stock tire size...

[brecchi]

for an 01 monster 900 dark, not the "s" model. im getting mixed info on the correct rear rim and tire size

[Duck-Stew]

for an 01 monster 900 dark, not the "s" model. im getting mixed info on the correct rear rim and tire size

Rear rim is a 17 x 5.5 and stock tire size should be a 180/55/17 rear but a 170/60/17 will fit if you want a lighter / thinner tire.  A 190/50/17 can go onto a 5.5, but it kinda looks fat doing it.

[clubhousemotorsports]

A lot of monsters came with a 170/60-17 as OEM and a 5.5 inch rear wheel.

The 5.5 wheel and 180/55-17 are the most preferred set-up. the 180 was designed for the 5.5 rim. A 170 will fit and work fine as a 190 but both change the footprint of the tire when on a 5.5

[brecchi]

what are the advantages/disadvantages in going from a 180 up to a 190 or down to a 170?  tire lifre is the most important factor to me right now.

[ducpainter]

what are the advantages/disadvantages in going from a 180 up to a 190 or down to a 160?  tire lifre is the most important factor to me right now.

190 will fit, but will make the bike handle slower.

160 is not recommended on a 5.5 rim.

My bike came with a 170. They work pretty well. I prefer the 180.

[brecchi]

cool. i guess its between a 170/60 or a 180/55.  what are the differences in the 2 as far as handling, wear, etc?

[ducpainter]

I don't think there is any difference in wear between tire sizes.

The 190 will make the bike turn in marginally slower than the 180.

It might also just nick the chain. It won't cause any problems.

[brad black]

all 900 models from 1990 onwards officially came with 170/60 rear tyres, excepting the 900SS CR with the 4.5 wheel and a 160.  even tho the 5.5 rim 'should' have a 180/55 on it.  they use the same wheels on 1000, S4 and ST3/4/4S models with a 180 tyre.

i have seen a 900ss with a 200 on it - it wasn't that obvious until you really looked at it, i guess because the sidewalls were rolled in so much.

a 180 should give more grip when leant over, a 170 should let it change direction a bit quicker.  will depend on how wide the brand and model of tyre actually is for its nominated size tho - they vary quite a bit.

[bigiain]

cool. i guess its between a 170/60 or a 180/55.  what are the differences in the 2 as far as handling, wear, etc?

The handling difference is probably so small that you wont notice it[1] - the wear difference is going to be _much_ more affected by the brand/model of tire than the difference between a 170 and 180 - a sport touring tire, like sa a Bridgestone BT020 will last 2 or 3 times as long as a super sticky tire like a Michelin Pilot Race no matter what size the two tires are.

big

[1] I run a 110/70 front and a 150/70 rear on my M750 instead of the stock 120/60 160/60 combo, and I _think_ I can feel the bike turning quicker, but I could easily be psyching myself into feeling it because I "know" it's supposed to...