vf500 rear tire

Discussion in '1st & 2nd Generation 1983-1989' started by delirus, Feb 15, 2008.

  1. delirus

    delirus New Member

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    hey guys just wondering what the widest tire i can put on my 85 500?
     
  2. lsimpson50

    lsimpson50 New Member

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    I have a 120 Dunlop on mine
     
  3. JamieDaugherty

    JamieDaugherty New Member

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    I've seen 130's on there, but I wouldn't suggest going any bigger than a 120. Remember: going to a larger number does not mean that it will be any wider once mounted. You need a wider wheel in order to run a wider tire. I run 160's on an F2 rear wheel on my bikes.
     
  4. delirus

    delirus New Member

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    what mods have to be done for the f2 wheel setup?
     
  5. Fizz

    Fizz New Member

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    Just curious, why do you want a wider tire? From my understanding a wider tire on older bikes like ours reduces their "flickability."
     
  6. StormHorse

    StormHorse New Member

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    Interesting thought...

    So if putting a wider tire on an older bike, like ours, reduces the ease of handling, (Flickability) why do we want wider tires? Newer bikes have wider tires, are the bikes themselves designed different to take advantage of this?

    So right now as I understand it, the only advantage to changing to an f2 size wheel would be so that we could find replacement tires easier? No performance improvements?

    [edit] I'm sorry for jacking the thread also...
     
  7. JamieDaugherty

    JamieDaugherty New Member

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    Not at all!!! A wider rear tire makes the 500's track better through the corners. It also allows you keep more weight on the rear tire which also improves handling. With the extra meat you can keep the throttle on too, but the 500's aren't tire spinning powerhouses so that's not as big a deal as the others. I can tell you that the switch makes the stock 500 setup feel like a cruiser. Really!

    Check out my site for details on the wheel swap. If you have other questions please feel free to e-mail me.
     
  8. Fizz

    Fizz New Member

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    "From my understanding," there's probably other reasons to change to a wider tire. I'm thinking a track with a lot of knee dragging turns might want little bit more contact patch.

    I guess we'll just have to wait for an expert to chime in! :biggrin:

    Sorry to jack your thread OP.

    EDIT: Darn, if only I waited 2 minutes to post would have seen JD's post, thanks for the info!
     
  9. delirus

    delirus New Member

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    i live in the mountains with lots of winding trails/roads i lean like a mother f**** with my 500 almost been down a few times thought a wider tire would help me out
     
  10. JamieDaugherty

    JamieDaugherty New Member

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    It might surprise you that, although the rear tire makes a big improvement, the biggest gains come from the front wheel/tire. That goofy Ø16" wheel is the cause of most of the VF's handling woes. That goes especially for the larger models.
     
  11. keny

    keny New Member

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    My wifes gsx550 has same size tires and wheels as the VF500, and I can say that the pirelli sportdemon I have on it now are pretty wide for size (many belive the rear is a 120) and stick werry well ( can accerelat out of corners whit no fear of slip), ofcores the VF is a tad more powerful that the gsx.
     
  12. xtravbx

    xtravbx New Member

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    So with the F2 rear wheel on a VF500, should I run the 160 width or a 150 width?
     
  13. JamieDaugherty

    JamieDaugherty New Member

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    Here are my suggestions for tire sizes when using F2 wheels on the VF500F:

    Front - 120/60-17
    Rear - 150/70-17
     
  14. WGREGT

    WGREGT New Member

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    What are your suggestions for tire sizes when using the OEM wheels on the VF500F? Brands? Looking for longevity mostly...
     
  15. matt1986vf500f

    matt1986vf500f New Member

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  16. Bubba Zanetti

    Bubba Zanetti Member

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    OK, just to clear some things up.

    First, you don’t need a wide tire to drag a knee. One has nothing to do with another. And second, you don’t need a wide tire for sufficient grip. That’s some weird myth that’s been born out of half truths.

    There are three basic things that control traction and they are, in order:

    1. The throttle
    2. The suspension
    3. The tires.

    Just slapping a wider tire on an older bike is generally a recipe for crap handling and actually less traction.

    To the OP, you have a couple choices. If you haven’t already done so you can PM Jamie D. and see what upgrades you need on your old 500’s suspension. I am sure it is worn out and that’s part of your handling issue.

    See what you think of that change and ride on stock tires sizes. Then if you want, go with Jamie D’s F2 upgrade kit which will give the option of a wider tire that won’t kill turn in and handling.

    I made the horrific mistake of slapping a 180 rear on the 97 I ride. It made it handle horribly and I could not figure out why. Then RVFR on the board showed me the light and I went with the stock 170 rear and at that time had the first part of the suspension re-worked. Night and day difference and I have no grip issues. The only issue I have with the 170 rear is I don’t have a lot of tire choices.

    Finally, the widest tire an SV650 takes is a 160 and the SV’s are very popular at the track. No handling issues with that small tire or from the TZ125 two-strokes. Those things have the skinniest ass tires and no handling issues.

    BZ
     
  17. 02 VFR Rider

    02 VFR Rider New Member

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    ^^^^ I agree 110% Bubba

    The only reason tires widths have gone up is due to the increased HP on todays bike.
    if for example you put a 170 or 180 tire on a Duc 1198 it will handle better and turn in faster, but you will just spin the tire. Therefore they now install a 6" rim and run a 190 tire. All manufactures spend alot of money on research to put the best tire size that best suits the bike it is applied too.

    Going w/ F2 swap is best bet, I have ridden many bikes w/ 16" front rim and they all seem to be a bit quirky when compaired to a 17" front rim IMO.
     
  18. JamieDaugherty

    JamieDaugherty New Member

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    On the stock wheels you should use the stock sized tires. Anything bigger or smaller just makes a bad thing worse. As far as brands are concerned, I've always had good luck with Dunlops. Bridgestones seem to wear quickly. Pretty much any tire you get for the stock wheels will be a "get what you get" kind of things.
     
  19. slowbird

    slowbird Member

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    The VF500 (when it is in good mechanical shape with good tires and a good rider) can lean and turn very well.

    There was a video posted on here of the 1986 Honda V Cup with about 30 VF500's in stock form tearing up the track and leaning waaaay over.

    If your bike needs a new rear shock or you want more from the VF500 then get moddin.

    Will Jamie's conversion kits help....sure.
     
  20. WGREGT

    WGREGT New Member

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    Ok. And those sizes would be....? Not trying to be a PITA, but I have no idea if what's on the front is stock (size 100/90 V16) and no idea what size is currently on the rear (size 4.25/85 V18 huh?).
     
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