[aramis]

I was going to buy a rear tire for my 999 (BT016) 190/50 17 and saw a sale off Pirelli Spercorsa PRO but size 190/55 17, so I would like to know What it means this difference (50/55) and if I can buy the tire without problems!
I would never buy the Supercorsa Pro because of price but in this case they are cheaper than BT016.
Thanks.

 

[TheNibbler]

55 is taller than 50. Turns in quicker. You "might" need adjust the wheel position a lil bit/

 

[aramis]

55 is taller than 50. Turns in quicker. You "might" need adjust the wheel position a lil bit/

It means I can use without problems, right?
It´s just a taller tire that can be used with my front BT tire 120/70 17.

 

[TheNibbler]

Yup.

Although I am not sure about different brands (Varying compounds) for front and back. You should be fine, unless you are a speed racer

 

[ducati2242]

190 x 55 will be almost 10mm bigger than a 190 x 50 Ive heard of people having trouble with the tyre hitting the aftermarket rear hugger . Id either stick to the 50% or go to a 180 section.

 

[Roland 97]

The first number, 190, is the approx. section width of a tire in millimeters. The middle number is a percentage (50% or 55% in this case) of the section width (1st number) -- this is the height of the sidewall. The last number, as you probably already know, is the wheel diameter in inches. The actual dimensions do vary slightly from manufacturer to manufacturer and can be checked on most of their websites.

Hope that helps.

 

[DuckMan]

Oh no! A 190 on a 5.5" rim! You'll put your eye out!

Sorry, couldn't resist such a hot topic
The best thing you could do would be to put a matching BT016 on the rear in a 180-55 size. The Bridgestone is a wide 180 and would be perfect on your bike; not to mention one of the stickiest street tires I've ever ridden.

 

[94t8]

Anyone, why did Ducati spec out an OEM 190/50 on the 996/998 on a 5.5 rim though it seems to be not recommended??

 

[BrianG]

Oh no! A 190 on a 5.5" rim! You'll put your eye out!

Sorry, couldn't resist such a hot topic
The best thing you could do would be to put a matching BT016 on the rear in a 180-55 size. The Bridgestone is a wide 180 and would be perfect on your bike; not to mention one of the stickiest street tires I've ever ridden.

Put your eye out?? I heard that your dick will fall off!

Really, you'll like the turn-in better with a 180.... I just changed mine from 190/50 to 180/55, and the difference is notable!

 

[Greg_S]

Put your eye out?? I heard that your dick will fall off!

Really, you'll like the turn-in better with a 180.... I just changed mine from 190/50 to 180/55, and the difference is notable!

+1

 

[mbevans]

Anyone, why did Ducati spec out an OEM 190/50 on the 996/998 on a 5.5 rim though it seems to be not recommended??

Big tires = Big Power, and we all want Big Power right? So if a manufacturer installs tires that look really wide it must mean fast/powerful machine.

A 999 with a 5.5" rear rim can use either a 180 or 190 tire, I've run many of both on my 996 & 999 and I can afford any tire, anytime, but both of my current Ducati's have 180's on them. And that includes track-days.....

Cheers,
Mark

 

[piotrek.zip]

Handling the bike is much better with 180 tire I would recommend you 180. It's much easier to take corners

 

[molasses]

While it's true the bike will display better handling with a 180 rear you shouldn't forget about the size of the contact patch when comparing 180 and 190 tyres.

With increased speed on a high speed track you'd want to consider a 190 tyre over a 180 tyre due to the increased contact patch and grip of the 190 tyre when negotiating curves.

 

[oneducs]

I have a 190/55 on my 999 and have nothing but good to say about the tire size, tall and round. Turning into corners is fast and light. I say try it, if you don't like it go back to the size tire you like best.

 

[94t8]

Big tires = Big Power, and we all want Big Power right? So if a manufacturer installs tires that look really wide it must mean fast/powerful machine.

A 999 with a 5.5" rear rim can use either a 180 or 190 tire, I've run many of both on my 996 & 999 and I can afford any tire, anytime, but both of my current Ducati's have 180's on them. And that includes track-days.....

Cheers,
Mark

Then they should've put 190s on the 748 for the squids who want the "more power" look. Really, I don't think that was the reason.

 

[jberb55]

I know this is very much a subject where pieces of dead horse will end up in someone's eye, but... My '06 999R was shipped with 190/50 tires. Were 55 A/R tires (180 or 190) just not available in '06? If 55 A/R is soooo much better than 50s, why didn't Ducati put 180/55 or 190/55 on their (at the time) flagship superbike?

 

[94t8]

The argument continues. . . in 2006 the CBR1000RR, the R1, F4 1000S, and GSX1000R were among liter bikes with 190/50 tires. The ZX10R had a 190/55.

I know this is very much a subject where pieces of dead horse will end up in someone's eye, but... My '06 999R was shipped with 190/50 tires. Were 55 A/R tires (180 or 190) just not available in '06? If 55 A/R is soooo much better than 50s, why didn't Ducati put 180/55 or 190/55 on their (at the time) flagship superbike?

 

[fretka]

I know this is very much a subject where pieces of dead horse will end up in someone's eye, but... My '06 999R was shipped with 190/50 tires. Were 55 A/R tires (180 or 190) just not available in '06? If 55 A/R is soooo much better than 50s, why didn't Ducati put 180/55 or 190/55 on their (at the time) flagship superbike?

They didn't need to, they gave you adjustable ride height instead.

 

[rockk]

They didn't need to, they gave you adjustable ride height instead.

thank God for Ducati . it even THINKS of our best interest, even when it seams it doesent.

have faith!

 

[ericjansen]

I am in the lucky situation that I have two 998S's.
Both are set up along the same lines for compression, damping and ride height.
My road bike is fitted with Michelin Pilot Power CT2, rear 190/50, my dedicated track bike with Michelin Pilot Pure CT2, rear 180/55.

I have driven both back-to-back on the same circuit, same temperature, same corners.
I can only confirm that where my track bike with the 180 tire is rock solid, the one fitted with the 190 tire tends to stand up under braking while leaned over.

I have not found a way to get rid of that.

I presume a 190/55 might do slightly better, but I swear by a 180 on the track from practical experience and comparison.

Eric