tire sizes...

Buellxb Forum

Help Support Buellxb Forum:

black_xb12r

Well-known member
Joined
May 19, 2007
Messages
248
a buddy of mine and i that are big buellers were at the bar last night and got on tires sizes... we were talkign about runnin a 190/55 on the back just to fill it up a lil more.. but our question is wil that change any handling charestics other than bein a bit wider? will it affect the front to rear ratio and such???

thanks for any imput
 
I run 190/55 and love it. Beside the fact that it looks amazing, the drop-in is alot steeper. You don't have to work at all to get it down there. It takes a bit of getting used to as there is almost "falling" feeling before you smooth it out a bit with the throttle. I love it and will stick with 190/55 from now on.[up]
 
actually that will be good for me as i seem to have to use my bars to get mine over far enough... im a reall light guy 120 pounds so i could use a little help gettin down there... you are still runnin a 120/70 front right?
 
getting a wider tire is not the way to get your bike down easier...

if you are having problems getting a buell down, your technique is wrong.
 
i dont think my technique can be that bad tho... i have an RC51 track bike and i have no problem getting that down at all... just my buell as my play bike just seems to gave way more qyro effect to want to keep it upright... i seem to have to use way more handle bar to get it down... ( turing the bars the other way to make it lean farther )
 
don't compare with other bikes...

buell is different in every sence, that's why you like it.
you have bikes that ride you and you have a bike you ride ;)
 
New%20Buell%20logo.jpg
 
Yes, you will get more drop in because you are putting a wider tire on a wheel meant for one not as wide thus changing the shape or profile of the tire. I have a 190/50 and have improved drop in over a 180/55. I love the tire change I made and the improved handling I saw over the stock tires, I'm also making this comparison to when the stock tires were new and not just when they were worn and I took them off... I would like to try out a 190/55, but I'll have to see what all is out there tire and size wise when I need a new rear.
 
There is a multitude of things that happen when you change your tire size like this. First, you do change how stepe the tire is, and why? Because it want meant to be on the bikes stock wheel. This does not make the bike more stable either, the quick pitch can create problems..think of it as a roof, if it snows and the roof has a stepe pitch the snow will slide easier than with a less stepe. This is the same with a tire. Alot of the GP racers prefer a narrower tire do to the fact that they are a more stable and faster turning tire.
If you like the look of a wider tire... thats cool, I do too. BUT, you will sacrifice handling. My advice is to keep your correct tire and look at your suspension settings as far as getting the bike over...Thats were it really begins after riding tech. You can set it so all the bike wants to do is lay down on turns...trust me. Thaloc showed me a site a while back to set up your suspension and it works almost too good.
But again, as far as the tire things goes, just Google it (something like -Motorcyle tire size and handling), you'll see what the pros say.
 
I have improved handling with a 190 rear....... Better turn in than the 180/55, more stable commuting, and more grip in the twisties.

The whole reason the 190/55 was made was to achieve a "steeper roof" so there was more surface area at full lean.
 
I agree with what zoedogg says about Thaloc's site. I dialed my suspension in using this site and the difference is crazy. When zoedogg says "it works almost too good", he is right. The first couple of corners were almost scary until I go used to the difference.
 
I tried finding the thread that had the link but did not. But I remembered the site itself...here it is.

www.steveturnbull.co.uk/buell/thexbpages/xbhandling.htm :D

Sorry, cant get it to link.
 
I just put a 200/50/17 on and I love it! Took it up to the canyons yesterday and it handled amazing! The steeper drop-in angle and more contact patch is the way to go.[up]
 
I just put a 200/50/17 on and I love it! Took it up to the canyons yesterday and it handled amazing! The steeper drop-in angle and more contact patch is the way to go.

Post some pictures of that, I'm interested in seeing it...
 
I need to get new tires for my bike this spring. I have really thought hard about what I want and still can't decide. I am definitely getting a 180 but I don't know how aggressive of a tire that I want. I might stick with the pirelli Diablo's or get the Michelin pilot powers..any suggestions?
 
Hey teh Nub, I thow some pics up tomorrow so you can see how sick all that meat looks on the back of my baby. And tf1175 check out this thread LeFox wrote on tires it's very informative. the big topic tires
 

Latest posts

Back
Top