tire fitment ?

[makntraxs]

will a 170/60-17 tire fit the rear ?

 

[EricV]

Probably, but you don't want it. The wider tread on the narrower wheel stresses the tread blocks. People have reported cracking lugs on knobby style tires doing this. I've personally seen it happen on my wife's GSA with the 170 width tire. The tire manufacturer suggested using the 150 width for this reason, Ta Da! No more cracking of the lugs.

 

[Cantab]

Probably, but you don't want it. The wider tread on the narrower wheel stresses the tread blocks. People have reported cracking lugs on knobby style tires doing this. I've personally seen it happen on my wife's GSA with the 170 width tire. The tire manufacturer suggested using the 150 width for this reason, Ta Da! No more cracking of the lugs.

What if it were a road tyre like a Pilot Road ? or is that way different comparing it to a block type tyre .

 

[EricV]

What if it were a road tyre like a Pilot Road ? or is that way different comparing it to a block type tyre .

What are you hoping to gain? Or is there some other reason you're asking?

I mean hey, it will fit, it's just not optimal for the Super Ten. Worst case scenario you would need to modify the brake caliper tension arm. People are running car tires on Super Tens for hacks.

Typically you get some delayed turn in characteristics from a wider tire in the rear. I'm not sure how much you would notice on the 170, but you really notice going from a 180/55 to a 190/50 on a sport touring bike.

 

[jeckyll]

What are you hoping to gain? <<snip>>

That's the real question.

I used to see pages of discussion about running 180's vs 190's on sportbike forums. Tire shape, rim width and impact on tire profile, turn in characteristics resulting form it, etc etc.

The long and short of it always seemed to me: in an emergency, if you can't go any further otherwise, run what you can get your hands on (I'd personally stop before resorting to a car tire I'd like to think, but that's a personal thing). But if you have a choice, just run the recommended tire size. Some bikes actually list multiple acceptable sizes (my Tuono is one), but most are pretty clear on a single size.

As always, just my $0.02

 

[EricV]

Absolutely, if it's a matter of getting home with the tire available, I wouldn't hesitate to run a non-standard size. I've run lots of non-standard size tires over the decades w/o any serious issues. I ran a CT for 70k on the FJR. You get used to what ever differences the tire has. I also ran odd sizes when running ME880s on the FJR since they didn't offer the stock size. Other than the crappy wet traction of the ME880, it wasn't an issue.

 

[Cantab]

What are you hoping to gain? Or is there some other reason you're asking?

I mean hey, it will fit, it's just not optimal for the Super Ten. Worst case scenario you would need to modify the brake caliper tension arm. People are running car tires on Super Tens for hacks.

Typically you get some delayed turn in characteristics from a wider tire in the rear. I'm not sure how much you would notice on the 170, but you really notice going from a 180/55 to a 190/50 on a sport touring bike.

No just wondering myself, personally id keep stock size for the S10 (when i get 1 ) like your reasons why not.

A couple of bikes back i had a BKing and the previous owner fitted a 180 - stock 200 , it was all ok till you got into some nice hills when it showed up its short comings, ran out of tyre (edge) fairly quick.
A 190 was fitted and all was good again , tried the 200 next then back to a 190/55 there after.

I agree if thats all thats available to get you home then sure a 170.

 

[EricV]

It's something to keep in your back pocket. You're on a trip and have an odd tire failure, the shop doesn't have the 'correct size', so you adapt. While you can rail on the Super Ten, it's not really the hooligan bike the B-King is.