Lean Angle VS Tire Width

[kc50lx]

my sv has a 160/60 rear tire on it. my buddy's 06 1000rr has a 190/50 on it i think. i think the answer to my question is going to be yes, but i wanted to ask anyways. does a wider tire allow for more lean angle in a turn? i would think yes b/c the wider tire has a wider foot print and more usable rubber on the road. just a thought... im trying to justify spending money on a wider rim and tire for the rear. thanks ahead of time.

[blastap]

do you ride that hard to need a wider tire?alot of track guys ride sv and i dont think they get wider wheels

[Monsoon X]

I'm answering this without researching to make sure that I'm 100% correct but, from what I know from researching a while back before I did my first track day.

No. A wider tire doesn't not provide more lean angle if it did then a 300 series tire would be the joint.......but it's not. A wider tire provides more stability at high speeds on a straight. Also, the 150GP 2 strokes run itty bitty tires and they lean like crazy.

A smaller tire provides a quicker turn in, faster response. RACE tires provide more lean angle.

[HobieF3]

I'm not sure what the SV guys do. Get on one of the race boards (CMRA, WERA, RPM, CCS, or whatever I'm forgetting) and ask the SV riders what they recommend.

They have a cult like following with racers. I've run across plenty who have swapped GSXR front forks/brakes/rear shocks onto their bikes, but none that have gone with wider wheels.

[Super Coupe]

I wouldn't think it would help lean angle but when you are putting down the power off a turn the bigger tire will be more stable but you will lose response entering corners and it will not turn in as well.

[perezsteveo]

I'm answering this without researching to make sure that I'm 100% correct but, from what I know from researching a while back before I did my first track day.

No. A wider tire doesn't not provide more lean angle if it did then a 300 series tire would be the joint.......but it's not. A wider tire provides more stability at high speeds on a straight. Also, the 150GP 2 strokes run itty bitty tires and they lean like crazy.

A smaller tire provides a quicker turn in, faster response. RACE tires provide more lean angle.




^^^^^^^^^
What this guy said

[kc50lx]

thanks for the feedback!

[parkinlotpimpin]

I salesman at my job races an sv650 and he runs 160's. Dont put a wider tire on your rim because you will lose handling. I am a assistant service manager at a motorcycle dealership and people ask me this all the time. The best thing to do is get a good tire and learn to trust it. The bike is only going to be able to lean so far.

[CECILMACK2704]

I salesman at my job races an sv650 and he runs 160's. Dont put a wider tire on your rim because you will lose handling. I am a assistant service manager at a motorcycle dealership and people ask me this all the time. The best thing to do is get a good tire and learn to trust it. The bike is only going to be able to lean so far.

x2

[P94stang]

Lean angle would have more to do with the height of the center of the tire, not the width of the tire. Thus making it important to research what race tire will fit your bike's swing-arm and shock linkage, before just buying.

[the spindoctor]

a wider tire will make it steer MUCH slower and feel like you have low air pressure all the time. even going from a 180-190 was very noticable on my old 750. contact area has more to do with tire profile than width so if you are worried about traction just get a stickier compound or brand. most people that race liter bikes run 180's even though some come factory with 190's. if you're just going for looks, go for it, but the smaller tire will work better if you actually want to push it.

[kc50lx]

a wider tire will make it steer MUCH slower and feel like you have low air pressure all the time. even going from a 180-190 was very noticable on my old 750. contact area has more to do with tire profile than width so if you are worried about traction just get a stickier compound or brand. most people that race liter bikes run 180's even though some come factory with 190's. if you're just going for looks, go for it, but the smaller tire will work better if you actually want to push it.
i have been reading a lot on some of the sv forums and it looks like all the serious racers run 160 rear tires. so that settles it. thanks for everyone's input.