« Reply #39 on: January 08, 2014, 08:42:49 PM »
Max - I can't seem to find the diameter for Michelin motorcycle tires, so I used those of my own Bridgestone BT016 tires instead. The BT016 190/50ZR17 has a published diameter of 633 mm (24.92 inches), and the 190/55ZR17 diameter is 649 mm (25.55 inches). That difference is 0.63 inches, and since the radius is the part that determines axle height, aka ride height, the difference is 0.315 inches. And since the rider sits about half-way between the mid point between the front and rear axles .. and the rear axle, the ride height with the 55 series tire would be about 0.236 inches (0.315 x 75%) higher than that of the 50 series tire. Less than 1/4".
Yep, you are absolutely right on. And I knew this
It isn't much, but even 1/4" would be something like removing 20+% of my lowering efforts. In my case, anyway, using a 55 would be bad- I can just barely manage the bike as it is. Most people, not concerned with small height gain, can focus on the positive effect of having a likely more accurate speedometer, and some people claim the bike handles better. Those that do- it would be interesting to know if dropping the front by 1/3" has the same effect with a 50 tire.
Logged
Shoodaben (was Guhl) Mountain Runner ECU flash, Canyon Cages front/rear, Helibars risers, Phil's wedges, Grip Puppies, Sargent World seat-low & heated & pod, Muzzy lowering links, Soupy's stand, Nautilus air horn, Admore lightbar, Ronnie's highway pegs, front running lights, all LED, helmet locks, RAM Xgrip, Sena SMH10, Throttle Tamer, MRA X-Creen, BearingUp Shifter, PR4-GT, Scorpion EXO-T1200,etc