rear tyres 180/55x17?

discussions specific to the 907IE
Post Reply
User avatar
blazing928
Posts: 222
Joined: Tue Sep 15, 2009 4:08 am
model: 907 I.E.
year: 1991
Location: Melbourne Vic, Australia

rear tyres 180/55x17?

Post by blazing928 »

Hi

about to buy new tyres; Michelin Road Pilot 4.

the RP4 come in 3 models, STD, GT, Trail, the treads all look the same on the web.

Std come in a 180/55x17 vs 170/60x17 which is the OEM size

I can get RP4 GT in the OEM size of 170/60x17.

My question is, has any one tried a 180 wide tyre? Does it fit, any negative or positive experiences?

regards
Nigel
Nigel

91 907IE - full restoration
91 907IE Red, Wilbers, Staintune Conti, Corbin,
MPL Slipper,Ceramic exhaust

Lambretta LI150 S3
87 928S4

http://www.paolopirozzi.com/it/ - around the world on a Multistrada

907, its not a bike , its a cult
nickta
Posts: 295
Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2012 8:54 am
model: 907 I.E.
year: 1992
Location: Cairns, Queensland, Australia

Re: rear tyres 180/55x17?

Post by nickta »

Hi Nigel.

I had a 180/55 on the back of the 907 when I purchased it. The rear shock at some stage was knackered, so the 180/55 tyre went up and wore through the guard. I have since fitted a 170/60. The old 180/55 tyre didn't feel as good to ride on. It wasn't overly worn either.

Cheers.

Nick.
User avatar
blazing928
Posts: 222
Joined: Tue Sep 15, 2009 4:08 am
model: 907 I.E.
year: 1991
Location: Melbourne Vic, Australia

Re: rear tyres 180/55x17?

Post by blazing928 »

thanks Nick
me thinks 170/60 is the way to go.

You'd be better off with a solid tyre up in Broome ay?
I cant imagine you wearing the edges out around there!! Have you ridden the 907 on the dirt much?

For our Northern friends you should google Broome. Its a stunning part of Australia, on the border of the Pilbarra area [my favourite] & the majestic North west Kimberly region.
Pretty isolated, you drive 800 km south to the next big town, Karratha on 'almost' straight roads, and then go north for a coupe of days to get to Katherine.
Not many tourists go there, but that whole area is just stunning.
Nigel

91 907IE - full restoration
91 907IE Red, Wilbers, Staintune Conti, Corbin,
MPL Slipper,Ceramic exhaust

Lambretta LI150 S3
87 928S4

http://www.paolopirozzi.com/it/ - around the world on a Multistrada

907, its not a bike , its a cult
angelix
Posts: 338
Joined: Thu Nov 29, 2007 2:38 am
model: 907 I.E.
year: 1990
Location: UK

Re: rear tyres 180/55x17?

Post by angelix »

the 180 is permitted officially by Ducati.

Years ago I Asked them if it could be fitted and they issued me the "nulla osta" a letter confirming the fitment which is a legal requirement to get the new size marked on the bike Logbook; In ITALY this is necessary as without it the bike would not pass the Italian MOT with the different tire size.

As far as I know Ducati (or any othe manufacturer) would never issue the Legal document if the modification is not approved by their technical department.

As far as the tyre choice is concerned, unfortunately, the 170 limits the range of available possibilities.

I found myself strugglying to find a nice soft Pirelli, I then changed to Dunlops (Qualifier) and I have to say the bike rides VERY VERY well (dunlop's front tire profile is "quicker")

I have not fitted the 180 yet, but I will when it comes the day I cannot find a sport tyre in the 170 range
Tamburinifan
paso grand pooh-bah
Posts: 1527
Joined: Thu Jun 21, 2007 12:00 am
model: 907 I.E.
year: 1991
Location: Gothenburg, SWEDEN

Re: rear tyres 180/55x17?

Post by Tamburinifan »

Isn't 160-180 legal on a 5,5" wheel?

180 makes it steer slower, 170 better.
PR & 907 lovely match.
Gert

907 I.E. -91
M900 -97
MTS 1100s -07
angelix
Posts: 338
Joined: Thu Nov 29, 2007 2:38 am
model: 907 I.E.
year: 1990
Location: UK

Re: rear tyres 180/55x17?

Post by angelix »

Tamburinifan wrote:Isn't 160-180 legal on a 5,5" wheel?

180 makes it steer slower, 170 better.
PR & 907 lovely match.
It is "legal" , but in Italy only the sizes written on the logbook are allowed, by law, on the bike

I think the last 907 series (1992-3) was already being delivered with the two options (170-180), Mine which is #215, came out only with the 170 option on the logbook.
nickta
Posts: 295
Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2012 8:54 am
model: 907 I.E.
year: 1992
Location: Cairns, Queensland, Australia

Re: rear tyres 180/55x17?

