Tire Size: 180 vs. 190?

Maverick95

Maverick95

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I've searched googl;e and can't find the answers i'm looking for. I'm sure its a matter of opinion and riding style for which one is better to ride on, 180 or 190 rear tire. But can anyone give me an answer as to which they found better? Can anyone give me a description or something of their exp[eriences with each size? Like what te handling and cornering differences were, etc, stuff like that? Thanks! I have a 190 on my gsxr right now but i need new tires and am trying to decide which to put on, 180 or 190 rear.
 
Personal preference. The 190 has a bit more meat on the side of the tire, if you are doing any track days or really hard riding... but the 180 is lighter and makes the bike a little nimbler. And that's about the shape of it......... oh and you pay a bit more for the 190.

I put a 180/55 back on my Tuono this year. It works better than it did with a 190 (but the brands are NOT the same, so it's not cut and dried).
 
Your GSXR has a 5.5" wide rear rim that is meant to be used with a 180/55 tire. A 190/50 is meant for a 6" wide rim so it will be pinched in a small amount when on your bike. That affects the profile so the tire is not working exactly as it was meant to. The difference is relatively minor but it's still off a bit.

FWIW, i suggest using a tire that was meant to go on a 5.5" rim, a 180.
 
When I had my TLS it had a 190 stock. I changed to a 180 and the bike was a better handling bike for it, but the tire looked small and there were the thoughts of reduced contact patch. Then 190/55's started showing up for street use and I found that to be a very good compromise, although it may limit your tire choices.

Most common 180's are 180/55-17
Most common 190's are 190/50-17 so the 190/55-17 took the best of both worlds, at least for me and my TL. On the SD I'm sticking with the 180.
 
Didn't see the age on the GSX-R. Yeah, stick with 180.
 
Follow the tire manufacturer's recommendation. This may change from one tire model to the next.
 
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