165 tire on 5.5" rim?

I have two questions I would like some wisdom on -

Assume 150 lb rider on a well sorted bike....

• Has anyone run a 165 or 170 tire on a 5.5" rim originally shod in a 180 tire? Specifically, say a 165x60 instead of a 180x55.....
• Will going to a smaller tire make the motorcycle a bit more agile when changing direction? (at the expense of contact patch and traction obviously)

Thanks in advance,

 

In. I would love to hear the answers too. Never heard of a 165 on 600.

 

I have ran the 165 Bridgestone slick on a 5.5. Worked great for my application.

 

I believe MOST TZ250 5KE dudes were running 165's on a 5.5" during the later years of that bike still being around when it had the Marchesinis on it. I plan to also run this configuration on my RS250.

 

I would check to see what rim size the manufacturer recommends for the specific tire. Sometimes you have to dig around on their web site to find it. And yes I have not always followed those guidelines. I have also removed mattress tags.

 

do you have a Supermoto with a 5.5" i cant think of any reason to run the narrower tire unless a 180 won't fit between the swingarm.

 

I've seen it but the 180/55 won't be much bigger depending on the brand. I know the Pirelli 180 only needed a 1/2 turn of ride height to adjust it from the 160 I was using on my 400. Don't remember the exact width and diameter change but it wasn't much.

 

The Bridgestone 165 is what a lot of guys are running on the TZ 250's and some of those are on a 5.5" rim.
I'd like to hear if anybody has put a 160 Pirelli on a 5.5" rim? Pretty sure 1994 and up TZ's have 5.5" rim.

 

Thanks guys for the feedback. The question was primarily meant for a modern day TZ250 - a Kramer 690. The bike comes standard with a 160 tire on a 5" cast wheel in rear. However, due to weird KTM parts bin and volume issues, any forged or carbon wheel options force you to move up to a 5.5" wheel and 180 tire. I have absolutely zero traction need as the current 160 is more than fine, so I was wondering if I can continue to run a smaller tire on the new 5.5" carbon wheel. Seems like I can, from your experiences.

I see Dunlop offers a 165 rear. I believe Bridgestone offers the Battlax racing W01 in a 165/'630' - does the battlax W01 equate to a slick or DOT? I can't find a local dealer for the bridgestones and know Dunlop will ship them straight to my house.

 

The Bridgestone 165 was designed for 250 GP bikes with 5.5" wheel. Recommended wheel is 4.5 - 5.5". We have information on them listed on our website. Let us know if we can help with anything.

www.stickboyracing.com

 

The profile will be slightly flattened with a 160 on a 5.5" rim. A little less triangular. If you are getting all the way to the edge of the rear tire with the 160/5" setup, you will definitely do so with the same size tire on a rim that is 1/2" wider. Keep in mind that the difference will be 1/4" at each side- that is to say not much. Just an opinion...I agree with using the smaller section on a bike like this one.

 

165 rain on a 5.5 works great because you get more contact patch. Awesome for wet conditions. Never ran that size in the dry only wet

 

I wouldn't put 160/60 on a 5.5 rim as the profile gets all funky. And there's a rumor that there will be a 180/55 SC1 slick coming to the US for Kramer fitments some time this year. But you can find a SC2 180/55 slick from any Pirelli vendor right now.

 

When I changed to a 180 on a 5.5 rim my bike there were more options for compounds. Also I could never run a soft rear without tearing on the 160, no matter how many changes I made to the rear suspension. Put the 180/55 on and it was never a problem again, ran softs without any changes. If I remember correctly the 180 was lighter too, not much but a bit. I'd suggest giving the pirelli a try.

 

All the Aprilia SXV racers run a 165 motad slick on there bikes. Its a 5.5 rear rim. Using a 180 makes the bike feel like a truck in side to side transitions.

 

I have seen and used the Dunlop and Bstone 165 rears on a 5.5 inch rim. Worked just fine.

 

Why not 180/60?

 

Yes of course on a 5.5 rim

 

Hi. I actually am thinking of getting a Kramer as well and have similar questions. I actually just responded to a lot of comments in the "How about a Kramer" thread.

As far as this question goes, it is my understanding that you really don't want to put a 160 on a 5.5" wheel -- though it can be done. As you, and others in the thread here, note, there are some 170 and 165 options, but it is my understanding that they are kind of obscure, and if you're going to race and do track days, none of the manufacturers will carry anything that fits at the track. As you note, you can order them to your house, but that just adds a lot of logistical hassle that I would personally rather avoid.

Where are you located? I'm in Houston and race CMRA. Would be cool to connect with someone also thinking of getting a kramer. If you want to email me it's [email protected]

 

It's just too much tire for something in the lightweight twins class.