Anyone ever put a 180 rear tire on a third gen?

As I'm looking at new tires for my 92, it has become increasingly clear that there are a lot more options available for 180-width rear tires, as opposed to the stock 170. Anyone ever mount a 180 on a third gen? Looks like there's ample clearance. And I would assume it would not adversely affect handling...
Let me know your thoughts.
Thanks
Steve

 

Steve:

A 180 will fit on a third gen, no prob! Had a 93 before the 97 and had a 180 on it. The 3rd gen rear rim can fit it.

However, a 4th gen seems different. And I will be taking RVFR's advice and switching to a 170 on the 97 here shortly. Looking at the Dunlop Qualifiers.

BZ

 

Interesting - why the switch to the 170 on the 97? I must have missed RFVR's post....

 

The 94-97's apparently have a 5 inch wide rim.

180 rear tires are recommended for 5.5 rims and up (to a point, correct me if I am wrong somebody)

Your 3rd gen has a 5.5 inch rim, or should unless someone switched it. So it will fit a 180.

For the most part it is a myth that a bigger tire holds a larger contact patch. it can if done correctly.

I have a 180 on the 97 and I can tell turn-in is slow and when I start to get out on the edge of the tire (on the the elephants, I have metzlers) lets say the 97 gets squirrley. I know many things affect this, but I have ridden many friends bikes with the proper stock tire size and you can't beat the quick turn in and handling. RVFR discovered this on his 4th gen and he sold me, along with talking to other track day/ suspension/ tire junkies.

BZ

 

Hmm - much to consider. Perhaps I should'nt want to upgrade then? I'm looking at Diablo Stradas, and they do make the 170...
I'd be interested to hear from anyone with a third gen who has made the upgrade...
Thanks BZ

 

Hell I would!

I'd put the Pirelli DCIII's on the 97 if it had a 5.5. inch rim.

BZ

 

But what's the tradeoff as far as mileage is concerned? I can't find anything substantial as far as how well/long the DCIIIs last.

 

OK 92 I'll put it this way.

When shopping for tires you want to purchase tires that will match your riding style. What I mean is if you use your bike to commute and enjoy the weekends on a few twisty roads, the a sport touring tire could be for you.

Or you commute some but rail the twistys or maybe the occasional track day is in your schedule, then you may want to purchase a true sport tire like a Michelin Pilot Power.

Longevity is one of the benefits of a sport touring tire.

However, many things can effect tire life including tire pressures and doing burnouts LOL!

So I recommend thinking about your style of riding and narrow the choices down from there!

I'll tell you how I picked the tires on the 97. I moved to Southern Delaware. My wife and I had a child. There are very few turns in Southen Delaware to rail. I realized my riding was going to become alot more sedate. I purchased the Metzler Z6's as a result and they served the very purpose I needed. But some things have changed recently and I now what to move to a "sport" tire.

I'm just pulling my hair out becasue the choices for a 170 are small!!!

BZ

 

I hear ya BZ - Shite, I'm 45 with two young kids. I haven't see a track day in a decade.
BTW - there are some choices for 170 sport tires - I've been keeping a list as i go along; Metzeler Sportec M3 Supersport, Avon Viper Sport, Battlax BT-014, Dunlop Qualifier, Michelin Pilot Power, Diablo Supersport, Conti Road Attack

Good Luck - thanks for the insight.
Steve

 

Thanks 92!

The qualifiers and Pirellis are what I've narrowed myself down to. I am just waiting on an e-mail and I'll decide from there!

Good Luck to you too!

 

Didn't like the Dunlops eh Stuka?

Why? I've heard nothing but good things from the people who have used qualifiers.

The m3's are nice, I agree

Come on! Give it to me straight!

BZ

 

My bike came with a 180 on the rear, so I don't know how it would be with the stock 170. As it is, it works fine for me.

 

Dunlops now vs 10 years ago is a big differance, but even the old Dunlops gave back better feel as to when there done or worn, Chlins have a tendancy just suddingly let go w/o warning

modern Dunlops give that same confident feel with better grip & handling w/o the cupping (especially the Qualifiers):biggrin:

The battle axes & metzlers have poor feel & both cup up front badly when pushed often, & I keep a set of each to show friends when considering tyre purchases the crappy cupping.

Modern Dunlops & Pirelli's are almost identicle in Handling but with the Pirelli's wearing a tad faster & more tyre pressure/suspension sensitive.

The new Chlins are like the old, grip great, but still no warning when they let go, so I stay away from them when I can (sometimes there on bikes I purchase & run them until replaced).

The best all around tyre is the Conti road attacks, decent milage & Pretty good handling in dry to wet weather.

Foul-fall/winter weather riding is only one choice & thats the Dunlop 616's, there is nothing better out there for wet (& handles pretty damn good in dry as well), only down side most people will only get about 2500-3000 miles out of them, but for safety well worth it (just wish they would make them in 160 & 170 rears for my SuperMoto bikes, because they'd be perfect for them !:tongue: ).

 

TAZ:

Have you ever run the Pirelli DCIII"S or the Diablo Corsa's (the forerunner to the DCIII"S)?

BZ

 

Can someone tell me how many miles I can expect from the stock tires on a '07 VFR?

 

Like most of the great decisions I've made over the years - I'm going with my gut. I ordered a set of Diablo Stradas - a 180 for the back.
Question - why the hell don't tire manufacturers make raised white letter tires (for the most part). Maybe I'm just old school - but I think raised whites are the balls?
Oh well - I'll get a new paint pen and do it myself before putting them on.
Cheers all

 

This question has many variables to answer, see below…

What brand and type of tires do you have, super sticky track tires, or sport-touring?
How old are the tires (I know you said ’07, but I have seen tires die from dry rot before they wear out)
What type of riding do you do, mostly freeway, some twistys, track days?
What pressure are you running?
What is the road comprised of, in some parts of FL there are seashells in the asphalt, this kills tires.
How is your throttle control?

These are just a few of the things than can contribute to tire life, it’s really hard to answer this question, as you can see there are many things that effect tire life. If it’s a sticky tire 2k-2.5k is generally good, and if it’s a sport touring tire 4-6k can be a possibility, but again, it’s too difficult to say based on all the variables.

 

I just received my tire choice!

Pirelli Diablo Corsa III for the front and a Pirelli Diablo for the rear (size 170). The Corsa III's do not come in a 170 so I went with the straight Diablo.

I'll post my review after a few miles and some turns!

Enjoy your Strada's 92!

BZ