Cammo wrote: Go for a 150 rear, your slow turn in will be due to the tyre size and also because as standard these bikes sit a bit too low in the rear (you can raise it with a shim on the rear shock - improves it big time).

Cammo wrote:Yes, Pirellis are a lot more expensive than most other brands in Oz. They make some cracking sports/track tyres, but not great economy for the road at the prices they charge in Oz.

Being an RVF (17" rear wheel) you have a lot more tyre options than VFR's (18" rear).

BT014's might be a good compromise for you, still a very grippy tyre and you'll get more life out of it than an 090. Also, not really up to date with them but a michelin pilot sport (or whatever their newest middle of the road sports tyre is) will also be pretty good on the rvf.

Go for a 150 rear, your slow turn in will be due to the tyre size and also because as standard these bikes sit a bit too low in the rear (you can raise it with a shim on the rear shock - improves it big time).

You will only get a few thousand km's out of the bt090's and alpha 10's (which are pretty much treaded race rubber), but I reckon it's a waste to fit long lasting tyres to an NC - grip and handling are what these bikes are about. At the end of the day, it depends on your mileage, budget and the type of riding you do. These tyres have saved my life on the road at least once at last count...

Grip is king!

jonno92 wrote:

Cammo wrote: Go for a 150 rear, your slow turn in will be due to the tyre size and also because as standard these bikes sit a bit too low in the rear (you can raise it with a shim on the rear shock - improves it big time).

OK, will go with the 150. Although the gradient of a 150/60 should technically be the same as a 160/60, as the profile is stated as a percentage of the width.. So the profile of a 150/60 is 60% of 150mm and the profile of a 160/60 is 60% of 160mm.. Which means the ratio of width:profile is the same, right? (Or maybe it's because I'm not considering that the rim size stays consistant..)

Anyways, someone commented the other day that the bike dropped a fair bit when I sat on it (and I'm only 70kg)..

I haven't played around with the suspension at all.. How hard is it to fit a shim on the rear shock, and how much is the shim worth (and where can you get it)?

Cheers guys. Helpful as usual! :D

EDIT: Is this the rear shock shim you speak of? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HONDA-RVF400-NC35 ... 663wt_1137

jonno92 wrote:hmm so stick the bike on the rear stand, unscrew the shock (but not all the way up I'm guessing), slide the shim under there and tighten it back up?

Do I need to support the frame, or is this only if you're removing the whole shock?

jonno92 wrote:And in response to your track day suggestion, I'm still just learning to ride, but I am planning on doing a California Superbike School course at the end of the year, and then beginning of next year I'll do a couple track days if all goes to plan! Can't wait! :D