GSXR REAR WHEEL MOD

[bama1]

Iam getting ready to put a 91 GSXR rear wheel on and I was wondering what tires people have used on that mod.Is there tires that want work,maybe to wide.I was thinking about the michelin pilot powers 180/55/17.The rim is 5.5 wide.I would appreciate any comments.I really do not want to buy a tire and it not work,I definently do not want clearence issues.
THANKS

[Mark Olson]

The pilot powers fit great, avons hit the chain.

[carsick]

Mine runs a Pilot Power 2CT 180/55/17. 1/4" clearance to chain, 3/8" to brake bar. Plenty of room! Still looks good after 2000 miles. I'm very happy with the mod.

[doright1]

I'm using the Pirelli Diablo Strada size 180/55/17.  No clearance issues, and I love these tires.

[Pat Conlon]

I know first hand that 180/55-17 Avons need a 3/4" shave job on the chain side to fit. A PIA
Marc Rittner reports that certain Dunlops may be also be too wide (scroll down): http://www.fjmods.btinternet.co.uk/MarcRittner.htm

No problem with 180/55-17 Mich. Pilot Roads or Road 2's or Power 2cts

[carsick]

I know first hand that 180/55-17 Avons need a 3/4" shave job on the chain side to fit.

3/4"?? I s'pose that's one way to remove the chicken strips. Either that's a typo or someone is more adventurous than
I with tire modification. This would make Avons 1.5" wider than Michelins? Seems a lot for the same size tire.
Glad to hear you're back Pat, any pics from your trip?
Doug

[Dan Filetti]

No problem with 180/55-17 Mich. Pilot Roads or Road 2's or Power 2cts

My Next 'set' of tires will definitely be a Pilot Road 2 out back and a Power 2CT up front.  I tend to go through backs faster than fronts, so I'm hoping to off-set this effect of my riding style.

Dan

[roverfj1200]

Yeah Road 2's here used conti's which I like but the longevity was poor. So PR's is all I will run now..

[Pat Conlon]

Hey Doug, no doubt that the same size Avons 180/55-17 are wider than the same size Michelins. Many other folks have also noticed this...
I'm going by memory but I recall that I needed to shave the soild edge rib off the left side of the Avon...I dunno, 5/8"? It was more than 1/2"
Yea, Costa Rica was a long strange trip to remember. The pot holes in the dirt roads are deep, as my wife found out...

I know first hand that 180/55-17 Avons need a 3/4" shave job on the chain side to fit.

3/4"?? I s'pose that's one way to remove the chicken strips. Either that's a typo or someone is more adventurous than
I with tire modification. This would make Avons 1.5" wider than Michelins? Seems a lot for the same size tire.
Glad to hear you're back Pat, any pics from your trip?
Doug

[Pat Conlon]

Yea,+1 that's turning out to be my favoriate combo... Road 2 @ rear and the softer 2CT in front, that way the front should wear out about the same time as the rear.  I hope to get 6k+ out of the set. I'm @ 4400 miles into the set and they still look good.

My Next 'set' of tires will definitely be a Pilot Road 2 out back and a Power 2CT up front.  I tend to go through backs faster than fronts, so I'm hoping to off-set this effect of my riding style.

Dan

[turbocamino]

  I have been putting off this mod....havent been able to determine,for sure, how much gearing and maybe more importantly,to me, how much ride height will drop? ...i run a 160/80/16...and i read that the 180/55/17 is shorter. dropping a few teeth on back is no big deal but the rear susp.on the 89s wont allow the shorter dogbone trick as the shock will hit the swingarm when raised  so...the back end will be lower,affecting handling.

[Pat Conlon]

Huh? That's news to me....Plenty of folks who have '89s have shorter dog bones and the rear end raised.
There are Zero (0) negatives on this mod:
1) Better tire selection, better tires
2) Lighter weight rim/tire assembly vs. the pig heavy oem 150/80-16 tire and rim. Less unsprung weight is good.
3) Shorter side wall and larger contact patch of the 180/55-17 tire enhances rear end stability on our heavy bikes
4) Shorter dog bones raise the rear end to transfer more weight to the front tire further enhancing handling.

Go ahead and do it

..... but the rear susp.on the 89s wont allow the shorter dogbone trick as the shock will hit the swingarm when raised  so...the back end will be lower,affecting handling.

[turbocamino]

It must be that the Hagon shock is wider...

[bama1]

I just looked at my rear shock and it is really close to the swingarm maybe 1/8 or less,but that doesnt mean it want raise anymore.I have raised my bike 3/4 of a inch.I know I will have to raise it more when I do this mod.I have to save up for new tires first.

[andyb]

There's some downsides to raising the bike, but they're all pretty minor. 

Biggest one is that you may have to modify the kickstand so the bike doesn't lean as far (isn't a problem unless it had been modified or worn a bit already).

Makes it harder to launch the bike hard from a stop.

Makes it harder to touch the ground if you're short and uncomfortable on tall bikes.


Great mod though, helps the bike change direction like it's many years newer.