Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > Supersports: SS / SuperSport / Supersport 950 > WHich back tyre size??? 170 or 180 ?????? + nice tyre links

[Iconic944ss]

Just had a look through a couple of manufacturers websites for some nice sticky tyres for my 900ss for this season...Pirelli is an excellent example so here is a cute link.....

http://www.pirellimoto.co.uk/tires/fitment_chart.asp

Front fitments are all the same so no probs there however rear fits seem to be listed as both
170/60 ZR 17 M/C (72W) TL Diablo
and
180/55ZR17TL(73W) DRGSC (Supercorsa)

I know the section ratio makes a difference to the actual width of the tyre but will a 180 tyre really fit in my skinny swingarm????

My 170 section Bridgestone BT010 looks to run quite close as it is........I think a phone call to Pirelli UK might be in hand for a real width size.

Finally as an aside....BFM tyres seem to have cropped up quite a bit in my searching, so here is their website with a nice usage chart as well:

http://www.bfmmotorcycles.co.uk/cata...yres/index.jsp

Cheers - Frank

[Edited on 10-2-2004 by Iconic944ss]

[Iconic944ss]

Hmmmmm.....I've just had yet another thought about a thread that was posted on here about tyre weight as well !!!!

Just to confuse issues

I forgot about THAT issue......I've just spent more dosh than I wanted to hunting down a front Marchesini from Germany of all places...so I dont want to waste that weight saving by fitting (comparatively) heavy tyres.

Let the searching begin.....

Frank

[Derek]

I have run Michelins and Metzelers in 180/55 sizes with no clearance problems. A friend has a 180/55 Pirelli Dragon GTS on the rear also with no problem. The Pirellis are claimed to be very light.

[Capt Kremin]

Frank,

I've got the Dragon Evo Corsa 180/55 on the back of my '97 900SS, no problems with the swing arm......but it did chew it's way through the standard plastic hugger

Still, it was a good reason to buy a nice carbon one from Ducati Kaemna
They were the only people who could confirm their hugger wouldn't foul on a 180/55 tyre, they ask you to specify the rear size when ordered so they can dispatch the correct version. Very impressed all round!

Cheers.

[Iconic944ss]

Thanx for the advise guys, I think I'm convinced. The 180 seems to be more popular size when offered in pairs as well.

Time to S q u e e z e my credit card again - methinks

Cheers - Frank

[paulmort]

will fit a 900 ssie as the profile from rim to "grippy part" of rubber is less of an angle than the dragon normal pirella corsa set, Nelly measured my supa corsa's against wot I got on at the mo , 170 brdgy 010s, and the chain to tyre width gives me 5 millimetres at least.
well I hope so as Im taking a set of supercorsas to spain end of march
The pirelli fitment guide also says that supercorsas is ok
If I have any probs wiff the hugger, will take the bl**dy thing orft
rgds
mort

[SSTU]

Why did'nt Ducati fit a 180?
I don'nt think the bofins at Ducati say stick a 170 on it that will do there must be a reason for them fitting a 170.
I know 180 looks good and will earn you you more street cred points but lets not be vain.
I know what every bodys thinking wider tyer larger foot print but im not conviced its as simple as that

[Iconic944ss]

Yes - SStu, that was a concern as I always thought steering could be compromised with a larger section tyre but, the front is the same as std and many manufactures do recommend a 180/55 for their sports tyres.

Frank

[FiscusFish]

:P

[Edited on 13-2-2004 by FiscusFish]

[iceneweb]

i've got a 180 Diablo on my bike, and while it doesn't touch the swingarm, the chain is so close it sometimes touches - not a big deal though as i never get right onto the edge of the tyre.

of course, i'll be fitting a 170 when the time comes for a replacement, but probably not a diablo as i need something with mega-mileage (i commute)