PR2 190 on an RF?

[PeterJ]

What will putting a 190 section rear tyre on my RF do to the handling?. Some dude has a set of PR2's on t-m for $480 just when I need some new tyres only problem is the rear is a 190/50 instead of the usual 180/55, think it will cause any major issues?. Currently running a Dunlop Roadsmart on the back and a qualifier on the front. As usual with a RF the front was rooted pretty quick but the rear Roadsmart seems to have held up pretty well with about 12500k's on it and just noticed today that i have got a few shiny wires starting to appear so thats it for me until I can get a new tyre on. $480 is pretty good for a set of PR2's isn't it?.

[MSTRS]

It is a good price, but I thought that RFs had a 5" rim/170? I know they handle 180 ok, but another size jump would be too much.

[riffer]

Don't do it.

I've had my RF for nearly four years now.

In that time I've tried a 170 Z4, 170 Z6, 180 Storm and I'm now back to a 170 Azaro.

I've found that the 180 is okay on the bike but it does slow the bike down with turning from side to side at first - you overcome this pretty quickly though.

The big problem, however is what it does to tyre wear. With a 180 rear you do a LOT more steering with the rear tyre, and you don' t have to use as much of the side of the front.

So this means that you have hideous triangulation on the front tyre that ends with chicken strips about an inch wide on the front.

See the pics I've attached for what I'm talking about. I did this to an Avon Viper in 5000 kms.

The effect of this you ask? FRONT END SLIDES when pushing hard.

And fronts that don't last that long.

Going to a 190 is going to make this situation even worse.

With a 170 you will have MORE of the front tyre on the road at any time, and trust me buddy, on a bike as front heavy as an RF you need that front tyre.

[smoky]

Don't do it.

The big problem, however is what it does to tyre wear. With a 180 rear you do a LOT more steering with the rear tyre, ....
So this means that you have hideous triangulation on the front tyre that ends with chicken strips about an inch wide on the front.

The effect of this you ask? FRONT END SLIDES when pushing hard.

Going to a 190 is going to make this situation even worse.


My brother in law will tell you the same thing - he tried it on his RF
the front end was stuffed within 2000 ks with PR2s
Bike didn't handle all that well either

[CookMySock]

@riffer, your two engineers do not look impressed with that tyre at all! Chin rubs tell the whole story..

Steve

[PeterJ]

The big problem, however is what it does to tyre wear. With a 180 rear you do a LOT more steering with the rear tyre, and you don' t have to use as much of the side of the front.

So this means that you have hideous triangulation on the front tyre that ends with chicken strips about an inch wide on the front.

See the pics I've attached for what I'm talking about. I did this to an Avon Viper in 5000 kms.


That front tire Looks very familiar!. Have you found that going back to the 170 on the rear has evened up the wear on the front?. How have you found those Avon tires?, heard of a few guys using the Storm/Azarro combo with good results, was thinking of the PR2 as lots of people seem to like them and get pretty good wear from them. If I can get better wear from the tires by going back to the original sizing then I can cosider a few more options rather than the obvious.

[AllanB]

the rear Roadsmart seems to have held up pretty well with about 12500k's on it and just noticed today that i have got a few shiny wires starting to appear

Ah, shiny wires appearing. Me suspects the Roadsmart was dead at 10,000.

Burn it :headbang:

[riffer]

That front tire Looks very familiar!. Have you found that going back to the 170 on the rear has evened up the wear on the front?. How have you found those Avon tires?, heard of a few guys using the Storm/Azarro combo with good results, was thinking of the PR2 as lots of people seem to like them and get pretty good wear from them. If I can get better wear from the tires by going back to the original sizing then I can cosider a few more options rather than the obvious.

Using a 170 rear chicken strips on the front are around 5-7mm with a few scuffs all the way to the edge but I mainly use the bike for commuting.

Avon tyres are brilliant on an RF. I would recommend a Storm rear/Viper front combo. But make sure you use the 170 rear. Metzeler Z6/Pirelli Diablo (which are essentially the same tyre) are right up there too.

Haven't tried the Michelins but others have said good things.

I'm currently running Azaro rear/Diablo front which is a nice combo. Only complaint I would have with the Azaro is that it has a habit of spinning up in 2nd or 3rd gear in the wet under hard acceleration, especially when you overtake a car and have the bike leaned a bit. That can make for an interesting moment but easily handled if you don't back off. But given it's fiscal neutrality (cost nought) its a brilliant tyre.

I wouldn't recommend Bridgestone or Dunlops. Too pointy a front. But that's just me.

[FROSTY]

To answer OP DONT do it. Your bike will feel terrible.

[PeterJ]

Thanks for the advice guys, I will definitely go back to a 170 on the rear and I might try those Avons If I get them easily down here in CHCH.

[AllanB]

Thanks for the advice guys, I will definitely go back to a 170 on the rear and I might try those Avons If I get them easily down here in CHCH.

Don at Pit Lane in Manchester St or Budget Motorcycles in Waltham Rd will both be able to order them in for you if they do not have them in stock. Re pricing Don usually quotes fitted, Budget plus fitting - be sure to ask.