Cant believe I waited so long to try it.

Yesterday I installed my new 190/55 angel gt's. Wowzers, they are incredibly easy on turn in compared to the old worn 190/50 tire. I realize some of it is that the old tire was flat-ish, but even compared to new the 55 series makes tip over on turns effortless. Its almost scary how easy it is. Only took a min to get used to, but I almost thought the bike was going to fall over it turned so easy. lol. Bike almost tosses like a litrebike now ;) ! It is a MUST do mod if you like to ride twisty roads.

The tire is not the only culprit here if you did not change anything else. You also jacked the rear end up maybe as much as a half inch which will make a big difference.

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I felt the same way and never went back to a 190/50. The only thing is I can't get rid of those chicken strips on that high of a tire, not even dropping the psi to 35. The next step is a 200/55. I'm about to try it in the next day or two. Bet I will have HUGE strips but I don't have any fear about scraping hard parts or running out of tread.

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Totally agree. Love my 190/55s. I was running the PP2CT but the guys at OPRT set me up on the Q3s for trackday riding and I am really enjoying those for my street riding too.

I know what your say about the chicken strips Rook.
What are your thoughts on gearing for the taller/larger circumference rear tires? Where is the speedo pickup? Front or rear tire? Wondering if the 55 is correcting some of the error making the speedo more accurate?
I was thinking of going up on the rear sprocket but was not sure how much. Seems like a 43 tooth rear would only put you back to where you were with the 50 series tire. Rook, are you still using a 45 tooth rear? Thoughts? Front tire like to lift pretty easy?
Dave

I cant remember if the speedo pickup is the front or the rear speed sensor in the 2012+ models. What I do know is that one of the mags gave the speedo error numbers and it seems with a tone ring the error is much smaller than the older bikes. IE, I think they were 1-2mph at 40-60 and only as much as 3 mph off at 80. To me that's pretty good.

I haven't ridden with the gps app on and my phone in my tank bag, but when I go to work tonight (so I can see it) I plan to see where it reads at actual 80 gps.

By the math the sidewall height is .37" taller on the 190/55. I'm not so sure that's a huge amount to cause such a drastic feel as to how the bike falls into corners. But I do believe that between my worn tire, the slight height increase, and the sidewall profile all working together it transforms the handling. The bike feels as easy as a litrebike to turn in, and when moving it feels as if the bike has lost 50-75 pounds. an amazing difference.

Now I realize why all the litrebikes have now gone to this size, and some the 200/55. Wasn't this started with the earlier zx10r's? It truly helps a lot.

also something I didn't think of, we do get more rubber on the road when standing straight up too, not just when leaned over. The longer distance around the tire gives a bigger footprint too. Your text to link here...

Unless I get drastically less life from this tire size (I got 9,862 miles from the previous angel gt's). Its a win all the way around, imo.

* Last updated by: rod442 on 6/21/2016 @ 10:50 PM *

GPS results are in. On MY bike, its actually 1 mph low at 40mph and at an indicated dead on 80 speedo = 78 gps.
Not quite 100% accurate, but close enough.

I do wish it was spot on because the error is going to grow as the tire wears, but at least its not faster. I can live with it being slightly under at 80. I try not to cruise at any faster speed than indicated 80mph around here, you can usually get away with 77 or 78 in a 70 zone. That is unless everyone else is flying, then Ill do whatever the faster cars are doing. Sometimes that's 85-90. lol.

What are your thoughts on gearing for the taller/larger circumference rear tires? Where is the speedo pickup? Front or rear tire? Wondering if the 55 is correcting some of the error making the speedo more accurate?
I was thinking of going up on the rear sprocket but was not sure how much. Seems like a 43 tooth rear would only put you back to where you were with the 50 series tire. Rook, are you still using a 45 tooth rear? Thoughts? Front tire like to lift pretty easy?
Dave

You don't need to worry about changing gearing for a little taller tire. It is heavier but you won't feel any dif in power.

The speed sensor on the Gen1 is on the sprocket cover but the Gen2 is no longer set up that way. Think it's at the rear wheel on the Gen2 in which case, IDT the tire size or sprocket would matter....but check on that, I think I heard Gen2 owners say gearing did chaange the speedo...maybe?

A 55 tire will put the Gen1 speedo very close to on the money at normal highway speeds.

Rook, are you still using a 45 tooth rear? Thoughts? Front tire like to lift pretty easy?

Yes still using a 45T. and have no plans to change back. Under fairly gentle operation, it is not too much different than the stock 41T on the Gen1. It's very easy to control for street operation and provides a smooth takeoff with less clutch slipping. If you race, it will lift right up even if you do a pretty modest launch but I think you'd need to be very aggressive to flip the bike. The best way to describe a 45T on a Gen1 is to say it's like dropping about one gear. You could do that with stock gearing except for in 1st gear which is pretty much a powerhouse. I can compare the 14's shorter gearing to my busa which has stock gearing and I would have to say it is a definite change. The bike feels more agressive and revs up quicker.....but the busa would probably still be very competative in a drag race. 45T is not going to kill you. It's a noticeable change but not quite night and day which is what I expected. It has reduced my top speed to about 175 mph but the acceleration feels stronger.

* Last updated by: Rook on 6/22/2016 @ 10:42 AM *

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On the gen 2 sprocket changes do not effect the speedo, tire height DOES indeed change it. Easy when you think about it. The little gear wheel that measures speed travels the same distance every time it turns one revolution, the tire does not if you make it taller or shorter.

as for gearing, the 55 series tire is = taking one more tooth off whatever size sprocket you have on (if comparing to the 190/50 size). I wanted to keep the same overall ratio, so I'm currently running a 40T to go with the taller 55 series tire. I had a 39 with the stock size. Overall gearing is almost identical, with the 40T and 190/55 being "slightly" taller overall when the tire is new. By that, I mean gearing commander shows 1mph difference in top speed in 6th gear (if I could actually rev to the limiter in 6th).

