is 180/55/17 the tire most of you guys are running on th 954 i running 190/50/17 bt012ss's and was thinking of going to the 180's next set just wanted to make sure that they would fit. what exactly is the 55 part?

the 55 part is the percentage in height of the width which is the 180.
a 180/55 will be taller and skinnier while than a 180/50 for an example...

im still running 190's. bike came with 'em, i dont see why honda would put it on there if the bike worked better with a 180. tahts just my opinion though.

I just went from the stock 190/50 - 120/70 Michelin Pilot Sports to Pirelli Diablo 180/55 -120/70. The 180's feel a lot different. The bike feels like it turns faster and easier. Feels "ligher."

I've run both. Just got finished with a Perelli Diablo 180 and that is a GREAT tire. Just went back to a 190 Metz. M1. Which is still my favorite. I'm thinking a 180 M1 because the turn in is noticable.

Well run what you want but all the racers run 180's. If Rossi or anyone else thought that 190's would make em run better I would think that they would put em on. :wink:

I know mine is falls in faster with 180's and sticks just as good. 8)

racers in the past raced on 180's due to the fast turn in which was cause by the 55 profile but now dunlop has a 190/60/17 that we all race on with our 1 litters and alot of 600's are racing on them as well. turning is just as quick and you have lots of grip at full lean.

Really all the track junkies that I know tell me they only use the 180. If they have changed that I didnt know that. A well I like the 180 a little better than the 190's it is more flickable and thats inportant to me in the tight twisties that we have here. :wink:

Yeah Nutty, this is why the pros are running 16.5 'wheels now. They can have the pointyness of a 180 with the contact area of a 190 without increasing the overall tire height.

in superbike they can run the 6.5 rim but in supersport and all production classes they have to run with the stock rims. the 190 60 series has the pointness of the 180 and has the grip of the 190 it is a little slower turn in if you run a harder compound but the soft will let you change direction as fast as a 180. if you have some buddies that race the next time they go to the track have them grab you a set of 190 60 17 and give them a try remember these are dunlop 208gpa's they are sticky. :D