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Buell Forum » Big, Bad & Dirty (Buell XB12X Ulysses Adventure Board) » Archive through October 09, 2014 » Tire Size vs Handling « Previous Next »

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Sugarmcguinnmsncom
Posted on Monday, September 29, 2014 - 01:08 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

That new tire thread recently (A new tire to consider) got me wondering...

I know a lot of you have, or do, run 170/60s on the rear. Hell, a lot of Uly Riders ran 160/60 Distanzia Supermotos.

The little info I could find in the archives "somewhat" implied that the narrower rear tire profile had better handling and feel.
Moreover, numerous threads "gingerly" imply that our Uly rear rims are too small for that 180/55, and that the 170/60 on the rim gives the tire a slightly better, or more "usable" crown. Based on the tire-size calculator profile and comparison figures, the 170/60 tires are nearly identical except for width...

170/60 Comparison Chart




160/60 Comparison Chart






Now, before we go down a rabbit whole... ; )
Yes, the 180/55 Is a great tire and handles incredibly well. Yes, Eric designed it that way. This thread isn't (hopefully) about that : )

I'm just hoping to hear the thoughts from the guys/gals out there running 170/60, or 160/60 rear tires, or have run them and switched back. i.e. - Real World Opinions: )

I guess while we're at it... I've read that a 120/90 front handles better in the dirt and gravel? Anyone running one of those that has any opinion?

Thanks Bad Web! : )
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Froggy
Posted on Monday, September 29, 2014 - 01:41 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Just an FYI on your calculations, those are for car tires, not motorcycle tires. Due to the shape of a car tire, when you put the tire on a different width wheel than it as intended for, only the sidewall gets pushed in or out. On a motorcycle tire, you change its profile, and putting a wider tire on will squish the sidewalls and make it a little taller, affecting handling and also the speedometer due to the larger overall diameter.

Also, while the tires are measured in the same way as car tires, unlike car tires the tread of a motorcycle tire sticks out way beyond the lip of the wheel, so while a 180/55 car tire needs a 7" wide wheel, a 180/55 motorcycle tire needs a 5.5", which is what the XB has.
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Sugarmcguinnmsncom
Posted on Monday, September 29, 2014 - 01:54 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Froogy,

I'm curious how you identified these as car tire specs?

For what it's worth, that calculator stated that there were 28 "motorcycle" tires available in 170/60-17 just to the left of the calculations... Am I confused?

..and specs aside, I still would like to know what peoples experiences are...
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Reepicheep
Posted on Monday, September 29, 2014 - 02:46 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I had both 170's and 180's on my M2 at different times.

It was a noticeable difference. The 180's had a slower turn in. It didn't "ruin" the handling of the bike, but I did like the true 170's better.

The different was similar to the difference between the stock Dunlop D205 (which has a fairly square profile and which would "flop into turns) to a Metzler MeZ6 (which had a rounder profile and had more linear turn in).
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Sugarmcguinnmsncom
Posted on Monday, September 29, 2014 - 03:07 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Hey Reep,

Thanks for the comparison... If memory serves, the M2 has a stock 170 rear...? I think that's actually backwards from what I was going for... from the stock 180/55 "to" a 170/60...
I guess I didn't state it, but my question was kind of Uly specific...

Often I just take it for granted that everyone knows exactly what I'm thinking
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Reepicheep
Posted on Monday, September 29, 2014 - 04:33 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I understood the question, I just didn't have the answer.

So I gave you the closest match. : )
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Sugarmcguinnmsncom
Posted on Monday, September 29, 2014 - 04:37 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Hey Reep,

What's that photo of in your profile? Looks gnarly!
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Reepicheep
Posted on Monday, September 29, 2014 - 05:34 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Pinion gear for the oil pump. You are fine because the Uly came after they switched to some kind of magical alloy, but before that, tolerance stack could cause that gear to wear away to slivers, then grenade in your cam cavity.

Tuber and pre 05 XB owners need to drop the oil pump and take a picture up through that hole (which is the picture in my profile) and look for wear on that gear. Check it in several positions (blip the starter), one side can look perfect when the other side is shot.

Never heard of the new material gear fail.
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Sugarmcguinnmsncom
Posted on Monday, September 29, 2014 - 06:36 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

...interesting... and a bummer
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Etennuly
Posted on Wednesday, October 01, 2014 - 04:29 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I recall a variance between brands on the size vs measurement. I don't have specs on hand, but I used to run the Scorpion Sync 180 55, and I switched to the Michelin Pilot Road II 180 55. There was a fair amount in size and shape difference. The Michelin was smaller in diameter and it had a less balloon like shape than that of the Sync.

As far as handling, the Pilot Road II with it's smaller profile turns in noticeably easier and is better at providing confidence through the corners.


I can't help much with the dirt comparisons.
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Buewulf
Posted on Thursday, October 02, 2014 - 11:03 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I have run the 160 Distanzia. The bike definitely had a more nimble feel to it, though I can't say how much of that can be contributed to the rear tire size vs just general differences in profile. The bike was noticeably easier to turn in and transition side to side, and it did so in a more linear fashion. The tires I had on prior to the Distanzia were Dunlop D616s.

I have a 180 on the bike now because I did a track day a while back and wanted the "right" size tire and a more tarmac-oriented tread for that endeavor. In hindsight, I'd think I would have preferred a 160 on the back to a 180 for the track. I did break the rear loose a few times coming on the gas out of a turn, so would traction have been more of an issue with a 160? I don't know, but I suspect not.

I'll likely mount Distanzias again when these Bridgestones fizzle out, though more for the dirt / tarmac compromise they offer rather than the quicker handling characteristics.
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Sugarmcguinnmsncom
Posted on Thursday, October 02, 2014 - 01:24 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Thanks Buewulf. That is helpful.
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