My new project desperately needs a new set of boots - having read a few threads it seems 180/55s are preferred for encouraging turn in. My question is has anyone tried the steeper profile on Michelin tyres - say Power Road 5 or Power GP? I’ve got Power GPs on my S1000RR and they are way ‘tippier’ than the Bridgestone S22s on my Blade (if a little less stable mid turn- and yes I appreciate the BMW turns quicker anyway!) Would prefer to stick to 190/50 if poss but ideally have best of both worlds and not end up with a supertanker on the bends. Bike will be used 80/20 road/track. Thanks for advice!
if you have a 5.5 inch wheel on the back the 180 is perfect. i went for metzelers race tec tyres on my 996
Why do you prefer to stick with a 190? Imo 180 is better all around; taller so it does promote turn in, but ime even more pronounced than that was how much better the 180 is at holding a line on the gas out of the corner than the 190. This is the main reason I run a 180. Oh, that and the fact a 180 is lighter than a 190. A 180/60 is available that looks pretty full phat on the bike if you're after the wider appearance of the 190
I’m restoring the bike as far as possible to OE spec, and tyre size just felt like something that might as well be correct. All points about the 180 taken on board though! 180/60 I bet looks great but probably lengthens the already long gearing even more?!
I think it's effects on gearing would be minimal. Definitely at the 15/41 gearing I run Are you going to running stock gearing as well ?! Imo if the bike is going to be ridden a couple of things, including gearing and tire size, just have to be changed because as stock both of those make the 996 a much "lazier" bike than it needs to be
There is a distinct argument to change the gearing, change the tyres and optimise the bike for riding as opposed to just hitting OE spec!
I think the "spirit" of OE spec can be maintained, especially at the visual level, while also optimizing the bike for the riding experience. OE spec is optimized for the legislative requirement, and the "average" owner/rider, not the riding experience
Has anyone tried 190/55s on these? It’s a recommended change from 190/50 on mid noughties blades to help with turn in. Obviously appreciate it’ll lengthen gearing etc
Not much in it to be honest mate, was bit quicker turning in but not much. Use 190 on the rest of the fleet other than 200 on the pani.
