Tyre size dilemma: Bigger = more stability?

[metalslug]

Hi all, quick Q about tyre sizes:

Will fatter tyre improve the overall stability of the bike? more specifically, will it make it handle better in sidewind / gravel road / open road...etc. Reason I am asking is because I have been riding a Kawa 2 stroke Kr150, with blade thin tyres (rear is 110/70)- this wasn't such an issue in the past few months since I mainly ride within the city.

But now my new job requires me to travel down from Auckland to New Plymouth on regular basis, and I don't feel confident on that 150 at all. I have taken it on the bridge before and felt like I could have been blown off any minute. (I am 70 kg btw)

Sort of looking for a hornet / VTR now since they have got the 180 rear. Any comments?

[AllanB]

Save your pennies for a larger bike - a bigger rear tyre on the 150 will add, oooh a matter of grams to the bikes weight - it's this light weight that is causing it to be blown around by the wind, plus the overall short wheelbase etc. It's a small bike thing.

Or drink loads more beer and put on a 30kg gutt

[MaxCannon]

Your job requires you to RIDE from Auckland to New Plymouth !

Two things come to mind

- How much does it pay ?

- Surely it's more cost effective to fly that distance. Anything more than 3 hours out of Auckland and the plane has to win for cost vs time.

I'd think the tyres would matter very little. The bike wasn't made for long distance touring. It's light weight and short wheelbase.
Using a non standard tyre will probably introduce as many problems as it solves.

There is nothing to stop you using the 150 for long distance riding but there are certainly better bikes for the job.

[MSTRS:Me]

Wider tyre does not equal more stability. It doesn't even necessarily offer more grip either. The important thing is that the tyre you have is the correct one for the rim it's fitted to.

[cheshirecat]

I'm not convinced tyre size is that much of a factor in the situation you describe. More likely it's the lighter weight of the bike.
I'm not familiar to contemporary bikes, (mine is a 94) but there was a huge difference from my VF500 to my VFR750 in wind. The 500 was thrown around (but felt safe and fun once one relaxes) whilst in the same conditions of 40 to 50 knot southerly winds I hardly notice them on the heavier VFR providing it's kept moving. Likewise my earlier bikes, CBX1000 and CB750 felt relatively stable in 50 to 70 knot cross winds over bridges and motorways. Well OK the CBX was a bit twitchy but I'm still here to tell the tail. I once had to spend a day on my 500 in winds topping 90 knots - it had a 16 inch front wheel which helped big time.
Thin tyres make the bike drop into lean's faster and provide a quicker response or correcting response, it's a trade off. The larger bikes have a lot more stability. Have a chat to a couple of dealers, but I'd go for the bigger bike, those Kawka 150's look mighty light.

[jtzzr]

Some good points made .

Aucks-New Plymouth on a kr150, it would be cheaper to live down there or climb the corporate ladder and get a company bike.

Don`t fuck around with the tyres , you would just be throwing your money away, but you do get a good 6 hours on your bike.

All the best

[98tls]

Wider tyre does not equal more stability. It doesn't even necessarily offer more grip either. The important thing is that the tyre you have is the correct one for the rim it's fitted to.

Says it all really,might add that even on larger rims/bikes wider doesnt mean better for sure ie 180 v190 re turn in,then theres profile blah blah blah

[metalslug]

Thanks for the info people. Btw I am working at NP 3 weeks @ a time and back in Auckland for a week. It's 2 different jobs actually, so travel expense is on me Atm I am spending about $130 in cage (return)...which is double compared to the bike.

Weight is probably an issue as mentioned, since the bike is only around 120-130kg. Maybe if I pull the fairings off it will be better for the wind...

guess I will just have to look into heavier options...ahhhh

[Ixion]

This illiusion has been addressed many times. It's not a car. Big fat tyres will make handling worse not better. Especially on gravel roads. Altering the tyres will simply make a bike that handles very well handle very badly

And no tyres will alter the way the bike responds to wind. I suspect you have not been riding long. All newbies experience the "eek wind I'm going to be blown off". I have only ever heard of one rider actually being blown off, and he was a feather weight chick.

However , that said , and much as I love two smokers, a KR150 is probably not a good choice for such a regular long distance commute.

[sil3nt]

Fairings would weigh bugger all and should actually cut down on drag. Try buying a 250

[Laxi]

Maybe if I pull the fairings off it will be better for the wind...

have you thought of adding a sail as well? will help fuel economy too

[CookMySock]

Stop overthinking it, and just jump on your KR and go for it. You will have fun for sure. Just don't fall off hours from home - its a big job putting all the little bits on a trailer.

Have a good time.
Steve

[MSTRS:Me]

Fairings would weigh bugger all and should actually cut down on drag.

That they do...but naked bikes generally handle side-wind better, due to the lack of sail effect

[Patch]

.but naked bikes generally handle side-wind better, due to the lack of sail effect

wot a load of old bollocks.


Eat more pies and harden-up. Learn to ride in the conditions. A bike is just a bike, it's what's between your ears that matters the most and your ability to use it.

[MSTRS:Me]

I stand by what I said. A crosswind has more effect on a faired bike, and the fuller the fairing the greater the effect. Cut a load of holes in a yacht's sail and see how well it 'goes'...