Post by nickta »

blazing928 wrote:thanks Nick
me thinks 170/60 is the way to go.

You'd be better off with a solid tyre up in Broome ay?
I cant imagine you wearing the edges out around there!! Have you ridden the 907 on the dirt much?

For our Northern friends you should google Broome. Its a stunning part of Australia, on the border of the Pilbarra area [my favourite] & the majestic North west Kimberly region.
Pretty isolated, you drive 800 km south to the next big town, Karratha on 'almost' straight roads, and then go north for a coupe of days to get to Katherine.
Not many tourists go there, but that whole area is just stunning.
Hi Nigel.

Yeah, not too many corners around here. The oversized roundabouts do tend to wear the RHS a bit. Nothing like the Great Ocean Road around here.

The dirt roads around here are better suited to a big Trail bike, like a TonofAir or a KLR. They are usually rock solid, and then with no warning, soft as. Many a rider has come unstuck and ended up on their ear, and then wondered what had just happened.

The Pilbara was one of the first places I ended up in the Northwest. Karagini National Park is just plain spectacular. You forgot the Sump plug of the Universe South of Broome. First Town is Port Hedland, then Karratha.

Not many Tourists!!!!!!!!! This time of the year it is just plain nuts around here. Every car is a 4WD, every second one is pulling a Caravan. Most don't even see a dirt track. Even the local council has decided to Bitumise the track to Cape Leveque to get more Tourists up there. Oh well......

Cheers.

Nick.
User avatar
blazing928
Posts: 222
Joined: Tue Sep 15, 2009 4:08 am
model: 907 I.E.
year: 1991
Location: Melbourne Vic, Australia

Re: rear tyres 180/55x17?

Post by blazing928 »

ah yes, Port Headland! duh Nigel. I worked on a prawn trawler out of Point Samson in 92 , as I drove around Oz in a Kombi....
I went to Millstream NP. I would love to go back on a bike [dirt] and tour around. Whats a TonofAir? I had a Dominator set up for it years ago, but just never went!
Ok , plenty of grey nomads, but overseas tourists rarely go there compared to the east coast is what I meant.
Forget the GOR these days, 80kph all the way, the local DOCV does a ride every second week. I like doing the Snowy Ride, take a few days to go camping on the bike riding the Alpine hills.
ciao
Nigel

91 907IE - full restoration
91 907IE Red, Wilbers, Staintune Conti, Corbin,
MPL Slipper,Ceramic exhaust

Lambretta LI150 S3
87 928S4

http://www.paolopirozzi.com/it/ - around the world on a Multistrada

907, its not a bike , its a cult
nickta
Posts: 295
Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2012 8:54 am
model: 907 I.E.
year: 1992
Location: Cairns, Queensland, Australia

Re: rear tyres 180/55x17?

Post by nickta »

blazing928 wrote:ah yes, Port Headland! duh Nigel. I worked on a prawn trawler out of Point Samson in 92 , as I drove around Oz in a Kombi....

And still a very common way of getting around. The Kombi has been replaced by the Backpacker bus though. How some of those things get to the Northwest has me blessed...

You wouldn't recognise Point Samson now? Trawlers is still a great place to kick back and have a coldie, while looking out to sea.

Whats a TonofAir?

Yamaha Tenere.

Cheers.
User avatar
ducinthebay
paso grand pooh-bah
Posts: 1323
Joined: Sat Sep 03, 2005 12:00 am
model: 750 Sport
year: 1990
Location: SF Bay Area

Re: rear tyres 180/55x17?

Post by ducinthebay »

blazing928 wrote:Hi

about to buy new tyres; Michelin Pilot Road 4.
the PR4 come in 3 models, STD, GT, Trail, the treads all look the same on the web.

regards
Nigel
The standard is the one you want.
The GT is for heavy weight touring bikes like the BMW 1600 or Concours 1400.
And the trail is for, well, trail riding, so it would be good on a GS or Multistrada.
All really good in the rain, and most all the rest of your riding.
I still prefer the Pirelli Angel GT as it has a more angular profile and drops into corners much more willingly than the PR4. (which I just installed on my 1998 ST2)
As far as size, I do prefer the 170 over the 180, if you can find one. Not a very popular size.

On my Sport, I am actually going down to a 4.5" rim and a 160 tire to see what that feel like. I'm hoping it will lighten up the ride even more.
Since i ride with plenty of guys on KTMs and Triumphs with 150 rear tires, and trail tread, I am surely not concerned for corner adhesion. Almost all of them are riding to the edge of the tire with no ill affects. A good modern street tire will easily outperform a trail tire.

Cheers, Phil
Duc in the Bay
1990 750 Sport x2-Rosso Blanko (900ss copy) & Nuovo Nudo (Scrambler project)
1991 907 -mostly stock
2002 ST4s - Lots of mods.
Post Reply