NC30 tyre sizes....?

[Worther]

Hi chaps,

I know the correct size for the rear tyre is 150/60 but they're seems to be very little choice (BT090 and BT092), and I wondered what will happen if Bridgestone ever stop making them..on there website they list 160/60 profile as an alternative, does anyone have experience of using this size?
I'm trying to source a set for future use (front is ok but rear is squared off).
Is the 17" change over (rick oliver exchange) worth investing in?

Thanks in advance for any advice/comments.

[Neosophist]

It's a very subjective topic and something I suggest trying for yourself.

Since the 17" conversion is expensive, maybe try and find a bike with one fitted to ride.. (the 17" also uses 150 btw)

From reading many similar posts on here, the main points frequently raised are:

160 tyre looks too balloon like on the rim.
17 inch wheel looks too small on the bike
some people have chain clearance issues with certain makes of 160 tyre
some people don't notice any difference between the 17 and 18. and 150/160.

The 90 and 92's are great tyres though, is there any specific issue your having with them or just future planning? If it were my bike i'd just get a standard tyre and save the extra money it'd cost for the future. I'm sure 150/18 tyres will be around for a while yet.

[Cammo]

I don't think that sports tyres (i.e. treaded track tyre) are still being made in 150/18 size.

BT090's are discontinued but there's still some stock around. No 18" size replacement.

If you want super grippy tyres you'll need a 17" wheel in the future.

[Neosophist]

Oh right, i'm pretty sure you can still buy the BT-090 in Japan! Maybe time to export a few?

[CRM]

yeah still get em over here too. just need to look a bit harder

[CMSMJ1]

I bought some 090s in std sizes before christmas and my local shop said no worries in supply at all

[Worther]

Thanks for the replies guys, my main concern was for the future...if the other tyre companies have stopped making them, I wondered if it was just a matter of time before Bridgestone stopped. All I'm after is road tyres, I'm not worried too much about outright grip.
From your comments above it would make sense to get a tyre sooner rather than later...

[Cammo]

090's have dried up in Australia - no longer available! RIP my friend...

I would have stashed a few sets if I'd known they were gone be discontinued.

Bridgestone don't make a replacement in 18" according to the global website.

[Neosophist]

090's have dried up in Australia - no longer available! RIP my friend...

I would have stashed a few sets if I'd known they were gone be discontinued.

Bridgestone don't make a replacement in 18" according to the global website.

150/60-18 is listed on the Bridgestone Japanese website as still made.

Shouldn't be too hard to get some sent to Aus from JP?

[Wilson]

Dunlop Alphas are still readily available in Australia. They're up to Alpha 12s, now. Sticky enough to race on.

I have personal experience with a 160/60/18 Bridgestone 016 on the rear. My advice is to spend more time looking for a 150. On the street, they have a weird cliff face drop, and I kept thinking I had lowsided the bike when tipping in just that little bit harder. On the track, I'd tip it past that point off the bat, so wouldn't notice, but the tyre is quite flat on the rim and it really affects your ability to put the bike on its side. If you're doing trackdays on it, it's seriously a horrible tyre. I was missing apexes on slower corners and unable to hold a tight line on longer corners.

I've seen a 150 profile BT016 on an NC rim, and while the sidewall still balloons like my 160 did, the tyre profile is much better. My new Alpha has more traditional sidewalls (as do the BT090s) that smoothly go from the narrower rim to the wider tyre radius.