I know what you are thinking - that I have either totally lost my mind or am going senile; why would I want to go back to OE sized tires - in my case, P215/55-17?
Before you draw any such conclusions, hear me out...
Back in 2009 I purchased a new set of Rota Tarmac ll wheels, which are 17 X 7.5 with a 48mm offset (stock alloys are 17 X 7 with a 48 offset, 24.5 pounds). Knowing that there isn't a lot of space in the rear for fatter tires - but wanting something larger than the OE size - I settled on a set of Yokohama Advan S4 UHP A/S tires in 235/50-17 to mount on the new wheels. But here is a crucial piece of information - I chose these tires for their narrow cross-section width of only 9.5 inches. All other tires in 235/50-17 range from 9.7 to 10 inches.
The combination of wheel width/offset and tire cross section worked, but with no room to spare - the Yokos cleared my rear strut with a hair-to-spare. I suspect a tire with a 9.7 inch cross section will not clear the struts on my current wheels (which I have no plans on replacing)!
Another factor - the Yoko Advan S4s in that size weigh 28 pounds! Most tires in this size weigh in the 25 to 28 pound range, with a few slightly lighter/heavier exceptions.
The Yokos are toast and I am now doing my research for what tires I will replace them with. The Advan S4 is still available, but I want something lighter. Also, tire technology has improved and there are now better tires available, even in the OE size of 215/55-17. Additionally, the tires in this size I am looking at weigh between 22 and 24 pounds, which will keep my combined Tarmac ll/tire weight around 40 pounds or under (versus 45 with the Yokos, 52 for my stock alloys/winter tires).
Though the 215s are specified at 8.9" in cross section width (7" wheel, 9.1" on a 7.5" wheel), tread width averages only a half inch narrower vs. the typical 235. And of course, tire height between the 215/55-17 and 235/50-17 is identical at 26.3 inches (same wall height). Mounting the 215s on a 7.5" wide wheel should enhance turn-in as well.
Lighter weight for improved acceleration/braking performance, better fuel economy, no issues with clearance, all with only (possibly) a minor trade off in lateral traction/handling performance - chances are you will see my FXT riding some UHP A/S tires in OE size this spring.
Before you draw any such conclusions, hear me out...
Back in 2009 I purchased a new set of Rota Tarmac ll wheels, which are 17 X 7.5 with a 48mm offset (stock alloys are 17 X 7 with a 48 offset, 24.5 pounds). Knowing that there isn't a lot of space in the rear for fatter tires - but wanting something larger than the OE size - I settled on a set of Yokohama Advan S4 UHP A/S tires in 235/50-17 to mount on the new wheels. But here is a crucial piece of information - I chose these tires for their narrow cross-section width of only 9.5 inches. All other tires in 235/50-17 range from 9.7 to 10 inches.
The combination of wheel width/offset and tire cross section worked, but with no room to spare - the Yokos cleared my rear strut with a hair-to-spare. I suspect a tire with a 9.7 inch cross section will not clear the struts on my current wheels (which I have no plans on replacing)!
Another factor - the Yoko Advan S4s in that size weigh 28 pounds! Most tires in this size weigh in the 25 to 28 pound range, with a few slightly lighter/heavier exceptions.
The Yokos are toast and I am now doing my research for what tires I will replace them with. The Advan S4 is still available, but I want something lighter. Also, tire technology has improved and there are now better tires available, even in the OE size of 215/55-17. Additionally, the tires in this size I am looking at weigh between 22 and 24 pounds, which will keep my combined Tarmac ll/tire weight around 40 pounds or under (versus 45 with the Yokos, 52 for my stock alloys/winter tires).
Though the 215s are specified at 8.9" in cross section width (7" wheel, 9.1" on a 7.5" wheel), tread width averages only a half inch narrower vs. the typical 235. And of course, tire height between the 215/55-17 and 235/50-17 is identical at 26.3 inches (same wall height). Mounting the 215s on a 7.5" wide wheel should enhance turn-in as well.
Lighter weight for improved acceleration/braking performance, better fuel economy, no issues with clearance, all with only (possibly) a minor trade off in lateral traction/handling performance - chances are you will see my FXT riding some UHP A/S tires in OE size this spring.