Best tires for the RC51
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I would go check out the sales at sportbiketrackgear, they have some kick as deals on tires and shipping is free.
Check out these guys, their prices are great, like $130. for a tire with a list of $228! and their shipping is $9. from west to east coast. I'm leaning towards a sport tour tire myself. I'm going to try the AVON Storm ST. I've got one on the rear of my CBR, feels great!
http://www.motorcycleproshop.com/tires.asp
John
http://www.motorcycleproshop.com/tires.asp
John
180 is the way to go on the rear.....period!!!!
BTW, for a huge amount of information, check out the mod page on rc51.org. It has directions for the flapper mod, soft rev limiter removal and a host of other things.
Good luck with the bike.
njracer
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120 Posts
Ditto the 190...
Dunlop Sportmax 180
I Have Found That The Dunlop Sportmax 180 Is Fantastic. When You Are Sliding Through The Corners And If You Are Brave Enough To Stay On The Throttle The Dunlop Will Keep Giving You The Grip You Want They Have Never Failed I Tried Pirreli And They Were Recalled And Bridgestones Sidewalls Are Not Stiff Enough In The Sidewalls. I Change My Tires Every 4000 Miles Any Longer On These Tires And They Start To Lose There Handiling Ability I Have 16000 Miles On My Bike And The Rc Loves Em. Ps Your Stock Tire Just Wore Out? Do You Ride It?
I Have Found That The Dunlop Sportmax 180 Is Fantastic. When You Are Sliding Through The Corners And If You Are Brave Enough To Stay On The Throttle The Dunlop Will Keep Giving You The Grip You Want They Have Never Failed I Tried Pirreli And They Were Recalled And Bridgestones Sidewalls Are Not Stiff Enough In The Sidewalls. I Change My Tires Every 4000 Miles Any Longer On These Tires And They Start To Lose There Handiling Ability I Have 16000 Miles On My Bike And The Rc Loves Em. Ps Your Stock Tire Just Wore Out? Do You Ride It?
Joined
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120 Posts
If you want a good street/track tire you can't go wrong with either the Michelin 2CT's or the Dunlop Sportmax. If you want good track/street tire try the DOT race tires from either Dunlop or Michelin. With those however, you can throw out the idea of "mileage" on the street. They will wear out a lot faster...
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50 Posts
i have been running conti roadattacks and am very pleased with them on my fz1 durable and have plenty of traction for my riding ability, though since its getting colder they are a bit tough to get warmed up, other than that they last pretty good and look tits! anywho a bike like mine or the rc will go through any tire regardless of who makes it faster than the smaller bikes with less weight
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6,486 Posts
I've had really good success with the Conti SportAttacks.
Their compound continually changes softer from center to edge as opposed to a distinct compound boundary change for others. I ordered them online and got the set for $277.
I may try their RaceAttack Street in the future.
I went with the 190/55-17 on the rear and had no complaints. Great in the rain as well.
The 190/55 has a similar profile as as 180/55, but more rubber on the sides, and it properly fits the 6.0" rim as opposed to stretching a 180 which is meant for a 5.5" rim.
Their compound continually changes softer from center to edge as opposed to a distinct compound boundary change for others. I ordered them online and got the set for $277.
I may try their RaceAttack Street in the future.
I went with the 190/55-17 on the rear and had no complaints. Great in the rain as well.
The 190/55 has a similar profile as as 180/55, but more rubber on the sides, and it properly fits the 6.0" rim as opposed to stretching a 180 which is meant for a 5.5" rim.
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98 Posts
http://www.ridedirect.com
As far as the on-line retailers go, I've used these guys for
about 4 years now - first rate custimer service, reasonable
prices, and I always have my tires in 2 to 3 business days.
Yeah, they may be a dollar or two more per tire than some
other bargain basement suppliers, but their great customer
service and prompt shipping are well worth it. Good people.
As far as the on-line retailers go, I've used these guys for
about 4 years now - first rate custimer service, reasonable
prices, and I always have my tires in 2 to 3 business days.
