180 or 190 tyres.......

[jonnydangerous]

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!

[Mark_Able]

Yep, totally agree. Used to race with a 180 on the R1, and the larger side walls give more feel when leant over. Most people don't like using a 180 because the 190 looks nicer. The side wall is where the suspension comes from when leant over. So stiffer or softer side walls greatly affect the feel (and the size of the footprint). The softer side walls allow more give, which in turn increases the footprint, and the feel (coupled with lower tyre pressures). Stiffer side walls make for a smaller footprint, and a skatey feel.

A 180/55 has a deeper side wall than a 190/50, in case you were wondering what I'm on about.

Incidentally, 190's don't work on 5.5" rims, because it distorts the tyre, and makes it too round in it's profile. They might look cool, but they don't work... :)

[Nooj]

I've gone from 180/55 to 190/50 and much prefer it. Each to their own :)

[Squashed_Fly]

Would it be fair to say that if you ride upright most of the time, a 190 is better, but if you spend a lot of time banked over (track/sports riding etc), then a 180 is better?

[jonnydangerous]

depends on your rear wheel rim width.
if you spend most of your time banked over id recommend a 55 series (in either 180 or 190) and straight line stability 50 series.

[Nooj]

6" rim. I like the way they roll into corners on the Falco, the 180/55 always felt like it was flopping over. I hardly ever go on the track, 99.9% road riding, so it's inevitable I spend most time upright.

[Mark_Able]

6" rim. I like the way they roll into corners on the Falco, the 180/55 always felt like it was flopping over. I hardly ever go on the track, 99.9% road riding, so it's inevitable I spend most time upright.

That's the point. The narrower tyre is easier to turn in. Just what you want on a track.. :)

[wiltsdan]

I would always go for the 180's, unless you ride upright all the time. (sportmax dunlop for me)
Reasons as listed on above posts. :)

[jonnydangerous]

ive just aquired some 180- 60's !!!!!!!!....
may have to wait until next year to try these baby's out tho......

[Caz]

Busters and M&P have got some great offers on pairs of tyres too :)