need help with tires

[eptkat]

would a 80 or 90 with a smaller sidewall fit on a 01 600 kat? is there any downside to switching to a bigger tire? thanks guys!!

[Anonymous]

80 is smaller the second number in a tire size i.e 150 80 17 is the aspect ratio or the % of the width in height

[The CyberPoet]

(A) An 140/80ZR17 and possibly even a 150/80ZR17 could be made to fit, and it may give benefit in terms of highway smoothness (by sucking up more little bumps without involving the suspension), but would worsen the handling by quite a bit.

(B) Unless you are trapped between a rock and hard place with the only tire vendor in town only have 80's, don't go that route. 90's would be even worse in terms of handling, requiring you to slow way way down for turns to prevent the rubber from folding under your front tire.

(C) Many 80's and 90's are bias tires, and you should never run bias tires on your 98+ Kat (and preferably not on any bike where there is an option).

Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet

[fixer]

Re: need help with tires

is there any downside to switching to a bigger tire? thanks guys!!

just understand that tire width does not deermine the size of the contact patch

[The CyberPoet]

Perhaps you're also not understanding the numbering scheme.

Example: 150/70ZR17 W69

see http://www.katriders.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=4293 for more details.

Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet

[BearKat]

I think....

He ment, a 180 or a 190 tire with a smaller side wall.

Answer: No, they will not fit.

[WildKat]

The handling is affected the bigger you go as well, so if you can make it fit, beware when you first start riding it will feel much different.

[chriskat1100]

when I got my bike the kid had a 160-60-17 on the stock rim trust me you dont wont to put a tire on the rim that much biger look at the 208 in the pic thats not chicken strips thats how square it was not good