what size tire do you use?

[robfromsc]

Originally Posted by metalscorpio

why isn't 195/70 17 in the choices?

I run the Dunlop slick that size and it's great!!

if i could figure out how to edit the poll i would add a few more like the 190 60

due tell what you like about the 195/70 maybe vs other sizes you've run. the whole point of this thread is to get info from people that run these sizes. tire size choice makes such a big difference in the handling of the bike, that and the suspension settings. and the pig can be made to handle much better than stock.

we get so many post and threads about "power" when most never run the rc at or near the 9/10ths mark.

[metalscorpio]

sure can, for me, Power without control means nothing.

I used the Pilot Slicks too but found myself sliding around too much once the tire was a temperature and giving way without warning.

the Dunlop (the new N-Tech) is a much better tire when it comes to grip and ensurance while full leaned, I like the tall rear for clearance and it works with my riding style.

My style is as follow, I don't like to force any bike into turning, I also like to be able to change lines while on the turn, I like to break deep too so the tall tire helps me with all of the above by giving me more clearance to change lines while on the turn, it gives me a better feel entering due to the hight of the tail without having to drop the forks too much and once off the brakes the bike doesn't move too much once the tire hits the ground again.

changing it to this hight on the rear screws around with your grearing on top speed but right now i have one up in the back and stock front size and it works great for me, lots of power exiting, keeping the throttle on sooner and has an advantage of been forgiving on the torque department in case of an error.

tall is slow on straight but hey...i'll see you under breaking and exiting

[theMadWelder]

Just to add what little I can.

I put Dunlop D211 200/55 rear and 120/70 front.

Stock suspension just set for my lightweight.

I prefer smooth and consistent.

[canuck51]

I've only tried the 190/50 and 180/55 on the piggy,
and I will admit the 190 maybe looks a bit cooler from
behind, but the 180/55 is cheap and does a really
good job. Not sure why people need a wider tire
than that, but hey, whatever floats your boat.

[dhdrider]

180/55 is prefect for the street. If you find that you cannnot get a 180/55 tire that will give you enough traction for the street, you really need to take it to the track.

I actually always ran 180/55 on the track as well, but a 190/55 would be a better choice.

A 190/50 is the worst choice of all.

Here's a visual aid for those wondering...

[RC51Stunna]

i have been running an older 190/60 d208 gp for the past 2 years and I have loved the set up. No racing experience, but I have preferred it over the 180/55 i used to run.

I am not switching to the dunlop d211's at the end of this week and I am excited to see how well a brand new dunlop ama tire performs.

i will let you guys know after I get to ride it.

Stunna

[canuck51]

I get the feeling that for most people, motorcycle
tires are like boobs - the bigger the better, and the
more discriminating types make cryptic comments
about the geometry of their shape

[selfinfliction]

Originally Posted by dhdrider

180/55 is prefect for the street. If you find that you cannnot get a 180/55 tire that will give you enough traction for the street, you really need to take it to the track.

I actually always ran 180/55 on the track as well, but a 190/55 would be a better choice.

A 190/50 is the worst choice of all.

Here's a visual aid for those wondering...

one thing not calculated into that is the 180/55 being mounted on a 6" wheel instead of a 5.5" wheel.

[dhdrider]

Originally Posted by selfinfliction

one thing not calculated into that is the 180/55 being mounted on a 6" wheel instead of a 5.5" wheel.

True, but people have been running the 180/55 on RC51s for almost 9 years now w/o any issues.

[stuckinNC]

180/55 is all you need on the street & it is cheaper
for the track a 180/55 works good
but once you start getting quick you start running off the edges of the tire quite easily
that is when a step up to the 190/55 is worth it

If you feel that you NEED the 190/55 on the street, then you are either pushing your luck risking life & limb on the street or you really have to work on your riding technique.

[SupaDave]

Originally Posted by selfinfliction

one thing not calculated into that is the 180/55 being mounted on a 6" wheel instead of a 5.5" wheel.

I agree 100%..I don't believe a 180/55 on a 6'' rim is a rounder tire patch then a 190/50 on a 6" rim.

[Smokngun]

Originally Posted by metalscorpio

why isn't 195/70 17 in the choices?

I run the Dunlop slick that size and it's great!!

CRAP thats gotta be a tall tire!

[pigrider]

what, no option for my 300?

[RAZR51]

Originally Posted by selfinfliction

the ohlins would be useless for me considering i've never been on a track before, i couldn't ride the rc to maybe 50% of what it is capable of stock, now. - also i do have 190/55's on the way. i bought 3 sets of michelin take offs on ebay last week for like $240 shipped. one set was 70% all the way around on the front and 60/90/50% on the rear so that should be a good set for the track. the others are low % on the sides so they'll suffice as daily tires

live in KY, unfortunately there's no tracks close to here so i'll be driving 6+ hours to get anywhere for some classes/track time

There is a new track just southwest of Cincy supposed to open in the spring. I believe it's called Bluegrass Speedway.....open for bikes. There's talk about it on a few of the trackday websites.

[mrgrn]

Originally Posted by dhdrider

True, but people have been running the 180/55 on RC51s for almost 9 years now w/o any issues.

