Just ordered my new set of tires.

[joshr08]

Shinko Raven 009 120/60-17 front 160/60-17 rear  Kat 4.5 rear tire is sitting in work room awaiting tires to be delivered next week.  I cant wait to get these on the bike.

[psyber_0ptix]

how are these working out for you?

[joshr08]

I love them rears a super tight fit but i love how the stick to the road and how they look. million times better then stock bt45's in handling and ride quility IMO

[psyber_0ptix]

Lots of questions:

what would be the primary differences between using the 120/70 fronts instead of 120/60's with the 160/60 rears?

did you have to bend the brake torque arm to fit?

and finally how close is the clearance with the chain?   

[joshr08]

120/70 vs a 120/60 is just a bit of height on the tire.  not sure on handling between the two.

rear tire.  bend no i wouldnt say bend.  I had to smash mine flat and i had to shim the sprocket 1/8 inch to get it away from the tire.

[tripleb]

the taller front tire would affect the speedo and odometer readings right?

[joshr08]

i little bit but should be off to much i wouldnt think.  to figure out the difference in sizes that the first number / by the second number and that will give you your tire height in mm's

[gsJack]

Running a 110/80 front cuts my speedo error from 10% to 5 % too fast so it's a change for the better speedo wise.  A 120/70 is just a little smaller in dia than a 110/80 so it too will change the speedo for the better, ie more accurate.

[joshr08]

120/60 is pretty close to stock isnt it gsjack? if i figured right

[psyber_0ptix]

i went ahead and ordered a 120/70 front (to be used on a gsxr front wheel) but i hope i can manage the 160/60 on the rear (98+kat wheel)  :B

[drincruz]

rear tire.  bend no i wouldnt say bend.  I had to smash mine flat and i had to shim the sprocket 1/8 inch to get it away from the tire.

you wouldn't happen to have a picture of this would ya? i'm gonna be doing a similar setup and wanna know how much bending (or flattening) i have to do.

cheers,
~drin

[joshr08]

as flat as you can get it then hit it one more time just to make sure.  its hard to see in pics i have tryed before. best thing to do is get your tire mounted and in place on the bike then just start working it until it fits around the tire.

[gsJack]

120/60 is pretty close to stock isnt it gsjack? if i figured right

110/70     .70x110=77mm tall
120/70     .70x120=84mm tall
120/65     .65x120=78mm tall
120/60     .60x120=72mm tall

Nominal theoretical figures of course since different brands and models vary somewhat.  Some on the Ninja 500 forum which has same size oem wheels and tires since 94 prefer the 120/65 since it is closest to the oem diameter when used with 150/60 supersport rear radial on stock wheels.  The 150/60 rear is very close to the oem 130/70 in diameter.

130/70     .70x130=91mm tall
150/60     .60x150=90mm tall

[average]

i went ahead and ordered a 120/70 front (to be used on a gsxr front wheel) but i hope i can manage the 160/60 on the rear (98+kat wheel)  :B

Why not just stay on the safe side and run a 150?