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[SPIDERMAN]

I know there have been a lot of threads devoted to discussing tires, but my question has to do with contact patch. Is it better to run a smaller tire with a smaller contact patch hence more weight per square inch for riding in the rain or is it better to have more rubber on the road and less weight ? I know a lot of people are already running 140 Metzlers and some are looking to fit 150's on their baggers. This seems like potato, potahto to me, but I'm hoping maybe there's more to it than that.

[VaEagle]

I would have to say the wider the tire the deeper and more efficent the tread pattern would have to be to prevent hydroplaining. But in dry pavement the bigger the contact patch the better.

[SPIDERMAN]

VA,
     If I read your post correctly, you're saying wet or dry a bigger tire is better. I felt like I had less grip with a 140 than a 130 in the rain, but I'm comparing Metzler to a Dunlop and I know I prefer Dunlop's tread pattern. Does Dunlop sell a 140 ?

[Twolanerider]

Spider, grab your slide rule and go here: http://www.racer.nl/reference/pacejka.htm

Racers have size regulations they must live within so the calculations can sometimes be a bit skewed.

[SPIDERMAN]

Twolane,
            Based on having ridden with both, now that I think about it your description is very accurate to what happens. I think I like GRIP GRIP Grip Grip grip slip slip slip slide bye bye   I'll stick with my 130 Dunlop.

PS
     How'd you know I still have a slide rule in my desk ?  

[JR]

 GRIP GRIP Grip Grip grip slip slip slip slide bye bye [smiley=nervous.gif] [smiley=dizzy2.gif] [smiley=duhk.gif] [smiley=freak.gif] [smiley=embarassed.gif] [smiley=idea2.gif] Just when I think I get it, I get soooo Confusssssed! Lets see, GRIP GRIP is excellent. Grip Grip is Good. slip slip slip is not so good. And bye bye is BAD very Bad! But this is Good because it happens gradually [smiley=confused5.gif] Where as the Grip Grip Grip Bye Bye looses it all at once. Is that right or am I still all screwed up? [smiley=nixweiss.gif]

[SPIDERMAN]

You got it JR  

It's Twolane's new high tech advance warning system  

[JR]

You got it JR

[grc]

[highlight]JR's redneck advance warning system: "Get off the road, can't cha see it's raining, FOOL!"[/highlight]

                                                                         [smiley=huepfenlol2.gif]

JR,

 [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif]

[Twolanerider]

GRIP GRIP Grip Grip grip slip slip slip slide bye bye [smiley=nervous.gif] [smiley=dizzy2.gif] [smiley=duhk.gif] [smiley=freak.gif] [smiley=embarassed.gif] [smiley=idea2.gif] Just when I think I get it, I get soooo Confusssssed! Lets see, GRIP GRIP is excellent. Grip Grip is Good. slip slip slip is not so good. And bye bye is BAD very Bad! But this is Good because it happens gradually [smiley=confused5.gif] Where as the Grip Grip Grip Bye Bye looses it all at once. Is that right or am I still all screwed up? [smiley=nixweiss.gif]

That's it exactly JR.  With the one you're good until your not. With the other you've actually got some feedback and time to react.  Even if you may be good longer one way, I'd rather have the feedback and chance to react before my arse slides out from underneath me.

[JR]

That's it exactly JR.

[Twolanerider]

I hear ya 2lane! [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif] As long as that feedback comes in English so I can understand what needs to be done! Otherwise my arse is grarse! [smiley=huepfenlol2.gif]

                                                                   JR [smiley=banana.gif]

JR, I think going ass over tea kettle at road speed is one of those "universal language" kind of things [smiley=nervous.gif] .

[grc]

Another issue with wide tires - handling in general and turn-in especially.  This wouldn't really apply to the small difference going from a 130 to 140 or 150, but when you get up past 180-200 the transition from upright to leaned over gets a little less responsive.  Once you've worn the center of the tread, it gets downright lousy.  If wider was always better, you would see 300 size rubber on the back of GP racing bikes.  Last time I looked, they topped out around 200.  

As for riding or driving in slippery conditions, be it rain or snow, narrow is better.

Jerry  

[JR]

JR, I think going ass over tea kettle at road speed is one of those "universal language" kind of things [smiley=nervous.gif] .

[smiley=ROFLOL.gif] That's funny!!! I had to read it several times before it sunk in!

[mr_magoo]

As far as I know there is no 150 tire out there rated for a bagger.  So you are stuck with a 140.