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December 31, 2007
A Post for Jonneke
16 inch rims were quite the shite in 1985. All the sporty bikes had them for the zippy handling and low center of gravity they provided. They soon proved to be a little too squirrely for the street, and by 1990 or so motorcycle manufacturers had moved on to 17 inch rims. Cruiser bikes, and some of the current sportbikes have returned to rear 16's, but no one that I know of is using them on the front any more. 16 inch front tires are getting somewhat hard to find, which leaves Ducati Paso and 750 Sport riders inter alia somewhat in the lurch.
The best handling ("best handling" in this case encompassing "safest") setup for the 750 Sport is a conversion to 17 inch rooms. This involves finding and purchasing wheels, forks, brakes (caliper and master) from a later bike, and adapting them to suit. It is kind of an expensive fix, but it makes purchasing tires much easier. It also solves the stock Sport's tendency to "stand up" if the brakes are used suddenly in a turn. I have not experienced this myself yet, and I hope to address the issue before I do.
For the meantime, the second best solution is to purchase the same kind of tires that are on the Sport right now, Michelin A/M 59's. From all accounts, Michelin makes these tires in batches every few years. Doubtless owners of Paso's and Sports scramble for their share of the production. And indeed I may join them, since I really can't see putting the money for 17 inch rims and all the trimmings that go with them any time soon.