Question for 190/55/17 riders?

[wroman]

 The 55 series tires have a normal spec if .42 inch taller radius.  It has been reported that handling has changed.  Is the extra height noticed by some as a seat that is even more tilted up in the rear.  I am thinking  of the Bridgestone GT tires.
Walt

[Gumby]

I just put a PR3 on and I do not notice any difference with a Corbin seat. 5'10" and I am still flat footed at lights.

[harryS]

I changed after I read a review of the c14 on a website.

I have not noticed any change in seat height. I did notice a big difference in handling and cornering clearance. the bike wants to turn much easier and holds the lean angle without pressure on the bars. I also don't have the feeler pegs touch down even when two up. I have no unused edge rubber on the rear and just 1/8 or so on the front tire.

also the speedometer is closer to being correct.

the rear tire also seem to last a little longer, maybe 1000 miles better. my rear always wears out sooner than the front.

[maxtog]

I just put a PR3 on and I do not notice any difference with a Corbin seat. 5'10" and I am still flat footed at lights.

Standing height has little to do with if one is able to flat foot the bike.  I am probably taller than you are when both sitting, but even with the bike lowered, seat lowered, and boots raised, I can't flat foot except on one side or the other (and I believe most people's definition of "flat foot" would be to have BOTH feet flat on the ground).  Just saying...

[maxtog]

I did notice a big difference in handling and cornering clearance. the bike wants to turn much easier and holds the lean angle without pressure on the bars.

I imagine you could obtain the same result by just dropping the front (forks) a bit on the OEM size tires.

[martin_14]

I just put a PR3 on and I do not notice any difference with a Corbin seat. 5'10" and I am still flat footed at lights.

Gumby,
would you mind sharing your avatar in high res? 

[Gumby]

Gumby,
would you mind sharing your avatar in high res? 

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s226/jessie8971/redeeming_my_last_post__thong_girl- dot jpg

[Sgt Mac]

This thread took a turn. 

I didn't notice a significant change in height or angle.

[sleach1400]

[IMG]

Yeah buddy!!

[C1xRider]

I just installed a new 190/55 PR3 today, and I was concerned about any change in seat height since I'm already on my toes with stock tires.  I pushed the bike off the center stand in my tennis shoes, and my first impressions are it's a little higher, but should still be manageable.

As for the forward lean angle of the seat changing?  I really doubt you would notice it, if it changed at all.

[SkipH76]

[IMG]http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s226/jessie8971/redeeming_my_last_post__

Nice, err watch.  Yeah, nice watch!!

[PH14]

_last_post__thong_girl-.jpg[/img]

I agree it would handle a bit better if it was up a little more in the rear. 

[wroman]

After that pic I noticed a difference of the angle of the dangle!

[Son of Pappy]

I imagine you could obtain the same result by just dropping the front (forks) a bit on the OEM size tires.

Nope.  You'd still have the 50 profile.  There is a geometry change and turn in would be quicker but at the cost of clearance and after some of the speed bumps in use today??

[Rhino]

It just occurred to me that a 55 rear tire would change the speedometer reading for the better I think. Our speedo's notoriously read fast. When my speedo shows 79 I am actually doing 75. With a taller rear tire the bike should be moving faster with the same drive shaft RPM. With a .42 increase in the radius I calculate about a 4% increase in speed at a given drive shaft RPM. Which should almost compensate for the speedo error. This is assuming the speedo works off the VSS on the drive shaft. Does it? Has anyone running 55's seen a more accurate speedometer?

[tyler1015]

A 55 series tire will provide a more accurate speedo reading.

[Dalroo]

I changed after I read a review of the c14 on a website.

I have not noticed any change in seat height. I did notice a big difference in handling and cornering clearance. the bike wants to turn much easier and holds the lean angle without pressure on the bars. I also don't have the feeler pegs touch down even when two up. I have no unused edge rubber on the rear and just 1/8 or so on the front tire.

also the speedometer is closer to being correct.

the rear tire also seem to last a little longer, maybe 1000 miles better. my rear always wears out sooner than the front.

EXACTLY!

[Barry]

I am running the 190 rear with matched PR3 tires.  I am 5'8" to 5'9" on a good day, and I noticed no change in height.

It may be a placebo effect, but turn-in does seem to be much quicker.  Anyway, definitely no down side.

Barry

[maxtog]

Nope.

I think you mean "yep".

The geometry change would be nearly the same

Yes, that is what I said.  The geometry change from a 1/2" taller rear tire will, indeed, be similar to lowering the front fork 1/2".  The overall rake of the bike will change 1/2" either way.  But the geometry of the fork will be a little different between the two, and the center of gravity would be lower by lowering the front instead (which is generally better).

You'd still have the 50 profile.  There is a geometry change and turn in would be quicker but at the cost of clearance and after some of the speed bumps in use today??

Clearance will not be an issue.  I have mine lowered 1" and have yet to encounter any problems.  Now, I suppose if someone did that AND weighed 350 pounds AND had their suspension super bouncy AND was going over some really REALLY bad pavement, something might could happen...

Some people can't deal with any raising of the bike

[Son of Pappy]

Nope, meant nope.  The geometry may work out the same, but the 50 profile is differant than the 55.  You still have the beach ball shape with the 50.  The 55 gains more contact as you increase lean and it falls in much easier.  The gain isn't in the added height, it is in the profile.  The added height is what fixes the speedo and to the same degree, lowers RPMs.