suzuki rf900 - what tires?? - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

rf900dave · 03-23-2007, 11:49 AM

Hey guys. Just joined, this is my first post. Bought a 96 suzuki rf900 a few weeks ago and it will need tires pretty soon so I'm looking for suggestions on brands/models. I like the twisties but don't go too crazy fast and want decent mileage (whatever that means) Also, the stock size rear is 170/60x17. I measure the rear wheel width to be 6". According to tire charts I could run a 180/55x17. Anybody running this tire, will fit for sure on right side, maybe tight on chain side. Thanks a bunch

**Clint** · 03-23-2007, 12:12 PM

Hey, Dave. I'd be willing to bet it's a 5.5 inch wheel if it's stock. For handling purposes I'd probably keep it stock.

Avon, Pirelli, Michelin, Dunlop. They all have good sport/touring tires. Do a little searching here for tire threads. Most sportbike tires work well on any similar bike.

rf900dave · 03-23-2007, 01:20 PM

I'm not sure if the wheels are stock or not. They are suzuki wheels and they are chrome plated, 3-spoke wheels. The guy I bought the bike from said he bought them exchange at a dealer. I have a service manual I just got and it doesn't say what the stock wheel widths were. I measured the wheel width with vernier calipers at the "corners" where the wheel "turns down" to accept the bead of the tire (hard to describe). Basically the widest part of the wheel, not from bead mating "surface-to-surface". Since the wheels were bought exchange I thought they may be off a mid-90's GSXR1100 and have a wider rear tire??? Any help is greatly appreciated.

**Clint** · 03-23-2007, 01:23 PM

Well, if it is a 6 inch, I think you can go to at least a 190. I'm really surprise that there's a 170 on there now if it is a 6 inch. The most common sportbike wheel size is 5.5x17, with a 180/55 tire.

rf900dave · 03-24-2007, 03:55 AM

thanks rowdy, maybe the wheel is a 5.5, i dunno. I think i'll go for a 180/55 if it'll fit, leaves a wider patch during a burnout!!!

**inspiron** · 03-24-2007, 08:01 AM

If you are planning to do burnouts, what difference does it make what brand of tire it is? You will trash it again anyway after a few minutes.

Rickster · 03-24-2007, 09:51 AM

Burnouts arn't allowed on this forum.

**inspiron** · 03-24-2007, 12:14 PM

What about those in my underpants when I mess up a turn and there is a bus coming the other way?

Rickster · 03-24-2007, 04:31 PM

Those are "skid marks", not burnouts.

karlfitt · 05-02-2007, 10:14 AM

I have a '95 RF 900.

I can't tell you about your rims, but on my stock rims I run a 180/55 17 on the rear.
Stock 120 on the front.

I ride similar to what you are talking about (nothing radiical, but I do like the twisties) and I run Dunlop D220's.
The stick good enough for me.
Can't comment on ,ilage yet as this bike is new to me.

HTH.

RF900Bob · 05-16-2007, 10:08 PM

Hey Dave

This may be two months To late, but I have a RF900R. When I got the bike it had Michelins on it. They were hard rubber, lasted a long time. Then I put Dunlop 208's on. Great soft tire, wholes the road great. but did not last long. Now I'm running Metzelers. Seems to be the best of both worlds. Sorry I can't give you the number now, the bike is outside and it's raining. The size is 180s. 170s are stock for this bike.

Tab B. · 05-19-2007, 11:52 AM

Hmmm, tires. Lovely subject. Don't have any brand specific examples, but if you want a little more mileage, lean a little towards the sport touring tires in a manufacturers line up. Dunlop has the D205{currently on my GSX1100G}, D220 as karlfitt has. Michelin Pilot roads have a good rep. The problem is, so many good tires to choose from, so little time to wear them all out.

wookie · 05-19-2007, 01:31 PM

I didn't now what's an RF900 so I did a little search. Nice looking bike.

karlfitt · 05-25-2007, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wookie

I didn't now what's an RF900 so I did a little search. Nice looking bike.

Yea, it wasn't a popular bike, so it makes keeping on up, and upgrading it a little harder.

I have only had mine two months, but love it so far.

03-23-2007, 11:49 AM	#1 (permalink)
rf900dave Newbie Joined: Mar 2007 Bike: 1996 suzuki rf900 Location: louisville, ky Posts: 4	suzuki rf900 - what tires?? Hey guys. Just joined, this is my first post. Bought a 96 suzuki rf900 a few weeks ago and it will need tires pretty soon so I'm looking for suggestions on brands/models. I like the twisties but don't go too crazy fast and want decent mileage (whatever that means) Also, the stock size rear is 170/60x17. I measure the rear wheel width to be 6". According to tire charts I could run a 180/55x17. Anybody running this tire, will fit for sure on right side, maybe tight on chain side. Thanks a bunch

