I've read a lot on the net lately about "whats the best profile/width rear tyre for my 6 inch rim"...
6 inch wide rims were fitted to some bikes since about 1999, some 750's and most 1000cc sports bikes.
I have now done a comparison test with very similarly rated tyres (pure sports) in the following size/widths:-
180/55-17
190/50-17
190/55-17
report is as follows:-
180/55-17 feels really nice, speeds up turn in time, and fine at full lean apart from one or two "squirms" at full power when sitting up and exiting turns (100% throttle on a GSXR1000), lots of feeling between upright and full lean angle too. (meduim diameter out of the three)
190/50-17 slower lean in with not so much feedback, felt "heavy" to steer. most stable in a straight line. (smallest diameter out of the three)
190/55-17 BLOODY AMAZING! constant "roll in" form upright to full lean, most predictable when banked all the way over BUT leaves 5mm chicken strips (which isnt acceptable at all!!!)haha. (Largest diameter of the three).
so, order of rating are:-
least favourite - 190/50-17 (standard fitment)
very acceptible - 180/55-17 (if you can live with your thou looking like a 600 from behind)
amazing 190/55-17 (if you can live with the chicken strips!!!)...
so, if you run a 190/50-17, have a go with the 180, youll be amazed, and sometimes theyre cheaper too!
