Another D@mn Tire Question for Kat front End Swap and Bandit 600 Rear Wheel

[ben2go]

I am putting a Katana front end on my bike along with a 4.5 Bandit 600 rear wheel.
Can I use a 120/60 or 70 with front and a 160/55,60,or70 rear?What combo is best?
I want to go play in the mountains on the weekend and commute through the week.
I ride about 1200 miles a month,I stay on my bike.I need a good combo,with long wear.
I have Kenda 671's now.110/70 and 130/70.I am happy with these for my commute,
but they just do not feel solid when I push them.I have slid through a curve in the dry
and I wasn't even pushing the bike.Scared the he!! out of me.40 mph,handle bars locked
full right,rear tryin to pass me.Felt like a newbie dirt tracker.Any guidance would be wonderful.


Thanks.Ben 

[dgyver]

If the Kat f/e is a 89-97, a 120 on a 3" front wheel is not a good idea.

The 160 will be limited by chain and brake arm clearance, the same as the 98+ Kat rear wheel.

[gsJack]

Right, 110 on 3.0 and 120 on 3.5 front wheel and read this about the 160 on a 4.5 rear wheel:

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=25426.msg263832#msg263832

You said "I want to go play in the mountains on the weekend and commute through the week.  I ride about 1200 miles a month,I stay on my bike.I need a good combo,with long wear." 

That says 150/70 sport touring radial rear to me.  Should give a flatter longer life tire profile than a 160 and eliminate the tire being too close to the chain like Turds was in the thread linked above.

The Katanas with 4.5 rear rims came with 150/70 rear tires.  All tire brands vary a bit in actual dimensions, but a 150 made for a 4.0 rim will be 155 mm wide on a 4.5 rim, only about 5 mm or .2" narrower than a 160 on a 4.5.  Looks about the same and will give more chain clearance.

[ben2go]

Thanks.