Motorcycle-Journal Forums  

Go Back   Motorcycle-Journal Forums > Bike Talk > Sportbikes & Sport-tourers
Motorcycle Journal       Suzuki Bikes       Honda Bikes       Yamaha Bikes

Sportbikes & Sport-tourers Got a supersport, sport-tourer or streetbike? If you prefer the twisties to the open road, this is the place to talk about it!


Welcome to the Motorcycle-Journal Forums forums.

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact contact us.
Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 03-23-2007, 11:49 AM   #1 (permalink)
Newbie
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Bike: 1996 suzuki rf900
Location: louisville, ky
Posts: 4
Default 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

rf900dave is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
Suzuki Motorcycle Info  Honda Motorcycle Pictures  Kawasaki Motorcycle Resource  Yamaha Motorcycle
Old 03-23-2007, 12:12 PM   #2 (permalink)
Mind not for rent
 
Clint's Avatar
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Bike: 2002 Bandit 1200 S
Location: St. Cloud, MN, USA
Posts: 574
Default

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.
__________________

a.k.a. RowdyRed94
my blog

IBA #26947
2002 GSF1200 S Bandit | Hayabusa shock, Racetech forks, Holeshot stage 1 and pipe, Hella headlights, CBRXX clipons, Givi luggage, Quest 2 gps
"The radical ideas of today are often the conservative policies of tomorrow, and dogma is left protesting by the wayside." -Louis L'Amour
Clint is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 03-23-2007, 01:20 PM   #3 (permalink)
Newbie
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Bike: 1996 suzuki rf900
Location: louisville, ky
Posts: 4
Default

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.
rf900dave is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-23-2007, 01:23 PM   #4 (permalink)
Mind not for rent
 
Clint's Avatar
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Bike: 2002 Bandit 1200 S
Location: St. Cloud, MN, USA
Posts: 574
Default

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.
__________________

a.k.a. RowdyRed94
my blog

IBA #26947
2002 GSF1200 S Bandit | Hayabusa shock, Racetech forks, Holeshot stage 1 and pipe, Hella headlights, CBRXX clipons, Givi luggage, Quest 2 gps
"The radical ideas of today are often the conservative policies of tomorrow, and dogma is left protesting by the wayside." -Louis L'Amour
Clint is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 03-24-2007, 03:55 AM   #5 (permalink)
Newbie
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Bike: 1996 suzuki rf900
Location: louisville, ky
Posts: 4
Default

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!!!
rf900dave is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-24-2007, 08:01 AM   #6 (permalink)
Muscle Biker
 
inspiron's Avatar
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Bike: Blue Suzuki GSX 1400 (2003)
Location: Canton Basel-Land, Switzerland (47.4493, 7.76536)
Posts: 11,743
Send a message via Skype™ to inspiron
Default

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
inspiron is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-24-2007, 09:51 AM   #7 (permalink)
Bridal Boutique Manager
 
Rickster's Avatar
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: St Paul Mn
Posts: 2,911
Default

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
Rickster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-24-2007, 12:14 PM   #8 (permalink)
Muscle Biker
 
inspiron's Avatar
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Bike: Blue Suzuki GSX 1400 (2003)
Location: Canton Basel-Land, Switzerland (47.4493, 7.76536)
Posts: 11,743
Send a message via Skype™ to inspiron
Default

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
inspiron is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-24-2007, 04:31 PM   #9 (permalink)
Bridal Boutique Manager
 
Rickster's Avatar
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: St Paul Mn
Posts: 2,911
Default

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
Rickster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-02-2007, 10:14 AM   #10 (permalink)
Seat Tester
 
karlfitt's Avatar
 
Joined: May 2007
Bike: BMW R 1100 RSL
Location: Colorado
Posts: 76
Default

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.
karlfitt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-16-2007, 10:08 PM   #11 (permalink)
Newbie
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1
Talking 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.
RF900Bob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-19-2007, 11:52 AM   #12 (permalink)
Third gear and cruising
 
Joined: May 2007
Bike: 86 GSXR750G, 93 GSX1100G, 89 YSR50
Location: Kingston NH
Posts: 473
Default

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.

Tab B. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-19-2007, 01:31 PM   #13 (permalink)
U.B's LoveChild
 
wookie's Avatar
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Bike: '05 SV650S; '05 GSX-R600;'04 749S
Location: 20 Miles East of LA
Posts: 1,193
Default

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."
wookie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2007, 11:21 PM   #14 (permalink)
Seat Tester
 
karlfitt's Avatar
 
Joined: May 2007
Bike: BMW R 1100 RSL
Location: Colorado
Posts: 76
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by wookie View Post
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.
karlfitt is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
94 Suzuki RF900 R In Ohio nick0 Bikes For Sale Street or Other 1 07-07-2008 05:07 PM
RF900 Help DarkWolf29805 Sportbikes & Sport-tourers 15 03-15-2007 11:21 AM
RF900 wet woo's rf900scott Mechanics Corner 7 02-27-2007 07:45 PM
Suzuki RF900 chefprice Suzuki 5 09-20-2006 08:25 AM
MY OLD RF900 gsxrjeffro Members Photo Gallery 3 01-09-2004 10:17 PM


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:36 PM.
Blackbird Forums


Copyright 2008, Suzuki-Bikes.com
Motorcycle-Journal Forums

SEO by vBSEO ©2008, Crawlability, Inc.