Red1
Expert Class
Posts: 442
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posted July 19, 2002 03:15 PM
180 TIRES
Doug,
There are several individuals that have swapped their size 200 tires for 180 or 190 size tires. The word is that the bike turns much quicker and handles better. I'm wondering what your thoughts are on replacing the 200 with a 180.
Thanks,
Red
  
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silver01bullit
Expert Class
on here too much
Posts: 333
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posted July 19, 2002 04:26 PM
next paycheck I've got some 190/55 rennsports ordered, $335 with my discount
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redelk
Moderator
Please... speak to the hand.
Posts: 3212
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posted July 19, 2002 06:08 PM
Search my son... SEARCH!
Do a search using "180", "180/55" or "190" and you will find dozens of threads with numerous posts on this very topic. They are full of facts and... opinions (including mine).
You'll find such threads as this...
http://www.bikeland.org/board/viewthread.php?FID=1&TID=704
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There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.
-Ernest Hemingway
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GOZR
Zone Head
GOZR
Posts: 716
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posted July 20, 2002 07:03 AM
 Edited By: GOZR on 20 Jul 2002 08:34
???
Since the 180 would be more round than the 190 and closer to the 200 on diam", i realy think that i'm going to get the 180 and i presume that it would be a better choice for the twisties..
Redlek last word?
yes? no?
i am getting it?
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-G
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Red1
Expert Class
Posts: 442
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posted July 20, 2002 08:42 AM
Redelk,
I appreaciate the link to the threads. I have read some of the other threads related to this topic but I wanted input from Doug or Kawasaki ( on the safety factors ) prior to making a change. My usual feeling is Kawasaki has done their R&D before they make a decision.
Thanks,
Red
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GOZR
Zone Head
GOZR
Posts: 716
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posted July 20, 2002 09:28 AM
BAX-1003 Bridgestone BT-010 120/70ZR-17 Front
BAX-1053 Bridgestone BT-010 180/55ZR-17 Rear
Total $197 and no shipping cost..
I'm ready to click the button "OK"
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-G
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GOZR
Zone Head
GOZR
Posts: 716
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posted July 20, 2002 12:25 PM
That it i'm waiting for them to come ..
Than i'll do a repport 
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-G
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Zhooligan
Moderator
Post Whore Extraordinaire!
Posts: 3829
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posted July 20, 2002 02:28 PM
I run a 180 207 dunlop on my 12. I love it. It turns and handles nicely. And with my 1361 motor a 180 versus a 200 is not relevent in a straight line.
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To those who do not count their life in years, but in how life
has touched them in the past and how much it can hold in the
future; -- Youth is forever.
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redelk
Moderator
Please... speak to the hand.
Posts: 3212
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posted July 20, 2002 05:12 PM
No problem...
... BUT to the best of my knowledge, I think Doug Meyer runs a 200 on back. It's probably best that he answers that himself. I think he actually does on a tire thread talking about the Metzeler M-1. Probably one of those "Best tire" threads.
What aspect of "safety" is an issue here? Is it the steel belt found in the D207/208 and some of the other brands of 200/50 tires? Like I have mentioned in earlier threads about that steel belt... IMHO, it doesn't really improve the tire performance or it's safety. Again, in my opinion, it actually reduces BOTH if it actually does anything at all.
Those steel belts make for a great marketing tool, but I have yet to see a single piece of INDEPENDENT research that indicates that they provide any additional benefit over nylon or rayon belted tires. As for the "massive" HP that are sent to these tires by the 12R, that's kind of a "chain yanker". Here's why...
1. Why didn't the 1999 Hayabusa, which in stock form, applies more HP and especially more torque to the rear tire then the stock 2000 12R, come with a steel belted tire or even a 200/50?
2. Why isn't steel belts common place on the majority of GP, WSB, AMA, etc. road race bikes? They produce far more HP the 12R or Hayabusa and their demands on the tires are far greater that and street ridden bike could place on a tire. With the money the teams have invested in their riders, one can not say tire safety is not an issue with them.
I've always understood (and I could easily be wrong) that the MAIN reason behind the steel belts are to prevent extreme tire diameter growth during hard acceleration. As far as I am concerned, the only thing I've experienced with steel belts is a faster wear rate when compared to non-steel belted.
Now on the other hand, I am also of the belief that the guys that wear the white lab coats (engineers) know a hell of a lot more about suspension and frame geometry then I do. That's why the get the big bucks and I don't. Unfortunately, the guys in marketing also have input into a bike's design and that is when the "compromises" start eeking their way into a design. The 200 tire help create a very stable high speed bike when it's going in a STRAIGHT LINE.
If that's the type of riding you do, then a 200 would be fine. I also know that 99% of the riders out there could smoke me in the twisties while I'm running a 180 verses them on a 200. Still, it boils down to that many 12R owners that ride in the twisties prefer running a 190 or 180 on back and they still have NO PROBLEM riding at SUSTAINED high speeds.
Just MY THOUGHTS on it. It's always wise though, to stick with your own "gut feeling" on this. I just don't want you to be mislead by tire manufacturer marketing hype.
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There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.
-Ernest Hemingway
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ZHooligan
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Post Whore Extraordinaire!
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posted July 20, 2002 07:22 PM
Ducati put a 190 on 996 because it looks cool. When a 996 owner wants to mix it up in the twisties the Ducati dealers and so called experts all say put a 180 on so you can turn quicker etc.
The Busa came out with a 190. Kawasaki put a 200 on so it was bigger. If you want to turn the bike quicker put a 190 or 180 on. I hear what your say Redelk about the guys in the white coats. Unfortunately, the same guys in the white coats came up with the stupid ass fasteners, phillips screws and goofy ass fairing assembly crap on the 12. So I am not to certain about the white coat guys!!
____________
To those who do not count their life in years, but in how life
has touched them in the past and how much it can hold in the
future; -- Youth is forever.
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redelk
Moderator
Please... speak to the hand.
Posts: 3212
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posted July 21, 2002 01:02 PM
Yeah, and it's kind hard to blame the marketing guys for those damn fasteners, either.
____________
There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.
-Ernest Hemingway
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