145's versus 165's
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JHHeiger
- Posts: 110
- Joined: Mon Jun 30, 2008 7:55 am
145's versus 165's
Is there that much difference in handling between 145's and 165's for the street?
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Bruce2
- Posts: 7105
- Joined: Sat Oct 13, 2001 1:01 am
Re: 145's versus 165's
It depends on how much "that much" is.
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FJCamper
- Moderator
- Posts: 2910
- Joined: Wed Nov 14, 2007 2:19 pm
Re: 145's versus 165's
Hi JHHeiger,
I hate to presume here, so are you just talking about 145's for the front wheels and not both front and rear?
If fronts only, you will have more understeer. You'll notice the difference from a 165. This will be more true in the wet than dry, but even dry, the front grip will be noticeably less if you are cornering with any spirit at all.
Braking distances will slightly increase as well. And if braking hard from high speed, you'll lock up the fronts early.
I know sometimes the use of narrow front tires is cosmetic and part of the dropped-spindle "in the weeds" Cal Look, but you give up grip when you do that.
FJC
I hate to presume here, so are you just talking about 145's for the front wheels and not both front and rear?
If fronts only, you will have more understeer. You'll notice the difference from a 165. This will be more true in the wet than dry, but even dry, the front grip will be noticeably less if you are cornering with any spirit at all.
Braking distances will slightly increase as well. And if braking hard from high speed, you'll lock up the fronts early.
I know sometimes the use of narrow front tires is cosmetic and part of the dropped-spindle "in the weeds" Cal Look, but you give up grip when you do that.
FJC