Topic: 130/80 16 tire?

[Flying J]

I am getting a new rear tire for my girlfriends Cb550 and was considering a lower profile tire. She is short and can barley reach the ground with the 130/90 thats on it now. Would the 130/80 lower it that much? I assume it will not corner as well.

[HavocTurbo]

It will lower the bike but not as much as you think.

And unless someone is really observant or used to a 130/90.... you won't really know the difference on handling.

[Flying J]

i like the look of this tire and its a metzler so it should be a good tire.
http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/tpl/tire/product.jsp?skuId=&store=Main&catId=&productId=p543649&leafCatId=&mmyId=
its a scooter tire with a speed rating of 94mph i think so it should be fine on my cb550.

[TwoTired]

90% of 130 is 117
80% of 130 is 104

 So, it will lower it 13 mm.  See that 13mm wrench in your tool box?  That's how much lower the back will be.

But, doesn't that make the tire a flatter profile?

If you already have a 130/90 16 on the back, it doesn't seem like you have neutral handling now, and likely have to wrestle (counter steer) while turning as it is.  I would kinda expect the lower profile tire to make that worse.  (I don't actually know that, though.)  This would get worse as the tire wears a flat spots in the center of the tread.

Also, didn't lowering the rear of the bike make it want to go in a straight line, rather than turn as you lean with it.  Maybe the two changes will cancel each other, in effect ??

[HavocTurbo]

Just me but I wouldn't put a scooter tire on a motorcycle.

Too much immediate power on tap I would think.

[Flying J]

I knew it was only a matter of time till TT chimed in. The rear 16" tire is what it came with when i bought it. 13mm is not enough to make me go that way. But because TwoTired is adamant that the metzler is the best front tire im going to buy that for the front. Its a 19/3.25 or is it the 19/4.00?

[TwoTired]

Stock front tire is 3.25/19.  I like the Lasertecs.