If anyone wants to try the 200/55-17 I have a brand new Metzler M7rr in the classifieds!!

wouldn't widening the tire (200) end up making the overall curve of the tire shallower, hence making the 'tip in' harder? Doesn't the tire end up a bit 'flatter' at this point?

Generally speaking, a 55 is approximately 10mm higher than a 50. Squashing a 200 onto a 190 rim should deform the shape. It has been squeezed narrower at the bead so it has to bulge at the outer circumference making it a larger diameter or taller. This 10 mm squeeze in width probably results in 3 or 4 mm in expansion of the outer circumference all around for a total increase in height of about 6-8 mm. So a 200/55 on a 190 rim is probably about 16-18 mm taller than a 190/50. Maybe a max of 20mm higher but I doubt the 10mm squeeze ads a whole 100mm in height since the tire will be trying to retain the shape it was molded to even while it is being squeezed.

From what I have heard in the past, not all 55s are the same height or the same shape. It depends on the height of the sidewall since 55 is a percentage of that measurement. Viewed from the side, the height of the tread is 55% higher than the height of the side wall (where the embossed printing is). A 190/50 is only 50% taller than the side wall. I don't know if I got this right but it's something like that.

* Last updated by: Rook on 7/1/2016 @ 6:59 PM *

Not quite Rook,
Tire numbers are aspect ratio which is to say the height of the tire is 55% of the width. So a 190/50 would be 190mm wide by 95mm tall. 95+95+ your 17in wheel which is 431.8mm gives you a total tire height of 621.8mm or 24.48". A 190/55 would be 25.23" and a 200/55 would be 25.66" not counting the increase from being on a 190 width wheel. So if you cut those numbers in half then you can measure from the center of your axle to the front of your swing arm for clearance. But like you said all tires are a little different so this is just ball park numbers.
Something else to consider would be how much does the tire swell as it heats up and do you have room for that?

Dave

Thank you for clarifying david. I will try to remember this because this comes up so often. WOW, a 200/55 is about an inch and a half taller which raises the seat about 3/4". Sounds about right. I'm still able to touch the soles of my feet flat on the ground but I'm almost at the limit of my leg length. Also, this is about the same saddle height of most liter bikes from a few years back when I was comparing.

* Last updated by: Rook on 7/2/2016 @ 8:48 PM *

...Thanks guys - I sometimes like to confirm/deny my thinking is on the right track during some of these discussions!

In sort of the opposite vain, why doesn't anyone ever go with a 60 front instead of a 70? Also if someone wanted to drop the front forks 5-10mm (I've heard 10mm is about max you really want to go) would accomplish the same thing without going to the 200. Just to reiterate, 200's going to typically weigh more and the larger circumference is going to gear down the bike. Both effectively slowing acceleration, might help a little in 1st but I'd think definitely have a negative affect in other gears. Damn...if only someone would do some testing!

Like Rook said I'd also think a 200 on 6" rims would end up being slightly larger circumference compared to what I think is mostly considered a 6.5" "native" rim width for 200s.

190/55 puts me about my limits for safely reaching the ground. I can still touch the toe area of both feet but most roadways aren't flat so I pretty much have to tripod. I don't feel unsafe or unstable but any higher wouldn't be good for me.

All good points, Vic. I never knew there was a lower front tire. Might be worth a try. You can't raise Ohlins forks (sucks). One thing about dropping the front is that it reduces ground clearance though.

This thread needs to note that the rim on our bikes is 6" wide bead to bead. If you consult the dealer information on the Pirelli Rosso Corsa 200/55 you will see that 6" rim width is the size recommended for it and if you look at the 190/55 size it is recommended for 5.5".

To summarize: 200/55 is actually what our bikes should be using if you consult the dealer/owner's information.

* Last updated by: Fantastic on 7/5/2016 @ 9:45 PM *

Damn. First I heard of this. I can see why.

I'm on my 4th or 5th 190/55. Never going back to the /50. Which manufacturers make 200/55 tires? I can't remember that size being offered in any of the different brands I've tried so far.

Road my first track day on the forth at The Ridge here in Washington. The 190/55 Q3s the guys at OPRT set me up with worked great. Very predictable and confidence inspiring. By my second session out on the track I noticed that the chicken strips were gone from the rear tire. Was a great day mild temps. Instructor had me run 30/30 Fr/RR cold pressure and it worked great. I didn't get my hot pressures to see how much heat increased the PSI. Might be looking for a 200/55 when I wear these out.
I was running the Michelin PP2ct's in a 190/50 on my bikes for a lot of years. Then switched to the PP2ct 190/55 and really noticed improved handling. The 190/55 didn't seem to effect gearing to much but I think a 200/55 might push me to re-gear some also.

* Last updated by: david5525 on 7/6/2016 @ 8:14 PM *

Which manufacturers make 200/55 tires? I can't remember that size being offered in any of the different brands I've tried so far.

The most expensive Pirelli Rosso Super Duper Diablo Costra Nostra or what ever its called - their top of the line street tire

The most expensive Pirelli Rosso Super Duper Diablo Costra Nostra or what ever its called - their top of the line street tire

Come on man everyone knows the Diablo comes before the Rosso... as for the rest you are completely correct. The Diablo Rosso Corsa is one step below the Supercorsa which is a DOT approved race tire, both of which have 200/55 size. In other brands you will only find 200/55 in the race or just shy of race level tires. However, 190/55 is just fine for most purposes, even light track usage, but I can tell you right now they will be stretched and deformed slightly from our rim width and so their profile will not be as aggressive as they were intended to be.

