So I have been looking into getting those tires for my 2004 f4i. Wanted to check with you guys about a couple of things. Yes, I have searched prior to posting. Any links would be appreciated and of course your advice as well.

question 1: I know the stock size for the rear is 180/55-17, but have read and heard about upping it to 190/55-17. Would it be worth it to up it to a 190? What would be the benefits/deficits would I see/feel?

Question 2: The shop where I stored my bike for the winter (live in Boston) wanted what I felt was a ridiculous price for those tires (somewhere around $600 for the set of tires, not installed). I will be speaking with someone on Monday at the shop who can give me better details on the pricing for the tires including weighting and balancing. Found a price online for front and rear for around $400 for the set with free shipping. 180/55-17 for $163, 190/55-17 for $195, 120/70-17 for $124 Prices found at motorcycle-superstore. What have you guys found on prices for these?

 

for the money i'd go with either michelin pilot power 2cts or pirelli diablo corsa IIIs

i think their road holding ability is almost as high and with dual compound you'll get more life out of them

i just got some 2cts for $400

 

$600 is insane, that's what slicks cost. Going from 190/50 to a 190/55 gives a taller tire and more contact patch but a lot of people run 180/55 (even on liter bikes) and since the 180/55 is cheaper I'd go with that option.

 

$600 is way too much.

 

personally i don't think it makes that big of a difference for street riding whether it's a 180/190 or 55/50 tire

a 180/55 is stock and has the steepest profile to give you a quick lean over/direction change
a 190/50 is the flattest profile and will have the largest contact patch therefore will feel more stable than the others
i think they're so close that it doesn't matter unless you're on the track

if you are dead set on that tire i'd buy them online and if you can possibly take your wheels off the bike most dealers will charge you less if you just bring the wheels/tires as opposed to having to take them off the bike themselves

 

even 400# for 2cts is too much haha. I got metz M3s for around 250$ i think for a set, back one has around 4k miles on it and going strong, front has around 5k on it or so.

 

I just put Diablo Corsas this last fall on mine for 245 bucks mounted and balanced, and Iv'e been real happy with them so far. As for changing tire size I'd stick to the stock size, some engineer spent a crap load of time finding what works best on your bike and its probably not the best idea to just arbitrarily change it.

 

Thanks for the info guys!

 

just because it comes stock doesn't mean it's the greatest thing since sliced bread

if that was the case nobody would need power commanders/aftermarket air fliters/exhausts