Tire choice for 170 rear

Hello
97 VFR

Currently have a Michelin PR 3 on rear with 20K and needs to be replaced now.
Front was replaced at 17K to a PR4. Like the 4 better then the 3 but it seems and maybe I'm wrong i can only get a PR4 in the GT rating for a 170 rear.

I don't see 170 in the regular PR4.

So with 3K on the front I'm either looking at the GT version or switching brands.
Was looking for options on the GT with the 170 or mixing to Metzler or the Pirelli Angle.

Thanks advance
Greg

 

Pirelli or like some have done, me included, jump to a 180, all though the 170 is the recommended, I can say the 180 does just fine, but look at tread section patterns as some do better than others. Don't believe me, take your calibers to the tire shop and see how the tire measures up when you do the pinch test, then one can see how they act between 170 and 180, meh, not that big of a deal.

 

When I bought my 95 it came with almost new Pirelli Angels on it with a 180 on the back. I haven't found any problems with the tires but I am contemplating going back to a 170. Just a matter of finding tires.

 

Doesn't show a listing for the standard PR4
http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=33_176_1073

Does for the GT

http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=33_176_1074

Michelin may be out of stock, discontinued? email they guys at AMT they will tell you

 

I don't think Michelin makes the PR 4 in a 170 aside from the GT and I am not sure that our bikes are really considered heavy weight touring bikes. Bridgestone also doesn't make the T30 evo in 170 other than the GT. The 170 size limits tire choices.

 

Thanks for the help.
I really liked the PR3 for wet weather. The PR 4 on the front is a nice improvement over the PR3 so i'm disappointed in no PR4 for rear. The GT i would think is a harder tire for longer milage and weight. Not sure if that's the way to go.
I also mount my own tires and maybe its harder to squeeze the 180 on the smaller rim?

Any opinions on mixing the Pirelli Angel with the PR4 front.

 

I am not sure about mixing tires. Personally I would try not to. Not having matching traction in different weather conditions could make for some interesting riding. Maybe someone on here with more tire experience can help out.

 

RVFR's suggestion of measuring the tires is good and here is why: The tire size rating is not a robust standard. It is not adhered to by the tire makers. The physical tire may deviate substantially from the rating.

Go to your motor sports shop and measure every candidate tire that they have. Granted the mounting changes the width as well but you will not know that difference until you mount it. However, it has happened that a 180 measures at or smaller than a 170.

 

LOL more talking shit by Knight. Measuring tires sitting on a rack in a shop somewhere uninflated as well as expecting to find an exact tire at any but a few online sellers plus trying to convince the shop owner or sales dude that their tires are somehow off ain't real smart.

This is a deal where ya might could get away with once but a second visit might be met with a "Don't let the doorknob hit ya in the ass on the way oot."

 

Although I run two differs tire models on my 6 Gen (Michelin PP3 front & PR4 rear) I would be more inclined to go with a 180 of the same series tire than mix the brands. Not that I think it's dangerous, I just think the make up of the tires might be different enough to either wear unevenly or that handling might not be to your liking. In my case, I prefer the sharper 'V' profile of the PP3 over the 'U' shaped profile of the PR series tires and since both models are the 2CT type, I seem to get even wear and high mileage out of both.

I can say that a fellow VFRWorld member who has a '95 VFR750 did have a 190 on his bike for a little while. The shop he went to had installed the wrong tire and although he hadn't noticed until we told him, the most adverse handling he felt, is that it appeared to turn slower (his description). He also tried a 170 when he had the shop swap out the tire, but ultimately he went with and stayed with a 180 after that set wore out. Similar to your dilemma, not as easy to find a 170 in the tire series he was looking for. I have gone with a 180 with my Ducati 900SS, it came with a 170 but in this case the rim is a 5.5" width, so a 180 is a viable tire size.

 

or...

[video=youtube;qOfMG22EvxM]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOfMG22EvxM[/video]

 

Although this is an option, it is not a direct bolt on, as the video points out (about half way through) you have to modify the wheel by making cut outs on the hub mating surface so that it can clear the hub bolts a that are present on this generation hub. The 8 spoke wheel IS a direct bolt in as it already has the cut outs on the rim.

 

Speaking of an 8 spoke, one went up for sale over at VFRD

http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/index.php?/topic/83788-8-spoke-wheel-for-sale/#comment-1039541

 

Actually Billy, I have done this measure where you pinch the bead to the rim width in question quite a few times, just to get an idea which way to head. In the process I have found a remarkable difference between what said and is. it started with auto tires and rim fitment first, but the same theory works on MC tires. yes tire pressure and actually mounting them will be the final judge. But one does get an idea if it's a road they want to travel with out hooking them up, and yes I have had dealers go ok, knock yourself out. Just saying.

 

After 200 miles I'm disappointed in the 180 rear (180/55/17 PR3)
42 PSI

more effort in turns
bike wants to straighten up much sooner
Braking in turns not as easy etc.

Perhaps I'll get use to it but in my opinion it makes a neutral driving VFR feel larger and less flickable.

 

Try 33lbs, 42 sounds a bit on the high side as the tire warms up one should allow for heat up expansion I know it's a detail but give it a go. also know your tire type also plays into this, but the super corsas i ran, 34 front 33 rear worked great, just saying.

 

Have a new PR4 on the rear at 36 and works great

 

You should have a few more miles on the tire now. Still not liking it, or have you gotten used to it? Did you try lowering your tire pressure?

 

I now have about 750 miles on the 180 rear

At 200 miles I was disappointed and started playing with the air pressure based on some numbers found above.
I like the feel of going down to 35 at this point on rear. I am also running at 35 up front.

For the 1st 200 miles my front tire was running at lower pressure as well. Combining that with the 42 psi i was running in the rear just felt vague with slower maneuvering.

I do like the current set up and feel its not that big of a difference from what my previous 170 felt like.

I was so fixed on playing with the rear psi as that was the new tire but i should of paid more attention to the front as well.