190/50/17 vs 190/55/17
 

I'd like to hear from those who have had each size and which gets your vote? I recently heard a guy say he has never met anyone that tried the 190/55/17 and go back to a 190/50/17.

I started using Metzler Racetech 190/55's on the track because the tire profile was more pointy like a 180, but the contact patch was bigger. The turn-in was much better.

I run my race scrubs on the street so those are the only tires in that size that I've used, but I would assume even street compound tires would have the same characteristics due to the profile.

The only drawback was that my hugger wouldn't fit because the tire was so tall.

Thanks for the feedback

few of my friends run the 55 series on the street(dot and slicks), and love them, havent tried them myself

My bike came with a 190/55 from the factory. Sticking to that size really limits your tire choices. For example, you can't get a 190/55 sport-touring tire. I rode on a 190/50 for a while and it definitely turned in slower. When I went back to a 190/55, the bike almost felt squirrely at first. Now that I'm used to the taller profile, they feel fine.

I run a 190/55. Like they said, much quicker turn in. For the sport touring, turn in speed isn't as big of a deal, so I would just use a 190/50 since they are a little bit cheaper anyway.

for those of you using the 190/55 what brand are you using?

Pirelli Diablo Rosso.

The only time I used the 190/55 I felt that it made my bike "squirrely" as well but I probably could have fixed that by altering the suspension. I personally didn't like it but to each his own, I say. I definitely agree that it's a good compromise between the 190/50 and the 180/55.

Riding style and suspension have a lot to do with it. I remember Tig saying that he felt like he was more planted in the high speed sweepers with the 190/50. My guess is that if you are doing more gap riding, then the 55 would be better.