Changing tyre size on front?

[Unforgiven]

A bit of a noob question but I've never messed with tyres on bikes before, always just got the standard size.

I have new tyres here for the ZZR but the front I have is a 120/70/17, standard is 120/60/17

How will this effect the bike? (other than 4.2% lower speed reading)
Is it a bad idea?

[Akzle]

second number is sidewall height expressed as percentage of the 120 bit.
you have 10% more sidewall. depending a bit on the width of your rims, this will change the profile (contact patch) and cornering/ leaning ability of the front,

of course, if you can't lean any further just crack the throttle and drift the bitch.


but i'm sure a tyre guru will be along shortly to tell you i don't have a fucking clue..

[FJRider]

A bit of a noob question but I've never messed with tyres on bikes before, always just got the standard size.

I have new tyres here for the ZZR but the front I have is a 120/70/17, standard is 120/60/17

How will this effect the bike? (other than 4.2% lower speed reading)
Is it a bad idea?

It may fit on the wheel. But will the extra height fit under the guard .. ???

[Banditbandit]

As Akzle says ... and it will change the steering rake - lifting the front end and increasing the angle - that will make it turn marginally slower then the lower tyre ... it also changes all the angles in your suspension (measured against a horizontal surface such as a road) .. each change pretty marginal but added all together and you will probably feel the difference ...

Whether it is a good or bad difference will depend on how you like how it feels ..

The difference in the tyre will only affect your speedo if you have the speedo driven off the front wheel ..