| Author | Message | ||
     Littlebuggles |
Just wanted to make sure I had a clear understanding of how my M2 likes to be shod... Stock rims (5.0 rear) = 170/60 = perfect 180/55 = less than perfect Is less than perfect considered to be bad, stupid, dangerous, etc(...)? Thanks, -Mike (all the appropriate threads in the vault appeared to be closed) | ||
| Shooter |
the 5" rim (typical stock painted wheel) prefers the 170, you will ruin the profile of a 180 squeezing it on that rim. If you have the 5.5" PM (shiny billett) wheel, you can run a 180 or a 170, but fender clearence is tight with the 180, and the handling is a little slower. The only bitch is the 170 is becoming a rarer size, and sometimes you have to pay a premium for them.btw, Avon lists 2 sizes of there 170 series, 1 for a 5" rim and one for a 5.5" rim. | ||
| Littlebuggles |
Ah, well that is useful to know. So I guess I should not buy that 180/55 D204 that looks so good (only $9.99 right now). Anyone need a link? | ||
| Littlebuggles |
...but what does that mean "ruin the profile"? I'm going to wear out a tire riding to Vegas (1200ish miles round trip) at the end of April and again the end of May and would like to find a "disposable" tire for the trips since I don't have a lot of disposable cash. Suggestions anyone? | ||
| Andys |
"Ruining the profile" means that a tire has been put on a wheel that has the wrong width and therefore doesn't allow the tire beads to be in the proper position for the tread area to be shaped as the makers designed. I run a 190/50 on my PM's (which are 5.5" wide)just because I like the look. Between the 170/60 and the 190/50 I can't feel the difference; even on the racetrack. There is plenty of room for the "fatty." I don't however, suggest the 190 on the cast 5" wheel as that's going too far. Lots of guys have run the 180 on the rear and love it, so do as you please, for these bikes are all about the look anyway. | ||
| M1combat |
"Lots of guys have run the 180 on the rear and love it, so do as you please, for these bikes are all about the look anyway." Hengh??? I think that Erik and Co. will have done a good job of putting a tire on the bike that makes it handle the best... If you think something looks cooler and are willing to sacrifice handling and grip for it make it so, but I'm pretty sure that ANY time you change tire sizes you'll notice a difference or your butt cheeks need a good calibrating. If you are looking for more distance out of a set of tires... I don't know what tyres are recommended for the M2's but I would imagine that if you were to find that out and then ask that manufacturer what they make in a sport touring tire that has the same profile they would be able to answer your question. | ||
| Andys |
I found the front tire profile made a much larger difference in the handling of the bike. Especially at turn-in. I'm still looking for the front end feel I once had with my Duck. Being a father and a guy who needs to go to work everyday I don't push the envelope, even on the track, but I'm not the slowest either. Todays bikes have capabilities far beyond what most of us can use on the street and after speaking with many guys who have run all these sizes on their bikes (on both the street and track), I feel confident that whether you use a 170/60, a 180/55 or a 190/50 tire you are still riding a very safe, capable motorcycle. It's interesting to note that Honda has specified 2 different tires for their CBR1000RR (Bridgestone BT-014 and Pirelli Diablo). These tires have two very different profiles. Cycle World magazine noticed very different handling personalities after testing both, but they ended the article by stating that personal taste might decide which tires to have, but that both were okay for the street. I think the same can be said for our Buells. Plus, what are you going to do if you can no longer buy the OE fitment? | ||
| Ray_maines |
Littlebuggles: You might consider a hard rubber touring tire for your trips to Vegas. Hard to go wrong with Bridgestone BT 020's. Metzeler and Dunlop are good choices as well. You should get about 10,000 miles out of these tires so they aren't really "disposable". Bigger tires tend to give longer tread life but not enough to justify spending extra money on. Get either a 170 or 180, which ever is cheapest. A few extra lbs. of air pressure adds to the tread life too but doesn't do much for the grip, although that wouldn't be a problem on the freeway in dry weather. Have fun on your trips. Go fast enough to entertain yourself but slow enough to see some of the beautiful scenery. Talk to somebody, anybody, when you stop for gas. Eat at local cafes, NOT McDonalds. Take pictures. Keep notes. Send postcards. Tell us how it went when you get back. | ||
| Littlebuggles |
Thanks. I'll just continue to watch the price on that 180 and see if I can buy it cheap. If not I'll probably give the BT020's a try (in the 170/60 that are spec'd) I just don't want the tire to blow off the rim, safety is kinda important - just want to get there, ya know? -Mike | ||
| Andys |
The 20's are nice tires. But don't worry, any of the sizes listed won't blow off the rim as long as there you keep air in them. What tire do you currently have on the front? Sometimes, mixing brands could give you weird handling due the difference in profiles. Have a safe and enjoyable trip. | ||
| Littlebuggles |
Currently running a D204 120 up front with a D205 170 on the back. It's only got about 3K on the back but is getting a flat stripe from the commuting. I'm gonna have to spend an afternoon turning circles in a parking lot to round them out. Too cold where the curves are. | ||
| Andys |
I'm gonna have to spend an afternoon turning circles in a parking lot to round them out. Too cold where the curves are. Aaah. Don't waste your time, you'd have to spin them up (like they're doing down in Daytona in turn one)to wear them babies out. You should be fine with the match you're considering. Enjoy your trip. | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
I've not yet had to change on the M2, but on my old FJ1200 Yam I use dual compound Bridgestones, they give a decent tyre life in the middle and pretty good grip on the edges once they've warmed a bit.  | ||
| Andys |
I believe that Bridgestone's BT-010 and BT-020 are both of the dual compound nature. My 1990 CBR1000F came with Bridgestone's first incarnation of their dual compound setups. I just finished using up an 010 on my S1 and I have to say they held up pretty well, considering the torque reaching them and our (my) insistance to wack open the throttle at every green light just to bring the front end up and listen to the wonderful music emminating from below. The 010 was also a nice track day tire. |
