Tires are frustrating me

[Beefmaster_Mark]

Doesn't every new 600 cc SS bike come with a 180 sized rear tire?   

Guy sounds like a classic sportbike d-bag to me.   

[rwalterk]

Yeah, all the 600s and the GSX-R750 use a 180 rear.  I must've read all the forum posts ever written about putting a 190 on a 600 w/ a 5.5" rim, and here's what I got:

* 190/55 is the size the "switchers" use, as opposed to 190/50
* better lateral grip and drive out of corners
* weighs more
* costs more
* slight loss of acceleration/top end speed (some have changed sprocket to compensate)
* changes handling (slower turn-in)
* wears down differently (in a bad way)
* changes rear ride height and corresponding angles
* requires advanced suspension adjustments
* Dunlop only offers its GP-A in a 190, but says it will fit on a 5.5" rim (although they say 6" is the recommended rim)

Sounds like a pain in the ass to me.  I'll stick w/ what the manufacturer put on there.

[rwalterk]

Got an answer from Dunlop on the GP-A tires, although it's what I expected:

Thank you for taking the time to contact us with your Dunlop motorcycle
tire questions.  Mounting the 190/55-17 Sportmax GP-A onto a 5.50" wide
wheel will have a minimal effect on the tire's profile and footprint.

I'll keep this open as an option for my next set since they're only $250 through Keith Code.