katana rear wheel. Is it worth it?

[average]

I know; if I had a camera I'd take a pic so you could see it but it looks HUGE!!!!

[hopelessmechanic]

Wow, what aspect ratio does that 190 have, average?  190 is WAY too big for a 4.5" rim!

My 160 Sportect M-1 gets pretty steep near the edges.  If I could do it all over again, I'd have put a different tire on my Kat rim.



Check out the profile of that tire!  The Sportec M-1 is a great tire, but the profile is just crazy and the edges are much too steep for me.

-Turd.

I really like the look of a wider tire but, is there a noticeable difference in performance?

[Turd Ferguson]

For me, no.  I ride the local twisties a few times a week, and thats it.  Remember, its not "wider" rubber that you're after, its stickier rubber.  Most tire manufacturers don't offer good rubber in 130 sizes.  Upon swapping to a 4.5" wheel you've opened the door to many different kinds of sticky rubber.

The Katana wheel swap has a practical purpose, but it is wasted on me and I'm not afraid to admit that.

-Turd.

[dgyver]

sigh....the things I start....

[average]

Yeah, Dan (Turd's name is Dan too  ) the things you start 

[werase643]

really wide is actually a bad thing
ever seen one of them 350+ tire swaps on a busa
the tire contact patch....the actual square inch(s) touching the ground is so large
when the effective weight of the bike is transferred to the rear tire it spins all day long
due to there is low weight/square inch
and the tire is not gum ball sticky

I saw a used set up(8000 new) at a shop for sale for 5000
owner hated it and went back to a 6 inch with a stretch

[werase643]

kat wheel, is it worth it?
for me, YES
I can find and  buy used SV race take offs

GS sized take offs....are hard to find

so it is cheaper to run better tars, for me

[hopelessmechanic]

I went with the 140 pirelli.  It just came in today so I'll be putting that baby on tonight when I get out of class. 

[Alphamazing]

I recently swapped back to my stock rims and Sport Demons, rather than the Kat rim with Pilot Powers.

Holy crap what a difference. These Sport Demons feel as slick as snot compared to my Pilot Powers.

Is it worth it? Oh hell yes.

[hopelessmechanic]

Crap.  Well the 140 is going to have to do for know but my next tire will definitley be a katana swap, if not for performance, than just for looks.  Thanks for everyones opinions/help.  Hopefully this 140 holds up.  My expectations are low so it should meet them.  Thanks again to everyone who commented