what are the best size tires to put on these bikes. mine came with 180 55 17 in rear and a 120 70 in front. what size honda put on from the factory?

 

I think most people recomend a 160 on the back because of the rim width, i believe that is the size they came with from the factory. Anything wider supposedly mis-shapes the tire a bit and causes traction loss on heavy cornering. People do put wider tires on though, as you can tell since you have a 180 on the rear of yours now.

Blake

 

thanks man yeah man the 180 on my bike looks more taller and less lean rubber. 160 would look and feel alot better huh? u agree?

 

From what ive read the bike was designed for a 160 tire. Its hard to explain and i dont have the link anymore but what happens if you stretch a 180 over the rim it causes the tire to kind of square off rather than have a nice smooth arch from one side to the other. WIth that nice smooth arch as the bike leans there is more of a contact patch of rubber on the ground. With something like a 180 on there as the bike leans, since its squared off from being stretched over the rim, there is a smaller contact patch.

Blake

 

Also, the stock front size is 120/60ZR, not 120/70. The difference is much less noticeable between those two front tire sizes, especially compared to the rear. The 120/70 is supposed a little more stable but also a little slower on turn in than the stock 120/60. It all depends what your looking for. I personally feel like the f3 needs all the help it can get on turn in and fast turn transitions, since its so much heavier than newer aluminum framed bikes. But some people think its too twitchy.

 

what size tires are on your bike

 

I've switched over to 180 on the rear and 120/70 on the front due to availablity of tires. Although I do agree the turn in is a bit slower, I don't think theres any loss of traction whatsoever.

 

120/60 Front and 160/60 rear are stock sizes I believe.

 

i think there is a loss of traction because the 180 tire seems to mushroom up or expand up causing your cornering surface area to pretty much vanish. im new to riding so you guys would know better than i would

 

Its not even about putting a 180 on the stock rim, Even putting a 5.5 inch rear rim on the back with a 180 changes the complete geometry of the bike.

THeres no point to go to a 180. YOu can get the same great tires in a 160. Stick with what the bike was designed to run. You will be much happier in the handling.