Need a rear tire soon, just thinking about getting a 200 on the back. Basically more of a contact patch for wheelies and looks. I'm not into twisties so not really concerned about cornering. Any thoughts?? What brand also. thanks in advance.

 

Hello,

I've never run a 200, but I do have a slightly used (85-90% tread life left) 200/50 Metzeler M-1 (one of the best tire makers) that I'm trying to sell.

I'd let it go for $75 + shipping if you're interested.

 

im running a PIRELLI DIABLO 190 it looks big so far so good

 

I run a 180 on the back. Size isn't that big of a deal unless you are wanting the look of a fat tire. Save your money and buy the 180 because wether you are riding the twisties or the straights you will only use so much of a tire period. If you are not going to ride the curves that much I would buy the smallest I could get because the smaller the tire the less weight and the less weight then the less rotating mass and if you have less rotating mass then you are freeing up more horse power to the ground. Class dismissed

 

I definitely feel you on wanting the bigger look but ask your mechanic (if you use one) about " the bigger the tire, the bigger the contact patch" myth. He'll tell you that actually your contact patch will be smaller since you basically have to 'pinch' the 200 to fit the same size rim as the 180 fits in comfortably. Save your money and if you have to go bigger, stick with a 190 at most. Good luck!

 

That is true about the "pinch" which will make the side of the tire basically unusable since the tire side wall will be so steep that if you lean it over that far it will probally just loose traction and cause a crash..but the 929/954 use a 190 stock ( 6.0" rim) so it is possible to use a 200, but if you only have a rim designed for a 180 ( 5.5" rear rim) you might have the problems I suggested

 

I have a 200/50/17 shinko 005 advance radial on mine. it clears fine. the shinko is more flat than curved rather than a 190 so you'll get a more more on the pavement. if you ride wheelies they work best at 18psi. you have to go that low on a shinko get rid of tire wobble in wheelies

 

uuuuuhhhhhhhhhhhhh... Although this is my first post, I have been a lurker for some time. That said, I can't believe no one jumped on this. You have a SPORT bike, which is to say it has a CHASSIS, which is to say it was DESIGNED for corners. Why on earth did you buy a 954 if you don't do corners?????? I just don't get that.

That said, you will FUBAR the handling characteristics of the bike with a 200. Engineers are pretty smart, bling is pretty stupid. If I need to explain it, here it is: it will totally mess up the aspect ratio of the tire and actually give you less of a contact patch. It is somewhat popular to actually go to a 180 for different handling.

Flame away, but after 13 years of riding nothing but sportbikes, I'd have to say this is a rather silly question.

 

i have a 200, have been running a 200 for a while, and i love the look and it doens't really **** me up in the corners...

 

Even thou the stamp on the side wall may state 190 or 200 or 180 it is not the true or exact width of the tire.
You will nedd a micrometer to measure, it's almost like you tennis shoes, some manufactures run bigger.(or smaller)
If I remeber correctly bridgstone stamps 180, upon measuring it's actually a 170.
Another thing is the profile is it a 50 or 55 series?
Either way putting a 200 on a sport bike is probably the most asinign thing EVER.
I put Pilot Powers on my 954 with a 180 on the rear, the series # seem's to be off so I had to go 2 clicks up in the rear to help put more weight on the front..

Are you confused yet??? GOOD!!