Alaskan Posted May 3, 2020 Posted May 3, 2020 My 2004 VFR has a 6-inch rear wheel. I like the way the bike turns into corners and holds its line with the 180/55 Road 5. Would I notice much difference with a 190/55? The profile of a 190/55 on a 6-inch rim looks very close to the profile of a 180/55 on a 5.5-inch rim. The standard answer to the question seems to be, "Try it and see." Well, ok, but that's a relatively expensive tire experiment unless I can find a free 190/55 tire . . . Quote
Member Contributer BusyLittleShop Posted May 3, 2020 Member Contributer Posted May 3, 2020 Chiefly the difference between a 180/55 and a 190/55 is diameter... the 190 is bigger in diameter... the change in geometry adds to the steering effort and ups the overall gear ratio... 190/55/17 = 25.228 inches or 640mm 180/55/17=24.795 inches or 629mm The difference between a 180/55 and a 190/50 is profile and diameter... the 180 is bigger in diameter and sharper in profile... the change in geometry is as follows... going from a 190 to a 180 means rake is steepen and trail is shorten which lowers the steering effort... whereas going from a 180 to a 190 means rake is extended and trail is added which adds to the steering effort... 190/50/17=24.480 621mm 180/55/17=24.795 629mm Quote
Alaskan Posted May 3, 2020 Author Posted May 3, 2020 (edited) 33 minutes ago, BusyLittleShop said: Chiefly the difference between a 180/55 and a 190/55 is diameter... the 190 is bigger in diameter... the change in geometry adds to the steering effort and ups the overall gear ratio... 190/55/17 = 25.228 inches or 640mm 180/55/17=24.795 inches or 629mm The difference between a 180/55 and a 190/50 is profile and diameter... the 180 is bigger in diameter and sharper in profile... the change in geometry is as follows... going from a 190 to a 180 means rake is steepen and trail is shorten which lowers the steering effort... whereas going from a 180 to a 190 means rake is extended and trail is added which adds to the steering effort... 190/50/17=24.480 621mm 180/55/17=24.795 629mm I have read a lot of criticism of the 190/50 tire on a 5.5-inch rim AND on a 6-inch rim. I replaced the 5.5-inch OEM wheel on my 2004 with a 6-inch CZ wheel. I am interested in the difference between a 180/55 and a 190/55 on a 6-inch rim. The profiles of those two tires are quite similar. Also, I am using the 180/55 tire on the 6-inch rim all the way to the edge. A 190/55 would give me more tire on the edges in hard cornering, but I wouldn't want to make the bike turn in to corners more slowly. IMG_0747.MOV Edited May 3, 2020 by Alaskan correct typo Quote
Member Contributer BusyLittleShop Posted May 3, 2020 Member Contributer Posted May 3, 2020 8 minutes ago, Alaskan said: I have read a lot of criticism of the 190/50 tire on a 5.5-inch rim AND on a 6-inch rim. IMG_0747.MOV 2.74 MB · 1 download 190/50 on a 6 inch rim was stock for an RC45 and if I raced or just track day I personally never shared in the criticism because I knew how to set up my geometry and optimized my suspension... 1 Quote
Alaskan Posted May 3, 2020 Author Posted May 3, 2020 25 minutes ago, BusyLittleShop said: 190/50 on a 6 inch rim was stock for an RC45 and if I raced or just track day I personally never shared in the criticism because I knew how to set up my geometry and optimized my suspension... Nice wear on that tire! Quote
Member Contributer BusyLittleShop Posted May 3, 2020 Member Contributer Posted May 3, 2020 23 minutes ago, Alaskan said: Nice wear on that tire! Nice for a Thunder Hill track day... different intensity on the perverted Highway you understand... Quote
Member Contributer boOZZIE Posted May 4, 2020 Member Contributer Posted May 4, 2020 9 hours ago, Alaskan said: My 2004 VFR has a 6-inch rear wheel. I like the way the bike turns into corners and holds its line with the 180/55 Road 5. Would I notice much difference with a 190/55? The profile of a 190/55 on a 6-inch rim looks very close to the profile of a 180/55 on a 5.5-inch rim. The standard answer to the question seems to be, "Try it and see." Well, ok, but that's a relatively expensive tire experiment unless I can find a free 190/55 tire . . . Maybe ask a tyre place if you could have a 2nd hand one that's in half reasonable condition. You never know you might get lucky and they'll only charge fitting $ 1 Quote
keef Posted May 4, 2020 Posted May 4, 2020 My 2c is 190/55 on a 6 inch every time A 180/55 stretched over a 6inch rim will flatten out and be less sharp. Harder to transition from the centre of the tyre to the edge. When I was converting to a 1098s rear wheel, i needed a tyre. I went with a 190/50 as it would fit the stock 5.5 and 1098s 6" It was "OK" on the 5.5, It felt horrible on the 6". This is what i imagine a stretched 180/55 would feel like. Changed to a 190/55 as soon as i could afford it. And gratuitous tyre pic to join in Quote
Member Contributer vfrcapn Posted May 5, 2020 Member Contributer Posted May 5, 2020 I put a 190/55 on my 1098 wheel also for the conversion, haven't finished it yet so can't say for sure. Works great on the Multistrada, but I assume as Larry says it will take fiddling with the suspension. Quote
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