



[image: Posted Image]

[image: Posted Image]
seems clearance is ok.

new rim. ebay said it was from a 92 VFR
[image: Posted Image]

[image: Posted Image]



Also, it appears that the bike has a high pipe and I didn't realize it. All I did was reposition the pipe. It's about 1/4 inch away from the tire. Is that enough clearance?

Here's a before, when I first got the bike.Check the angle of the can.
[image: Posted Image]

After, with the wheel/tire that came with the bike.
[image: Posted Image]

After, with the 92 8 spoke.
[image: Posted Image]


So the plan is to get Michelin Pilot Road 2 set.

Thoughts?

I would do a 180/55 on that rear wheel.


JakeWilson.com Pricing:
180/55ZR-17 (73W) Michelin Pilot Road 2 CT Radial Rear Motorcycle Tire - Part # 1223980004 - $150.99

120/70ZR-17 (58W) Michelin Pilot Road 2 CT Radial Front Motorcycle Tire - Part # 1223970005 - $114.99

Sub Total: $265.98



I could get these for you for: 250.00 shipped to your door step from JakeWilson.com

Let me know through e-mail: MikeE@RideWNC.com

Nice deal on the 8 spoke!

That 190 is definately mounted ona 5" rim.

Look how wide the chicken strip is, the center of that tire is at least an inch taller than the 170 would have been.

You could put the 170 from the 8 spoker on the 4th gen wheel and sell it on or put a new 170 on it and keep it for a commuting tire, easy to swap with the high mount exhaust.

that is a great deal from Mike at Ride Western NC above.

I want a $100 8-spoker shipped, too!!!
Shipped to an AFB in Germany so cost will be low.


and oh, in black please...





and then I woke up.......

You shouldn't have any problems with exhaust to tyre clearance. Mine is a very similar set up and the only time I had an issue was when the exhaust did rub the tyre when the exhaust mounting strap came loose. That issue now addressed and plenty of clearance now. I've just fitted a Pilot Road 2 to the rear and can't wait to get it scrubbed in - never tried one before but they come highly recommended on this forum. Whichever wheel you have stick with the standard tyre sizes to get the best turn-in.