andy cunningham

I ride/race a Suzuki TL1000R which is running standard rims, which come fitted with a 190. Everyone anywhere will tell you to fit a 180 to (supposidly) sharpen up the steering. Ok, so this does sort of work, but the advice above is still corect! The 180 tyre walls become exactly vertical, they stop sloping in from the tyre tread to the rim, the tyre edge become flush with the rim. Therefore, for the side wall to change angle, the treaded area must have deformed also. I went in search of something better and stumbled upon a Bridgestone 190/55 race tyre. A 190 tyre with a 180 profile. This seems to me to be a much better (and safer) option than a deformed 180! I also like the confidence boost that it gives me knowing I have a bigger contact patch! The bikes suspension and chassis was rumoured (by the previous owner) to be set up to take the 180. How much truth or BS is there is setting up the chassis/suspension to deal with tyre width?