Tyre Sizes

**BNZ** · 7th March 2007, 12:27

Im on the hunt for some new rubber on the GSXR. The crappy continentals are almost dead and my Bank account is slightly out of the red....

I am thinking about the Metzeler Sportec M3's (jimbo600 should be in sales) However I am not sure in Tyre sizes... My current rear tyre is only 160 wide. Is this too narrrow for a 750?

I know a wider tyre will decrease turn in, but what are the pros of a wider tyre? I got a quote for new tyres based on a 180 on the rear, but I am honestly not sure of the pros/cons.

comments?

**bistard** · 7th March 2007, 12:47

Check with a bike shop,with what the recommended sizes are & stick to them
Then choose the brand,then the style of tyre,sports,sports touring,touring,commuting,what is going to suit the riding you are doing

**BNZ** · 7th March 2007, 12:59

Originally Posted by bistard

Check with a bike shop,with what the recommended sizes are & stick to them
Then choose the brand,then the style of tyre,sports,sports touring,touring,commuting,what is going to suit the riding you are doing

Yeah I was told my bike could run from 160-190 on the rear. I just wondered what the pros/cons of say a 160 vs a 190 are? Is the wider tyre for the heavier rider?

**bistard** · 7th March 2007, 13:21

Originally Posted by BNZ

Yeah I was told my bike could run from 160-190 on the rear. I just wondered what the pros/cons of say a 160 vs a 190 are? Is the wider tyre for the heavier rider?

There are lots of experts out there,what you need to take into account is the with of your rim,if its say a four inch wide rear rim & you try to fit a 190 on it,the profile of the tyre will be very bulbous & affect the handling big time,as the 190 would be designed to go on say a 5.5 or 6 inch rim

**BNZ** · 7th March 2007, 14:10

Ok, but if I go up from a 160 to a 170 what are the effects? Or more importantly what are the pros of a wider tyre? More surface area=more grip =safer???

**Toaster** · 7th March 2007, 14:17

Well, I've got a 240 on mine and it is one fat mother. Great stability - needed on a big bike.

**bistard** · 7th March 2007, 14:19

Once again,its still the profile & the other affect it will have will be to slow the steering down somewhat,as in harder to turn in to a corner
How much room have you got between the existing tyre & the swingarm??

**Kittyhawk** · 10th March 2007, 21:32

I had some horrible tires on my old ZX6R when I purchased it then was told for 600cc bikes to either have Pilot Powers or Metzler 3's. (at the time they were the best on the market)

I went for the M3's because they were cheaper and it transformed the bike. The handling was awesome and I could really throw it around the corners. It brought alot of confidence back.

At the moment on my new Gsxr 600 Im running M1's and can even get my knee to the road with these. But they are due for an upgrade in 2000kms so I will be getting the M3's again.

Haven't decided what to run at the rear, but I was in a conversation not long ago and found out that the bigger the rear the less you can lean it over. So Im guessing its' more of a cruiser style.

It's personal preference and also depends on how you ride the bike. For me in the future I'll want the lowest profile I can get for both front and rear as I'm really working on gettin my knees down to the road.

I strongly suggest a wet/dry tire because of the weather conditions. I'd never go for just a dry tire if it rains youre stuffed.

M3's all the way!!

**BNZ** · 11th March 2007, 08:16

Thanks, I think I may stick with the current 160 on the rear as I managed to track down a service manual and this was the size tyre recommended from factory. A new pair of M3's will be on the way soon!