Tire Size Question

[Jewcati]

I currently have a set of Pirelli Supercorsas on my bike in a 180/55, but I was considering trying the GPA 211s. I have been told that I can run the 190/55 or the 190/60. I am happy with the handling of my current setup, would the 190/55 or the 190/60 be a better choice for profile / handling / grip?

Thanks

[GixerJockey]

Let's see if you get two different answers to your two seperate threads on the subject.

[PhilB]

You ideally want to run the smallest size that isn't overwhelmed by your engine. So stick with the 180/55, unless you're having problems with the rear breaking loose under acceleration.

PhilB

[-Dutch-]

What's the thought process there? Acceleration over top speed? I'm legitimately curious, use small words.

[PhilB]

What's the thought process there? Acceleration over top speed? I'm legitimately curious, use small words.

Handling is best and sharpest with smaller tires. The limiting factor is if the tires are too small, the engine will strain them too much and break traction too easily, so you need a big enough tire for your engine's torque/power. Once the tire is big enough to handle the power, you have met that requirement, and increasing the tire size beyond that harms handling without giving any advantages.

PhilB

[-Dutch-]

Interesting, thank you.

[hondarider102]

Wirelessly posted

You ideally want to run the smallest size that isn't overwhelmed by your engine. So stick with the 180/55, unless you're having problems with the rear breaking loose under acceleration.

PhilB

Would be a valid suggestion if the dunlops came in that size.... Hence his thread lol

[OreoGaborio]

Some bikes, depending on initial geometry and tire make/models, can actually handle better with a 190/60 than a 180/55 due to the taller rolling diameter and steeper profile. You can't just make a blanket statement saying "Handling is best and sharpest with smaller tires" because it simply is not... ALWAYS... true.

It USUALLY is... but not always. ESPECIALLY when you're jumping from one brand to another because there's no real set "standard" for tire sizes across brands. A Pirelli 180/55 isn't going to be the same dimensions as a Dunlop 180/55.

[Pigman]

Buy Ntec's or GPA's adj the height and you will good to go......

[Jewcati]

Agreed. I have not ridden the dunlops and that is why I am curious if the 190/55 or 190/60 would be more akin to the pirelli 180/55.

Regard does of the comparison between pirelli and dunlop, what is the difference between the 55 and 60?

Thanks

Some bikes, depending on initial geometry and tire make/models, can actually handle better with a 190/60 than a 180/55 due to the taller rolling diameter and steeper profile. You can't just make a blanket statement saying "Handling is best and sharpest with smaller tires" because it simply is not... ALWAYS... true.

It USUALLY is... but not always. ESPECIALLY when you're jumping from one brand to another because there's no real set "standard" for tire sizes across brands. A Pirelli 180/55 isn't going to be the same dimensions as a Dunlop 180/55.

[OreoGaborio]

Regard does of the comparison between pirelli and dunlop, what is the difference between the 55 and 60?

It's a mystery. It may be the number of minions required to construct the tire but no one really knows for sure.

[tls25rs]

By tire standards the 55 and 60 part of the 190/55 is supposed to be the aspect ratio of the tire. The 190 is supposed to be the tread width. That being said I'm not so sure the convention is followed to a T by all manufacturers as some 190 tires are wider than others when measured across the tread.

Pilfered from wikipedia:

As with four-wheeled vehicles, tyres for motorcycle have a tyre code, which describes a tyre's width, height/width aspect ratio, wheel diameter, load index and speed rating.

The most common are:

3 digit number: The "nominal section width" of the tyre in millimetres; the widest point from both outer edges.

/: Slash character for character separation.

2 or 3 digit number: The "aspect ratio" of the sidewall height to the total width of the tyre, as a percentage.

An optional letter indicating construction of the fabric carcass of the tyre:
B: bias belt (where the sidewalls are the same material as the tread, leading to a rigid ride)
D: diagonal
R: radial
if omitted, then it is a cross ply tyre

2 digit number: Diameter in inches of the wheel that the tyre is designed to fit.

[PhilB]

Would be a valid suggestion if the dunlops came in that size.... Hence his thread lol

His question did not say the tires were unavailable in that size; I answered the question he asked.

Regard does of the comparison between pirelli and dunlop, what is the difference between the 55 and 60?

That number is the height of the tire as a percentage of its width. So a 180/55 will be (approximately) 180mm wide and 99mm tall (55% of 180). A 190/55 will be 190mm wide and 104.5mm tall; a 190/60 will be 190mm wide and 114mm tall. To take the larger case, going from the 180/55 to the 190/60 will raise your rear by 15mm -- more than 1/2".

PhilB

[Jewcati]

Thank you! That is exactly what I was looking for

[tls25rs]

Though I understand and can appreciate the math done in the example above there are a number of other variables that enter into it. If the 180 tire has a tall and narrow profile than it may have a similar straight up and down rolling diameter to a 190 tire that has a wider flatter profile. One may be more easy to turn and the other may not spin as much when vertical.

A lot of this can also depend on the rim width that the tire is installed onto.

Same wheel with different brand tires that are labeled the same size can have completely different characteristics

[Mr. Kurtz]

I am happy with the handling of my current setup

I agree with this guy ^

[TTD]

As I mentioned in the other thread, you should check out the new 180/60 Pirelli also. Again, don't get too hung up on the numbers on the side of the tire. Other people have already figured out which tires will work best on your bike - for each application. These are the tires carried by your trackside vendors.

[OreoGaborio]

His question did not say the tires were unavailable in that size; I answered the question he asked.

That number is the height of the tire as a percentage of its width. So a 180/55 will be (approximately) 180mm wide and 99mm tall (55% of 180). A 190/55 will be 190mm wide and 104.5mm tall; a 190/60 will be 190mm wide and 114mm tall. To take the larger case, going from the 180/55 to the 190/60 will raise your rear by 15mm -- more than 1/2".

PhilB

Except for the fact that standard "tire math" has absolutely FUCK all to do with motorcycle tires.
Go measure a bunch of motorcycle tires as I have & find out for yourself.
Guaranteed... 5 dif manufacturers, all the same size stamped onto the sidewall, none will be the same.

[TheIglu]

I'd be curious to see the difference in profile between the major manufacturers trackday tires in the same size. I know Michelins used to run a bit flatter/rounder than Pirelli's "V" shape.

Let me see if I can find the pictures.

People that sell tires here on NESR, now is your chance to simply list the model/brand tire you recommend. GO!!!!

[OreoGaborio]

SHINKO!

[xsiliconkid]

KB's takeoffs

[Jim]

Wirelessly posted
Would be a valid suggestion if the dunlops came in that size.... Hence his thread lol

Dunlop DOT NTEC UK - 180/55
Dunlop DOT NTEC US - 190/60

[OreoGaborio]

KB's takeoffs

But.... but KB's takesoffs were Glen Coolbeth's takeoffs!

[THE STUFF 187]

60 is for more side grip

[PhilB]

Except for the fact that standard "tire math" has absolutely FUCK all to do with motorcycle tires.
Go measure a bunch of motorcycle tires as I have & find out for yourself.
Guaranteed... 5 dif manufacturers, all the same size stamped onto the sidewall, none will be the same.

OK, but *within* a manufacturer, the larger numbers will denote larger tires, so he's still better off sticking as close as he can to his original tire size.

PhilB