I see this question asked repeatedly here... but in my humble opinion ( I don't know much about bikes except to change the oil) the CBR600f2 is already an extremely well-designed and balanced bike w/o a huge rear tire.

Why the need for a fat one?

 

I'm considering a bigger rear tire, not sure if its worth it or not

 

160. end of story.

 

There is zero need for a larger tire, most people IMO want a larger tire for looks.. as it certainly does not improve performance of the bike. The design and geometry of the bike are for a 160, not a 180 or even a 170. Most shops with mechanics who know this will not even mount a larger than stock size.

 

yes and no. Actually many race teams used/use a 170/60 in the rear with a 120/70 in the front. This is a great combo on this bike and is what I am running. However, I do agree that for most people the 160 is great and anything over a 170 is retarded on this bike.


If it ain't broke... don't fix it.

 

Good info!

I used to ride an Ex500 which I thought was a sportbike until I rode my buddy's F2

[X(]


I always hated the skinny rear tire of the Ex500, but realized it was not a sportbike...just a bike trying to look like one...nothing wrong with that it was a great machine

Now I have the F2 and I love the fat, stock rear!

 

keep those votes coming!

 

a fatter rear tire will make the bike feel sluggish and turn slower. most people use it solely for the squid factor of having a wide tire and looking PHAT. the 160 rear tire on the CBR is actually a wide tire for the rim size that comes stock on the bike. thats why on the F2/F3 even with more experienced riders you will see wider than normal "chicken strips" on the edges of the tire. the width of the tire and the narrow rim are making the tire have a taller profile. this causes you to be able to lean the bike over fully with still a little bit of unused tire. unless youre on a racetrack, you will probably have a little bit of strips on this bike. my GSXR for example has no unused ruber whatsoever with a 180 series tire and a 5.5 inch rear rim. the CBR on the other hand has about an inch on both sides and i can get it over just as far as the GSXR. i can even set down my knee in a corner and still not be using the whole tire. any wider and you are wasting even more of that precious rubber that you pay so much for.

 

Simple... small pee-pee & they want to look cool with 1" chicken strips.

It actually hurts handling. The larger the rear tire, the more lean ange that is required. As the bike leans over, the contact parch shifts to the INSIDE of the turn, which makes the bike almost "turn out" Also, larger tire = more weight = slower flick.