Ok all...how about a 190/55 vs a 180/55. Which one handles the best. I have seen differing opinions on both.
I've put 20000km on mine now. I quickly swapped out the oem 190/50 for the 190/55 Pirelli. (I used to be a dunlop fan until I found Pirelli 
I liked the 190/55, it was a definite improvement in cornering, but the bike still didn't feel neutral. I had 180/55 on my R1 for years so I gave it a go.
I will never go back to the 190/55. the 180/55 is the bomb. Contact patch? I only use v.soft compounds so I don't spin up (unless I'm trying to, which I don't 
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I respectfully disagree with the comments about contact patch, small bikes etc. I've ridden all 3 sizes and I'm wedded to the 180/55. I've experienced nothing but improvements with no compromise. I'm currently using These Pirellis
My cornering is faster, easier, smoother, 100% neutral. Great grip at all times, upright or leaned over, I could lose grip mid corner with previous tyres. Hasn't happened yet.
Now, most of my riding is commuting, occasional blast in the twisty hills not far from here (Mt Mee) and very little touring and I know I will never go back to a 190/anything. I can square off tyres over time with my commuting so I choose to replace tyres often and prefer performance over endurance. I travel about 12000km a year (I ride all year round) and I change tyres 2-3 times per year. Possibly overkill for my use, but when commuting, I only brake for traffic now, not corners. I take corners at the speed limit and these tyres ALWAYS stick and the big girl is much lighter to throw around. In your situation, I'd defintely try the 180/55, softest compound you can get and throw 'em away at the end of the season. You won't know yourself. If they don't work out, then you don't have to stick with them for too long. I wouldn't want to keep tyres for longer than that anyway for fear of compound going hard with age.
I better stop, If I rave anymore about the benefit of 180/55 I'm going to start sounding like a salesman or Grn with a new ZX14R ( luv ya Grn 
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