need help with a tire question..??

[kawi_zx10]

Noob to the site, so hello to everyone...

Hope this is the right section...I have a tire question?

I just picked up a 06 zx10 (love it!) and I previously had a zx6r and had brand new tires for it sitting in the garage waiting for it, my question is the rear I have is a 180/55 ZR17 but stock zx10's come with a 190/55 ZR17...is it okay to run the slightly smaller in width 180 over the 190?? Sounds like a retareded question but I dont like to do things the wrong way when it comes to bikes. Thanks for any help or advice...oh tires are pirelli diablos.

[southjersey636]

Ive heard of numerous guys running 180's on everything from busa's to zx10r's. The 180 helps make the bike a little quicker in side to side transitions etc and since your running a good tire the tiny bit of contact patch you give up with the 180 over the 190 wont matter. Go for it.

[JasonFMHS]

I dont the the 10mm will make a difference, just dont go any more than that.

[daemon]

+1 on what he said.
i run a 180/55 on my zed.
stock was 190/50

much better in the transitions.

trust us

[kawi_zx10]

wow...quick responses!!

Thats kind of what I was thinking...it would help more in the transitions. Well, good. Once I wear these current stockers down I'll be putting the diablos on.

[ervins]

Should work but I prefer the bigger tire.

[kawi_zx10]

just curious but why?

[ervins]

just curious but why?

Since the first gen1 10R to gen2, it is know that these bikes are unstable rides that require the rider to put a lot of input into riding the bike. This is a true statement...The 190/ 55 seemed to quick for the front tire and the stock Qualifiers were just lean prone (not a neutral design tire) went to 190/50 and now it much more stable for me...A couple of people on ZX-10R.net run 180s but very few to say the least.

If those are left overs that are new...Sell them to a buddy and put the money toward 190s. That is me though.

[kawi_zx10]

Front tire...this is for the rear. Im running a 120/70 ZR17 upfront...stock size


Thanks for the great advice, thats how you learn!! Im gonna do some more lookin around and I may indeed just sale it and go with what it came with stock.

also...can a tire cause the bike to sort of ride to one side?

[zedx11]

IMO, the gen1 handled much better than gen2. that extra 1/2 degree of rake ruined the handling for me. gen2 feels heavier steering wise than gen1. I like the knife edge feeling.

[ervins]

IMO, the gen1 handled much better than gen2. that extra 1/2 degree of rake ruined the handling for me. gen2 feels heavier steering wise than gen1. I like the knife edge feeling.

Yes, this bike needs that little extra from the rider in regards to turns...Tight ones especially...You need to use your body on this bike.

[ervins]

Front tire...this is for the rear. Im running a 120/70 ZR17 upfront...stock size


Thanks for the great advice, thats how you learn!! Im gonna do some more lookin around and I may indeed just sale it and go with what it came with stock.

also...can a tire cause the bike to sort of ride to one side?

Not the tire but alignment...You put on the tires yourself? Make sure the tires are balanced and adjusted...My bike goes straight...Find an open road with no bumps and coast with no hands on it...Make sure you are balanced though...It should not PULL to any side.