T595 Best Profile Tyre For Handling?

When you say non standard, do you mean tyre profile, or manufacturer? Not really a factory tyre as such, your choice is determined by budget, expected wear, wet grip, etc. I ran a ZZR1200 and 1050 Sprint on Maxxis Supertouring for example, very cheap, wore well, quick turn in, acceptable in the wet, frankly for most of us ordinary Joes perfectly adequate. I run Pirelli Angels on my Speed Triple. But you can spend more for better grip, better mileage. What kind of rider would you class yourself as? We need more info to give an informed answer....

 

I guess you probably have 180/55 x 17 rear, 120/70 x 17 front? If so stick to them. Pirelli Angel is a good all rounder, although l'm considering going for a Diablo Rosso lll on the front, see if l can get a bit easier turn in. Maxxis- l had both pegs down on my Sprint without problems, or leaving me needing a change of underwear. They went into corners incredibly easily. I've had Road Attacks, they're OK but didn 't blow me away. Any of the front line manufacturers are unlikely to disappoint-Metzeler, Michelin, etc.

 

Just had a quick gleg at your bike's spec, l can see now what you've got in your mind. It wears a 190/55 rear tyre. A number of bikes do, some Speed Triples l think, the old ZX12R, possibly Tuono V twin. Going to a 180/55 is reckoned by a fair few folk to speed up the steering. That's what you're driving at l think. If it were me it's something l would consider doing. Equally, good tyre choice can make that difference too. Could possibly, if you're able, drop the front yokes down the stanchions a few mm. My 1200 Bandit and VFR steered much more quickly after dropping the yokes 5mm. And that takes no putting back if you're not happy, unlike a tyre

 

It was a common mod to swap the original 190 section tyre for a 180. Both sizes fit the rear rim. I put a 180 on mine and personally think it improved the handling.
Triumph fitted the 190 section back then when it was the current trend. Design over function that didn't last long, thankfully. Plenty more tyre options to choose from by fitting the 180.

 

For want of a better expression, that's a safe profile. It will give a bigger contact patch when upright or at moderate lean angles. The price is slower turn in and steering. These figures, if you aren't aware, give you an idea of the tyre's aspect ratio-a bit like a TV screen. So, 190 is further across than 180. The other figure is the tyre height, so 50 is a lower profile than a 55. Essentially, the difference between a 190/50 and 180/55 tyre would be that the latter has a "pointier" profile, ergo turn in and cornering performance increase. The tyre is narrower, but also taller. Get some paper and you can draw it. A line 180mm long, with a vertical centre line of 55mm is your aspect ratio. If you join it up into a triangle and do the same with 190/50, you may actually see the difference. Not much, but on a bike quite substantial.

 

I was under the impression the second number was a percentage of the first number? 180 55 would be 180mm width and 55% of 180 is 99mm height?

 

Quite right Andy, me not thinking about what I'm typing again!

 

Can't comment on the metzelers, but out of the road 5's and angel gt's, the angel gt's last longer. Doubt you would notice much difference between a 180 and 190 tbh.

 

Sort of beat me to the punch Stuart. I was going to add the caveat that fitting a 180 tyre means you're fitting a narrower tyre than the rim was intended for, so you may lose some of the profile gains. I like Angels, got them on both my triples now. Maybe consider a little sportier front like a Diablo Rosso.
On another note, l found a pdf Triumph workshop manual for T595 on my lappy today. Any use?