120/60 vs 120/70

[helicopterjim R.I.P.]

Coming time to buy new tires and I thought I would through this question out there.

 

It has been said that 120/60 steers quicker but a 120/70 has more contact area plus absorbs bumps better.

 

 

 

Fire away ....!!

[docc]

Hmmm . . . steering quicker onto a smaller contact patch . . .

[czakky]

I've always blindly bought 120/70, never considering 120/60 but on my lemans the front has always been quick to steer. The rear is a little less so....

[earemike]

Early 90's this debate was all the rage for the 600cc blokes with various factory fitments. I always preferred the 120/70. I can't remember if it was from personal experience but always thought the 120/70 was more forgiving on suspension setup (it could have just been better suited to the suspension set up I had...). On a heavier bike (& the road) I'd assume the 120/70 would soak up the minor bumps while still allowing excellent feel.

[helicopterjim R.I.P.]

Well after perusing numerous forum threads from all over the web (I'm not going to post any links as there are 20 dumb comments for every useful one) ...... I have come to a consensus that the 120/60 steers SLOWER. It was generally regarded as a tire for the twitchy 600 Supersports of the 90's as it made it safer for inexperienced riders. I also found out that most racing WET tires are /60's as it is prudent to slow down the steering on wet pavement. 

 

On the other hand .... there was a lot of talk that when installing a /60 then the front forks need to be lowered in the T-clamps to compensate for the smaller diameter of the tire - perhaps this is where the idea that the /60's steer quicker could come from.

 

There is also a general consensus that the /70's give better road ride due to the extra height of the tire and it's ability to work as a shock absorber.

 

For now I'm thinking of sticking with what I know and that is the /70's.