Triumphrat

Archi · 07-19-2006

Obviously, the engineer who determined the tire sizes for this bike had reasons, regardless I will still ask my question anyway.

I have a source for Michelin Pilot sports at a stupendous price, but he has only 160/60-17 or 180/55-17 rears. Is it utterly wrong to use anything but the 170/60 rear? I ask also because certain other bikes allow small changes in tire size. Again, thank you RATs!

j98sprint · 07-19-2006

I'm sure you'd be OK with the smaller tire but I don't know if the larger one would fit, never tried it.

j98sprint

Archi · 07-19-2006

j98,
Our rear rim is 5 inches. From what I can find on some tire sites, you can put a 160/60 on 4 1/2" and 5" rims, but the 180/55 is recommended for 5 1/2" to 6" rims. This may be the answer to my question, but I have to wonder if 1/4" wider than the stock 170 per side is really an issue? I definitely don't want to go smaller.

GeoffE · 07-20-2006

Hi,

The Trophy, Sprint, Sprint Sport, Sprint Executive all have the 170/60 17" tyre as standard. However the rim (Brembo 3-spoke 17") is the same as that fitted to the T300 Daytona and Speed Triple models, which both have the 180/55 17" tyre size as standard.

I have it in mind to change my Sprint to the 180/55 rear tyre size, at its next replacement, which I guess may 'sharpen' the handling up slightly.

For Archi, the 180/55 17" tyre would be okay, given that it is a proven option within the T300 family already. The Michelin Pilot is a "sporty" tyre already (rather than a "touring" tyre), so I am guessing that the 180/55 would suit your riding style?
Hope this helps?

Ciao,
Geoff
:wink:

[ This message was edited by: GeoffE on 2006-07-20 07:59 ]

Archi · 07-20-2006

GeoffE,
If the rim with of the T300 is a 5.0" rim then it follows that the 180/55 would be okay for my bike, but all the fitment charts I've seen show only 170/60 tires for the Sprint Exec.
The reason for the Pilot Sports is cost. I can get track day tires that are barely scuffed for half the retail price. I used them (three rears, one front) on my 2002 Bandit 1200S, and my only complaint is that the rear burned off in about 3,000 miles, but then, we can hardly blame the rear tire for my "lead foot syndrome". I plan to drive much more conservatively now.
And yes, you have been very helpful!

Archi · 07-26-2006

I have found a 1998 Sprint rear rim for sale that I'm told is 6 1/4" wide. The rear rim on the Exec is 5", so now I'm really confused. I sure would like to know if I can put that wider rim on my bike. The picture shows it has three spokes, just like the Exec. Anybody ever changed to a different rear wheel to take advantage of a wider, and more available, rear tire?

sailfish · 07-26-2006

Thought that I'd weigh in on this. My 1998 Sprint Exec has a 5.5 inch rear rim. It's cast into the rim. The 6 1/4 inch measurement sounds like someone is measuring the outside width of the rim not inside to inside where rim measurements are taken.

Regarding tire size I'm thinking that I would not even consider going smaller. The 180 should work fine on the 5.5 inch rim. A larger rear tire will slow down the turning of the bike. Forgive me if I get the bike model or tire size wrong but I think that the 955 Daytona came with the 190 rear tire on it from the factory but it was for the bling factor, it is said to handle better with a 180. I think that I read that somewhere on Triumphrat.net a long time ago. These Sprints aren't razor edged race bikes, I doubt that you'd notice the size difference. If you compare tire charts manufacturer to manufacturer you'll sometimes see a 5mm difference in the 170 "size". What you WILL notice is the sport rubber. Let us know how much fun the Pilot Sports are. (Are you sure they aren't Pilot Race?)

Archi · 07-27-2006

sailfish,
170/60 tires are hard to find in the patterns I like. That's one of the reasons for the interest in the 180/55 size. I just want to be very sure because going bigger than the recommended size has the potential for devastating results. Dunlop, Bridgestone, and Michelin only show 170/60 for our bike, but Pirelli's fitment chart says their 180/55 is suitable for 5.5"-6" rims. I wonder why.

The Dunlops I'm talking about are Pilot Sports.

http://www.ronayers.com/catalogs/tir...ecid=1&type=80

I can get both a front and a rear for $150. That's hard to pass up.

They are a sticky tire suitable for track day or street. The compound is soft, so they can wear quickly. As I mentioned in a previous post, my not-so-mature use of the throttle is how my Bandit 1200 went through three Pilot Sport rear tires in about 10,000 miles. The single front tire held up fine.

I like Metzler's Sportec M-1 because it seems to have more rubber thickness, as does the Michelin Pilot Road. Someday. Someday.

I'm not as aggressive in the turns now as I was five years ago, and my use of the throttle is more sensible.

bajajoaquin · 07-31-2006

You can run a 180 with no problems. I have run them interchangeably with 170s, and really can't tell the difference.

I suppose that there may be some difference in the turn-in, but let's face it: it's heavy, and the steering's a bit slow anyway, so I don't really know that it's all that easy to tell.

However, here's my philosophy on sticky tires: you run out of cornering clearance before you get to the edges of the tires. Why put on really grippy tires, if you can't get to the performance anyway?

Relating to buying tires: if you are buying the Sports, which should last about 2/3 as long as the Roads (or less than that compared to my Z6s), you need to get them for less than 2/3 the cost of the comparable sport-touring tire.

If it were me, I'd look for a sale on any of the big names' sport-touring tires. All the majors make good tires. Just stay away from the Metzeler Z4 if there are any lying around: they suck.

Archi · 07-31-2006

Thanks Baja, that is the kind of info I was looking for in the first place. I will go with the 180/55 tire then.
As to the sticky tires, I agree with everything you've said, but maybe you missed the reason for me getting them: $150 a set, in new condition. Regardless, they don't last as long as road tires, so I'll probably not get the Pilot sports this go-around. Also, thanks for the opinion of the Metz Z4. I'll steer clear of that one (no pun intended).