Upsizing Rear Tire to 190/55 (w/ pics)

[Top_Speed1]

Yeahhhh buddy!, dem girlz love the fat meat!

 

[A41Billy]

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="Bounce" data-cid="1094485" data-time="1379172471"><p>Every review I've ever heard from mags and people I know, point out how larger rear tires (think cruisers and customs) make cornering turn in more sluggish. Has that been your experience? (late to the thread)</p></blockquote>

No, exactly the opposite. The 190/55 is taller, not wider.

I wouldn't describe handling as quicker or lighter necessarily,

but definitely more accurate or precise.

Steering response is wonderfully linear in both turn-in and

left-to-right transitions much like steering a car.

An added bonus is the ability to hold a line through a turn without

any pressure on the bars. I can actually let go of the bars

mid-turn without any drama.

I was originally is search of a longer lasting rear tire ( yet to be determined )

but to say I'm pleased with the results is an understatement.

After 1,000 miles on 190/55 PR3s, I agree with SLK50's analysis. Definitely cleaner on first turn-in, better in-corner stability, and bonus lack of peg-dragging two-up. Very happy I moved to the 190/55.

I've been thinking about this a lot, and I wonder if it isn't so much the shape or size of the tire, but more the fact that the added height raises the tail and thus effectively moves the C.G. forward? Sure feels like a different bike.

This is exactly what causes this.

 

[AKjitsu]

There is the matter of the cost in horsepower. Back in my V-Rod days it was well established that going from a 180 to a 200 cost something in the neighborhood of 4 – 6 horsepower (same dyno, same day). That pesky rotating mass and all.

 

[palerider]

Maybe THAT'S why MissusHowie keeps nagging me to sell the ZRX? Screw her!!!!

If you like.

 

[Top_Speed1]

There is the matter of the cost in horsepower. Back in my V-Rod days it was well established that going from a 180 to a 200 cost something in the neighborhood of 4 – 6 horsepower (same dyno, same day). That pesky rotating mass and all.

I think the VRods have 240's. It's quite the fatty.

 

[AKjitsu]

There is the matter of the cost in horsepower. Back in my V-Rod days it was well established that going from a 180 to a 200 cost something in the neighborhood of 4 – 6 horsepower (same dyno, same day). That pesky rotating mass and all.

I think the VRods have 240's. It's quite the fatty.

They have since 2008 when the "Muscle" model (gay-*** name if ever there were one) came out with the wider frame and swing arm. Prior to that they were 180's. And despite a 120 cc deficit, the older models are a hell of a lot faster.

 

[RadioHowie]

Maybe THAT'S why MissusHowie keeps nagging me to sell the ZRX? Screw her!!!!

If you like.

Good luck....

Personally, I don't hate my **** that much.

 

[JamesW]

Newer electronic controls from 2013 fwd, how does changing rear tire sizes affect abs, linked braking and traction controls?

 

[Greg 03]

VERY glad I did this! Three hundred miles or so today and liked the change. Hopefully good to go for another 12-15K now!

 

[Top_Speed1]

VERY glad I did this! Three hundred miles or so today and liked the change. Hopefully good to go for another 12-15K now!

I knew you would likey, but you may be wishing a bit too much on that 12-15K! Maybe on the low side of that "if" you do the commute thang and stay far away from canyon craving carving.

 

[GeorgiaRoller]

Got the BT-023-GT 190/55 on rear and did 375 miles on Saturday. Felt fine. It's a tire...it spins round & round like all the other tires I've used before.

 

[art miller]

I believe some of you GenIII owners have gone with 190/55 rear tires. The owners manual says do not use tire sizes other than mfg spec. as it may affect the traction control feature. Have you noticed any such change? Has it caused the Traction Control light to come on?

 

[sath182]

Wouldn't a bigger diameter tire would rotate slower for a given speed and cause the light to come on less often?

 

[FJRat]

https://www.phatperformanceparts.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MICHELIN-PWRPURE&CartID=

How about this fattie here: 200/50/17 ... Will this fit on the Feejer rear rim

 

[lnewlf]

could send the wheel to Kosmann to be widened

 

[RadioHowie]

could send the wheel to Kosmann to be widened

Why?? A 205/50/17 fits the stock rim JUST fine!

 

[Top_Speed1]

https://www.phatperformanceparts.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MICHELIN-PWRPURE&CartID=
How about this fattie here: 200/50/17 ... Will this fit on the Feejer rear rim

It would fit, BUT, its not as big as you think! hmm? The "50" (aspect ratio) deflates (no pun intended) any gain by the 200.

Width...

The first number or second letter in a tire size represents the nominal width. Width is measured in a straight line from the furthest point on one sidewall, across the tread, to the furthest point on the opposite sidewall. The different size numbering systems specify widths in different measurements.

Aspect Ratio...

Aspect Ratios indicate a tires cross-sectional profile. The smaller the number, the lower the profile. It expresses the height to width ratio as a percent. A 90 aspect ratio means the tire's cross sectional height is 90% of it's width. The aspect ratio appears immediately after the width in the Metric, Alpha and Low Profile Inch numbering systems.

A bit off subject but I should throw this in as well cuz I have had sum PM's on this (I'm the OP) about how to tell how old my tires are? Some Mfgr's are a tad different but most use the 4 digit code thingy.....

 

[FJRat]

could send the wheel to Kosmann to be widened

Why?? A 205/50/17 fits the stock rim JUST fine!

First of all, don't waste your hard earned flames, I AM NOT A DARKSIDER, nor do I condone CT for bikes.

Here is one thing I always ask myself, or anyone who cares to listen:

By Darksider standards, this is a pretty good model because if you notice the edges, its not as squared as other CT can be.

Since this tire is likely to last its owner a good 20-30k miles, offergreat footing and good load-cap. to carry stuff, along with other benefits that, well, we don't want to start an argument about...so here is my point:

why can motorcycle tire makers create a tire somewhat like this and round the edges a little more so that if fit the desirable profile for turning on a bike? I am just wondering, would this not be more efficient than the current bike-tire models?

 

[PapaUtah]

Can any of the Gen III folks who have upsized the rear chime in here? Have you noticed any issues with ABS or TCS? I am a couple of weeks away from a new set of tires...I would like to move up to the 190/55s if there will be no ill effects on the electronics of the ABS or TCS on my '13.

 

[CA G-Man]

Can any of the Gen III folks who have upsized the rear chime in here? Have you noticed any issues with ABS or TCS? I am a couple of weeks away from a new set of tires...I would like to move up to the 190/55s if there will be no ill effects on the electronics of the ABS or TCS on my '13.

I haven't taken the time to search out the thread(s), but I'm pretty sure Fairlaner and others here have done it without any issues (there may even be some in the earlier parts of this thread). I've got a 190/55 on order that I'm hoping to have installed this week. If there are any issues I'll let you know.