Just ordered my new Tyres from DT for fitting next weekend and it suddenly struck me would there be any clearance issues with my genuine Honda Hugger? Anyone running 55's with an OEM Hugger? Need to know quick so I can amend to 50 series if I need to, cause I aint losing me Hugger for no fecker!
Surely it's got to be 5mm closer to the hugger which shouldn't be a problem unless you have ABS which I know you have. Might need to slim down to my weight LOL.
A 55 series on a 190 tyre adds about 19mm to the overall diameter. So it will be 9.5mm nearer your hugger assuming you compare the same make and model tyre. The 55 isn't a size it's a percentage of the width I think.
Seem to remember Artbikemad said the 55 is a bit of a 'grower' so even if it's clear at rest, when sending it on and the tyre is warm it can rub...
There's another 3K of tread left on those Shanks mate! I'm changing because of a chat I had with two Michelin Techs who were at the recent Demon Tweeks open day. They asked how I was finding the PR3's on a Blade and I said they were great in the dry & wet, my only complaint was they were a bit 'Crashy' at the back over bumps etc. The Tech said this was because the PR3 (as we all know) is a Touring Tyre and in general is designed for heavier Bikes than Blades, R1's S1R ZX10's etc etc etc He got a loose PR3 of the display stand and Pilot Power 3 and stood them both in front of me and asked me to push the carcass in from the top with on finger! The PR3 was dead stiff and difficult to indent, whereas the Pilot Power 3 was much softer and this is why the Bike feels a little 'Crashy' or harsh at the rear sometimes. They did stress that I'd still get very good grip in the wet using a softer compound sports tyre but obviously get reduced mileage of around 2K rather than the 5K+ on PR3's He did say if I was commuting or doing big annual mileage then he recommend staying with the PR3's. Being as my mate was with me who rides a Z1000SX and needs new tyres and the fact his OEM Battlax have lasted only 2K the Tech jokingly suggested I sell the PR3's to him as it's the sort of Bike they're designed for and that I order up some Pilot Powers! We walked away thinking, "that aint such a daft idea!" In the mean time Performance Bikes comprehensive Road and Track Tyre test was published and the Pirelli Diablo Rossa's came tops by some margin, so I though I'll av some of those instead! My mates giving me £140 for the PR3's and DT are supplying and fitting the Pirelli's for £270 Only downside is I gota scrub new tyres in again!
I was thinking of changing my tyres soon so why are all you good people running 55 on your rear tyres what the advantage do they feel any different
What do you mean by "crashy" over bumps mate? Tbh I'm no expert but I think the tech guy is talking shite about the pr3's being for heavier bikes, and they are sport touring tyre and not a touring tyre. Either that or Michelins web site is wrong "the Reference for sports touring" Dare I say it - think you've been "sold" on an idea by a know it all trying to be a smart arse on a stand and no doubt trying to sell you the new pilot power 3's which would be perfect for your bike . Has the guy actually riden a sportsbikes on those tyres?? I've tried loads of tyres as I like to see what's out there, including the Rosso corsas which are a good tyre btw, but not as good as the mag says IMO (all mags have brand allegiance) and personally I think the pr3 are the best all round tyre I've had. Awesome wear, amazing in rain, not tracked them but (but been with dudes who have more than held there own in fast group on them) done some quick laps at the ring, toured on them and hooned in a Sunday and couldn't fault them one bit!! Never had moment on the front and never stepped the back out.... Actually grinding the pegs on Wednesday night on open road, so they are ok for lean angle too I actually don't think you loose any perfermance for road riding over a "sports" tyre. Be interested to see how you get on with the RC's and if you can honestly say they are any better than the pr3's... Only + I would say is they warm up quicker, but won't touch the Michelins in the wet or for milage.
They feel a bit quicker turn in mate and handling a bit sharper. Used to swear by 55... But having a 50 atm I'm think sone of it is just having new rubber over a shot rear lol Getting on fine with the 50 tbh. But will stick a 55 on to see the difference. But really you need to compare the two on new rubber, something many of us don't have the luxury to do lol Also been thinking you might get less wear on a 55 as there is less contact area in middle therefore the middle gets hammered quicker!? Just a thought....
Feeling crashy over bumps could be your suspension settings or tyre pressures.Have you had the suspension set up for your weight/build?A hard setting on the rear can make a harder tyre (touring) hop.Imagine a hard ball and a softer ball with the same amount of drop.One bounces higher.Tyres behave differently according to the pressures set especially different types of tyre.36 psi on two different tyres can make one feel too soft and the other too hard.Some tyres give more than others like the techs say.I'm still sitting on the fence as to what to get next .M5s p3's or sportsmarts.I like a tyre for feel so soft tyres is for me.Shame we have to buy them to find out how they behave.
Jamie hrc just stuck pr3's on his cb, was well impressed with the feel of them mate, and he is a sworn racetec man! Drop him a line, will give you his view. Lambeth has the m5's and liking them. Few of us have tried the sportsmarts, they are very good!! Can't go wrong tbh.
I'd second Jim, shipmate. Won't that be your 3rd set of tyres on a new bike? I found the M5's in a 55 quite hard after the pr3's but having got suspension done by a specialist the tyre/suspension interaction is spot on. I found the pr3 suited the bike well.
My Bike has had it's suspension setup by KAIS Suspension (Approved Ohlins Dealer) so that's all OK I will only do around 3K a year so don't mind a new set of Boots every 9 months or so. I intend to Track Day my Bike if I don't find a nice dedicated Bike for £3K or less so would like a more Sports orientated Tyre at the end of the day. I agree the PR3 does grip well but it's never included in a Tyre test for dedicated Sports Bikes, so one can only deduce that all the one's that are (M5 included) out perform the PR3's Lastly, I like shinny new things!
Sinewave let me know how you get on with the pirelli's and 55 profile please as will need some new boots soon and have had michelins the last few times pilot pures last time!
Currently running the ABS blade with standard Honda hugged and 55 ar profile without a issue. Only issue I had was touring the luggage on the rear which allowed the hugged to touch the hugged a small bit
Dya mean carrying Luggage caused the Hugger to 'Kiss' the rear ABS box protrusion? I got that on standard settings so had to waz the preload up 3 notches.
