Sportbikes are not beginner bikes

[No Worries]

Quiz: My old Suzuki uses a 130 width rear tire. If I put on a 180 tire (and appropriate wheel, same tire compound, same pressure, etc.) will the contact patch with me just sitting on the bike change? Will it get bigger in area? Wider? Longer? Smaller? Will the handling get better, ie. easier to change direction?

[Rider]

Originally Posted by No Worries

Quiz: My old Suzuki uses a 130 width rear tire. If I put on a 180 tire (and appropriate wheel, same tire compound, same pressure, etc.) will the contact patch with me just sitting on the bike change? Will it get bigger in area? Wider? Longer? Smaller? Will the handling get better, ie. easier to change direction?

What is the aspect ratio(sidewall height)? If they are equal (say 55%) then the contact patch would get longer and wider. No it will not be easier to change direction. More tire touching the surface equals more friction.

[No Worries]

Originally Posted by Rider

What is the aspect ratio(sidewall height)? If they are equal (say 55%) then the contact patch would get longer and wider...

That's what I always thought. But Archimedes proved us wrong over 2000 years ago. As the 130 tire is now, the contact patch is rectangular with the long dimension front to rear. With a 180 tire, the contact patch area will be the same according to Archimedes. The contact patch could now be rectangular with the long dimension left to right, or even square. Which is better for cornering traction? Long dimension front to back, or long dimension left to right? Which is better for accelerating out of the corner?