Is anyone running 130/70/16 front tire on touring?

rocket51 said:

I am wanting to make the front end more nimble. Anyone try going to smaller front tire. Will 130/70/16 fit front wheel?

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The smaller tire does make the bike more nimble. It also makes it more "touchy" at highway speeds. I very much do not like the feel of the bike at higher speeds. Will be changing back to the proper tire size.

I put a 150- 80 Excedra Max on mine (V-rated radial) and it is much more nimble. Marty

Me and my left ankle vote:
NO on a 130 tire on the front!

I keep adding my 2 cents to old threads but hey, everyone needs a hobby... anyway, with a bike that clocks in at just about 400 kilos without rider, you want a sturdy front for braking duties. Grip is the same even with a bicycle tire, but if you put that on an R3T it would shred for other reasons. Feel while steering is just one factor, but another is how well it can handle getting most of the weight of the bike and rider on it when braking hard; a 150 should deform considerably less than a 130 under such circumstances and possibly give more predictable grip, and I don't think Triumph picked the 150 size out of a hat.

I will stay with the 130, the bike handles much better than it did with the 150. I regularly take the bike over 100mph and have had it up to max speed of around 120 probably 5 times with no problems. My 130 Michelin has a higher weight rating than my 150 Metzler had and I only notice positive diferences and no negative in the exchange. The bike is much more nimble and easier to handle both on high speeds and on the parking lot. I also have a pirelli p7 cinturato 205/60/16 car tire on back and I find that the match works great.