Michelin PR3 on ST1100 Rear - smaller size OK?

I'm considering either Avon Storm 2's, or PR3's as my new tires on my 2001 ST1100.

The closest PR3 size I can get for the rear is 160/60/17 - where the recommended tire size is 160/70/17. Would the lower profile tire (16mm) make much of a difference to the bike?

I can get the Avon Storm 2's in the exact size I need

I currently have Metzeler Z6's. They've been good, but I'll like a rear tire with sipes across the center of the tire.

BTW - my bike does NOT have ABS.

Thanks as always,

Keith

You will loose a little ground clearance when leaned over and it will stand a bit more vertical on the side stand. Other than that it is all good. The minor trade off is well worth the great tires you will have. I thought so anyway.
If the side stand is an issue for you, as it was when I had a CT on, you can cut a bit out of the stand below the spring and weld it back together. Presto, your lean is back.

Many use 170/60 without problem on the 1100. Lowers bike slightly so more upright on sidestand. A bit harder to get on CC. I stick with stock size.
Many, me included, would say forget the Storms.

Quick and positive replies. Thanks!

Poppy, I'd be interested to hear how the PR3s work out for you. I ran a set of PR2s and didn't care for them. I just put a set of BT023s on yesterday, I think this is my third. I've had pretty good luck with them, but I'm always looking for something better.

Definitely go with the 170/60 instead of the 160/60. That's been done a bunch without any trouble other than the aforementioned sidestand/centerstand challenges. It also will work on ABS ST1100s as I verified a while back with those that have tried it. I plan on running a set on one of my ST1100s at my next change. I want to see how it compares to the Z6s I have been using.

Just to complete this thread, I decided to go with BT-023's this time around. I got them for a sale price on-line.
It was a close call, but $$ and no sacrifice in side stand angle won out.

I have bt023 on at the minute,rear is squaring off after 6500 miles,not sure what to go for next, handling and wet weather grip mean to me than mileage.any suggestions?

What Dean R said....no problems

Uncle Phil said:

Definitely go with the 170/60

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Hi Uncle Phil,I'm considering the pr3 for my abs11 but I wonder if the different tyre height will affect the abs system,there is a 10mm difference in height on the rear tyre between the 160/70-17 and the pr3 170/60-17, thanks

Hi Brock, I always ran the 160/70 on my ABS bikes and never had the system react to them. In fact the only time my ABS was not happy was when my CT wore down to the point where the circumference difference between it and the front caused the system to freak out. It seams that the system really hates to see that much difference in size. Rotational differences are one thing, and that is what the system looks for, but when my CT wore down, the system told both pistons in the modulator to cover the passage and stay there. That got my attention. No brakes till I slowed down to the threshold speed where the system stops modulating.
Go with the PR3, you will love it till you push the bike over. I liked the PR2 and 3 so much that I shortened my side stand so that would not keep happening. I got real tired of looking for the "right" slope to park on.

Broc - I'm running the 170/60 on both of my ST1100 ABSIIs without a complaint (the front is the 120 'normal' size). And I just got back from a rather 'quick' run on highway 232 that tested the traction limits a wee bit ... ;-)

Thanks Phil,I have been reading up on the tyre reviews and the bt023's have good reviews,I suppose I have 7000 miles on the bt023's and there is still a few thousand in them so that's not bad.they are squaring off but alot of my riding on the ST is 2up so that's to be expected I suppose.

I see the Michelin pr4's should be available shortly in the GT version in the sizes you're running Phil,tempted to try them,probably won't be fitting the new tyres till March/April.
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/Michelin-Pilot-Road-4-Press-Release

Broc - Supposedly the PR4s are supposed have a 20% increase in tire life. I'm still interested in just how many miles I get out of my PR3s. So far, they are lasting longer than Metzler Z6s which used to be my favorite tire. And they have great grip and smoothness also.

After 147K on my ST1100 ABS, I hated when I had odd ball sizes on the rear. {Usually, had to buy a new rear tire while at WeSTOC and couldn't find the correct size.} I have tried the 160/60, 170/60 and I like the 160/70 OEM best. I use the Michelins Pilots for the front and the BMW OEM B'STone BT-020 (160/70B-17 M = K1200LT (2005-08) on the rear. This rear tire delivers great mileage and I can get about 9K miles easily. In my opinion, OEM sizesd tires are better for your safety sake.

ArTravlR said:

OEM sizesd tires are better for your safety sake.

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Could you please share why you feel it is a safety issue?

In my opinion and based upon the WARNING on page 113 & page 116 of my ST1100 Owners Manual. I also did not like the way my bike handled when I had the wrong sized tire on the rear. I am not a mechanical engineer, so I am going to follow the recommendations of the experts.

ArTravlR said:

I am not a mechanical engineer, so I am going to follow the recommendations of the experts

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Good point,hard to argue with that,dunno about having a Michelin pr3 on the front and bridgestone on the rear,I remember John Heath saying bridgestone didn't even recommend the bt023 GT for the ST1100 for some reason, but they are ok on the ST1300, confusing

To each his own, but I detected nothing unusual in the handling at all. But then I ride like an old man ...

Going east on I-40 with a heavy load, a 160/60 Dunlop on the rear, strong wind blowing from the left and an oversized windshield, I found my front handlebar would oscillate left & right while tracking straight down the road. Frightening is an understatement. The weight bias was to the rear and the smaller tire affected the geometry of the bike in this extreme instance. ****** I am mildly surprised at the resistive comments on this vital safety issue and will not comment any further.