My tyres are coming to the end of their life so a new set is my next improvement. Having done a bit of research on here there's a lot of positive reaction to a 190/55 profile rear over the standard 190/50, better contact patch when leaned over, quicker to turn in and slightly raised ride height etc. All I really want to know is can I do this with standard gearing or would I need to start changing sprockets? My riding will consist mostly of normal road use and a few track days a year. My local tyre guy told me today to keep the 190/50 profile but from what I've read on here the overwhelming verdict seems to be for the 190/55!!
Actually, changing to a 190/55 tire will decrease acceleration with stock gearing. It is similar to changing the gearing towards top speed. Is it noticeble? No.. It is very slight alteration. This season i am going 190 / 55 with -1 front sprocket and +1 rear sprocket size.
Im on standard gearing on a 190/55 and love it, no sloppy moments on its side and feels plenty stable enough upright to see it flat out. Can't comment on turn in as I never had a 50 profile on this bike
I have brand new Michelin Pilot Power 3 (190/55 ZR 17). Surplus to requirements. £100 delivered . 55 is the way to go.
Thanks to everyone, looks like I'll be going for the 190/55 then. Think I'll just try the 55 first see how it feels and if I notice any difference in can always change sprockets at a later date. There's an offer on Metzeler in March at my local tyre shop so I think I may give them a whirl !! Thanks for the offer Great guy!
Would probably help a few of us if you would post your initial conclusions after running the 55 for a few days. (Obviously late March, I realise)
I think i have written about this before, but initially you will feel that the bikes wants to enter corners more than before. Bike becomes a tad higher with 55 profile. Other than this you won't notice any differences until you go to the track. Much more comfident in corners due to more contact
100% 55 profile Paul.... just shop around for some good tyre deals. Wouldn't worry too much about gearing unless your wanting some extra pull low down. Most bikes are so well over geared it wouldn't hurt just to drop one on the front.
Will do Nigel......can't wait to get new tyres now and get them scrubbed in before the track day at Oulton! If it wasn't for the excellent feedback from you guys on here I'd of probably just gone for the standard 190/50 again as I'm not one who likes change, but it's clearly the way forward......so thanks again!!
Remind me of the pirelli diablo supercorsa's I had on my RSV, shit myself every time there was a sprinkling of rain!! What are the Metzeler M7 rr's like??
M7rr are perfect for road riding imo, high silicome content so good wet grip. Bit squirmy on track when hot but perfectly capable.
They're excellent. I've got them on at the moment & they're great in summer & no problem riding thru the winter either
Careful with your hugger. I put a 55 profile bridgestone S21 on and it makes contact with my king carbon hugger. Easily solved by shimming it up a bit with some plastic washers though.
