| Author | Message | ||
     Vagelis46 |
All the modern sportbikes with 130+ RWHP, use 6.0" rear rims, giving riders the option to go for either 180/55 or 190/50 or 190/55 rear tires. Why has Buell chosen the 5.5" rim giving only the option of a 180/55 rear tire ???? Is it better in changing direction??? But an 180/55 can also be fitted to an 6.0" rim. Is it cost?? I am sure the 180/55 will not last very long with 130 RWHP. Is it possible to order the 1125 with a 6.0" rear rim? Or there are thoughts for this to be offered as an aftermarket accessory from the factory?? | ||
| Spatten1 |
I don't believe your 190 is not going to last appreciably longer than the 180, and if tire wear concerns you more than handling, its probably the wrong bike for you anyway. If the 180 works best for turn in and transitions, why put on a bigger and heavier tire and wheel? | ||
| P_squared |
Hmmmm...I'm going to base the following comments on MY experience, based in NO PART in scientific tesing/facts: My M2 has a 180 rear (PM wheels). My X1 has a 170 rear (stock wheels). My X1 has more power than my M2 (not down low, "off the line", but once you hit 3500 RPM it pulls away with authority). My X1 handles better with a 170 than the M2 with a 180. Meaning I can lean the X1 a LOT farther over with confidence than my M2. I'm perfectly "ok" with having a 180 on the rear of my yet to be purchased 1125R. I'll respectfully decline to enter into the "fat rear tire" church anytime soon. | ||
| Anonymous |
Because in the hands of everyone riding the bike, including Jeremy McWilliams, the 5.5 rim handled noticeably better. Of course if you make your decisions on spec sheets rather than on riding, the size is an issue, but as we have always said at Buell, "Prodesse Quam Conspici". | ||
| P_squared |
Prodesse Quam Conspici, meaning "To accomplish rather than to be conspicuous". I'm glad I'm not the only person refusing to kneel at the altar of the fat tire craze, er religion, er looks matter, er...well, you get my drift.  | ||
| Smokescreen |
Prodesse Quam Conspici You from Miami then too?  | ||
| P_squared |
I seem to recall a couple AMA riders saying something similar....they wanted the 180 on their 1000 cc machines because it handled better than the stock 190, which was added for looks/selling, more than handling. I seem to also recall similar comments in a couple different motorcyle reviews on new models. DANGIT, now I'm gonna have to go dig through everything to find all that drivel to prevent the inevitable stone throwing that is soon to come my way! Smokescreen - I'm not from Miami, so I'm guessing the q is directed to Anony. | ||
| Anonymous |
The Buell family had that motto long before there was a Miami. It's from the family crest that dates back to the 12th century at least. | ||
| M1combat |
You CAN fit a 180 to a 6" tire Vag but it changes the profile of it. It's no longer optimal for use with a 120/70. | ||
| Vagelis46 |
I am OK with the 5.5" and the 180/55 tire. I hope that it will not change to a 6.0" and a 190/55 for '09, because the factory says "it is an improvement over the '08 model". | ||
| Mikef5000 |
Keeping the 5.5" also allowed them to use the XB rims. This not only keeps costs of production a bit lower, but also makes it much easier for someone to buy other wheels, whether it be for a race set, to get different colors, or to replace damaged wheels. I don't believe I've heard any complaints from XB owners saying the tire sizes don't work great, so I'm glad they kept the same sizes. | ||
| Djkaplan |
It'll just be a matter of time before you see an 1125R with a 300 on the back. | ||
| Spatten1 |
It'll just be a matter of time before you see an 1125R with a 300 on the back. That would be sweet. OCC could make a conversion kit. | ||
| Zac4mac |
If that happens, get ready for the Chevy LS-1 conversion kit for the Uly... | ||
| Spiderman |
The Buell family had that motto long before there was a Miami. It's from the family crest that dates back to the 12th century at least. Glitch found the right crest and I translated it  http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/show .cgi?tpc=4062&post=918394#POST918394 | ||
| Crusty |
My favorite Motto is: Nullus Pretii (very) loosely translated as: You can't put a Price on Worthlessness | ||
| Dave_bogue |
I owned a 2002 ZX-12R for two years/15,000 miles. It came with a 200 tire. I experimented with 190 and 180 tires. My tire of choice became the 180. I liked the quicker steering response of the smaller tire. The trend on the ZX-12 forum for track day riders was also the 180 size. You can argue the merits of tire sizes on different rim sizes in theory, but it pays to experiment. If you haven't tried a specific setup, you can't say which is best for you. There is personal preference involved. The smaller sizes tend to weigh less and "in theory" should improve suspension response, acceleration, and braking........marginally. My current ZX-10R wears a 180 and I prefer it to the stock 190 size. The bike turns in quicker and just feels lighter. Dave Bradenton Florida | ||
| Drfuyutsuki |
You also have to look at geometry IE the curve of the tire surface. A 180 has a lot tighter of an arc then a 190. Its strange to look at tires 200+ the get flatter and flatter. Having riden a '97 S1 running a 170 and now a 06 Ss with a 180, from a cornering stand point the 180 seems to be smoother transitioning from side to side. | ||
| Xbolt12 |
This might seem a little off subject, but just for reference Ducati 999's and 749's both come stock with 5.5 inch wide rear wheels. The 999 came from the factory with a 190 tire and the 749 with a 180. You can put a 190 on a 5.5 inch rim and for example Bridgestone BT-002 Pro race tires are spec'd to run on either 5.5 or 6.0 inch wheels. However, I am currently running a 190 BT-002 rear only because the guy I buy those tires from neglected to tell me in advance that he only was stocking the 190. In a nutshell, it's a little more stubborn on turn-in than a 180, but rock solid once on the side. A lot of racers out here run 190's on 600's, but if you ask me a 190 is ok on a fast open track like WSIR, but on the street or on more technical tracks, you are going to give up some handling for minimally more rubber, especially if you stretch the 190 onto a 5.5 inch rim. I am going to buy a 180 BT-002 on Tuesday and keep the 190 for the big track only. Bottom line, the 180 seems to be a very good choice for the 1125R even if it goes against convention. I never once thought about the tires during my rides at SOW on the 1125R. It gripped pretty well no matter how early I pinned it. | ||
| Buellrcr |
depending the profile on the 190 it may not fit because it will be to tall and hit the muffler at high speeds |
