I run both 190 & 180 on my R1 & 996, depending on what i get my hands on at the time. I find the 180 makes the bikes turn in quicker in general although the 190 "looks" more pleasing to my eye. Currently running a 180 on the 996 and a 190 on the R1 this time around. If I remember rightly in the Performance Bikes Magazine 748/916/996 suspension setup guide they recommend a 180 also for the best handling with their settings.
Yes, you can use a 190 on a 5.5 with absolutely NO issues. Infact I recommend it regardless of whether its a 748/998. Feel is subjective - and unless you are on a trackday testing back to back 180/190 tyres of the same manufacturer - the Feel is just changing to new rubber. Using pirelli/Michelin/Dunlop tyres as examples - michelin power 3 180 vs pirelli supercorsa 180s. They are supposed to be the same width but they aren't. Dunlop vs other 120 front tyres - they should be 120, but dunlop sportsmart is slightly wider. Another example is michelin 200 vs pirelli 200 - please measure and tell me what you get. A reality is that the current gen pirelli v2 180/60 is a direct replacement for the 190/55 and are not far off. I've used 180/60, 190/55, 195/65, 195/75 tyres on my 5.5 rim back to back during testing/racing/trackdays, and can say that 180/60 - 190/55 - I can't tell a diff. Obviously 195/65 - the tyre sits taller. Also, alot of the times when people change say from a 190 to a 180, they say the tyre immediately feels better. Most likely the need to change the tyre is due to usage - resulting a squared off or worn tyre. New tyres no matter 180 or 190 would improve the feel. Also, my tyre warmers are too big for the 180/55 michelin power 3 - just right for the pirelli supercorsa. Just saying, new tyres>>whatever size they are.
that's what makes life interesting - having different opinions and no-one to judge who's right or wrong most of the time. But I still agree with RabbitStew :wink:
Ofcourse, different opinion such as whether you like or dislike a certain size or tyre is interesting and in those circumstances, I have no advice to offer. However, a fact is that all the tyres measure differently which makes the imprint on the sidewall of whether its 180/190 irrelevant. Now, this is a fact which unfortunately is not opinion based.
in that case i'm going 225 when mine wears out - seriously I take your point that manufacturers tyre dimensions differ slightly, I still have a Michelin bible from over 25 years ago but taking the width dimensions nominally I believe (as do easily the majority I have ever spoken to on the subject) that a std 748/916/996 needs no more than a (nominally dimensioned) 180 width tyre when used on the road and that is a worthy and valid opinion.
