More rubber

[s2kf4isabre]

Anyone have any experience running a 190 on the rear? My friend who supplies me race takeoffs finds it much easier to provide me those, instead of the standard 180. I'll be running mostly on street, with some track here and there. There appears to be plenty of clearance for a larger tire. I've had no issues w/ performance while running 180.

Thanks!

[Ricochet_Rabbit]

The 190/50 was used on the earlier gen S3 so you shouldn't have any problem. Many sport bikes came with that size and it's common to go to the 180/55 and vice-versa.

However, I'd be leary of putting race take-offs on my bike. They're probably pretty much worn out by the time you get them.

[s2kf4isabre]

Originally Posted by Ricochet_Rabbit

The 190/50 was used on the earlier gen S3 so you shouldn't have any problem. Many sport bikes came with that size and it's common to go to the 180/55 and vice-versa.

However, I'd be leary of putting race take-offs on my bike. They're probably pretty much worn out by the time you get them.

Cool, it's good to know that older S3's use 190's - I should be fine then.

Race take off's that have only been used for single day track session should be good for another session + lots of mileage (relatively) on the street. Lots of my friends have ridden them, and I've already done so once (track + street) with nothing but positive results.

[bkrbil]

The reason Triumph went back to 180 rears was for improved handling characteristics.

[motorep]

Early S3's with 190's had 6" wheels, which is what 190's require. If you've got a 180 and a 5.5" wheel, stay with it.

[Buster]

Originally Posted by s2kf4isabre

Cool, it's good to know that older S3's use 190's - I should be fine then.

Race take off's that have only been used for single day track session should be good for another session + lots of mileage (relatively) on the street. Lots of my friends have ridden them, and I've already done so once (track + street) with nothing but positive results.

Race tires can stand only a few heat cycles and are old/worn/? after that as far as I know....A normal road tire performs much better/ keeps its characteristics after a few heat cycles, so your statement about ex race tyres being ok for many road miles is doubtfull IMHO... Anyone else?

[welshrob]

Race tyres are no good on the road, they just don`t get hot enough to generate any grip and cool right down at Traffic lights etc. They also expand too much at sustained high speed and can end up rubbing the swingarm.

[s2kf4isabre]

Cool, awesome feedback guys - thanks. I'm going to try the 190 out, and run it for a week on the street - if that works, I'll track it. Otherwise if handling is just out of wack or just feels too different, I'll swap out for a 180.

However as a counterpoint, I am a firm believer that race tires are fine for the street, based off 1k mi myself (avg trip ~10-40 miles) and thousands of other miles friends of mine have put on race take-offs (who ride aggressively on street). I went from Pilot powers (5k+) to Pirelli Supercorsas (180 stock size) - and the Pirelli's for me hold high speed turns better and are less "nervous". Never had a problem with traction. Then again, I've never had traction issues with the Pilot Powers on the street either .

I don't doubt they take longer to warm up, and are probably more prone to performance degradation w/ increased heat cycles - but I've never had problems. Perhaps the performance, factoring in any degradation, is still better than that of the Pilot Powers. I'm sure everyone will have their own experiences - these are just mine.

[Buster]

Originally Posted by s2kf4isabre

. I went from Pilot powers (5k+) to Pirelli Supercorsas (180 stock size) - .

Supercorsa's are not 100% racetyres, the perform well on a circuit and have street homologation, so the comments were not meant for these... they are in the same league as michelin pilot power race.. so will suit the S3 perfect IMO

see:

http://www.pirellityre.com/web/catal...SA_PRO_HIP.xml

sh... I dont know how to "post" url's like before?!

[dblhelx]

My last bike, 2005 CBR1000rr came stock with a 190. My friend hooked me up with an almost brand new 180 and I slapped that on since my rear was bald. it was free, why not.

I gotta say, with the 180 on it it sure did handle a bit better in the non stop twisties, maybe just a little easier to flick it? Went back to the standard 190 when that 180 was toast and it felt a bit more laborious to flick the bike around.

Not MUCH difference in tire size, but sure made it feel slightly more laborious to flick.

It's like when Cheapbastard is used to flicking his boyfriend's extra thick meat...then goes back to his little needle pecker.....it just FEELS easier to flick his little pee pee.