190/50/17 vs 190/55/17

jtemple · 04-19-2009, 09:57 PM

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.

t-homo · 04-19-2009, 10:49 PM

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.

tached1000rr · 04-19-2009, 10:50 PM

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

t-homo · 04-19-2009, 10:52 PM

Pirelli Diablo Rosso.

Amber Lamps · 04-20-2009, 12:02 AM

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.

t-homo · 04-20-2009, 01:00 AM

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.

Amber Lamps · 04-20-2009, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t-rock

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"....

Besides, a lot depends on the bike and what size tire it was designed for.

101lifts2 · 04-20-2009, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TIGGER

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.

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.

t-homo · 04-20-2009, 11:31 PM

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.

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04-19-2009, 09:57 PM	#1
jtemple Geek Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Papillion, Nebraska Moto: 2011 Husqvarna TE630 Posts: 1,437	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.

04-19-2009, 10:49 PM	#2
t-homo WSB Champion Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 7,146	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.

04-19-2009, 10:50 PM	#3
tached1000rr WERA White Plate Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NC Moto: 2009 GSXR 1300 Posts: 2,448	for those of you using the 190/55 what brand are you using?

04-19-2009, 10:52 PM	#4
t-homo WSB Champion Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 7,146	Pirelli Diablo Rosso.

04-20-2009, 12:02 AM	#5
Amber Lamps Moto GP Star Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 14,556	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.

04-20-2009, 01:00 AM	#6
t-homo WSB Champion Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 7,146	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.

04-20-2009, 11:31 PM	#9
t-homo WSB Champion Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 7,146	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.