205 or 225, & DS Question

[HarleyToo]

So, I am planning on picking up a Riken Raptor here pretty soon (getting near to the tread bar on the Metz).

I am an avid rider with a R3R a Harley Road King Custom and a BMW 1100 GS. I have ridden just abut everything over the years. I use the R3R mostly for travling and do pull a trailer from time to time. I ride with a group from time to time and we can ride hard. However, typically I am not a real agressive rider. In fact I have never rubbed the pegs on the R3R or the BMW. The Harley, plenty of times.

I have read a lot on the DS concept and wanted to clarify what the consensus between the 205 and the 225? Which one tends to ride and handle best? I am 6'6" around 250 lbs. When I travel I would typically have another 50 lbs on the bike.

So first question is 205 or 225?

Second quesiton, has anyone had any issues with hydroplaning with DS tires?

 

[breeze]

rained pretty hard when I was following lupe did not see any sign of it but he was riding I was following

 

[idk]

225/55 - Definitely. Technically, technically, the 205 will fit, but I would advise against it (especially for a big bloke) - and I have tried one. 215 is as small as I would go, but I would still say get the 225.

I haven't had a DS tyre hydroplane in the last 120,000 miles. I'm not saying it's impossible, but it hasn't happened to me and I have not heard of a case.

 

[HarleyToo]

The 225 seemed to be the cosensus. Is the Raptor still the front runner?

 

[HansO]

I have always run a 245 on my bike back home in Auss but after riding Lupe's the other day I will be switching to a 225 myself next one I get

 

[Nungers]

Always had the 225/50 but I reckon the 205 may be a goer, not so wide and may help with manouverability around slow speeds. Be interested if anybody else has tried it.

 

[idk]

Always had the 225/50 but I reckon the 205 may be a goer, not so wide and may help with manouverability around slow speeds. Be interested if anybody else has tried it.

I did. No great advantage in cornering, and not much at slow speeds. Also, the diameter of the tyre is much smaller than OEM so the engine revs higher at a given speed. I didn't like it.

 

[tdragger]

225/55 is the sweet spot.

50,000+ on Riken Raptors in all kinds of weather. Works well with a Dunlop D404 front, especially in the rain.

 

[STRIPES]

I have run 245, 235 and 225. I am OK with the 235 but I'd venture to say, you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference in the handling of a 225 vs MC tire. This crap about fatigue is just that if you run a 225 or smaller.

 

[tdragger]

This crap about fatigue is just that if you run a 225 or smaller.

Yeah, another DS myth. I just completed my second SS1000 in a month all while running darkside.