What size rear tyre is best?

Baylissboy

New member
May 5, 2017
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1
Stoke-on-Trent
I'm going to be doing a track day on my 1000K4 & I was wondering which rear tyre size you guys were using?

Obviously standard size is 190/50/17 but I've heard of people using 180.55/17 to "quicken" the transfer from right to left & vice versa.

Any thoughts?
 

Underdog

Super Moderator
Staff member
Oct 24, 2016
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The 180 would in theory make it flick faster but as with everything, where you gain in one place you lose in another and at a guess(and it's only a guess) I'd say you would lose stability at speed, how much you'd lose I couldn't say but the contact patch would be smaller
 

Tarmac

New member
Jan 31, 2014
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Hemel Hempstead, UK
I run a 190/55/17 on my 1000L3 found it quickened the turn rate nicely for me, and as a thought, they have changed to a 190/55 at the rear on the new GSXR this year.
 

Groke

New member
Sep 25, 2017
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Just got me a 750 K4. It has 190 rear tyre. Should I switch back to original sizing 180/55?

I have understood 190 is too wide for 5,5" rim.
 

Tarmac

New member
Jan 31, 2014
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1
Hemel Hempstead, UK
Hi Groke,

if your just using your bike on the road then i would suggest using the standard 180.

I always used the standard size on my old K8 750, there is a lot of choice out there depending on your riding style and what you use your bike for.

regards

Tarmac
 

Baylissboy

New member
May 5, 2017
11
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1
Stoke-on-Trent
Hi guys,

I did the track day....rained for 1/2 the day.....so going out with any size Supercorsa would have been a bad idea!!

I did go for a 190/55/17 which did work very well when it did stop raining!!

I've got the track day bug now...so I've sourced a pair of spare wheels so I can run wets if required. I've got a pair of Pirelli Diablo wets fitted to them.

I'm also looking at having a third set of wheels so I can run slicks. I've been looking at Metzeler Comp K's which are basically a road type tyre construction but with no tread pattern.....anybody tried them?
 

Peter Czibolya

New member
Apr 19, 2020
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I have used 195/65 KR108 MS02, 200/60 SuperbikeSC2, 200/655 V02 Medium, 195/55 D211 tires at the racetrack all of them was very good on the OEM 6" RIM.

The worst size was the original 190/50 flat profile tire...