Rear tire size for the Superhawk
02-07-2013 | 02:44 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2
From: Victoria, BC, Canada
Rear tire size for the Superhawk
Hi there,
I have a 2002 Superhawk and its time for some new rubber. I bought the bike second hand and it came with a 190 50 Rear tire on it. The specs of the bike says it should take 180 55. I have no problem with the ride and cornering of the bike right now, so would you recommend staying with the 190 50, or reducing the size down to the 180 55?
Any advise?
Steve
I have a 2002 Superhawk and its time for some new rubber. I bought the bike second hand and it came with a 190 50 Rear tire on it. The specs of the bike says it should take 180 55. I have no problem with the ride and cornering of the bike right now, so would you recommend staying with the 190 50, or reducing the size down to the 180 55?
Any advise?
Steve
02-07-2013 | 05:40 PM
#4
Banned
MotoGP
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,942
From: Lake View Terrace, CA
I would and do run the stock 180\55 rear.
You can run other sizes but unless you are familiar and understand chassis set up\ rake & trail then you will generally slow down the turn in of the bike.
So if you want to fiddle with things and do some suspension work, then try it if you want.
If you want the best handling with the least amount of changes then run the stock rear tire size.
Of course this is just my opinion and YMMV
You can run other sizes but unless you are familiar and understand chassis set up\ rake & trail then you will generally slow down the turn in of the bike.
So if you want to fiddle with things and do some suspension work, then try it if you want.
If you want the best handling with the least amount of changes then run the stock rear tire size.
Of course this is just my opinion and YMMV
02-07-2013 | 07:17 PM
#5
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,082
From: Menifee, CA
You've got a 5.5 inch rear rim most but not all tire makers recommend 190! Dunlop Q2's say you can do 190 on a 5.5 but 6.0 is the preferred wheel size.
Last edited by HRCA#1; 04-05-2013 at 03:27 PM.
02-08-2013 | 12:32 AM
#6
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,053
From: NYC
I am running a bridgestone 021 190 now. It seems a small 190 but handles well, the last one I had on it was a 180 and I prefer this.
I have also run dunlop 190 qualifiers and I really liked that. If you like how it feels now stick with it. 180s are a bit cheaper but I find the 190 raises rear ride ht and helps it turn in quicker/steer faster.
Oh and in case you havent heard, theres this guy nath around here who LOVES 190s. Hes got tshirts and banners and everything. Its like a cult for hime. Just dont drink the koolaid.
I have also run dunlop 190 qualifiers and I really liked that. If you like how it feels now stick with it. 180s are a bit cheaper but I find the 190 raises rear ride ht and helps it turn in quicker/steer faster.
Oh and in case you havent heard, theres this guy nath around here who LOVES 190s. Hes got tshirts and banners and everything. Its like a cult for hime. Just dont drink the koolaid.
02-08-2013 | 08:45 AM
#7
Member
Squid
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 88
From: Burlington, Ontario, Canada
I am running a bridgestone 021 190 now. It seems a small 190 but handles well, the last one I had on it was a 180 and I prefer this.
I have also run dunlop 190 qualifiers and I really liked that. If you like how it feels now stick with it. 180s are a bit cheaper but I find the 190 raises rear ride ht and helps it turn in quicker/steer faster.
Oh and in case you havent heard, theres this guy nath around here who LOVES 190s. Hes got tshirts and banners and everything. Its like a cult for hime. Just dont drink the koolaid.
I have also run dunlop 190 qualifiers and I really liked that. If you like how it feels now stick with it. 180s are a bit cheaper but I find the 190 raises rear ride ht and helps it turn in quicker/steer faster.
Oh and in case you havent heard, theres this guy nath around here who LOVES 190s. Hes got tshirts and banners and everything. Its like a cult for hime. Just dont drink the koolaid.
BinDareDoneDat !
Note to self - Don't do it again ..
02-08-2013 | 01:44 PM
#8
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2
From: Victoria, BC, Canada
Thanks guys, If I had the 180 on there to begin with I'd just stick with that, but its got a 190 on there now, so I'm not sure if the previous owner changed the set up to suit this. I was looking at buying the Metzeler Sportec M5s. Anyone ran those?
Steve
Steve
02-09-2013 | 02:34 PM
#10
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MotoGP
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,942
From: Lake View Terrace, CA
Other than that the best tires are round, black and have a hole in the center
Also no I haven't ran that tire but most new tires are pretty good now days
02-10-2013 | 08:25 AM
#11
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 807
From: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
I've had M5's and I was very happy with them. After running nothing but Metzelers for about twenty years, I tried Michelin Pilot Powers partly because of reputation but mostly because of price. What the swap underscored for me was that changing from a worn and squared off set of very good sport tires to a fresh set of very good sport tires was a revelation. You'll like the Metzelers but you'd also like Bridgestones, Michelins, Dunlops, Pirellis, etc.
04-05-2013 | 01:00 PM
#12
THE LANE CARVER
Superstock
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 271
From: Houston TX
What did you end up with? And how like it?
I know some riders talk about the profile, but what happens when you add weight to a flexible product with a certain amount of air pressure? It conforms... I've been considering a 190/55 but very interested on feedback from 190/50 riders.
My understanding is the 55 will pinch less.
So what's your feedback??
I know some riders talk about the profile, but what happens when you add weight to a flexible product with a certain amount of air pressure? It conforms... I've been considering a 190/55 but very interested on feedback from 190/50 riders.
My understanding is the 55 will pinch less.
