2007-04-13 17:06:45 · 9 answers · asked by phillip b 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
fat tires suck in the twisties. nuff said.
2007-04-13 23:25:45 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
It generally makes turn-in slower while at the same time reducing stability. Performance Bikes magazine (UK) have done many tests over the years swapping rear tyres to achieve handling improvements, and mostly a narrower tyre improves matters. The Suzuki TL1000S is a good example of a bike that runs much better on a 180 than the standard 190- and even a 170 is better then the 190.
The exact type, construction and shape of the tyre will also make a difference, which is why tyres should ideally be a matched pair (brand and compound).
many bikes have very wide rear tyres from cosmetic reasons- the factory will already have put on the widest possible to make the bike 'look tough' and therefore sell.
2007-04-13 18:55:24 · answer #2 · answered by llordlloyd 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
IT DOESN'T. The fatter the tire the slower it responds, more un-sprung weight..... poorer handling. A motorcycle only requires enough tire to match the horsepower it produces to limit excessive wheel-spin. Some wheel-spin can be used to effectively help steer the motorcycle exiting corners(or in the case of a speedway bike entering corners!!). And new technology in race tires has shown that spinning the tire exposing fresh rubber can actually cool the tire instead of overheating and blistering it. The only advantage to "fat tires" is that they are more stable at very low speeds when the gyroscopic forces of the wheel do little to keep it upright. That's why Harley and cruiser riders like 'em. But they still do little for handling. At higher speeds the increased weight and gyroscopic forces of a "fat tire"can be deadly. Even a cruiser would handle better with more conventional sized tires but the looks wouldn't appeal to the "Family". And that's what it's all about!!
2007-04-13 17:33:03 · answer #3 · answered by toyracer49 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Having had a cruiser with a 250mm tire and then one without I can say that the wider tire doesn't necessarily affect the handling adversely but it certainly doesn't help. It is truly just for aesthetics (looks hot). The bigger the tire the more horsepower required to turn it as well. Depending on the size of the rear tire you may be sacrificing 3-7 HP just to turn that bad boy. On my bike with the rear fatty the handling was very consistent but required more physical effort to get the response I wanted.
VicHammerDD
2007-04-13 17:26:23 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I think it hurts. Logically, it would.
The stock Dunlop on my Harley is the widest I ever had. It also has this funky shoulder that makes it seem wider (to a point). I'm not a sports type rider, so I don't lay it over in the corners. That tire just feels WRONG. As soon as it wears out, I'm going back to the rounder profile that I'm used to, which will automatically narrow it.
2007-04-13 19:30:46 · answer #5 · answered by Firecracker . 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The fat rear tire is a "look at me" option.
2007-04-15 02:46:14 · answer #6 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The only way fat rear helps is more surface contact when turning at speed.I.e more surface contact in a turn which means more traction.More traction means you can go faster into a turn without losing you grip so to speak.
2007-04-13 18:10:18 · answer #7 · answered by rust_in_peacez 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋
it dosent help. fat tires are for posers not bikers
2007-04-13 17:28:25 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 0⤋
It won't help you with your wife much.
2007-04-13 17:21:29 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