190/50/17 vs 190/55/17

tached1000rr · 04-19-2009, 10:06 PM

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.

Riceaholic · 04-19-2009, 10:16 PM

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.

tached1000rr · 04-19-2009, 10:18 PM

Thanks for the feedback

Yamerhaw · 04-19-2009, 10:40 PM

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

jtemple · 04-19-2009, 10:57 PM

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.

t-homo · 04-19-2009, 11:49 PM

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.

tached1000rr · 04-19-2009, 11:50 PM

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

t-homo · 04-19-2009, 11:52 PM

Pirelli Diablo Rosso.

Amber Lamps · 04-20-2009, 01:02 AM

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.

t-homo · 04-20-2009, 02:00 AM

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.

04-19-2009, 10:06 PM	#1
tached1000rr WERA White Plate Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NC Moto: 2009 GSXR 1300 Posts: 2,448	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.

04-19-2009, 10:40 PM	#4
Yamerhaw Country Boy Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Hicktown in NC Moto: 07 R1 Posts: 797	few of my friends run the 55 series on the street(dot and slicks), and love them, havent tried them myself __________________ “If trees could scream, would we be so cavalier about cutting them down? We might, if they screamed all the time, for no good reason.” It takes a big man to cry, but it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man.

04-19-2009, 10:16 PM	#2
Riceaholic High Life Drinker Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Tampa Bay Moto: 01 GSXR 1000 - Yamaha Zuma 125 Posts: 961	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.

04-19-2009, 10:18 PM	#3
tached1000rr WERA White Plate Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NC Moto: 2009 GSXR 1300 Posts: 2,448	Thanks for the feedback

04-19-2009, 10:57 PM	#5
jtemple Geek Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Papillion, Nebraska Moto: 2011 Husqvarna TE630 Posts: 1,437	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.

04-19-2009, 11:49 PM	#6
t-homo WSB Champion Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 7,146	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.

04-19-2009, 11:50 PM	#7
tached1000rr WERA White Plate Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NC Moto: 2009 GSXR 1300 Posts: 2,448	for those of you using the 190/55 what brand are you using?

04-19-2009, 11:52 PM	#8
t-homo WSB Champion Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 7,146	Pirelli Diablo Rosso.

04-20-2009, 01:02 AM	#9
Amber Lamps Moto GP Star Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 14,556	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.

04-20-2009, 02:00 AM	#10
t-homo WSB Champion Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 7,146	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.