How wide can I go?

**mouldy** · 10th June 2008, 11:21

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.

I am qualified in such areas and Hitchers pretty much correct , in very few circumstances, i.e. TL1000, does changing from oem size improve handling , tyre size is dictated by rim width

**slimjim** · 10th June 2008, 12:36

hi kid, well going slightly wider has a few thing's to consider , one = is there room for tire clearance between the swingarm, second = clearance of chain to tire , and going to slightly wide rear won't give you anymore lean over , some of these fat ass rearwheels on these bikes can cause the rear to push a bike when cornering , which is why you'll see them ride it like a trike more upright, so stay with what's on it ,

**Reckless** · 10th June 2008, 12:50

Originally Posted by Hitcher

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".

yeh but Hitch for a guy to come here to get the opinions of the more experianced before he goes of and does it or to ask first about his intentions is certainly not the actions of a "twat". I agree with you, but lighten up a bit?

**DEZ** · 10th June 2008, 15:39

hey guys thanks for your opinions. yea im still a young'n and just wanting to learn a bit more about riding and bikes. its a good forum for info and you can pretty much find anything you want. so ill just stick with the same size tyre and stay away from shinkos? lol

any ideas on a nice rear tyre thatll be used for everyday riding? i ride no matter what the weather is like.

**FilthyLuka** · 10th June 2008, 15:51

Originally Posted by DEZ

any ideas on a nice rear tyre thatll be used for everyday riding? i ride no matter what the weather is like.

Avon storms, Conti Road Attack, Metzler Roadtech? Something along those lines.

**The Stranger:Me** · 10th June 2008, 16:10

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.

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".

Although the original poster may be a little misguided, he proposing a change less significant than Chris Sucich or Jay Lawrence make on their race bikes. Those same changes are very effective on the road also.

**AllanB** · 10th June 2008, 20:43

I've given him some bling for at least asking a valid question before acting.

A couple of interesting things I know.

The Honda CB1300 which runs the standard 180 rear & 120 front tyre, according to Honda's web site runs 'slightly narrower' rims than normal to give it lighter handling (read quicker).

My previous bike a GS1200ss came stock with a 170 rear however the two Suzuki factory documents I received with it recorded rear tyre widths as 170 & 180. Rim size was standard for a 180.

Basically if your rims is wide enough for a bigger tyre (see chart) and has plenty of clearance (chain, swingarm etc) you may fit it.
However
This will alter the bikes handling - most likely making the steering slower.

**DEZ** · 11th June 2008, 10:25

hey guys thanks for the help. i decided to go with a Metzeler Roadtec Z6

**Patch** · 12th June 2008, 06:03

It is far better to have asked (what some may consider a dumb question) than to have never asked it at all.

So Mr. Hitcher, because I have changed to a different profile (other than the one recommended by the manufacturer), I must be a twat (according to your definition), even tho my change results in a slightly larger contact area while cornering (read more rubber on the road)

Oh well, if the shoe fits . . .

**DEATH_INC.** · 12th June 2008, 06:21

Originally Posted by Hitcher

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".

Ok....how about the old 916, new they would come with either a 190/50 or a 180/55 (on the same width rim, 5.5") .....it was widely accepted that the 190 was too wide and it worked waaay better on the 180.....
I've never been shy to vary the width of a rear tyre a bit, but common sense prevails.
In this guys case, I'd prolly recommend a 150/60 rear (4" rim I'm guessing?) as I've always found 'em better handling.....

**DEATH_INC.** · 12th June 2008, 06:28

Originally Posted by AllanB

This will alter the bikes handling - most likely making the steering slower.

No no no no NO!

It actually makes the steering FASTER going to a bigger tyre, but the bike fights you more when ya lean it over. This is why twats for years put a undersized 180 section rear tyre on TL's, ZX12's and Gixxers etc. with 6" rims, cause it makes 'em lean over easier, so they interpret this as making 'em steer faster when in fact it makes 'em steer slower.....

**DEATH_INC.** · 12th June 2008, 06:32

Originally Posted by The Stranger

Although the original poster may be a little misguided, he proposing a change less significant than Chris Sucich or Jay Lawrence make on their race bikes. Those same changes are very effective on the road also.

Right. All the top 600 guys run a 190/55 rear now. It was worth over 1/2 sec a lap to a mate in aussie who runs top 10 in supersport over there the first time he tried it....

**FilthyLuka** · 12th June 2008, 12:09

Originally Posted by DEZ

hey guys thanks for the help. i decided to go with a Metzeler Roadtec Z6

Good choice mate :-) My oldschool GSXR 750 is running the Ye Oldie metzler setup, ME33 front and ME88 rear

**mashman** · 12th June 2008, 14:08

Originally Posted by DEATH_INC.

Ok....how about the old 916, new they would come with either a 190/50 or a 180/55 (on the same width rim, 5.5") .....it was widely accepted that the 190 was too wide and it worked waaay better on the 180.....
I've never been shy to vary the width of a rear tyre a bit, but common sense prevails.
In this guys case, I'd prolly recommend a 150/60 rear (4" rim I'm guessing?) as I've always found 'em better handling.....

same with the rsvr... when you change tyre widths or heights it changes the handling of the bike... period. if you can re-set the bike up to hanlde the change you may well get a better contact patch on the road with a wider tyre, but slower turning. to speed up turning, change the profile height. It is doable, but you have to be prepared for a lot of experimentation... Changing tyre brands can be just as bad, having the tyres at incorrect pressures etc... it all changes the handling, you just need to experiment.