Hi all.I am thinking of fitting 170 or 180 rear tyre on my xt660x.will it be ok in the corners general riding ??

Regards Yanni

I recently bought an xt660x on which the previous owner has very recently installed a 180 rear tyre (contimotion). Could anyone shine some light on what the downside of running a tyre of that width could do? Not sure if I should just ditch it and get a 160 55 17 bt023 instead.

best regards,
bundziur

Not sure what effects running a wider tyre will have but the XTX uses 160/60 rear tyre not 160/55.

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Now have a 2017 S1000XR Sport SE

2006 XT660X - Cat D write off due to someone pulling out on me - Pipewerx carbon fibre exhausts - Snorkel removed and airbox drilled - DNA stage 1 + 2 air filters - Kevs fuel controller mod - Scottoiler V system - Oxford heated grips - HEL braided brake hoses - Wilbers 540 rear shock - Brembo brake pads - AFAM chain and sprockets - Michelin Pilot Street Radial's - Denali DX Xtreme dual intensity spotlights

Everytime I've tried to run a wider than stock rear tyre on a bike (including the Tenere) it's spoilt the handling - slower turn in, weaves, twitchiness, inconsistent heat build up/distribution and odd wear patterns etc.

Whether a 170 or 180 tyre will physically fit in the swingarm is one matter, but the X, having a 4.25" rim is theoretically limited to the following sizes:

Tyre size Rim width range
150/60-17 4.00 - 4.75
150/70-17 4.25 -4.50
160/60-17* 4.25 - 5.50
160/70-17 3.75 - 5.00
170/60-17 4.25 - 5.50

Anything outside of this will tend to result in a pinched (if too wide) or flattened (if too narrow) tyre profile and adversely alter the handling.

Most people (including me I'm embarrassed to say) only ever try and squeeze on larger than standard tyre because they think it looks cool. I've learnt my lesson through the mistakes I've made and become a little less style-conscious in my old age, and now stick rigidly to the OE sizes.

Does anyone really need a 170 or 180 section tyre on a motorcycle knocking out 43 rear wheel horsepower?

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You know I was really disappointed when I saw my new Michelin tyres appear narrower than the Dunlop's I had on there previously. I am not sure how this is possible as they both had the same 160/60 profile but somehow the Michelin seems narrower and I am gutted ha! The do handle very nicely though now I have them scrubbed in so I am not really that bothered as handling is my top priority but as you said wider tyre kinda feels like bigger penis or something hahaha.

__________________
Now have a 2017 S1000XR Sport SE

2006 XT660X - Cat D write off due to someone pulling out on me - Pipewerx carbon fibre exhausts - Snorkel removed and airbox drilled - DNA stage 1 + 2 air filters - Kevs fuel controller mod - Scottoiler V system - Oxford heated grips - HEL braided brake hoses - Wilbers 540 rear shock - Brembo brake pads - AFAM chain and sprockets - Michelin Pilot Street Radial's - Denali DX Xtreme dual intensity spotlights