So I posted a question a few days ago about tires/patching/sizes type stuff and got my own answer the old fashioned way. I decided not to trust my life to a patch or plug and took a buddy up on a used tire he had with good tread left for $25. I mounted and balanced it and relubed the shaft/bearings and chain all with jack stands (don’t be cheap, just buy the damn stands!) Those would have come in handy and I wouldn’t have been stressing out of the thought of the bike falling off the stands due to minimal space when it comes to installing a tire.
I went from a Pirelli 180/55 (with about 2k miles put on it) to a Michelin 190/50 (worn well) and I can’t tell you how much of a difference it is in favor of the Michelin tire! I thought the Pirelli was the best tire I could get for my buck but I tell you what, I can take “round-a-bouts” much faster with the new tire (new to me). I’m guessing it’s the size difference. Fits great and works amazingly! Truly night and day difference!
Hope you guys take my advice and trust users thoughts and not the manufacturers! All the hype of the costly tires really is a grain of salt to me anymore!
Be safe but ride freely!

thanks for sharing your experience man. actually i am about to replace both tires. i have a Dunlop 180/55 rear and i love it but a friend of mine is selling to me a set of Michelin PP 2ct which the rear is a 190/50. i never used that size, also i`ve been concerned about the fit. but after your comments. am totally down on it right now. BTW i like your nick. same here. :mrgreen:

I would not go with a 190/50 sized tire...the profile is actually much worse (for "our" type of riding) than the stock 180/55.

If you want to go with a different sized tire, I would suggest a 190/55. That is the preferred sized (for those who don't run a 180).

I would not go with a 190/50 sized tire...the profile is actually much worse (for "our" type of riding) than the stock 180/55.

If you want to go with a different sized tire, I would suggest a 190/55. That is the preferred sized (for those who don't run a 180).

^^^^^^ this with remembering yamaha dumps millions into r&d and the tire sizing goes for many reasons height, width and weight of the six vs the big brother liter bike