The 190 vs 180 rear tire debate.....
Personally I use a 180/55x17" on 5.5, 5.75 and 6" rear wheel sets. The 180 is generally lighter in weight, has a smaller but more than adequate contact patch, and aids the turning/transition of the bikes directions....so for turning especially in twistie canyons and/or tight sections of road/track, the 180 works best for most....
The 190 rear tire gives you that bigger more impressive look....it gets the pover to the ground with a larger contact patch but makes the bike respond/corner much slower...for very high speed high ways and wide open sweeping turns, it does well....But I personally would still go to a 180....
The same type of debate can be applied to the front tire. With the 17" wheel set; you can use a 120/70x17" or 120/65, or 120/60.....
The tires you use can be "tuned"/changed to change ride height, turning response and even the suspensions response to the road....( the suspension of the bike starts with the tires...into the wheel sets, into the forks/shock(s), and into the frame to the rider).....
On most of my bikes I use a 120/60x17 front....but most of my riding is in the high mountain Rocky Mountain canyons in my back yard.....and for this application, and for my riding style, I like a quick responding front end on the bike ( I also like Magnesium wheels and top of the line brakes and suspension components, and if the bike does not come with these I change to them early on....)....
The contour and "cut" of the tire as well as its shape and profile can all be changed with different tires....
Most bikes have a specific tire that works best for it....just as most riders who push the limits will discover a tire they like best for them on a particular machine, for a particular application....I have a few bikes I ride, that have a number of different wheel/tire sets that I can change depending on where/when I go ride....even the weather and temperature can affect decisions on tires used...
I strongly recommend that you discover for yourself what works best for you and/or your bike.....tires are really more a personal choice than most realize....
But if you are just a poser, and/or ride like an old lady with bad eye sight...then it really doesnot matter what you use....but then why are you on this website????
Just my old man/been there done that comment for the am....
:later: :stickpoke :cross: :conveyer: