Rear Tire: 150/70 vs 160/60

[Flounder]

Have a post kat, and I'm about to buy a set of Conti Motions.

I've seen a lot of people saying they run 160/60 instead of the stock 150/70 that my manual suggests. How does this affect tire wear? Wouldn't the smaller height ratio cause my speedometer to read even higher than it currently does over actual?

I'm not really worried about grip difference as long as the tire is stable. I am concerned about a wider tire shortening the life I'll get out of it. The speedometer thing isn't even really a big deal to me either if I find out that 160/60s grip a bit better and/or wear better.

It seems to me that a wider tire would be "bubbled out" more, for lack of a better word, and cause a flat patch to wear in the center faster. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Also: Should I stick with 120/70 on the front regardless or rear tire size, or is there a better setup for kats?

[Kreylyn]

Have a post kat, and I'm about to buy a set of Conti Motions.

I've seen a lot of people saying they run 160/60 instead of the stock 150/70 that my manual suggests. How does this affect tire wear? Wouldn't the smaller height ratio cause my speedometer to read even higher than it currently does over actual?

I'm not really worried about grip difference as long as the tire is stable. I am concerned about a wider tire shortening the life I'll get out of it. The speedometer thing isn't even really a big deal to me either if I find out that 160/60s grip a bit better and/or wear better.

It seems to me that a wider tire would be "bubbled out" more, for lack of a better word, and cause a flat patch to wear in the center faster. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Also: Should I stick with 120/70 on the front regardless or rear tire size, or is there a better setup for kats?

The tire manufacture designs tires generally with a rim size range in mind so in most instances rims can fit a "range" of tire sizes. For example, the majority of tire manufactures including the brands your looking at recomend the following sizes for the 4.5" rim of 150-170 range.

This puts the OEM size on the "smaller" of the options available, and the 160 right in the middle. The specific size that the "size finder" options at the tire websites will recomend is based upon the OEM recomendation, not THIER recomendation. So for example... they say use 150s on the kat, but 160s on the bandit 600s (both have 4.5" rims) because that is what suzuki said to do.

As for size comparisons and how it will effect the speedo... there are alot of online tire size calculators that will give you that info by typing in the 2 sizes for comparison. Just a quick google search will locate those for you.

Krey

[WebDevDan]

I'm upping my back tire to a 160, getting some Michelin PR2's. As long as it doesn't rub the swingarm you should be fine with a 160 - and I know 160s don't rub the swingarm

[Flounder]

Thanks guys. The 160/60 seems to be the better option for me. For availability as well.



from the tire calculator

Seems like the speedo difference is negligible. Mine's reading about 5mph fast @ 70mph anyway.

[TRPUT]

You should compare a 150/70 (stock) with a 160/60. The 160 will probably compound your speedo by another few % - ie perhaps 7 - 8 mph error at 70 mph. Plus - if you look at the other info provided by the site, you will be 9mm lower at the rear.



from the tire calculator

[Flounder]

Holy hell I did not even realize I had posted the wrong one. Thanks TRPUT.

Is there any way to calibrate katana speedometers? Are there any alternate cables that will work with different tooth counts?

[scottynoface]

Speedohealer.

[KAT TOY]

I have used conti motions in sizes 150/70, 160/60 and 170/60. I seem to like the 150/70 the best. 120/70 is the only size to use on the front.

[TRPUT]

Speedo Healer or Speedo DRD ... or a 42T rear sprocket.

[Flounder]

I have used conti motions in sizes 150/70, 160/60 and 170/60. I seem to like the 150/70 the best. 120/70 is the only size to use on the front.

Silly question but what about the 150/70 did you like better? Cornering stability? Wear characteristics? Thanks for the advice man.

[KAT TOY]

I think it turns in better.

[Flounder]

Thanks man. Unless I hear otherwise, I will probably stick with the stock size.

[BareKat]

I've ran both stock and the 160 and prefer the stock size as it makes the bike handle better in my opinion.

Also, I noticed the 160 created a much more obvious flat spot near the end of its useful life.

[TRPUT]

I can only compare a 150 Dunlop with a 170 Shinko. Possibly due to the wider, flatter profile of the 170 and the greater rotating mass, it is definitely not as responsive to turn-in - especially in really tight twisties. However, for long distance touring and fast sweepers (the kind of riding I do) it is awesome, making the bike feel more solid, stable and sure-footed. I also like the 170's higher load rating which just gives me greater margin when the bike is fully loaded up. If in doubt, and certainly if "chuckability" is your thing, stick with the 150.

[Flounder]

Excellent info. The flat spot on the 160 was one of my main worries from the tire bulging more. I do a LOT of highway riding so the 150 sounds best yet again.