Question on tire size in relation to turning and handling

[flyer_kaz]

Hello all...

quick question...

I have a 93 F2 and I'm looking into getting a 900rr rear rim put in and possibly the swingarm as well. This means I will be running a 180 size tire instead of the 160 thats in there currently...

Now.. one thing I keep hearing everywhere is... "a smaller tire will turn in quicker than a big one and is better for the track..."

now if this true and everyone keeps saying it... why are all the modern sportbikes and GP Bikes running a 180 or bigger..?

I understand from a "flickability" stand-point that running a smaller tire is better... less drag to go from one side to the other... but wouldn't running a wider tire increase the contact patch during the turn and increase stability in said turn..?

I guess I'm confused about all the people telling me to stick with the smaller tire size when all the guys at the track are running 180 and up with basicaly the same bike as me...

Thanks for the clarification!

Kaz

[RandyO]

why are all the modern sportbikes and GP Bikes running a 180 or bigger..?

cause they have enuf horsepower to turn a 180, too much for a 160

if you don't have the horsepower, the only reason for a fat tire is bling

[Tabby]

cause they have enuf horsepower to turn a 180, too much for a 160

if you don't have the horsepower, the only reason for a fat tire is bling

Kinda what he said. Also, along with the horsepower to turn the tire, you have to have enough nads to use the hp, to turn the tire. Much easier said than done.

[OreoGaborio]

It's not really the friction that affects flickability, it's the profile, or curvature of the tire. The 180 will be a little more round, the 160 a little more "pointy".

My race SV has a 160 and I've ridden a 600RR with a 160 slick on the rear (as has Degsy, a13x, Zombie & I think nt650hawk) & it handled great & had plenty of grip.

Personally, I probably wouldn't change it. I know modern 600's run a 180, but they're designed to run a 180... Not saying your F2 won't work with it on there, I'm sure it would, but my guess is it won't make much of a difference other than looks and the hit your wallet takes when it's time for new rubber.

... but then again, I don't own an F2 It could be a popular & beneficial mod, I dunno.

[duganc1717]

1992 CBR 600F2 w/a PM 5.5" rim and a 180/55/17. I bought the bike this way and I was afraid it was going to be hard to turn-in.
Bike turned absolutely awesome but, it also had a lot of time into and $$$ into the suspension.

Also you could just brace brace the swingarm (look @ the pics) instead of the 900rr swap, unless you just want the 900rr swingarm.

[flyer_kaz]

1992 CBR 600F2 w/a PM 5.5" rim and a 180/55/17. I bought the bike this way and I was afraid it was going to be hard to turn-in.
Bike turned absolutely awesome but, it also had a lot of time into and $$$ into the suspension.

Also you could just brace brace the swingarm (look @ the pics) instead of the 900rr swap, unless you just want the 900rr swingarm.

sweetness!.. I was wondering if the 900rr rim would fit but if it does then I'll prob go that route... If I do the swingarm swap I was thinking of putting in a 1000rr rear shock to maybe raise the rear to compensate for the slower turn-in. Plus give me a little more control over the settings of the rear shock itself....

coolio!

and again.. thank you for the rearsets!

oh and to everyone else.. thank you for the clarification... can never learn too much.