It might seem like an obvious choice, but other than swing arm clearance, is there any thing else i am over looking with intentions to buying a 160 rear?
Would a 170 slot on??

Karl :)

Get the best rubber you can get in either size..

170 is too large and for 5 inch rim only..

18 or 17" rear?

If you have the 17" RVF Rear I really recommend you try some Conti Road Attaks, I have these on my ZXR (17 x 4.5) and there awesome.

Few people have ridden the bike and love the way it handles, you can carve corners to the point your scraping knees and elbows without even trying, the bike wants to ride itself.. cheap too

I use Bridgstone BT090's 120x17 - 150x17 for weekend scratching, and pirelli supercorsa pro's for the track 120x17 160x17. For me the bridgstones feel better, turn better and just seem right. But at max lean i am always a little nervous. The pirelli's are very good at max lean, and very very good grip, but i find they dont turn quite so well. i put this down to the 160 rear. if you want pure race tyre for the road, then the "Supercorsa SC2 rear and SC1 front" are very hard to beat. But will probably only last about 200 to 300 miles of road riding
If you are using the tyres for everyday use the 090's and supercorsa's will burn out in no time too, but have a look on fleabay, and get some scrubbed tyres (good condition ones) and see if you like the feel, 1/4 of the price and if you dont like them you can get some more till you find the ones you like the feel of.
A friend also has Conti road attack (as per Neo mentioned) and he loves them too.

The Road Attaks last a long time too, they feel like BT90's but last like 92's.

Stick with the factory size 150/60/R18 Look at either the Bridgestone 090 or the Dunlop Alpha 10 both great tyres.. Also remember the speed rating of a tyre "Z" rated tyres will not work at there optimum level due to not heating up correctly. "R" rated tyres are desgined for sports 250/400cc bikes, "Z" rated tyres are for 600/1000cc bikes.

R speed rating 106mph
Z speed rating 150+mph

thanks for the advice guys :)

I have an 18 inch rear, i guess i can't get a road attack?
As my bike has the K-Conversions kit, i need a wider tyre on the rear to make the kit look a bit better, a 160 shouldn't upset the bike, BT90 (is the the dual compound one) or is the dual the BT92? :)

Karl

BT90 is the Fast Road / Race

BT92 is the 'touring' version.

Depends on the tyre maker as all sizes vary but a wider tyre will change the handling slighty, I guess it depeds on how your ride your bike, the rider and loads of other factors, best thing is to try it.

Some people can't stand different tyres / wider / narrower etc and some people dont' notice any different.

Tyres are a very 'individual' thing.

By going up a size you will make the bike turn in slightly slower will you notice??? who knows.. I would still stick with the standard 150 as it works so well.

Have one of the new 160/60 18 BT016's on my '23, is the new 5 compound version of the BT090?
Amazing grip, also wearing well due to the harder compounds....

They dont do a 150/60 18 version so my choice was made for me...