* Last updated by: Fantastic on 7/6/2016 @ 9:52 PM *

This thread needs to note that the rim on our bikes is 6" wide bead to bead. If you consult the dealer information on the Pirelli Rosso Corsa 200/55 you will see that 6" rim width is the size recommended for it and if you look at the 190/55 size it is recommended for 5.5".

To summarize: 200/55 is actually what our bikes should be using if you consult the dealer/owner's information.

I'm not sure this is completely accurate. Where do you find the rim size suggestions for Pirelli tires?
Also, on other manufacturer's pages for a 5.5" rim they usually recommend a 180/55. Did you mean to type 180?

I looked at the tire recommendation list by model in the Pirelli pdf for motorcycle tires and NONE of the suggested tires or sizes for ANY year zx14 lists a 200/50 or 200/55.

It does list 120/70/17 and either a 190/50 or a 190/55 size rear suggestion for some tires but for the Rosso Corsa they don't even list the 190/55 as a suggested tire. Let alone a 200.... Page 135.

http://www.motooprema.eu/attachments/katalog/5/7984_Pirelli_TDB_2015_completo.pdf

Quote: ZZR 1400 ABS ZXT40E 1400 2012 10 1734600 120/70 ZR 17 M/C (58W) TL Diablo Rosso Corsa Fr. 1734700 190/50 ZR 17 M/C (73W) TL Diablo Rosso Corsa

Most tire manufacturers are going to base their "recommendations" on OE specifciations. Makes sense really espeically today with all the lawsuits and everything.

Dunlop has a fairly plain and simple to read chart http://www.dunlopmotorcycletires.com/tire-line/sportmax-q3/ for recommended rim widths. Interesting about about the 200/50 diameter.

I looked at the tire recommendation list by model in the Pirelli pdf for motorcycle tires and NONE of the suggested tires or sizes for ANY year zx14 lists a 200/50 or 200/55.

It does list 120/70/17 and either a 190/50 or a 190/55 size rear suggestion for some tires but for the Rosso Corsa they don't even list the 190/55 as a suggested tire. Let alone a 200.... Page 135.

That is because they cannot safely contradict the manufacturer of the bike, doing so would open them up to untold lawsuits because if anything goes wrong then they are liable for going against what the builder says.

Also, on other manufacturer's pages for a 5.5" rim they usually recommend a 180/55. Did you mean to type 180?

I stand corrected. I was misremembering. A 190 is good for 5.5 but is recommended for 6 and a 200 is recommended for 6 but is good for 6.5. I opted for the one least likely to be deformed by the rim size in a negative fashion.

* Last updated by: Fantastic on 7/7/2016 @ 9:27 AM *

Totally true about the fear of recommending anything due to a lawsuit, but wouldn't that rule out a 190/55 ?

I'm not being argumentataive, I am just curious if in some markets the 14 came with a 55 as oem, or they just figure its "close enough" ? Even without the handling benefit, I might have gone for one since it seems to have slightly better speedo accuracy than the 190/50. Especially as it wears down.

You can kill the chicken strips on any tire, Rook. Just leeeeean and believe!

EDIT These are the Pirelli Supercorsa SP tires, which are DOT street tires. Essentially the stickiest street rubber you can buy. The Supercorsa SC tires are the Race DOT series.

* Last updated by: TRAILBOSS on 7/7/2016 @ 3:09 PM *

Only gonna find the SC at a race track vendor though really

True, and that's where they should stay. Using the same compounds as race slicks, the SC tires will never reach operating temperature on the street, even on the most aggressive of rides. The SP compound is good for riding the bodywork off the ZX-14R anyways.

That being said, we are an authorized dealer for Pirelli and Dunlop tires, both street and race. Let me know if you need anything!

Kixxit, 200 is the width and the 50 is the height. However lets consider a 6" wide rim made for a 190/50 width tire. If you put a 200 on it the tire got wider but the rim stayed the same. So where did that extra width go? It has no where to go but up. So the tire got taller and the tip in would get easier. Tip in is easier because the profile is taller and because you raised the rear of the bike (assuming you did not lower the rear to compensate). Now if we add a 200/55 then you have a tire that would be naturally taller even on the proper width rim because its a 55 and now you shove that on a rim that is narrower than designed for the tire. SO basically you end up with a 190/60.

Not to sidetrack, but on the 2nd gen does going from a 190/50 to the 190/55 mess with traction control? From people's reviews in this thread I would assume not, but that isn't a practice I am fond of...

Not to sidetrack, but on the 2nd gen does going from a 190/50 to the 190/55 mess with traction control? From people's reviews in this thread I would assume not, but that isn't a practice I am fond of...

I can tell you a 200/55 doesn't.

Thanks Fantastic, good to know. Just about time to replace my PR4's. Easier tip-in + correcting speedo error are making this look attractive. Now the only decision is do I stay with Michelin, or go Pirelli Angel GT's... But that is a can of worms not to be opened in this thread I think.

Fantastic - Have you posted any pics of your 200/55?

If not, can I request a rear view, side view and while I'm begging, maybe 3/4 view?

Thank you!