Rear Tire
 

First off Hello everybody...I`m new to the forum and this is my first post...
I have been running the stock size rear tire on my 99 Hawk and would like to know if any of you are running or have tried a 190-50-17 on the rear and what were your likes and dislikes...

Re: Rear Tire
 

Most 190's are meant for 6 inch rims. The VTR has a 5.5. You have to pinch the beads much tighter to fit. If you mount your own tires by hand like I do, you won't like this side effect at all.

The intended profile will change giving you a smaller contact patch than if on a 6 inch. This also slows down your handling. The tire won't look as wide as it could which is the most common (if unstated) reason for going with "meatier" tires but yes it will look wider than the stock 180. Your unsprung mass is increased somewhat which theoretically slows down your suspension reactions.

Re: Rear Tire
 

welcome aboard.

those whose bikes come with 190s change them to 180 usually at the first tire change time, to get faster turning response.

Other than visual effects, 190s do not provide any advantage over 180s, so why bother??

Re: Rear Tire
 

Mine came with the 190 and i changed it first chance i got to the 180. Its hard to believe that a small change like that can make a huge change in the way the bike handles. Another plus is the smaller tire is less expensive.

Re: Rear Tire
 

Thanks for the replies... I'm ready for another new Pilot Sport and was just thinking about a 190 but I guess its not the thing to do... I can`t wait for WINTER to be over so I can ride.... I moved up here to Ohio back in Nov from Houston were I rode year round.

Re: Rear Tire
 

Re: Rear Tire
 

Dude we are only about an hour from each other. I have some other friends that live up the way, they tend to "buddy up" when they come on over here to ride with me. Check out my home page and register on my message forum so that you'll be in "the loop" when we plan rides. I tend to send out a mass email when we have big things going on. E

Re: Rear Tire
 

care if I jump in on some of that action? :D
I'm dying for someone to ride with around here. It's just me and a good buddy now, but the way he's been crashing his Triumph it might not be around too much longer...

Re: Rear Tire
 

I just moved up here back in Nov from Houston and not riding year round will be hard... but the weather is getting better so its time to ride... I`m always up to meeting new riding buddys...as long as you don`t mind riding with a old man... :mrgreen:

After I picked up a Key, (yes an ordinary house key) in the rear tire, I had a 190/50 put on, (emergency only tire in the county away from home), the bike tended to fall into corners and wore out extremely quickly. Apparently the contact patch is greatly reduced when upright. I switched back after I wore it out, had to be only about 1800 miles. that was with a Metzeler Sportec M-1. By the way, a great tire, but they wear too fast.