Yeah, they may be a dollar or two more per tire than some
other bargain basement suppliers, but their great customer
service and prompt shipping are well worth it. Good people.
Joined
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6,486 Posts
One thing to be aware of is, tires age after manufacture.
Even if the tire sits on a rack in a warehouse it continues to age.
So one reason some tires may be lower cost is due to the tire being old.
Most tires have a 4-digit date stamp on the sidewall in the form 2-digit week/2-digit year.
So 0609 is the 6th week of 2009.
I've seen good deals on tires, but were made over two years ago.
Now frankly, I didn't notice much difference.
But it might be important for track tires as the decomposition could have an impact on traction.
I recently bought a set of Pirelli Corsa III's and was told that tire prices are going up dramatically real soon for all brands, possibly this month.
The quoted soon to be MSRP for Pirelli Corsa III 190/55-17 will be over $300, and the 120/70-17 will be over $200.
Now that's full retail. But it will have an impact on all prices.
Even if the tire sits on a rack in a warehouse it continues to age.
So one reason some tires may be lower cost is due to the tire being old.
Most tires have a 4-digit date stamp on the sidewall in the form 2-digit week/2-digit year.
So 0609 is the 6th week of 2009.
I've seen good deals on tires, but were made over two years ago.
Now frankly, I didn't notice much difference.
But it might be important for track tires as the decomposition could have an impact on traction.
I recently bought a set of Pirelli Corsa III's and was told that tire prices are going up dramatically real soon for all brands, possibly this month.
The quoted soon to be MSRP for Pirelli Corsa III 190/55-17 will be over $300, and the 120/70-17 will be over $200.
Now that's full retail. But it will have an impact on all prices.
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6,486 Posts
You're correct.
The stock rear wheel is 6" wide and the proper tire is a 190.
Most 190/50 series tires have a rounder profile.
They tend to slightly resist transitions into turns.
A 180/55 series tire tends to have a more "pointier" profile which makes leaning into turns more responsive.
However, a 180 tire is designed for a 5.5" wide wheel and has to spread farther to seat onto the bead.
Because the tire deforms abnormally, the tire tends to lose a bit of that "pointier" profile they were intending to use in the first place.
The ideal tire for a 6" wheel width is a 190/55 series time.
It fits the wheel width properly and virtually the same profile as the 180/55 series (when properly mounted on 5.5" rim) but also has the added benefit of greater sidewall tread area.
Because the tire is slightly taller than a 190/50 tire, it raises the rear slightly.
This benefits the RC51 as it quickens the steering response.
Having tried both, I can say the 190/55 really does make the bike more responsive and much more wiling to flick into turns.
It might even seem strange until you adjust to it.
Another reason folks mount a 180 on a 6" rim is they are cheaper than a 190.
Especially as tires prices are rising.
The stock rear wheel is 6" wide and the proper tire is a 190.
Most 190/50 series tires have a rounder profile.
They tend to slightly resist transitions into turns.
A 180/55 series tire tends to have a more "pointier" profile which makes leaning into turns more responsive.
However, a 180 tire is designed for a 5.5" wide wheel and has to spread farther to seat onto the bead.
Because the tire deforms abnormally, the tire tends to lose a bit of that "pointier" profile they were intending to use in the first place.
The ideal tire for a 6" wheel width is a 190/55 series time.
It fits the wheel width properly and virtually the same profile as the 180/55 series (when properly mounted on 5.5" rim) but also has the added benefit of greater sidewall tread area.
Because the tire is slightly taller than a 190/50 tire, it raises the rear slightly.
This benefits the RC51 as it quickens the steering response.
Having tried both, I can say the 190/55 really does make the bike more responsive and much more wiling to flick into turns.
It might even seem strange until you adjust to it.
Another reason folks mount a 180 on a 6" rim is they are cheaper than a 190.
Especially as tires prices are rising.
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6,486 Posts
They are good tires and expensive here as welli have mount bridgestone bt016, they are great but very expensive in Portugal.
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