yeah i know all about the compound(used to work in a stealer ship in service for 5 years) i was kinda referring to the shorter front tire stock-120-70-17 installed-120-60-17

 

Huge difference. The 120/70 tire means the height is 70% of the width (120). 70% of 120mm is 84mm. 60% of 120mm is 72. That means the axle is 12mm lower with the 120/60 tire. The rake and trail are changed a bunch. In the old days, we would just raise the fork tube in the triple clamp a couple mm to quicken the steering. If it's too quick, you can lower the fork tube a bit in the triple clamp.

 

thats the answer i was looking for. Thanks slow Yeah the bike dips in to the turns a lot faster and i really like it. Feels great in the turns. Took me a day to get used to it.

 

I think I've always run the 120/60 on mine. I didn't realize that's what you were talking about, herb. Yeah, it turns a bit quicker like slowpoke pointed out.

On the mold release compound.... If you ask the manufacturers nowadays, they say they don't use it. Dunlop says they haven't used it on moto tires since like '06. They recommend that you get used to your new tires for some amount of time, (usually 100, but michelin says 20) but that sounds like lawyer talk.
I will agree that brand new tires look smoother than used ones... but I've never had to "scrub" them in for more than about 2miles and they seem to grip fine. If you've ever been to the track, you'll see peeps changing tires all day... and even doing the warmup lap with the stickers still on them. Seems like if they needed 100miles before they got down, they'd never get down. lol.

 

Some guys swear by cleaning new tyres with alcohol...I'd just drink it, then swear .
I think Michelin still use some kind of release agent but there's been debate for years over scrub in or not. I guess it's a bit of legal **** covering too.

On the profile though, I wonder how the different tyre will affect the dreaded cupping.

 

Ha! That's what I would do, too.
I've heard that alcohol thing, too, though. I actually asked my buddy Dave what he did with new tires and he said he just took them easy a lap and then went all out. He said the buells laying oil on the track was a bigger concern.

My last dunflops cupped like a bitch, but the michelins have been great. Same size, so I dunno.

 

There is definately something on tyres when you first buy them, the first corner you take out of the shop is like you are on ice! I always forget (even though the tyre guy reminded me 5 minutes before) and it usually threatens to let go on me.

The hurricane I now ride, I bought as an insurance write-off, it had obviously been in a low-side, lots of damage down the right hand side, and the rear tyre was brand new, couldn't even see the center line had been scrubbed in (and there was a nice scuff running all the way to the tyre's shoulder in 1 place.)

My opinion is that after you roll on that bit of tyre for a second or so it's scrubbed in though, just lean slowly into the first few sharp corners and from then on it seems fine. My opinion isn't worth very much though

Tim.