Don't know if similar applies to the SS but on my 900 Monster, the chain runs very close to the edge of the tyre. So close that if the chain is loose it will contact the tyre edge and, obviously this is more pronounced with a wider tyre. When I first got it, seeing as it has a 5.5" wheel like the 916, I tried a 180 but deemed it too close to the chain so went back to a 170. It's not like the power is going to overwhelm the grip of a modern tyre.
This would also depend on chain tension settings. A newish chain would have the tyre closer to the swing arm loop, and OE hugger
It's tyre time for my MK1 SL , I've ran a 170/60 Michelin pilot 2CT and got about 4k out of it which is fine as it doesn't do many miles a year. It looks like it's prity much the only tyre available in a 170/60. I would have no issues running a 180 but obviously don't want to rub a hole in a rare hens teeth original carbon hugger. Is it possible to put some washers under the bolts to try and space it up a bit to avoid any rubbing issues ?
Im about to order a pair of tyres for my 900ss and haven't looked into whats available in standard sizes yet, so Michelin pilots 2ct is one tyre available then.
Another note is that not all 180 tyres are 180mm, same goes for other sizes too. I did a supermoto conversion a few years back where I had to use a particular 150 tyre because the other 150's were too wide.
Doing some research as mine need replacing on my ‘93 SS. It looks like Pirelli’s are available. Anyone running these and can comment on the ride experience?
I use a 160 on my carby & injection 900 , it turns much sweeter than a 180, Even speaking with Louigi at the Morini day & he agreed,
A couple of years ago we started to run 180/60/r17 on the 900ss track bikes as we had a ready source of near-new supercorsa SC1 and 2 race tyres from a team in 600ss. Along with other minor geometry mods (fork height, shock length), they really brought the 900ss chassis to life from essentially a slow ponderous understeerer to a sharp steering apex clipper due in part to the more pointy profile than the 55 section 180. I tried a set on the road 900ss and the benefits of more rapid initial steering and stability/more neutral tracking at decent lean angles were obvious there too. A standard hugger will go over it with 5mm spacers to lift it up.
I have Diablo 1 fitted (I think) they’re ok, give decent feel. I would imagine Diablo 2 would be better?
Surely not on the standard 5.5” rim? They feel fine on a 4.5” (as used in tho 600/620 desmodue race series) but must pretty flat and over stretched with an inch wider rim, slowing down initial turn in then falling off the shoulder a bit just when you want stability?
I've run 180 Michelin pilots 2ct for years on my SS/SL copy. It's by far my preferred tyre for the bike (with the 10mm longer ie shock on the rear to quicken the steering a tad). No problems with the carbon rear hugger.
I'm perfectly happy with these on my bike in the 170 size . I saw some metzeler m7RR in the sale and I had used them on a different bike and liked them , but no 170 only 180 , hence the question.
