I'm looking to increase both front and rear wheels to 18s. The idea is to reduce unsprung weight, and better lateral stability. Any thoughts?

LC

 

Swapped over 15+ years ago.
IMO going to 18" 70 series(16`s are 90 series) tires improves handling / turn in, due to shorter /stiffer sidewalls
I still change tires by hand and can testify that 70`s are stiffer, pain to lever them on LOL
The weight difference is minimal or non existent .
YMMV

 

Doesn't plus sizing reduce the overall ride quality? If reducing unsprung weight is important to you, can't it be reduced by going with a lighter rim of the same size?

 

I’m sure there is a marginal trade off on ride quality vs handling. But a 70 series is far from radical . Look at aspect ratios on current mainstream cars.

Would probably require a VERY spendy carbon fiber wheel to make a discernible difference on an 800 lb road barge and even that is questionable. Might require an equally expensive total fork upgrade to notice the difference




An actual sporting motorcycle is another debate

jmo

 

Okay, I'll say it. Do You Guys Realize That This Thread Started Back In 2012?

 

Yes.
Then Mr. Cullen asked a question both here and in another resurrected tire size thread.
i assumed his request for info or opinion was legitimate. Therefore I responded.
No harm done as far as I can tell...