180.55.17 or 190.50.17

[BigJ1111]

Im really sorry for posting about this but needing your awesomeness quickly

Im running a 190.50.17 on the rear and it has the biggest flat patch across 75% of the tyre ive2 ever seen, I can get a 180.55.17 easily and cheap but apart from the obvious, what are the differences, I like having the bigger tyre as im a big boy

[agentpineapple]

the general consensus is the 180 is the way to go, many people that have tried the 190 end up going back to a 180. better handling...

[Jazzscot]

Agreed, 180 for me too

[lloydie]

Yep tried both and the 180 is far better

[lumpyv]

underinflated ??

[BigJ1111]

not sure, only had the bike 2 weeks and i think its done a heck of alot of motorway miles

[Tweety]

Or... It could be that running a 190 on 5.5 inch rim sort of squeezes the tire together, causing it to become taller, and narrower, changing the profile, making the bike hard to lean over, and make you use the centre part excessively...

Just a theory, mind you...

[turbo_billy]

Or... It could be that running a 190 on 5.5 inch rim sort of squeezes the tire together, causing it to become taller, and narrower, changing the profile, making the bike hard to lean over, and make you use the centre part excessively...

Just a theory, mind you...

+1 on the above. Bigger is NOT always better

[BigJ1111]

ill be fine then lol

ill defo go for the 180

[Teach72]

Where are you located. I've got a 180 sitting here with only 400 miles is you want to compare before you make an expensive choice?

[thumperslaw]

I run 190 and fine it's good for me

[Tweety]

I run 190 and fine it's good for me

Well... It depends a little on the maker of the tire... Some tires, like Michelin doesn't work at all, the profile is way wrong and you end up with unusable rubber... Others, like Pirelli Corza, is actually recommended for a 5.5 inch rim, and work very well... But generally, not a good idea...

[thumperslaw]

Run a conti 190 rear and does fine for me

Just saying tho

[Tweety]

Run a conti 190 rear and does fine for me

Just saying tho

Well... Conti what? That's a bit unspecific actually...

However about half of the Conti tires you could choose for the VTR, is actually recommended for 5.5 inch rims in 190 size, so most should work...

And even though not recommended, they "work" but you will get the result described above... Ie lots of wear in the middle, and unused rubber on the sides... So all 190 tires "work"... even 200+ "work", but might still not be a good idea...

[thumperslaw]

Run a conti 190 rear and does fine for me

Just saying tho

Well... Conti what? That's a bit unspecific actually...

However about half of the Conti tires you could choose for the VTR, is actually recommended for 5.5 inch rims in 190 size, so most should work...

And even though not recommended, they "work" but you will get the result described above... Ie lots of wear in the middle, and unused rubber on the sides... So all 190 tires "work"... even 200+ "work", but might still not be a good idea...

Alright no need bite my wombles head off...............

conti motion 190/50/17 on a 5.5 rim. Again they handling is just fine and have no issue with uneven tyre wear (guess am lucky) .. then again clearly like you am no rossie or stoner so i don't push my vtr to the limt....