180 rear and a shim too much? 190?

I'm in the market for new tires. When I bought my RC it came with Michelin Pilot Race tires with a 180/55 in the rear. The shock also has a shim. Is that overkill for me, since I just ride street? It took some getting used to when i first bought the bike, and the front end does shake a little when I hit bumps while leaned over, but I've never had anything scary happen. Where I live in NJ we dont have any twisty roads anyways. I'm contemplating if I should should stay with the 180/55 or go back to a 190/50. As far as tires I'm buying Dunlop D208's or Michelin Pilot Powers, whatever the shop has in stock.

I'd go with the Pilot Powers...I just installed a set a few weeks ago and did two days at Streets of Willow. They performed beautifully. No scary moments like I've had with Diablo Corsas on my Duc. I also like the Dunlop 208GPs. Excellent grip and feel. The only thing I should have done on my 51 was to go with a 180 rear. The 190 hampers turn-in, and makes the 51 "piggier" than it already is. The 190 is also heavier, and we all know that more weight is not what the RC needs. I'm switching to a 180 next. The only benefit of a 190 on the 51 is a bigger contact patch when leaned over.

I don't have an answer for you on the shim in the rear shock issue, as I have an Ohlins in the rear. You might want to give Dan Kyle a call and inquire about the shim and a 180. I gotta warn you...Dan will tell you to go with a 190 because of the extra contact patch. Check the "Search" function on this site and you'll find a thread from about 2 months ago talking all about the 180 vs. 190.

Good luck!

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by wooleeboolee &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The 190 is also heavier, and we all know that more weight is not what the RC needs. I'm switching to a 180 next. The only benefit of a 190 on the 51 is a bigger contact patch when leaned over.
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Double check about the weight with the tire in question. I know for a fact on the M1's a 180/55 is heavier than a 190/50. Also I recently switched to a 180/55 myself and I'd say it feels like it has more contact patch when leaned over than a 190/50. But then again how far are you leaning over? --- I'm not that far over at all on the streets.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Darth Humungus &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Double check about the weight with the tire in question. I know for a fact on the M1's a 180/55 is heavier than a 190/50. Also I recently switched to a 180/55 myself and I'd say it feels like it has more contact patch when leaned over than a 190/50. But then again how far are you leaning over? --- I'm not that far over at all on the streets. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah, I can't even scrub the rear tire to the edge on any roads around here. There just aren't any twisties. I like the way the bike falls into turns the way it is, so I'm staying with the 180 rear. And I went to the shop today and they said I can get Dunlop 208's installed for $320. It seems a bit steep for me, but the Pilot Powers were $40 more and considering I'm just riding on the street I think the 208's will be fine. I wish i had access to a tire balancing machine...I'd buy tires from ronayers.com and mount them myself. Thanks for the advice.

get 190/55's

Hey, your bike sounds really sweet.......Ha ha....If you go to 190 the tire is a little shorter and the shim wont be that much of a factor. Dont put 208's on the thing. Get some powers. I just got a set and love em. You can find them online for 225 a set. Dont get robbed. I still cant decide 180 or 190. I had a 190 on my 03, went to a 180. I still am confused. My advise is to try the 190 and see how it feels. Also those race tires I had on there were more pointy than a regular 180 so keep that in mind too. By now you should be as confused as I am.

Bruce

180/120 pilot power set and shipped is 225 ...don't pay more

180/55 Dunlop 208's.

I've ridden both tires on my friends gsxr 1k and id pay the extra 40 for the powers, those will be my next set after i finish with the dragon corsa's im running now. later

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by throttlehead &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">180/120 pilot power set and shipped is 225 ...don't pay more </TD></TR></TABLE>

I know ronayers.com has tires pretty cheap, any other recomendations? I think you guys talked me into getting pilot powers. Also, what is a decent price to get some tires mounted and balanced? The shop i went to (cycleworld in cherry hill, NJ) wanted $50 if I bought the tires there. I don't wanna bring some tires in and then have the shop tell me that its gonna cost a bunch of money cause i got the tires somewhere else.

So anyways, pilot powers, 180 rear. I swear I'm not changing my mind again

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Wrist Rocket &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
So anyways, pilot powers, 180 rear. I swear I'm not changing my mind again </TD></TR></TABLE>

You'll love them My buddy just got them put on his GSXR750 and is in love over the stock dunlops it came with.

$50.00 to mount and balance 2 tires ?!

Should be $10-15 each max!

I have recently gone to Pilot Powers after running 208's. I love them. They really stick and give you a lot more confidence in the corners. They seem to wear really nicely too...

I am riding the stock 208s, on the street and track. However, from what I have been reading, my next set of tires will be the Pilot Powers. For the street, you can stay with the 208s. They give good stick and mileage, FOR THE STREET. If you are doing any trackdays, I would go for the Pilot Powers or better..

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by cehowardrc51 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I am riding the stock 208s, on the street and track. </TD></TR></TABLE>

30,000 miles on stock tires????