How wide can I go?

**DEZ** · 9th June 2008, 20:43

hey guys. just wondering how wide of a rear tyre i would be able to put on my rf400?

it currently has a 160 and it needs to be replaced. im wanting to atleast get a 170 on there but if it wont fit then it wont fit.

any suggestions on which tyre i should go for would be aprreciated aswell as im a newbie. i ride her day in day out to work n back no matter the weather

any help would be appreciated.

thanks

Sean

**AllanB** · 9th June 2008, 20:48

Check your rim size - there will be a size written on it and check chart below

140/70*17 3.50/4.00/4.50
150/60*17
150/70*17

160/60*17 4.00/4.50/5.00
160/70*17

170/60*17 4.00/4.50/5.00/5.50

180/55*17 5.25/5.50/5.75

Also be aware that the WOF has a limit on a motorcycles overall width of 1 metre.

**Taz** · 9th June 2008, 20:49

Why do you want a 170? Stick with the original size.

**AllanB** · 9th June 2008, 20:50

Check your rim size

Ha ha ha I said 'check your rim size'

**DEZ** · 9th June 2008, 21:13

wouldnt it handle better with a wider tyre? sorry i said i was a newbie

**DEZ** · 9th June 2008, 21:16

Originally Posted by AllanB

Ha ha ha I said 'check your rim size'

sorry mate dont swing that way

lol

**Hitcher** · 9th June 2008, 22:49

Don't be a twat. Your bike's manufacturer knows best in terms of such things as optimal tyre size. Heed well their recommendations. Bikes and cars are different.

**xwhatsit** · 10th June 2008, 00:17

Originally Posted by DEZ

wouldnt it handle better with a wider tyre? sorry i said i was a newbie

No, more likely to turn to poo. At least that's what everybody says

The accepted response to a thread like this is to tell the original poster to go and look at a 125cc GP bike (usually regarded as the best handling motorcycles in existence). The tyres they run are narrow little things that wouldn't look out of place on a bicycle.

**Reckless** · 10th June 2008, 01:19

Originally Posted by Hitcher

Don't be a twat. Your bike's manufacturer knows best in terms of such things as optimal tyre size. Heed well their recommendations. Bikes and cars are different.

Jeepers Hitch "a twat" that was a bit harsh!
This may not be a prefect explanation it may not even be close but its about the curve/shape of the tyre. Wider less curve and a different shape when it fits on your rim. I always used the correct size tyres on the VTR and was off the edge, but on the Z1 I had wider tyres on give the old girl a meatier look. But the bike was slower to turn in and lay over. Also chicken strips down each side. Gone down a size and it is snappier and quicker. Also less/no Chicken strips. Even though the bikes a classic the principles are the same. The tyre shop boys IE cycletreds should be able to give you some advice as well, different brands will have different characteristics. But don't go wide for the sake of it you may turn the bike into a pig.

**Patch** · 10th June 2008, 05:01

Originally Posted by Hitcher

Don't be a twat. Your bike's manufacturer knows best in terms of such things as optimal tyre size. Heed well their recommendations. Bikes and cars are different.

Bullshit Hitcher. Manufacturer's make things to a budget, cut costs, install poor quality parts - all to improve their aftermarket sales and bottom line. Politics also play a big part in decisions that are made.

There are many things we can do to improve our vehicles over stock manufacture settings.

Perhaps you should let those that are qualified in such areas, give the advice before shooting your gob off.

**fLaThEaD FreD** · 10th June 2008, 06:33

grabs the popcorn and a cold beer and sits back to enjoy the show.............

Originally Posted by Patch

Bullshit Hitcher. Manufacturer's make things to a budget, cut costs, install poor quality parts - all to improve their aftermarket sales and bottom line. Politics also play a big part in decisions that are made.

There are many things we can do to improve our vehicles over stock manufacture settings.

Perhaps you should let those that are qualified in such areas, give the advice before shooting your gob off.

**scorry** · 10th June 2008, 07:45

Originally Posted by DEZ

wouldnt it handle better with a wider tyre? sorry i said i was a newbie

I would stick with the 160, if you want it to handle better just put some sporty tyres on it.

**Hitcher** · 10th June 2008, 08:55

Originally Posted by Patch

Bullshit Hitcher. Manufacturer's make things to a budget, cut costs, install poor quality parts - all to improve their aftermarket sales and bottom line. Politics also play a big part in decisions that are made.

There are many things we can do to improve our vehicles over stock manufacture settings.

Perhaps you should let those that are qualified in such areas, give the advice before shooting your gob off.

There may be some truth in what you say regarding components like suspension and brakes. There may also be some truth in what you say regarding manufacturer's choices of OEM tyres in terms of the model of tyre. But never, in my experience, in terms of the width or profile of the recommended tyre.

In my view, anybody who makes significant random changes to the width of tyre fitted to their bike is at risk of seriously compromising that bike's performance and safety. In other words, they are a twat.

Indeed I would welcome critique of my opinions by somebody suitably "qualified".

**imdying** · 10th June 2008, 10:14

Originally Posted by Hitcher

There may also be some truth in what you say regarding manufacturer's choices of OEM tyres in terms of the model of tyre. But never, in my experience, in terms of the width or profile of the recommended tyre.

That would be my understanding also. Whilst the particular model of tyre might be under specified for particular buyers applications, it seems doubtful that they would spec an incorrect profile/size etc.