190/50-17 vs 190/55-17

I believe the reason most people like the 55 better is simple geometry changes that automatically happen when they mount one on a bike set up from the factory for a 50.

If one were to make changes to the front end (equal to the 55 difference) while using the 50 tire, is the 55 still going to turn better?

I only ask because I'm thinking a flatter 50 would last longer and stay rounder for a lot of slabbing I'll have to do on my next set.

55 is a touch taller but that usually helps because it shifts weight forward.

55 tire is MUCH easier/faster to lean over.

I don't think it has much effect on wear.

if you don't want it to square off then get a mich PR2 or 4. or a sport touring tire.

PR series I found are much more resistant to squaring off and its affects.

if 190/55 was not available, I rather use a 180 tire than a 190-50

My Speed Triple came stock with the 190/50 (6 inch rim). When the 190/55's came out, I put one on, and couldn't believe how much quicker it dropped into turns! I'll never go back to the 50. Here is an article about it. Sorry if there is an ad in there... http://www.sportrider.com/five-percent-difference

A lot of us were running 180/55s before 190/55s were commonly available on that bike.

Yeah, but putting the 180 on a 6 in. changed the profile. The 190/55 has essentially the same profile as the 180/55 0n a 5.5. It works for me.

Could some of the difference been from a worn out tire and a fresh one?
Even the same brand and size, it often feels like a new bike when new rubber is mounted.

Probably in some cases. But the 190/50 has a really flat profile compared to the 190/55. At least the Metzelers I was using did. The difference was huge.

Thanks for all the info guys. But doesn't lowering the front produce the same results geometry wise? Shifting weight forward etc...?

I'll preface the following with a disclaimer: I'm not tire/geometry expert, but here's my take on it.

To some degree, yes. Lowering the front will change the geometry so that the bike turns in a bit easier. This is similar to what happens when mounting a 55 series rather than a 50 series on the rear. There are a few differences though.

1) Lowering the front decreases ground clearance slightly at lean.
2) The 55 series still has a sharper profile which may also decrease turning effort slightly on it's own, plus being a sharper profile = more meat on the ground at lean.

If the 50 series profile is working for you I wouldn't worry about changing it. On the other hand if you found a deal on a 55 series tire it might be good to try it to see if you like it better.

When I rode a lot I'd experiment with lots of tires. Geometry changes, etc. It's not like any of them stayed on long anyway. If you aren't riding enough to go through a few sets of tires every year then it makes it a bit harder, but also tends to matter less in a sense as well.

I like the difference

It was still better than 190/50s

Not in my case I pulled a brand new 190/50 (bridgestone I think it was) off and swapped it to a 180/55 when Diablos first came out (remember they were giving free fronts with the rear?)

Of course, I also chopped a 1/2" out of the dogbone and dropped the froks in the triples to get mine to turn properly. Stock my 2000 Speedie was ALL about running wide with little provocation.

aprilia rsv came with 180 rear with a 6" rim

Yeah, fitment is fire ,5-6" wheels for most 180s, and back then a 190 was pretty rare.

Maybe I will try a 200/55 next, just to be different. 180's look too skinny!

I nearly did on the KTM, Super Corsa SPs have a 200/55 fittment for 6" its stock on a Panigale

Depending on (I think) year, they shipped them with either a 180 or 190. My Tuono came with a 190/50.

I've been looking into the 180 on a 6" rim. Seems like a good compromise between the 55 and 50.

Also interesting the 55 has a 75W load index and the 50 has a 73W. What does that mean?

And check this out, the 50 has 2 more mm of tread depth

http://www.moderntire.com/Modern/images/searchkey/Cycle/409/MCH/pilotroad3.pdf

The difference isn't going to be huge either way. With a 6" wheel, I would just go with the 190/55 and call it a day.

No idea what the W means.

For some people maybe not but I can always tell. The 55 is 22mm taller. Divided by 2 that's 11mm of ride height.

Right, and I'm not saying you won't be able to feel the difference. Otherwise, why make the change? But it isn't going to throw you on your head either.

I took it a little easier for a while, which I normally do on new tires anyway, and now it feels completely normal.