Fat rear tire??

[the_feev]

I'd like a fatter rear tire (mostly for esthetics). What can I get? Do I need a new rim?? Currently own an all-stock 2006 GSX600F. All opinions welcome...

[lanerw]

you can go 160/60 with nothing needed. Or you can pay a bunch of money to get your swing arm widened, new rim, etc. I think Krey said he does it for $250 plus the swingarm and shipping, then you would just need a new rim and whatever tire suits your fancy.

[Kreylyn]

I'd like a fatter rear tire (mostly for esthetics). What can I get? Do I need a new rim?? Currently own an all-stock 2006 GSX600F. All opinions welcome...

How fat?

You can mod(or have modded) your swingarm and then safely use a 5.5 with min additional mods, just the parts to make it work.

You can go 6" with some added mods over the 5.5 and offset sprockets.

Larger than that you need a fully custom swingarm and some serious $.

Krey

[dblj033]

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heres a pic of my 160-60 on my 2000 kat 600. small difference but def the cheapest and easiest route to go a bit wider

[rexazz2]

http://katriders.com/vb/showthread.php?t=109073&highlight=continental

[GSXFJim]

Plug n play... http://katriders.com/vb/showthread.p...15#post2196415

[hardlydangerous]

90% of 170/60-17 tires are designed to fit a 4.5"-5" rim

Im running a 170 shinko Apex. My previous tires were a 160 (second pic)
looks and works great. No mods needed, then again I dont have a chain guard so clearance with a chain guard may be an issue.

[Squisher]

I guess I'm weird, a previous owner of my Kat did whatever it is you have to do to safely fit a a 170/60 and when I replace it I'm probably going to do a 160/60 if I can't find any OEM size for a reasonable price. With my riding style, I won't notice the performance difference as far as grip goes (I'm assuming I wouldn't notice anyway), and the smaller sizes should be cheaper.

I guess the big rear tire looks neat...but I'm a cheapass.

The front I bought a 120/70 Shinko podium 006 - ~$68, several hundred miles later and no complaints.
I'll probably match the rear in model when it's time just because.
Price comparison:
150/60:$87
160/60:$91
170/60:$95
(priced from bikebandit)
So I guess it's a marginal difference in $, but hey, the $8 from the 150 to the 170 pays for shipping!

It would be a different story if one of the bigger sizes lasted a lot longer. Then I'd have to go that way just for longevity.

[cintidude04]

The front I bought a 120/70 Shinko podium 006 - ~$68, several hundred miles later and no complaints.
I'll probably match the rear in model when it's time just because.
Price comparison:
150/60:$87
160/60:$91
170/60:$95
(priced from bikebandit)
So I guess it's a marginal difference in $, but hey, the $8 from the 150 to the 170 pays for shipping!

You don't want a 150/60. If you want the OEM size you need a 150/70.

[Squisher]

You don't want a 150/60. If you want the OEM size you need a 150/70.

Derp...apparently I forgot the OEM size. That particular one doesn't come in a 150/70 so I guess I'll end up with the 160

EDIT:
A question, Is there any significant performance benefit (grip/stability) with a (honestly only marginally) wider motorcycle tire?
A wider car tire I understand, with a flat tread surface, wider very much correlates to more rubber on the pavement which helps grip. I even understand the difference between softer, stickier compounds for sporting purposes (favorite car tires evar that I've used were the Falken Azenis Sport RT215 -- too bad they only lasted from march through september that year)

I can imagine that a significantly wider tire (e.g. from a 100 to a 150 or something ridiculous like that), but I can't see how I'll notice going from a 150 to a 170 (assuming comparable compounds).
Yes, I'm still kind of a bike n00b.

[blob-79]

If you guys are putting 170/60-17's on the back, what are you putting on the front?

[cintidude04]

120/70

[05RedKat600]

If you guys are putting 170/60-17's on the back, what are you putting on the front?

You don't put a 170 on the back of a Kat without a wider rear rim. So the answer to your question is 120/70.

[cintidude04]

You don't put a 170 on the back of a Kat without a wider rear rim. So the answer to your question is 120/70.

A post kat will fit a 170. Wouldn't be my choice, but you don't need a larger rim (unless of course we are talking about a pre kat).

[blob-79]

sorry to hijack this thread.

my kat is an 89. What would you guys say are the widest tires i can go?