180's on 170 rims?

[strobro]

New member and new ST13 rider here.
I got a 2006 on a trade.
Needs tires. I was thinking about Pirelli GT's and saw that some members were using 180s or 190s on the rear.
Is that on the standard 170 rim?
I've gone taller 120/70/17 from 120/60/17
but never wider. Are 180s OK or did I just miss something?

 

[dduelin]

A 180/55 is not recommended for a 5.5" rim that the ST1300 has but many owners have installed them with no noticably ill results. Don't know about a 190 though.

 

[drrod]

I have run 185's with no noticeable Ill effects

 

[Willsmotorcycle]

Are 180s OK or did I just miss something?

A 180/55

I will attest to no issues, currently on my 4th.

 

[strobro]

I will attest to no issues, currently on my 4th.

Any benefits? Wear, handling?

 

[Catmandu2]

All I run on the back is 180/55zr17's,,, in a A-spec, HWM, or GT spec. 4 or 5 seasons now,,, CAt'

 

[STRider]

When in doubt consult the oracle...

170/60-R17 vs 180/60-R17 Tire Comparison - Tire Size Calculator | Tacoma World

180/60-R17 tires are 0.47 inches (12 mm) larger in diameter than 170/60-R17 tires and the speedometer difference is 1.9%

www.tacomaworld.com

 

[Jjonahjamison]

I have noticed zero difference in running 180/55s. When replacing tires on long trips, sometimes you have to install what is available, and 180/55s seem more common than 170/60s.

 

[Willsmotorcycle]

Any benefits? Wear, handling?

There are so many variables to this. As mentioned above, I also had to change out while on the road. I switched size and brand, that day I would have said of course to the handling improvement. Having not gone back from this size and brand the answer is a definite maybe YMMV.

 

[CYYJ]

Any benefits? Wear, handling?

The question that really needs to be asked is: "Any Disadvantages?" I don't know the answer to that, but I suggest you investigate for potential problems.

 

[Upt' North]

Why?
What are you hoping to gain?
If you can buy original recommended sizes why wouldn't you?
It is far more important to ensure the condition of the tyres is A1, rather than worry about 1 cm.
But that's just me, although I'm reliably informed 1 cm can sometimes make all the difference. For those in the States 1 cm in imperial is 1 cm.
Upt'North.

 

[Al st1100]

Why not?? 180 has a lager load capacity and as it's been stated many times on this site the tire made for heavier bikes last longer (gt tires, even thought the load range is the same ) I have run many different size tires on my bike , never felt funny, couldn't feel any noticeable difference in handling and they even last longer ( some brands)