190/50 vs 180/55 - Downsizing afterthoughts, Pilot Power

Well I just replaced my rear tires back to stock size from the 190/50's that were on it when I bought it and all I can say is WOW. It is like night and day. The bike almost feels eager to turn in. It feels much more nimble and stable in turns I love it.

I changed to Pilot Powers front and rear and hope to get many many miles on it. I just wanted to let you guys know the differences are major.

On the 190/50's leaning it felt like I was walking a finer line between loosing and gripping especially to my right (hey Im a noob what can i say ).

The bike definitely requires much less effort now to turn it. It is beautiful.

On another note, the front wheel was much heavier than I thought it would be. I can definitely imagine the difference in switching to a much lighter wheel and rotor would be nearly epic.

Originally Posted by Ironman

The weighted front wheel feeling is probably a geometry/suspension issue. Go pay 20 bucks and have your suspension set to your weight, then it'll really feel good.

Nah I mean the wheel off the bike The bike feels great lol I just imagined the front wheel+ tire was going to feel super lightweight when I took it off and it wasn't hahaha.

thats why some liter bikes switch to a 180....better turn in and why 600 riders go to a 190...better stability.

Originally Posted by Kyles R6

thats why some liter bikes switch to a 180....better turn in and why 600 riders go to a 190...better stability.

I'm about to throw set of my old 18/67-17 and 12/70-17 Michelin slicks on my 1000rr. I'm curious to see how that feels coming from Power Races in 190/55-17 and 120/70-17. I hope there's a sufficient contact patch when all the way cranked over. I've never put a 180 rear on a 1000 before.

I have however run PR 190s on my old R6 racebike and they were the shit! It was best of both worlds. Since the tire gets "squished" on the rim it effectively makes it a much taller profile tire, so you don't lose any turn in agility, but you maintain the massive contact patch of the wider tire when it's leaned over.

welcome to last yr Danny