170 vs 180 rear tire

[Trex]

On a 2004 1100S with the narrow rear rim (5" rather than 5.5"?) with the stock 170 rear tire, will a 180 rear tire fit the rim? Some one recently mentioned that adding the 180 rear tire would "improve handling". What differences will I notice? In about 1500 miles I'll need to replace front and rear RP2s. Thinking of RP3s or the Conti Attack 2s. Most of my riding is on back roads - very little highway.

[PFFOG]

The consensuses, I believe, is the opposite, it will slow the handling, and have less rubber on the road when leaned over (less traction), due to the fact that the too narrow rim deforms the profile.

[Martin Glasser]

So for a 200 what do you need? a 6.5"?

[R1100S2000]

Originally Posted by PFFOG

The consensuses, I believe, is the opposite, it will slow the handling, and have less rubber on the road when leaned over (less traction), due to the fact that the too narrow rim deforms the profile.

Agreed

If you want a 180 tire get the 5.5" rim.

I wanted the sexier 180 tire so i got the 5.5" rim. With my skill level I didn't notice much difference. I mostly wanted it for looks. lol

If you want better handling stick with the 170 tire, get the short paralever arm and do the short a-arm mod. Big differences there.

[Trex]

I have the Verholen adjustible arm on the rear and I have it so that the rear tire is just above the surface when the bike is on the centerstand - you can still rotate the rear wheel. That brings up another question: with the shortened torque arm, the bike seems less stable on the centerstand. Can that be? Also, when you shorten the torque arm, are you really shortening the wheelbase or just jacking up the rear of the bike? Or, does one produce the other? The bike leans over more on the sidestand with the Verholen adjusted in, but doesn't that happen anyway if I just crank up the pre-load and raise the back end?

[R1100S2000]

It raises the rear of the bike and shortens your wheel base. Not really what you want for good handling, but what it does is increases your rake angle on your forks which allows you to turn in faster. The a-arm mod is really nice because it changes the rake angle without raising the rear of the bike. Yes it will lean more on the side stand, they do make a longer one that came on the BCR/prep models. For my bike i use a board when i use the center stand but that is only temp. i take off the center stand when not servicing the bike.

Others will have better input on this subject than I.

[Bengt Phorqs]

Had a nail punture on my 1100S about 400 miles from home. The stock tire was a 170 and all the local dealer had was a 180. It will fit, but does slow the handling down. Stay with the 170 if you have a choice.

[R111S]

Ditto on staying with the 170 Tire. Can you ride an R1100S hard enough to need the incremental traction benefit of a 180?...that's doubtful IMO.

[layer8]

My R1100S came stock with the 5" 170 rear. I wanted the 180 and opted to replace the rim with the 5.5" and 180.
I don't know how the 180 on a 5" would work but am pleased with the 180 on the 5.5".