So what's your feedback??
04-05-2013 | 01:20 PM
#13
Banned
MotoGP
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,942
From: Lake View Terrace, CA
What did you end up with? And how like it?
I know some riders talk about the profile, but what happens when you add weight to a flexible product with a certain amount of air pressure? It conforms... I've been considering a 190/55 but very interested on feedback from 190/50 riders.
My understanding is the 55 will pinch less.
So what's your feedback??
I know some riders talk about the profile, but what happens when you add weight to a flexible product with a certain amount of air pressure? It conforms... I've been considering a 190/55 but very interested on feedback from 190/50 riders.
My understanding is the 55 will pinch less.
So what's your feedback??
04-05-2013 | 07:21 PM
#17
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 142
From: Ottawa Ontario
I have a 180 on my VTR and my buddy's VTR has a 190, I rode them back to back, noticeable difference in turning.. the 180 dropped (leaned) with out thinking about it almost intuitively, the 190, you think about it.. It's not going to ruin your handling or anything.. but I felt the180 made the bike feel more nimble.
04-05-2013 | 07:50 PM
#18
THE LANE CARVER
Superstock
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 271
From: Houston TX
I have a 180 on my VTR and my buddy's VTR has a 190, I rode them back to back, noticeable difference in turning.. the 180 dropped (leaned) with out thinking about it almost intuitively, the 190, you think about it.. It's not going to ruin your handling or anything.. but I felt the180 made the bike feel more nimble.
04-05-2013 | 11:37 PM
#19
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MotoGP
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,053
From: NYC
I had the opposite experience. Going from 180-190 made the bike turn way better. (because it raises the rear). Riding 2 different bikes doesnt tell you that. There could be 10 other differences between them. (suspension, tire wear, wheelbase, etc)
04-05-2013 | 11:57 PM
#20
THE LANE CARVER
Superstock
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 271
From: Houston TX
I'm hearing that the 55 gives better profile for the 5.5 in rim. The 180/55 was the standard back when these bikes were made and I may be wrong, but the 190/55 wasn't made back in '97, which has become quite popular and preference amongst most riders. So Joe, was it 190/50 or 190/55? I hear there's a noticeable difference between the two profiles for 190, esp on the 5.5 rim. Glad to see someone had a positive ride with it.
04-06-2013 | 08:57 AM
#21
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 142
From: Ottawa Ontario
I had to ask, he said it's a 190 55 17, then I asked him what he noticed when switching from the 180 to the 190/55. He told me he didn't really notice any differnce going from the stock to the 190.
Smokinjoe- I hear what your saying.. and yes my bike has a few upgrades his does not so that may be what I felt more so then the tire.
I will be sticking with the 180 my self.
Ps. have you looked into tires? that may be more important then size..
most of the guys seem to like the Dunlop Q2's they have been around for a while and proven to be very good.. but there are new tires every year so maybe read a bit..
One such article you may like.
2012 Street Tire Test - Sport Rider Magazine
Just found another review.. it's a little older 2010. but still good info
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/545/82...omparison.aspx
And the new "do it all better then ever tire" Michelin Pilot Power 3, not the road.. just power 3. having held both the Q2 and the Power 3 rear in my hands the Michelins are much lighter and said to be stiffer then last years power pure. if you get them write a review, becuase I don't think any one here has tried them.
Smokinjoe- I hear what your saying.. and yes my bike has a few upgrades his does not so that may be what I felt more so then the tire.
I will be sticking with the 180 my self.
Ps. have you looked into tires? that may be more important then size..
most of the guys seem to like the Dunlop Q2's they have been around for a while and proven to be very good.. but there are new tires every year so maybe read a bit..
One such article you may like.
2012 Street Tire Test - Sport Rider Magazine
Just found another review.. it's a little older 2010. but still good info
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/545/82...omparison.aspx
And the new "do it all better then ever tire" Michelin Pilot Power 3, not the road.. just power 3. having held both the Q2 and the Power 3 rear in my hands the Michelins are much lighter and said to be stiffer then last years power pure. if you get them write a review, becuase I don't think any one here has tried them.
Last edited by Caffeine; 04-07-2013 at 09:53 AM.
04-06-2013 | 09:41 AM
#22
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,053
From: NYC
Yeah, you are right about options but I am not a big sportrider fan. They kinda are marketing to the squid population (sqidrider). I may try the roadsmarts but I dont want eraser soft track ready tires for the city. Its a misuse of them.
04-06-2013 | 10:07 AM
#23
THE LANE CARVER
Superstock
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 271
From: Houston TX
I'm planning on going with 190/55 in either the Q2 or S20
And my research is showing different profiles for each. Im up in the air at the moment, and tryin to read and pick too many brains. I'm just gonna have to make a decision soon...
And my research is showing different profiles for each. Im up in the air at the moment, and tryin to read and pick too many brains. I'm just gonna have to make a decision soon...
04-06-2013 | 10:40 AM
#25
THE LANE CARVER
Superstock
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 271
From: Houston TX
if you're asking me, no. but I dont think a few 'mm' height will make a difference 'to me'. just the way we lean forward would suggest an issue as stated. and the fact that my weight is constantly fluctuating from triathlons and marathons and rest time, it makes no difference to me; and I'm not that technical yet anyway. but I like the idea of having more rubber on the road and confidence of having a meatier tire to keep me from sliding out, esp when I accelerate out. In time I'll get the upgrades.
and my wife likes to ride with me too
and my wife likes to ride with me too
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