[Kyle Johnson]

Has anyone put Marchesini 16.5s on their 1098 so as to use the taller, bigger sidewall racing tires now available? My question is do you have any interference problems with the front wheel brake calipers? They're pretty tight to the OEM 17s as is.

 

[alfredob]

What tire would you fit on a 16.5 " wheel? are you going to face the same problem as I will on my DD16rr where they put 16' wheels and the only tire makers are Bridgestone for it? I'd stick with the 17"....

 

[23six]

The original post states "to use the taller, bigger sidewall racing tires now available" which would tell me he plans to use them for track days or racing only. There is a reason why all the bigger teams in GP, SBK, etc. have switched to a 16.5...it works better in most cases on the racetrack. For the street I wouldn't go through the headeache of dealing with the odd size (uncommon, as you mentioned) for an advantage only realized on the track.

 

[alfredob]

Exactely! and in my opinion this is the same concept as for the slipper clutch. Slipper clutches and parformance tires and wheels are not needed on the streets while almost indispensable on the track.