IMO 180/55 are for 5.5 not 6"'s too much squeezy and the 190/55 sounds better

been running a 190/50 for 8 years and tried a few sets on the street and never had one issue with the 50 FWIW and i am running a link too

i think if you have aftermarket wheels, fix the front, raise the rear the bike turns on the street very nicley without the taller(less side) profile but have heard people grinding rims with the 180/55

[LDH]

A couple of you are spot-on and obviously have some real world experience at speed that allows you to discern the REAL differences in tires sizes, some of you guys think you know way more than you do and some of you are just plain full of shit.


190/50 = The Suck
180/55 = More than adequate even for track use
190/55 = Even better, but also more expensive.

On the RC I preferred the 190/55, but not really for traction reasons, but more for the geometry of the bike. It just made the bike work better at higher lean angles. There is something in the profile of the 190/55 versus the 180/55 that affects the geometry of the RC51 in a way you cannot achieve by simply altering the ride height.

On my 1000RR which I am moving around the track at a MUCH higher velocity than I ever managed with the RC51 I am now back to using the 180/55 as it truly helps the fat bitch turn better in high speed transitions and that is what is most important to me getting the bike to steer! I've never had a true problem with traction unless it was geometry related (swingarm length or down angle etc..)

The added ride height and size of the contact patch is the main difference as most know, but the contact patch is really only appreciable at full lean where it may give you a little bit more margin of error (or safety depending on how you look at it), but let's be honest who here is putting the spurs to the bike at full lean angle??? The vast majority of riders me included pick the bike up to the meaty part of the tire before they start hammering on the gas and by that time the contact patch is pretty much the same regardless of what tire size you are running.

[robfromsc]

Originally Posted by LDH

A couple of you are spot-on and obviously have some real world experience at speed that allows you to discern the REAL differences in tires sizes, some of you guys think you know way more than you do and some of you are just plain full of shit.


190/50 = The Suck
180/55 = More than adequate even for track use
190/55 = Even better, but also more expensive.

On the RC I preferred the 190/55, but not really for traction reasons, but more for the geometry of the bike. It just made the bike work better at higher lean angles. There is something in the profile of the 190/55 versus the 180/55 that affects the geometry of the RC51 in a way you cannot achieve by simply altering the ride height.

On my 1000RR which I am moving around the track at a MUCH higher velocity than I ever managed with the RC51 I am now back to using the 180/55 as it truly helps the fat bitch turn better in high speed transitions and that is what is most important to me getting the bike to steer! I've never had a true problem with traction unless it was geometry related (swingarm length or down angle etc..)

The added ride height and size of the contact patch is the main difference as most know, but the contact patch is really only appreciable at full lean where it may give you a little bit more margin of error (or safety depending on how you look at it), but let's be honest who here is putting the spurs to the bike at full lean angle??? The vast majority of riders me included pick the bike up to the meaty part of the tire before they start hammering on the gas and by that time the contact patch is pretty much the same regardless of what tire size you are running.

what did you run with the link? a 180/55 or 190/55?

[mrgrn]

Mike, you are speaking about race day/track bikes and people who are able to ppund the 51 to its full potential and this was a general use thread of sorts i thought?

the 180/55 might be best used on tracks but for the street i doubt they offer any usefulness over a standard 190

great feedback on the CBR though

[LDH]

I used the link on the RC51 with both the 180/55 & the 190/55. The Link works equally well with either size tire you just have to set the rear ride height to compensate accordingly. For that you have to have a shock with an adjustable clevis and it needs to be properly sprung so that your sag numbers are correct. Otherwise the geometry of the bike gets far enough out that you will have problems with the bike holding a proper line or trying to fight you as you tip it into the turn.

The link btw is designed to control the rising rate of the swingarm. It makes it all more linear. The added ride height is just a bonus, not the reason we use the link.

__________________________________________________ _______

The problem with the 190/50 is that it just steers like a turd. Even if you are just running a bone stock RC51, just swapping from a 190/50 to a 180/55 tire on the rear makes the bike feel 50lbs lighter and reduces the effort required to ride it quickly.

[mrgrn]

Originally Posted by LDH

I used the link on the RC51 with both the 180/55 & the 190/55. The Link works equally well with either size tire you just have to set the rear ride height to compensate accordingly. For that you have to have a shock with an adjustable clevis and it needs to be properly sprung so that your sag numbers are correct. Otherwise the geometry of the bike gets far enough out that you will have problems with the bike holding a proper line or trying to fight you as you tip it into the turn.

The link btw is designed to control the rising rate of the swingarm. It makes it all more linear. The added ride height is just a bonus, not the reason we use the link.

__________________________________________________ _______

The problem with the 190/50 is that it just steers like a turd. Even if you are just running a bone stock RC51, just swapping from a 190/50 to a 180/55 tire on the rear makes the bike feel 50lbs lighter and reduces the effort required to ride it quickly.

OK, fair enough Mike. I guess i have had light wheels, rear height and lower front since like day one so i have always been happy with mine for turn in but once i get these conti's shagged i might have to try the 180 deal for shits and giggles