Rear tire size - 999
 

I just got my 999 and tried to scrub in tires today with a couple of mates on a series of familiar twisties here in Hong Kong.

Results: I rode it at usual speed and still couldnt manage to scrub in the last 1/2 - 2/3 inch of the sides of the rear...while I would have done it on my ninja636 and R1. I realised the rear rim is 5.5inch but isnt rim of such size often fitted with 180 rear instead of 190 rear? The standard Pilot Sport profile doesnt seem right to me.

Your comments are welcome.

Thanks.

a 180 will be a better fitment and give a better profile/turn in speed etc. 190's were fitted as standard really only for cosmetic reasons. most people change to a 180 at their first tyre change

hi hk999
ive also fitted 180 rears all year with no problems so far...........:)

Cheers. I just realised 999R has 180 rear as standard fitment.

Not according to Ducati.com!

999 999R
Rear tyre 190/50 ZR 17 190/50 ZR 17

Trying to make my mind up if to change mine for a 180.
Confused :(

I run a 190/55 on the street and 190 or 195/60 slick for the track. I also have a 6" rim to suit. With a 5.5" rim, the proper tyre fitment is a 180/55. A 190/50 as fitted standard is the wrong profile.

I run a 180/55 Supercorsa on mine, much better than the 190 standard section tyre.

When the 190 is fitted to a 5.5 rim the bead is forced inwards and this curls the extremity of the tyre away from the intended contact patch with the road and distorts the true section. So the further you lean the further you need to lean to meet the edge of the tyre.

Because the profile is distorted the stability of the tyre is affected and will not behave in the manner the manufacturer intended (especially) when cornering.

I doubt that the majority of us could tell the difference but all I can say is that this is how the issue has been explained to me and I am much happier with the bike running the 180/55 rear on a 5.5 rim

Mind you, the Supercorsa has a lighter carcass.................

I've got a pair of 207RR's in the garage waiting to be fitted.The rear is a 180.
I'll gonna put them on next week and see what they feel like.

KeefyB,
Did you stick the 180 on and if so how did it feel?I rang Ducati Uk and discussed the issue of tyre size and he said "The 999 was designed to run with a 190 tyre and felt there would be little benifit in changing to a 180".So i'm not sure what to put on now.Also has anyone got experience of Bridgestone 010's on a 999,i need a durable tyre as i'm riding down for WDW.comments aprreciated.

Bazzer, been running 010's on my 999 for the past 3K miles, good grip & feedback, hot/cold/wet/dry, good miles, wouldn't fit anything else.

Cheers, Roy

Dukes, 748, 998 & 999s, are notoriously shy to get wear right over to the edge of the standard fitment tyre I believe, especially if you've been used to riding another make of bike..... That'll be the non-technical answer within this thread then...

H

Roy,
Thanks for that,but have you a 180 or 190 on the rear?
Thanks

Again, totally non-technical but...
I changed to a 180 on my 916 and didn't really notice any improvement.
On the 749 i've stuck with the 190 and not had a problem using the whole of the tyre...
Probably just a case of getting used to a different type of bike.
But hey, each to their own - try it, you might like it! What's the worst that can happen?

Sorry Bazzer 190, can't seem to get rid of the little chicken strip (no problem on the Mich), but hey, probably just cos I'm a slow old git:lol:

I had a190 on my 998 and manged to get rid of the chicken strip, bar about 2mm.. grazed my elbow doing it...;)

Thanks for all your replies but i would like to hear from someone that has actually changed from a 190 to 180 and wether the change was noticeable.I know when i changed the sps rear tyre to a 180 the difference was very noticeable but that was a common mod most 9** owners made.
I have to say the 999 steers much faster than the sps with the 190 on and assume it would be even quicker with a 180.

will be changing to a 180 in the next week or so. first time out will most likely be on track at cadwell either the dsc day or maybe the weekend before. running diablo corsa at the minute, changing to supercorsa's. get pretty much right to the edge of the 190's. looking for quicker turn in and maybe increased corner stability

Hmm,the 749 has the same rear rim and has a 180 fitted as standard.Why?
Went out for a gentle blast tonight to scrub in the RR's.First impressions were that the bike felt a little nervous.That could have been down to me tho.(Remember the "Bad Friday" post?)
After a few gentle miles to warm the tyres up I started to lean the bike a bit more.The bike does seem to turn in a bit quicker and is very stable mid corner.I did about 70 miles this evening and the tyres are scrubbing in nicely.Well happy.:D

i am looking to change the rear to 180 next, having read the +ve comments here.

Worth remembering you will get a larger contact patch with a 190 section tyre when the bike is cranked over. If you want the bike to steer quicker, try raising the rear ride height adjuster.