Thanks for the info Rook, I'm not a racer but I do like the corners and twisties. Going to go hang out with Kirk, Rob and the gang at a track day July 4th. I know I need to learn to ride with my RPMs higher for corner exiting so that is why I was wondering how much difference the 45T sprocket made. I think I will stick with the 41T for now and see how it feels. I want to learn the be smooth before I go getting all aggressive and drifting out of corners.

I wanted to keep the same overall ratio, so I'm currently running a 40T to go with the taller 55 series tire.

Rod I think that is backwards. If you want to keep same gearing going to the 55 tire wouldn't you need to up your rear sprocket to 42T?

* Last updated by: david5525 on 6/22/2016 @ 1:33 PM *

Rook,

My next rear is going to be the 200-55 so I'm interested in your comments once you get some miles on that size

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I must be an average rider or lack perception and feel because I noticed very little difference between the 190/50 and 190/55 rear. I am currently riding the 55 and apart from a slight tip in advantage the only difference I notice is the flatter look of the 50.
As per chicken strips, the 55's are more difficult to get to the edge but I don't seem to have any real issue there. However the front tyre strips are another matter and are far more difficult.
I don't think I have ever gotten completely to the edge of any front tyre, even on track days.

* Last updated by: yannih on 6/22/2016 @ 4:50 PM *

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Rook,
My next rear is going to be the 200-55 so I'm interested in your comments once you get some miles on that size

Just got the wheels back on tonight and there is just enough room to clear the swing arm. I will have to look at what mark my chain adjusters are on because if it was much less, the 200/55 might be almost too close to the swing arm for comfort. I would say it's about 1/4" from the inside front of the swingarm and I believe my axle adjusters are at about 2 and a half. I will show pics tomorrow on my SLICKS thread. Have not ridden yet. Looks badass. feels higher---then again the 190/55 I had was worn down to the carcass in one spot.

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Yannih, I guess my impression could just be from going from a completely worn tire to a new one. Although I really feel its more than that, and I do know that not all 190/55's are created equal.

Maybe the Angel GT has more of a dramatic change between its 190-50 and 55 sizes. That was one of the design changes when they updated the tire from the Angel ST - so who knows. I'd have to mount a fresh 190/50 and try it right away to be sure.

* Last updated by: rod442 on 6/22/2016 @ 10:56 PM *

I've been using 190/55 since my first set after I wore out the OEM Metzelers that came with my bike. Pirelli Diablo Rosso II at first then switched to Pirelli Angel GT when it became available. The Angel GTs are almost as good as the Rosso II in the dry, and have much more grip in the wet. And they get about 50% more mileage.

Here's a pic of them after 3,000+ kilometers, they still look new. And no chicken strips!

190/55 helped a lot in the cornering. I also dropped the nose about 10mm.

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"I do know that not all 190/55's are created equal."

Good call rod.
I speak only for older Michelin Pure's, and newer Pilot Power 3's.

* Last updated by: yannih on 6/23/2016 @ 2:08 AM *

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"I do know that not all 190/55's are created equal."

And I think that's the thing. I've had 5 different sets of tires now. 3 in 50 and 2 in 55. The problem is have you tried a 50 in all the tires you're assuming a 55 does that much more? My current tires, which are like 98% worn are Rosso IIs with a 55. I like them, I've wiped the rear edge to edge, and the front I don't know probably a 1/4" strip. The thing I don't know how much is attributable to the 55 vs a 50 and not the design of the Rosso II in general compared to other tires.

These tires are going to last about 3000 miles at this point, at just over 2800 and I think they are at a point most would be changing out any time, they are on the wear bars.

So next up are my first repeating tires, M7RRs and I have 2 sets, one is a 50 and one is a 55. I think I'm going to mount them up and do some measuring and that sort of thing. I'll probably measure the worn Rosso II just for comparison sake.

For you guys trying the 200/55. Do they not make a 200/50. Because to me a 200/50 would be like a 200/55 when you shove it on a rim that is narrower than designed for that tire. Using the 55 would really give you a 200/60 profile. Thats MOTOGP shiz right there!!!

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Using the 55 would really give you a 200/60 profile. Thats MOTOGP shiz right there!!!

I guess so. Just had a 60 mile ride today on my 200/55 and it is another notch up.

Yeah, I guess a 200/50 would = a 190/55. if you can find either, I suppose they would be about the same.

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SLICKS FOR STREET TIRES-200/55

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Now you guys got me wanting a 200/50...

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Pirelli Diablo Rosso 3
190/55

* Last updated by: smatlock42 on 6/29/2016 @ 11:00 PM *

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NIce, smatlock.

Now you guys got me wanting a 200/50...

Go all the way to a 200/55. The handling is better than a 190/55. Just make sure the axle is at least 2 and a half marks back or the tire might be too close to the swing arm.

I lowered my psi to 32 front and rear and I have total confidence in the grip. Still have chicken strips but they are smaller than the ones on the 190/55 my busa now has.

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For you guys trying the 200/55. Do they not make a 200/50. Because to me a 200/50 would be like a 200/55 when you shove it on a rim that is narrower than designed for that tire. Using the 55 would really give you a 200/60 profile.

While this equation may be mostly accurate, wouldn't widening the tire (200) end up making the overall curve of the tire shallower, hence making the 'tip in' harder? Doesn't the tire end up a bit 'flatter' at this point?

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