what if you go up a tire size (aspect ratio)?

[darby_crash]

i have an older Yamaha FZR600. the one with the incredible uncool 18" wheel. i'm looking for new rubber and want something that'll last longer than the Bridgestone BT-014's that are ubiquitous on these bikes. the BT-045 seems perfect, but the closest i can get to the recommended 150-60-18 size is 150-70-18. what is going up one size in aspect ratio gonna do?

everyone says that 160-60-18's are a good option, but the Dunlop D205 i just tried to have installed on there would not bead up properly. and i can't find ANY other tires in the right size. please advise.

cheers,
-bean

[velocity bmg]

Originally Posted by darby_crash

i have an older Yamaha FZR600. the one with the incredible uncool 18" wheel. i'm looking for new rubber and want something that'll last longer than the Bridgestone BT-014's that are ubiquitous on these bikes. the BT-045 seems perfect, but the closest i can get to the recommended 150-60-18 size is 8.150-70-1 what is going up one size in aspect ratio gonna do?

everyone says that 160-60-18's are a good option, but the Dunlop D205 i just tried to have installed on there would not bead up properly. and i can't find ANY other tires in the right size. please advise.

cheers,
-bean

I had a 1992 FZR 600...the one year they did not make the round or cat eye headlights.

(Which I actually prefer over the round lights...as the round lights look like a VW bug/Beetle to me, and who wants that?)

Anyway, I didn't have the bike long enough to need and change the tires, as the bike got stolen.

Go with the recommended 150...as the width of the tire is what will affect the bike the most.

Using a higher vertical sidewall will have some effect on the handling..but nothing like trying to stuff a too wide tire on a too skinny rim.

Get the 150/70-18...mount and balance the tire...and you'll be fine.

[pheonix_71]

I've got the '94 version of the FZR600R and since I work at a bike shop I've got books upon books of information at hand to help out, along with the experience. Technically, our books say that the tire sizes on that bike are: Front 110/70-17, and Rear 140/60-18. On my bike I have the BT014 at stock front size and a 150/60-18 on the rear. The bike handles well, and I haven't had any trouble with it. Though I'd like to throw on a set of different tires, if you change the aspect ratio of the tire too much you really throw off the geometry of the steering, and if you throw on too wide of a tire on the rear, IE a 160 on the FZR, you run into problems such as thermal expansion causing the tire to hit the swingarm. My 150 has already left a couple of small marks in the plastic chainguard from where it has expanded from riding it hard and heating it up. The BT014 isn't a bad tire though, it doesn't have the best siping for wet riding characteristics, but if you're not pushing too hard in the rain you'll be fine, I've ridden in western Oregon with it for several months in the rain and I haven't had it slip out at all. Under super heavy rain though, stay inside, it doesn't carry the water quick enough so you can start to hydroplane to a degree, which is scary, dangerous, and fairly common at speed with many tires. If you're serious about a new tire on the rear though, I've heard about swingarm swaps with the late 90's YZF, and wheel conversions.

My advice, stick with the BT014, they'll be enough to get you through almost any of your riding on the street and if you need more, get a track bike and save it for the track.