Tire size question

motorcyclepanzer · Post by **motorcyclepanzer** » Wed May 09, 2007 10:09 pm

For my next set of tires I want to use the Pirelli Scorpion Sync like are used on the Buells and MultiStrada.

The websites only list 160 and 180 size. My Roadster takes 170.

IS there any way to get the 160 to work.

Post by **TicTac50** » Wed May 09, 2007 11:04 pm

I alway like to increase the size of the tire.
I your case, I would go with 180/60/17.
If you will use 180/60/17 for the rear wheel, the tire will be 0.39" (that is between 3/8 & 7/16") wider than 170/60/17 and 0.12" (that is 1/8") taller than 170/60/17.

In my opinion 10mm wider and 3mm taller does not effect anything on the bike.

Good luck.

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Wed May 09, 2007 11:38 pm

Yesterday I had new tires fitted..170 rear...After they were fitted the guy says.."You know you could have put a 180 on that"..I though jeez..Now you tell me.

In the past I've always been told 170 is as big as you can go on the standard 5" rim...Next time I'm going the 180 for sure.

Here's the tires that I got... http://www.r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.p ... 2c29f0fdca

DJ

Post by **MikeCam** » Thu May 10, 2007 3:34 am

Past research and poor memory but I believe the 160 on a 5" rim can be safely accomplished. You won't get a true 160/profile result, of course, yet the bead and sidewall should be okay.

Among 160, 170, 180 widths, how many of us are going to notice a significant difference?

Arbee · Post by **Arbee** » Thu May 10, 2007 4:05 am

Stick to the correct tyre sizes for the rim size, as recommended

If you go to a larger tyre it may look better but it will handle
less effectively and be slower to turn in (response) on a corner
which requires a fast response... like too far over the double lines
with a car coming straight at you.

R4R&R · Post by **R4R&R** » Thu May 10, 2007 7:00 am

My previous bike had a 5.5" rear wheel, and came with a 170 rear tire. With little price difference between a 170 and 180, I always put the 180 on. Yeah, it looked a little better, but I was never really comfortable on that bike. Was it from the 180 tire? I don't know, but the tire profile will change with a different tire size on the same wheel.

I say go for it and let us know if you notice any difference.

Does anyone know if the 180 will fit without rubbing anything?

motorcyclepanzer · Post by **motorcyclepanzer** » Thu May 10, 2007 7:24 am

Thanks for the advice guys. I think I'm just going to stick with the stock 170 size.

Post by **MikeCam** » Thu May 10, 2007 7:41 am

Here is some baseline data from the manufacturers' sites (Dunlop, Michelin, Metzler, Pirelli, Continental, Avon)

160 section = 4.5" rim (can go 5" rim)

170 section = 5" rim

180 section = 5.5" rim (can go 5" rim)

Post by **DSKYZD** » Thu May 10, 2007 11:46 am

I have a 180/55 rear on my bike now, installed by the dealer. It was what they had at the time. No clearance issues. Visually the tire looks taller when compared to a 170/60 which should be 3mm taller than the 180/55. Yes the tire is "squeezed" slightly on the narrower rim and may be bulging. Something is different visually in the sidewall area, probably the 55 vs. 60 profile.

It is harder to erase chicken strips on a 180 tire vs a 170 when mounted on a 5 inch wheel. At the outer edges of the tread, the 180 tire rolls off sharply. Riding in a way that leaves no strips on a 170 would leave a noticeable strip on the 180. That is just the difference between the V shaped 170 and the U shape created by the 180 being mounted on 5 inch wheel. Those vertical edges on the 180 are harder to put down on the pavement.

Mentally I know the contact patch is reduced, but I can not tell you honestly that I notice any loss in traction. I don't think you'd ever actually feel the difference between a 170 and 180.

DSKYZD

colinpollock · Post by **colinpollock** » Fri May 11, 2007 11:25 am

I put on some Avon Distanzia's for a trip to Mexico last month. I got a 160 for the rear and it worked very well for me. I was considering the Pirelli Scorpion Sync, but tire availability with a local dealer pushed me into the Avons.

The bike seemed to be much more nimble and easy flick left and right in the twisties compared to my wider 170 tire I replaced. It could have been in my head though, because my previous tire was pretty square. I put 2235 miles on them on the journey, including about 50 miles of Mexico's finest "secondary" highways (aka 4WD road) and they're holding up really well.

If you've never run dual sport tires before, be prepared for more noise and reduced mileage. I was expecting a loss in mileage, (from 48 to 41 mpg) but I didn't realize a 90/10 dual sport tire (like either the Avon or Pirelli) would make so much noise!!!