i have a new 170/60 17 rear tire can i use it to replace the 160/60 17 tire already on the bike ?

 

I believe the 170 or the 160 you have now is the how tall the tire is, it should be fine. It will probably throw off your speedo a little bit.
Did you buy the wrong size or what?

 

170 is what came up for the bike in the computer at the time

 

I would say if it feels good on the bike ride it out. Then change back later. I have changed the width of my rear from 190 to 180 but never the height.

 

well the height is the same the new tire. it is just alittle wider just wanted to make sure it would fit on the rim with no problem

 

Yes your correct, I am not sure what the hell I was answering before. Got to stop taking these dam vicodin.

Yes the 160 tire is ok. It is a little less wider than the 170 and will make your bike turn in easier.

Sorry about the previous post. [:-]

 

Do bike tires measure out the same way as a car tire does? If they do then that 170/60 should be a little taller than the 160/60. The way a car tire measures (which alot of people never realize) like this. The 1st number is the width (most people know this much) 2nd number is actually a ratio, not a direct measurement. It is telling you how much of a percentage of the width is making up the sidewall height (I know it sounds confusing, let me explain) Let's say I have a 235/60R15 (my T/A tires) The width is 235mm, the sidewall height is 60% of 235mm, which is 141mm. The last number is rim size in inches. I still for the life of me cant figure out why they use inches, metric and a ratio all in the same label.

So the sidewall height of a 170/60 should be 102 and a 160/60 should be 96. (if they use the measuring system) It might make your speedo off by 1 or 2 mph (taller than stock make the speedo read slower than your moving {says 35 really doing 40}, shorter read faster {says 40 really doing 35} just examples)