Thoughts on running a 180/55 on a 2005 R1? : Yamaha R1 Forum

pg_rider · 03-25-2009, 10:37 AM

My wife and I share our 2005 R1. I'm currently running a 190/55 take-off that she hates because it's so tall (she can't comfortably reach the ground). I need new tires so I'm thinking of going with a 180/55 which I used to run on my '99 R1 and loved. When I do the math though it looks like a 190/50 would actually be the "shortest" tire.

I'm planning on going with Dunlop Qualifiers -- can anyone speak as to how the 180 would feel compared to either of the 190's? Is there someplace I can find the actual measured heights of each of the tires?

bmacknyc1k · 03-25-2009, 10:52 AM

I am running a 180/55 tire on my 07 R1, and it is a tad taller than the 190/50, but the 190/55 is a lot taller....I am very happy with the 180/55, plus it's cheaper, and a lot quicker turn in, and it's also lighter if that helps....180/55 is definitely better than 190/50

Daekwan · 03-25-2009, 11:26 AM

I dont understand.. the 190/50 comes stock on the bike & its the shortest tire (which would benefit your wife best). Why are you even interested in the 180/55?

***DanQ*** · 03-25-2009, 11:37 AM

There is a thread discussing this that is a sticky.

http://www.r1-forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=206443

pg_rider · 03-25-2009, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daekwan

I dont understand.. the 190/50 comes stock on the bike & its the shortest tire (which would benefit your wife best). Why are you even interested in the 180/55?

Fair question. You're right about the 190/50 being the shortest which is great, but the 180 is only slightly taller and if there's a handling benefit to the 180 vs the 190/50 then I'd prefer it. Just because the bike came stock with the 190/50 doesn't mean it's the best...

steveWFL · 03-25-2009, 11:42 AM

a picture tells a million words......

bmacknyc1k · 03-25-2009, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pg_rider

Fair question. You're right about the 190/50 being the shortest which is great, but the 180 is only slightly taller and if there's a handling benefit to the 180 vs the 190/50 then I'd prefer it. Just because the bike came stock with the 190/50 doesn't mean it's the best...

bender · 03-25-2009, 09:00 PM

Go with the 190/55 and just put your wife in the rack for a few minutes a day.

SoCal05R1 · 03-25-2009, 10:21 PM

I just went from a 180/50 to a 190/55 on my 05 r1. Im not a proffesional rider at all, but in MY opinion I will NEVER use a 180 tire at all. If your choosing the 180 just for the height then go for it, but as far as performance there is no comparison in my opinion. The 190/55 combo just makes me more confident in all aspects of the bike, speed, cornering, turn in....... My 180 was a PP and my 190 is a 2ct btw

bmacknyc1k · 03-26-2009, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCal05R1

I just went from a 180/50 to a 190/55 on my 05 r1. Im not a proffesional rider at all, but in MY opinion I will NEVER use a 180 tire at all. If your choosing the 180 just for the height then go for it, but as far as performance there is no comparison in my opinion. The 190/55 combo just makes me more confident in all aspects of the bike, speed, cornering, turn in....... My 180 was a PP and my 190 is a 2ct btw

do you mean a 180/55 or a 190/50

brennahm · 04-01-2009, 07:09 PM

When I bought my bike it had a 180 on it. I never gave it a second thought and didn't realize stock recc. was a 190 until it was time for replacements. I never felt uncomfortable on the 180, and as squidly as I was with real sportbikes I was pleased that I could easily scrub the whole tire, edge to edge.

When I replaced it that first time I moved to a 190 since I figured the guy who owned the bike before me was just trying to save money. I still cannot (Except when I'm being really stupid) scrub the 190 at the edges and when I'm at that limit it's not the most reassuring feeling.

Now I'm headed to the track for the first time next Saturday and I've been offered use of some Power Race tires but the rear is a 180. I was going to ask if anyone thought this was a bad idea (is it?) but on the other hand I may have answered my own question.

Was I more comfortable on the 180 when I bought the bike because it has a better footprint leaned over or because it doesn't allow you to lean as far?

180's do come stock on 600's but their rims are usually a half inch narrower...

SoCal05R1 · 04-01-2009, 07:22 PM

My bike also when purchased used had a 180/50 rear. I rode on that for a while but just switched to a 190/55. Ill never go back to the 180 set up.

brennahm · 04-01-2009, 10:56 PM

Ya, I don't want to for any time, I'm just contemplating pros and cons of taking advantage of the setup for free for my first track day. I'm probably going to do it unless someone comes up with something I haven't thought of, but as I'll be taking it relatively easy anyway I don't see it being too big of an issue.

1cheapr1 · 04-02-2009, 10:56 PM

most of my buddies run 180's on the back when they are on the track

jdaniel · 04-03-2009, 12:33 AM

My stock 06 will easily spin a 190/55 Power Race on corner exit, turn 4 at Barber is an excercise in throttle discipline. I can only imagine the finese you would need to keep a 180 underneath you. But if you can maintain a moderate pace and control your throttle free is a good price for tires.

tiatool · 04-03-2009, 12:57 AM

Stolen from a buddy on another forum, but the truth is the truth.

I found a few places where people were discussing 180 versus 190 tires on liter bikes. It appears that some time ago tire choices were more limited and people had to choose from a 180/55 or a 190/50. If those are the only choices, racers were going with the 180/55 due to the advantage of the steeper profile of the tire. Now that 190/55 tires are readily available, it appears nobody runs a 180/55 on a 6 inch rim any longer. The resounding opinion is that the 190/55 provides both the profile advantage of the 180/55 and an increased contact patch. When riders are putting 150+ horsepower down, they want as much grip as they can get. As a matter of fact, I found references to newer tires that are 200's. I think Dunlop is making those.

So... cliff notes. 180/55 tires were used instead of 190/50 "back in the day". The 190/55 is better now because it offers the steeper profile of the 180/55 and an increased contact patch.

fiveoh · 04-03-2009, 06:47 AM

180/55 is not worth while on a 6" rim. You can argue all day about what it's profile shape is vs a 190/50, but the reality is that every tire model has a different profile shape, and a 180 when stretched out to fit a 6" wide rim does not have a great profile. You are going to end up with less rubber on the ground and that isn't a good thing on a liter bike.

For years now people have been using 190/55's on 600's at the track and nobody races a 1000 with a 180 tire.

Switching to a high performance 190/50 or 190/55, trying different tire pressures and small ride height changes will be more than enough to get your bike steering how you like it.

brennahm · 04-03-2009, 09:30 AM

Thanks guys. This is exactly what I was hoping I would get. Of course in the future I'll buy 190/55's, and I didn't expect it, but just happy to see nobody is freaking out that I would consider this set-up. Also, I'm not racing, just hitting a local - crowded - track day for the first time. I don't expect to want to push the limits even if that was going to be an option. Thanks again everybody.

fiveoh · 04-03-2009, 09:35 AM

I would absolutely recommend against running a 180 at the track.

SoCal05R1 · 04-03-2009, 10:57 PM

my 05 r1 was and is my first liker bike and from the moment I bought it I felt something was wrong when riding it at my local canyon spot. Buddy of mine noticed the 180 rear and pointed out that, that could be the reason the bike felt "weird". Now with the 190/55 rear, the bike finally feels right and it makes me more confident riding it.