Is it ok for a different sized front tire?

[RC51Nick]

I got some tires coming from mail order and I messed up on the sku for them.  Stock the 90 vfr takes a 120/70-17 tire.  I have a 120/60-17 tfront tire coming.   Did I screw myself or is this an OK substitution for the front.  It is a Sportmax Q5A and the rear will be a Q5A  180/55-17.  I've run the 180 rear for years on this bike.

 

Thanks for any input from the group.

 

Nick

[Captain 80s]

While I prefer the 120/70, a 120/60 is acceptable.  Less sidewall, smaller diameter when comparing the same brand/model.

 

180/55 is perfectly suited for a 5.5" rear rim.    It is rider preference between that and a 170/60.  

 

You might actually be restoring some geometry with that 120/60 front used in conjunction with the 180/55 rear.  But losing some ground clearance.

[RC51Nick]

Thanks Captain...

[RC1237V]

I ran that profile years ago, and under deceleration around 40~30 mph the 3rd Gen got a little bit of speed wobble type headshake, every time and got worse as the tire wore. The problem went away when I went to a 70 series tire. This was the original Dunlop Sportmax tire from 1992, maybe could have just been a bad tire as I'm sure there are bikes that run that tire without issue, hence why they make them...