First of all, yes I did search and found a little info.

But the PO put a shinko tire on, I hate how it looks and I'm not comfortable leaning with that tire on. Its massive too, 190mm wide. I forget how tall.

So I need new tires front and rear. I'm thinking michelin pilot powers. Is a 170 rear pretty standard? What ratio should I go with for height? besides raising it in the rear, a slight contact patch difference and speedo/odo changes what are the differences?

And I read if you go with a 120/70/17 in the front instead of 120-60-17 you will rub the fender, so I'll just go with a 60 unless someone here gives me a reason to go with the 70.

If you suggest another tire that would be awesome too! I was checking out Q2's, I have nothing against them. I don't need 2ct's or a full on race tire, but I would like something with a level of performance to it.

 

If you have a 2001 F4i like your sig line says, your OEM tire sizes are:
Front - 120/70
Rear - 180/55

ETA: Q2's are being used by track schools, so they have to have a good level of performance to them. ;-)

 

i have over 4,600 miles on the q2s mostly on canyon rides and i can confirm that they grip well...

i will be replacing them this week and you can get the q2s at a very good price right now...

Ridedirect.com - Dunlop Sportmax q2

 

I say go stock as far as dimensions... 180/55 should have that sucker turning in faster than you're comfy with.

As far as choosing a tire, keep this in mind; talk to any pro racer, ANY pro racer who raced in the 90s and before. A modern street performance tire's ability to grip eclipses anything they ever used on the track.... so basically, until you can hit their level of race pace, it's probably not gonna make too much of a difference.

 

I would personally also go with stock sizes although I do like how the 190 rear looks in general (haven't seen it on a 6 before).

The tires I use are Michelin Road 2's and will be replacing the rear soon with a Road 3. Good grip (in wet too) and very good mileage. The rear has close to 15 k on it and I still has enough thread left. I changed the front maybe 6 k or so ago and It looks brand new (no squaring off at all).

 

I really wanted to go with the Michelin Road 3's this time around, but the guy at the shop told me it was a bad idea because i've got a "sport bike". Do you get any slippage when you really give it the yank?

 

I can yank it all day (that's what she said) and never feel a slip, unless it's slippery (railroad tracks, white lines, gravel etc. but that obviously makes sense. I've even been on an icy roads with them in the winter. ) They give me excellent all round traction from rain, to leaning over hard and I'll be sticking with the Road's for all my future bikes. The guy at the shop is retarded. I've seen 600RR's and similar bikes with the Road 2's on at the dealership and I recently saw a F4i with the Road 3's on the showroom floor.

Get them, you won't be disappointing I'm sure.

 

PS: I'm going to put them on a '04/'05 1000RR once I get it.

 

Oh that's another question I had...Since I'm still new to street bikes how many miles should I expect from a pair of tires? Do your front and rear wear out at about the same time or do you go through 2 rear tires in the time you wear out one front (like dirtbikes)? Obviously it won't last as many track miles as street miles but I'm just looking for a good general average (I haven't been to a track yet)

 

Well hard to say really.. Like I said my rear tire has a bunch of miles on it and it outlasted a Pilot power (I believe) that came on the bike when I bought it. Only lasted like 6 k miles and that was ssttttretching it (squared off). My Road 2 front tire could be sold as a new one. It will last me a **** load of km's for sure even though I ride a lot. I could probably stretch the rear another couple k's before getting a new one. They are that good. I'm getting a new one a few weeks before my 4500km summer tour through Europe which will be in August.