150/70 or 160/60 ?

[steve...]

Which will give more grip when lent over ?  Anybody tried the bigger tyre ?

[2112]

Generally speaking a larger tyre will give less grip as the profile will be distorted due to it being squeezed onto the rim. Also larger rear tyres generally slow the steering, making for 'interesting' handling - best keep to the original sizes. My Guzzi (NTX model) has the 150 rear and the standard model has a 180 rear. Owners are changing to the smaller rim & tyre combo in their droves according to the Guzzi site I frequent (which is as dull as dishwater compared to 'ere).

[Juvecu]

I'd also advise to stick to the stock sizes. The tyre is sized for the rim it needs to go on and using a wider/narrower tyre can change the shape of the tyre causing some trouble. Even if you do end up fitting a wider or narrower tyre without the shape being impacted all that you are doing is modifying the shape of the contact patch. A wider tyre will have a wider, but shorter contact patch and a narrower tyre will have a narrower, but longer contact patch (using the same tyre pressures.) Wider tyres are more difficult to lean and narrower ones are easier to lean. On the Strom you'll touch down the pegs before you run out of tyre to lean on.

[steve...]

Thanks, I was just wondering if anybody had tried it ?