190/50/17 vs 190/55/17

[tached1000rr]

I'd like to hear from those who have had each size and which gets your vote? I recently heard a guy say he has never met anyone that tried the 190/55/17 and go back to a 190/50/17.

[Riceaholic]

I started using Metzler Racetech 190/55's on the track because the tire profile was more pointy like a 180, but the contact patch was bigger. The turn-in was much better.

I run my race scrubs on the street so those are the only tires in that size that I've used, but I would assume even street compound tires would have the same characteristics due to the profile.

The only drawback was that my hugger wouldn't fit because the tire was so tall.

[tached1000rr]

Thanks for the feedback

[Yamerhaw]

few of my friends run the 55 series on the street(dot and slicks), and love them, havent tried them myself

[jtemple]

My bike came with a 190/55 from the factory. Sticking to that size really limits your tire choices. For example, you can't get a 190/55 sport-touring tire. I rode on a 190/50 for a while and it definitely turned in slower. When I went back to a 190/55, the bike almost felt squirrely at first. Now that I'm used to the taller profile, they feel fine.

[t-homo]

I run a 190/55. Like they said, much quicker turn in. For the sport touring, turn in speed isn't as big of a deal, so I would just use a 190/50 since they are a little bit cheaper anyway.

[tached1000rr]

for those of you using the 190/55 what brand are you using?

[t-homo]

Pirelli Diablo Rosso.

[Amber Lamps]

The only time I used the 190/55 I felt that it made my bike "squirrely" as well but I probably could have fixed that by altering the suspension. I personally didn't like it but to each his own, I say. I definitely agree that it's a good compromise between the 190/50 and the 180/55.

[t-homo]

Riding style and suspension have a lot to do with it. I remember Tig saying that he felt like he was more planted in the high speed sweepers with the 190/50. My guess is that if you are doing more gap riding, then the 55 would be better.

[Amber Lamps]

Riding style and suspension have a lot to do with it. I remember Tig saying that he felt like he was more planted in the high speed sweepers with the 190/50. My guess is that if you are doing more gap riding, then the 55 would be better.


True that or if you "exclusively do track days"....:lol: Besides, a lot depends on the bike and what size tire it was designed for.

[101lifts2]

The only time I used the 190/55 I felt that it made my bike "squirrely" as well but I probably could have fixed that by altering the suspension. I personally didn't like it but to each his own, I say. I definitely agree that it's a good compromise between the 190/50 and the 180/55.

The 190/55 is the tallest of the three, not in between.

190/50 makes the bike turn in slow....but it depends if you dropped the front end.

[t-homo]

He meant in between as far as turn in speed. The 180 will be faster because its a skinnier tire. My blast's 120 rear made it possible to flick that thing any which way. However, because of the rim size, you need to get a 190 rear on most literbikes. The 190/50 is the "shortest" of the group, slowing down its turn in speed. The 55 is between them.

[Amber Lamps]

He meant in between as far as turn in speed. The 180 will be faster because its a skinnier tire. My blast's 120 rear made it possible to flick that thing any which way. However, because of the rim size, you need to get a 190 rear on most literbikes. The 190/50 is the "shortest" of the group, slowing down its turn in speed. The 55 is between them.


I don't know what was said but thanks for sticking up for me, Buddy!:twfix:

[dReWpY]

being the shortest or tallest doesnt really matter, its about the profile.. or i could be wrong

[Amber Lamps]

being the shortest or tallest doesnt really matter, its about the profile.. or i could be wrong

Yea, that's what I said but I was shot down.... Different brands and different models have different profiles so... The "tallest" tire I've ever used was the Dunlop 616. It's basically Dunlop's rain race tire with a harder compound. Holy fucking falling off a cliff turn ins Batman!:panic:

[dReWpY]

ok, just making sure that the truth was not muttled in the other non-sense....

[Amber Lamps]

ok, just making sure that the truth was not muttled in the other non-sense....

Nah, I try my best but it does get old....

[101lifts2]

He meant in between as far as turn in speed. The 180 will be faster because its a skinnier tire. My blast's 120 rear made it possible to flick that thing any which way. However, because of the rim size, you need to get a 190 rear on most literbikes. The 190/50 is the "shortest" of the group, slowing down its turn in speed. The 55 is between them.

The 180/55 turns in quicker than a 190/50 because its taller, not because its smaller (though less mass = less gyroscopic effect). The 190/55 will turn in quicker than a 180/55 because its taller, but I'm saying the exact SAME tire because yes profile makes a huge ass difference.

The "55" is the tallest..and will turn in the quickest from tires I've run.

[racedoll]

Erik put the 190/50 on his bike not realizing it needed a 190/55. He hated it at the track. After the fact, he raised the shock about 2mm to compensate and it feels better but still isn't quite happy. I think he just needs the correct size and he can be a little happier.

[Amber Lamps]

Erik put the 190/50 on his bike not realizing it needed a 190/55. He hated it at the track. After the fact, he raised the shock about 2mm to compensate and it feels better but still isn't quite happy. I think he just needs the correct size and he can be a little happier.

Either that or lower it in the front or get the correct tire, or raise it more in the rear....:idk:

[racedoll]

As I said, he raised the shock 2mm to compensate.

[Amber Lamps]

As I said, he raised the shock 2mm to compensate.

I said he could raise it MOAR!!!

[racedoll]

Oh. Sorry, didn't catch that. Doesn't matter now. He has another bike to ride.

[Amber Lamps]

Oh. Sorry, didn't catch that. Doesn't matter now. He has another bike to ride.

Hahahaha!:lol: