190/50/17 vs 190/55/17
 

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.

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.

Thanks for the feedback

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

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.

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.

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

Pirelli Diablo Rosso.

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.

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.

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.

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:

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:

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....

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.

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:

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

I said he could raise it MOAR!!!

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

Hahahaha!:lol: