Effect of change from 190/180 to 160 tyre?

[Warr]

What he said....

... I'd be inclined to take that tyre back and punch the seller in the face.

Your bike is designed for a 180 I wouldnt mess about with anything than what its designed for.
You propose that somewhere in the future you want to get onto the track... I recon it would be best to get familiar with the bike with the correct rubber on it else if it catchs you out u'r down the road on your arse.

[LBD]

A bit of an idiots question here but why do larger engined bikes have wider tyres on them?

Pay attention.....Riders of large engine bikes have bigger tackle.....obvious if you read the earlier posts.

[R-Soul]

A bit of an idiots question here but why do larger engined bikes have wider tyres on them?

I understand that larger tyres have larger contact patches, through which larger torques can be transmitted to the road. Which is why I am not too worried about using a 160, since I have no intention of scrabbling out of corners at full throttle (at least for while).

[Mishy]

I understand that larger tyres have larger contact patches, through which larger torques can be transmitted to the road. Which is why I am not too worried about using a 160, since I have no intention of scrabbling out of corners at full throttle (at least for while).

i see your point, but the effect on the contour of the tyre will have a way bigger effect on the way the tyre performs than just grip on the exit if you are really fanging it.
You will get a much flatter shape, and it will effect everything from gearing, to ride height, to weight distribution, all of which could mess upthe way the bike steers in quite a big way.
Not reccomended - but your choice in the end.

[R-Soul]

i see your point, but the effect on the contour of the tyre will have a way bigger effect on the way the tyre performs than just grip on the exit if you are really fanging it.
You will get a much flatter shape, and it will effect everything from gearing, to ride height, to weight distribution, all of which could mess upthe way the bike steers in quite a big way.
Not reccomended - but your choice in the end.

Thanks for the advice. I appreciate that those things would affect performance at eth top end o fteh scale (although my gearing selection is arrived at by ear anyway).
I was more wondering (with this thread) if there was anything seriously bad that would happen - like tyres deflating unexpectedly, speed wobbles, etc that I should be aware of, that would happen in normal commuter type driving?

But my finances dictate that I pretty much have to ride on this for a while until the budget allows for another new 180. At low performce requirements, the 160 will hold out for a while. I am not going to be anywhere near the limits of grip on it. At this stage I am more worried about replacing the front tyre (where the tread is getting low)...

[FROSTY:Me]

gimme a yeodle dude--I can prolly russle ya up a 180 for your bike.---metzler/dunlop at a sharp price

[R-Soul]

gimme a yeodle dude--I can prolly russle ya up a 180 for your bike.---metzler/dunlop at a sharp price

Thans Frosty

I will conatct you when finances are in order again...

[sinfull]

Way too small a tyre , i'd be gettin it off before you have a get off ! It aint just at the top end ya have to worry, it's the numpties that try and take ya out while commuting ! That tyre will not let you manouver the bike like it should, yr imagination should do the rest but if the saying walking on thin ice in gumboots means anything to ya !