Larger rear tire

[Ducati916Senna]

I don't know how you guys feel about this, but I've seen online where a few people have put up to a 150 on the rear of these bikes. Just wanted to see what you guys think of this. I think it looks awesome and they say it doesn't change the bike in a bad way. My wife even asked me about it the other day. Here is the link to the site: http://www.2fiddy.com/2008/07/larger...150-on-a-250r/ and here is a pic:

[kkim]

largest recommended tire for our 3.5" rear wheel is a 140. I too have read how others have put 150s on the rear of the bike and say it doesn't affect handling. I call BS.

I've switched to a 140 rear and have lost some flickability. For me, it's not worth the loss, so I will be going back to a 130 in the future.

My point is to say that don't believe the guys when they say mounting a 150 doesn't affect handling... it will. also, it will make the rear end of the bike higher.

for a freeway bike, I might consider it, but if you spend any amount of your time in the twisties and value a light, nimble bike, you will notice a change.

[Ducati916Senna]

That's all I needed to know. Thanks Kelly.

[DirtyBoy]

I put a 150/60 rear on mine a couple of weeks back. As Kelly has already said it does affect handling. I was told at the dealer that it would decrease handling between 20-30%. At first it was noticicable that more effort was required to lean the bike over. Two weeks later it feels the same to me as it did with the 130. I can scrape the pegs just as easliy as i did before. Going with the 60 series vs the 70 kept the overall diameter nearly the same as stock, so i didnt have any height issues to deal with. TO ME the handling wasn't affected enough for me not to recommend the wider tire, however i am curious to find out how the tire will wear over time on that skinny ass rim.

[Artood2s]

I have a set of BT-016's 110 front and 150 rear. There is a noticeable decrease in flikability, but also a major increase in ride comfort and stability. I also have confidence that the outright grip is also improved over the stock tires (due to the construction and compound). I feel that with the new tires on, the bike has a great balance of ride and handling.

As an added bonus, they look kick ass too.

[everyday3]

There is a very good article in 2 wheel tuner December 2008 issue p84, on how putting a larger tire on than recommended can actually give the opposite results than your looking for. They have a lot of nice charts showing contact patch of a recommended tire and a tire that is only 10mm bigger. There is a noticeable difference in contact patch. Basically putting a slightly bigger tire on a rim that doesn’t except that size changes the profile and if you are going up in size, the rims should be changed to accommodate the bigger tire.

[Alex]

Any way you'd be able to scan that page and post it up? I was wondering the same thing. One thing to keep in mind is that the tire isn't a solid object, so as it leans over it does flex a bit and flatten out a bit right at the contact patch. Looking at the 150 profile on that rim, it does look like if it were made of stone, leaned over it would put less rubber on the ground than the 130. But since it's pliable, it's really hard to know what the actual contact patch would look like (or feel like). My gut tells me that overall it would be a downgrade in performance, but that goes against the experience of folks using their Ninjettes on the racetrack at the very limits, and they like both 140's (BT090's) and 150's (BT016's) on the rear.

[everyday3]

Yes I’m going to try and scan it tonight and post it. I just thought people would like to know from the pros what really happens, especially since it is a common question and controversy.

[islanderman7]

I am in for the scanned article.

[everyday3]

Okay I have posted the article from 2 wheel tuner but I put it in its own thread so everyone could see it. It’s under (How bigger tires can reduce handling.)

edit: with a link