Rear tire size

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romr

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Hey fellows, just a quick question. SO I'm getting ready to purchase a new rear tire (Conti Road attack II) and it really is the first time I take a look at what I had.
190/50 ZR17 M/C 73W

Now, the manual says use 180/55 Here is the question. I have never ridden with sock tires so I do not have anything to compare it to, I do love the performance I've been getting, this thing will drop on a dime and so I was just wondering what you guys think. The funny thing is that as I keep writing this I keep realizing that I should stay with the 190's. Thanks for letting me talk it out :)
 
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romr said:
Now, the manual says use 180/55 Here is the question. I have never written with sock tires so I do not have anything to compare it to, I do love the performance I've been getting, this thing will drop on a dime and so I was just wondering what you guys think. The funny thing is that as I keep writing this I keep realizing that I should stay with the 190's. Thanks for letting me talk it out :)
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romr I don't know what manual you're looking at but mine says:

Rear tire
Size 190/50 ZR17M/C (73W)
Manufacturer/model MICHELIN/Pilot Road D
Manufacturer/model DUNLOP/D221G
Wear limit (rear) 0.8 mm (0.03 in)
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The 190/50 you have on now is the correct size for the Gen II.
 
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romr said:
Hey fellows, just a quick question. SO I'm getting ready to purchase a new rear tire (Conti Road attack II) and it really is the first time I take a look at what I had.
190/50 ZR17 M/C 73W

Now, the manual says use 180/55 Here is the question. I have never written with sock tires so I do not have anything to compare it to, I do love the performance I've been getting, this thing will drop on a dime and so I was just wondering what you guys think. The funny thing is that as I keep writing this I keep realizing that I should stay with the 190's. Thanks for letting me talk it out :)
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The Gen I have the 180/55 17, but the Gen II have the 190/50 17. I've always wondered if I should go with a 190/50 or 190/55 when I get new tires. I thought the 190/55 would make it turn a bit faster. I'll most likely stick with stock.
 
The 190/55 has the profile of the 180/55, but the width of the 190/50.

The 190/50 has a "flatter" profile, and the turn in is slower. As a result of the flatter profile, you also have to lean in more to achieve the same turn radius.

I'd say go with the 190/55. I chose a Michelin Pilot Power 2CT with a 190/55 rear. Felt good. Quicker to turn in than the 190/50, and it's also supposed to have more contact patch.
 
I run the 180-55 PR2 on my Gen 2 and I prefer it to either of the 190's. traction is no problem with the Michelin and the difference in turn in is impressive.
 
im currently running a 200/50 and the turn in blows! it looks cool, but the performance is not there. i have a new set of q2's waiting for me to blow out the 200. i would say stick w stock but im already modding the hell outta my ride, go w wat feels good to you!
 
romr said:
Hey fellows, just a quick question. SO I'm getting ready to purchase a new rear tire (Conti Road attack II) and it really is the first time I take a look at what I had.
190/50 ZR17 M/C 73W

Now, the manual says use 180/55 Here is the question. I have never ridden with sock tires so I do not have anything to compare it to, I do love the performance I've been getting, this thing will drop on a dime and so I was just wondering what you guys think. The funny thing is that as I keep writing this I keep realizing that I should stay with the 190's. Thanks for letting me talk it out :)
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hahahaha metzeler 210
 
take the 190/50, its what yamaha recommends, and everyone with a different tyre size is a wannabe.(IMO) Cangufante, that looks kinda cool, but probably rides like crap.
 
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Drinky said:
take the 190/50, its what yamaha recommends, and everyone with a different tyre size is a wannabe.(IMO) Cangufante, that looks kinda cool, but probably rides like crap.
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Tyre size maybe. But not profile. So pls don't call them wannabes, because they might just know what they want. Maybe they're drag racing? :D

The FZ uses a 6-inch rim at the back. So do the other liter class superbikes. Most of the new ones, Duc 1098, R1, etc come with 190/55 rears these days. There's a reason for that, and that is a 190/55 offers better cornering stability and flickability than a "flatter" 190/50, but it fits nicely on a 6 inch rim just as the /50 was meant to.

The Five-Percent Difference a 190/55 rear tire makes - Sport Rider Magazine

146-0302-tire5-01-zoom.jpg



I use a 190/55 rear because I know I will have better contact leaned over, as well as a quicker steering. Coming off my previous R1, I want my FZ to have the same "sporty" feel.
 
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Jamieb said:
I run the 180-55 PR2 on my Gen 2 and I prefer it to either of the 190's. traction is no problem with the Michelin and the difference in turn in is impressive.
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Get a 190/55.

The problem with putting in a tyre that's meant for a 5.5 inch rim is that you may stretch it out altering the profile or curvature.

Conversely, for 600s with 5.5-inch rims squeezing in those 190s or 200s to get the fat look, they'll end up pinching the tyre and creating a compound radius.... basically uneven curvature of the tyre. This might give it unpredictable response while turning in or leaned over.
 
