I'd love to try one as IIRC the 74xR series had amazing handling due to different geometry to the later series bikes: steeper rake and a longer swingarm. The 1x98 series changed from this spec, I don't know why. Apparently race bikes use a longer swingarm and different offset yokes. I checked this at Riders as they had their Challenge race bike in the showroom - I could almost get my fist between the wheel and swingarm, and that was with a 60 profile tyre.
What tyres are you running on the bike and stop comparing it to a RC8 different manufacturer and suspension Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Don't get me wrong, I love my 848. But the RC8 opened my eyes about how well a bike can handle. I'm not comparing them and not saying one is better than the other, they're completely different in lots of ways, but at the end of the day they are both variations on the same physical design principal: a two wheel, single track, suspended motorcycle. Tyres are normally 180/55 Dunlop D211, though I just bought a new Conti Sport Attack for the street. I bought a 2nd hand rear wheel for it that happened to have a 190/55 D211 fitted (which is due to go on the RC8) and was curious a) if it would fit b) what it would feel like. Aside from the effect of some extra height from the taller tyre I can't really tell much difference to the 180. Certainly not on the street.
That was the other thing u could try, putting a 180/60 on the rear... Some seem to like them as it helps to give them a slighter taller profile and tip in with more lean grip. The 899 has them as standard of course but you can't compare them because the bikes are so utterly different. I would have tried a '60' on my 848 for aure Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I was skeptical a 180/60 would fit as its even taller than a 190/55, but seeing how much space I still have with the 190 I reckon it'll go on just fine. Plenty of 180/60 scrubs about to try
Really? Another 7mm of ride height wouldn't go amiss I reckon I will be going back to 180s and don;t want to go backwards with the ride height. Shame I Bought that bloody 180/55 conti!
Crunching the numbers: 180*60/100 = 108 190*55/100 = 104.5 If I've done the maths right thats potentially another 3.5mm of extra height over even the 190 that's on there now
Have a look on the other forum mate there is a thread on it at the mo. But yeah, I put a 190 once on my cbr600rr and it was horrible to ride! I really don't think u can run 190's on 5.5 inch rims as I think they 'balloon' but it's personal opinion. Remember that 55/60 is a relational percentage on the width, so the chances are a 180/60 will be about the same rolling size as the 190. However tyre brands do vary also! Touring tyres tend to have very smooth curved radius so potentially not as tall, where as race tyres are shaped more like a 'V'. Sorry don't mean to teach u to suck eggs... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I'll take a look over on the 'dark side' now :tearsofjoy: See my previous post re maths. I've heard about the ballooning too, it didn't seem to be an issue with that D211, still plenty of clearance with the chain and it didn't look bulgy compared to the 180. I imagine the D211 is a lot different carcass construction to most other tyres as they're designed to run as extremely low pressures so other tyres may well balloon too much. Of course the sensible thing would be to simply go out to the garage an measure the bloody tyre height!
Aha thanks for the info toby. Yeah I'm still getting my head around what variable is responsible for which handling characteristic. The rc8 saga was a real eye opener.