03-24-2007, 08:01 AM	#6 (permalink)
inspiron Muscle Biker Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: Blue Suzuki GSX 1400 (2003) Location: Canton Basel-Land, Switzerland (47.4493, 7.76536) Posts: 11,743	If you are planning to do burnouts, what difference does it make what brand of tire it is? You will trash it again anyway after a few minutes. __________________ There is nothing worse than aggressive stupidity. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe blog: gsx1400

03-24-2007, 09:51 AM	#7 (permalink)
Rickster Bridal Boutique Manager Joined: Oct 2005 Location: St Paul Mn Posts: 2,911	Burnouts arn't allowed on this forum. __________________ Ever notice that the person telling you to calm down, is the same one that got you worked up in the first place. 2008 1250 Bandit ABS 2008 DR 650 2006 HD Road King 2005 DL1000 V Strom (sold) 2004 Twin Peaks 700 2003 KTM 525 EX/C (for sale) 2005 Santa Cruz Heckler

03-24-2007, 12:14 PM	#8 (permalink)
inspiron Muscle Biker Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: Blue Suzuki GSX 1400 (2003) Location: Canton Basel-Land, Switzerland (47.4493, 7.76536) Posts: 11,743	What about those in my underpants when I mess up a turn and there is a bus coming the other way? __________________ There is nothing worse than aggressive stupidity. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe blog: gsx1400

03-24-2007, 04:31 PM	#9 (permalink)
Rickster Bridal Boutique Manager Joined: Oct 2005 Location: St Paul Mn Posts: 2,911	Those are "skid marks", not burnouts. __________________ Ever notice that the person telling you to calm down, is the same one that got you worked up in the first place. 2008 1250 Bandit ABS 2008 DR 650 2006 HD Road King 2005 DL1000 V Strom (sold) 2004 Twin Peaks 700 2003 KTM 525 EX/C (for sale) 2005 Santa Cruz Heckler

03-23-2007, 01:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
rf900dave Newbie Joined: Mar 2007 Bike: 1996 suzuki rf900 Location: louisville, ky Posts: 4	I'm not sure if the wheels are stock or not. They are suzuki wheels and they are chrome plated, 3-spoke wheels. The guy I bought the bike from said he bought them exchange at a dealer. I have a service manual I just got and it doesn't say what the stock wheel widths were. I measured the wheel width with vernier calipers at the "corners" where the wheel "turns down" to accept the bead of the tire (hard to describe). Basically the widest part of the wheel, not from bead mating "surface-to-surface". Since the wheels were bought exchange I thought they may be off a mid-90's GSXR1100 and have a wider rear tire??? Any help is greatly appreciated.

03-24-2007, 03:55 AM	#5 (permalink)
rf900dave Newbie Joined: Mar 2007 Bike: 1996 suzuki rf900 Location: louisville, ky Posts: 4	thanks rowdy, maybe the wheel is a 5.5, i dunno. I think i'll go for a 180/55 if it'll fit, leaves a wider patch during a burnout!!!

05-02-2007, 10:14 AM	#10 (permalink)
karlfitt Seat Tester Joined: May 2007 Bike: BMW R 1100 RSL Location: Colorado Posts: 76	I have a '95 RF 900. I can't tell you about your rims, but on my stock rims I run a 180/55 17 on the rear. Stock 120 on the front. I ride similar to what you are talking about (nothing radiical, but I do like the twisties) and I run Dunlop D220's. The stick good enough for me. Can't comment on ,ilage yet as this bike is new to me. HTH.

05-16-2007, 10:08 PM	#11 (permalink)
RF900Bob Newbie Joined: May 2007 Posts: 1	RF900 Tires Hey Dave This may be two months To late, but I have a RF900R. When I got the bike it had Michelins on it. They were hard rubber, lasted a long time. Then I put Dunlop 208's on. Great soft tire, wholes the road great. but did not last long. Now I'm running Metzelers. Seems to be the best of both worlds. Sorry I can't give you the number now, the bike is outside and it's raining. The size is 180s. 170s are stock for this bike.

05-19-2007, 11:52 AM	#12 (permalink)
Tab B. Third gear and cruising Joined: May 2007 Bike: 86 GSXR750G, 93 GSX1100G, 89 YSR50 Location: Kingston NH Posts: 473	Hmmm, tires. Lovely subject. Don't have any brand specific examples, but if you want a little more mileage, lean a little towards the sport touring tires in a manufacturers line up. Dunlop has the D205{currently on my GSX1100G}, D220 as karlfitt has. Michelin Pilot roads have a good rep. The problem is, so many good tires to choose from, so little time to wear them all out.

05-19-2007, 01:31 PM	#13 (permalink)
wookie U.B's LoveChild Joined: Apr 2005 Bike: '05 SV650S; '05 GSX-R600;'04 749S Location: 20 Miles East of LA Posts: 1,193	I didn't now what's an RF900 so I did a little search. Nice looking bike. __________________ "Don't wrestle with pigs. You both get dirty and the pigs love it." "Don't argue with idiots. They will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience." "The Universe is a contest between engineers making things idiot-proof and God making bigger idiots. So far, God is winning by a wide margin."

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