I went to a 190/55 last summer in Pirelli Diablo Rossos. The turn in was quite a bit quicker than the 50 however I prefer the feel of the 50. The bike seems to be a bit more predictable and the lean has a more linear progression which suits my riding style. I went back on with 50's when I installed my new Pirelli Angel's and I will be sticking with the 50 from here out.
 
deusexmachina said:
Get a 190/55.

The problem with putting in a tyre that's meant for a 5.5 inch rim is that you may stretch it out altering the profile or curvature.

Conversely, for 600s with 5.5-inch rims squeezing in those 190s or 200s to get the fat look, they'll end up pinching the tyre and creating a compound radius.... basically uneven curvature of the tyre. This might give it unpredictable response while turning in or leaned over.
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How many inches wide is a 180? What makes you think it is meant for a 5.5 inch rim?
 
Jamieb said:
How many inches wide is a 180? What makes you think it is meant for a 5.5 inch rim?
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It's not just a matter of how wide the tire is. All the 5.5" wide wheels are meant for 170 or 180 tires. A 190 or 200 requires a 6" wide wheel. This is necessary to maintain the proper profile. Just check with the tire manufacturers and you'll be able to verify this info. I guess the bottom line is that just because a tire will physically fit it doesn't mean that it's appropriate for a certain wheel width. This same thing applies to car tires...
 
From Dunlop's website for Sportmax Q2, acceptable rim width for 180/55 tire is EITHER 5.5 inches or 6.0 inches. I am not telling anyone what to use, and I am not telling anyone they are wrong. I am giving my preference in tire based on turn in and reciprocating weight savings.

SPORTMAX Q2
120/60ZR17 55W BW 31SM-21 3.50 22.80 4.63 4/32 480 @ 42
120/70ZR17 55W BW 31SM-75 3.50 23.80 4.83 4/32 520 @ 42
160/60ZR17 69W BW 31SM-51 4.50 5.00 24.81 6.72 7/32 716 @ 42
170/60ZR17 72W BW 31SM-53 4.50 5.00 5.50 0.00 0.00 7/32 785 @ 42
180/55ZR17 73W BW 31SM-30 5.50 6.00 24.97 7.46 7/32 805 @ 42
190/50ZR17 73W BW 31SM-22 5.50 6.00 24.95 7.54 7/32 805 @ 42
190/55ZR17 75W BW 31SM-65 5.50 6.00 25.32 7.85 7/32 853 @ 42
200/50ZR17 75W BW 31SM-82 6.00 6.50 25.00 7.82 7/32 853 @ 42
 
Jamieb said:
From Dunlop's website for Sportmax Q2, acceptable rim width for 180/55 tire is EITHER 5.5 inches or 6.0 inches. I am not telling anyone what to use, and I am not telling anyone they are wrong. I am giving my preference in tire based on turn in and reciprocating weight savings.

SPORTMAX Q2
120/60ZR17 55W BW 31SM-21 3.50 22.80 4.63 4/32 480 @ 42
120/70ZR17 55W BW 31SM-75 3.50 23.80 4.83 4/32 520 @ 42
160/60ZR17 69W BW 31SM-51 4.50 5.00 24.81 6.72 7/32 716 @ 42
170/60ZR17 72W BW 31SM-53 4.50 5.00 5.50 0.00 0.00 7/32 785 @ 42
180/55ZR17 73W BW 31SM-30 5.50 6.00 24.97 7.46 7/32 805 @ 42
190/50ZR17 73W BW 31SM-22 5.50 6.00 24.95 7.54 7/32 805 @ 42
190/55ZR17 75W BW 31SM-65 5.50 6.00 25.32 7.85 7/32 853 @ 42
200/50ZR17 75W BW 31SM-82 6.00 6.50 25.00 7.82 7/32 853 @ 42
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Acceptable, yes. But not optimal.

The 180s fits the 5.5" wheels best. It can fit the 6" too, but the curvature will be slightly spread out as a result. Basically the rule of thumb is that you can fit a slightly smaller tyre on a rim, but it's not advisable to fit a larger tyre on. Stretching the tyre out slightly is better than pinching it.

I've run both the 180/55 and 190/55 on my 04 R1. Turn in is the same, but the 190 felt more planted.
 
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deusexmachina said:
Acceptable, yes. But not optimal.

The 180s fits the 5.5" wheels best. It can fit the 6" too, but the curvature will be slightly spread out as a result. Basically the rule of thumb is that you can fit a slightly smaller tyre on a rim, but it's not advisable to fit a larger tyre on. Stretching the tyre out slightly is better than pinching it.

I've run both the 180/55 and 190/55 on my 04 R1. Turn in is the same, but the 190 felt more planted.
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Once again,,,,,,,,,,personal preference.
 
I ordered the 190/55's I have the 190/50's on right now so before I change them out I'll go for one more ride and report back to you guys what I think...
 
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