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We should all want the 5.5" rear, right? Because it was an extra cost option when new it must be better, the logic is supposed to go. Is it really?

My bike came with a 5.5" rear and even with a GS torque arm and liberal doses of rear preload it's still not the quickest turning bike in the world. Logic suggests that a 170/60 rear tyre on a 5" rim should help it turn more easily, but how much more easily? What are the REAL benefits of a 180 rear tyre other than looking good (?) outside the pub/cafe?

Has anyone ridden bikes with both widths of wheel and been able to tell the difference?

I never rode the S with both rims, but I had both a 5" and a 5.5" rim for my VFR, and on that bike I barely noticed any difference.

The advantage, besides the esthetical is more grip at extreme lean angles due to a larger contact patch. That said, if you need that you should really consider taking the bike to the track..

I reckon it's just pose value, some magazine roadtests said as much, but it really does look much better with the 5.5" rim

Steve

sproggy wrote:We should all want the 5.5" rear, right? Because it was an extra cost option when new it must be better, the logic is supposed to go. Is it really?

My bike came with a 5.5" rear and even with a GS torque arm and liberal doses of rear preload it's still not the quickest turning bike in the world. Logic suggests that a 170/60 rear tyre on a 5" rim should help it turn more easily, but how much more easily? What are the REAL benefits of a 180 rear tyre other than looking good (?) outside the pub/cafe?

Has anyone ridden bikes with both widths of wheel and been able to tell the difference?

First off I wouldn't consider myself a quick rider plus i've never done a track day. I ended up with a 5.5" wheel because my local dealer was clearing out old stock and offered me one at silly money, second ,180 tyres are generally more readily availible (and better priced) and thirdly after riding both I reckon there is a noticeable difference in side grip.(the 5.5"is better)
Nigel B

The 5.5 looks better.

End of

Gromit wrote:The 5.5 looks better.

Good enough for me

I suspect that when I get a nice rounded profile tyre on the back (the existing one's so square the bike'll almost stand up on its own...) I'll stop having doubts about the bike's ability to go around corners.