ok so im looking for new tires what does it all mean?

[That Nice Guy Beck!]

I have 180 55zr 17

whats the diff between that and say  a 190 55zr 17?

what do all the sizes mean?

thanks

[hackers2r]

180 is the width of the tire.  55 is the height of the sidewall, it is a percentage of the first number.

[That Nice Guy Beck!]

so do i want a 180 or 190 whats the difference?

[Howie]

10 mm. increase in cross section.  The wider tire will hamper handing, but add poser points, assuming it fits your bike.

[Slide Panda]

10 mm. increase in cross section.  The wider tire will hamper handing, but add poser points, assuming it fits your bike.

Yep, the wider tire will give it a flatter profile - which will slow turn-in.  You do get a bigger contact patch though...

Oh and 17 hasn't been mentioned... that's the wheel size.. but you probably knew that one

Found a nice little tire measurement diagram

[Duck-Stew]

The above info is correct, but here's my addition:

The first number is the width of the area of the casing that's *able* to have rubber added to it.  What that means is that some manufacturer's 180's are wider than others but generally, they're all about the same.  It's a slight difference, but I thought it was worth mentioning.  On a 5.5" rim you can generally fit three tire sizes.  170/60, 180/55, and a 190/50.

BTW, a 170/60/17 will weigh less than a 180/55 from the same manufacturer so there's a weight issue to be concerned with as well. 

And lastly, a 190/55 is too tall of a sidewall for a Monster (IMO), if you feel you must run a 190 rear tire, please buy a 190/50 instead.

[That Nice Guy Beck!]

what should I get and who has the best deal??
im thinking conti sport attacks, i hear are nice? im running a duc 749

[amcloud]

120/70 front, 180/55 rear - pretty standard size...and manufacturers specs so it will handle the best most likely.
try Bridgestone BT016's or Michelin Pilot Power 2CT.  Those two tires were just rated the highest by SportRider Magazine.  I currently run the BT016's and have been very happy with them.  I have heard a lot of great responses from the Michelin's too though. 

The 2 tires listed above are sport tires, fairly soft rubber compounds...which translates into high wear.  They have remedied this problem some with multi-compound construction (center is harder than the rear).  I suspect these are the tires you would be interested if you are riding a 749, but if you do a lot of slab riding and don't hit the track or twisties much, you might want to go for more of a touring tire.  Ultimately it is up to preference and riding style.
 

[Bizzarrini]

above are sport tires, fairly soft rubber compounds...which translates into high wear.  They have remedied this problem some with multi-compound construction (center is harder than the rear).  

I've heard some different stories about this point. Is the center harder, or is the side softer? I thought it was the latter, so this wouldn't decrease wear, but increase grip...

[Slide Panda]

I've heard some different stories about this point. Is the center harder, or is the side softer? I thought it was the latter, so this wouldn't decrease wear, but increase grip...

I'm guessing he meant that the middle section of the tire is a harder compound than the sides - not 'center is harder than the rear'

On multi compound tires the hardest section will be the center and the outer/side sections will be softer than the center.  If you've got a 3 compound tire, the outermost section would be the softest to give the most grip at the trade off of less resistance to wear.  But of course, even on a track bike you'll be spending more time on the center of the tire that the outermost edges so the lower resistance to wear is mitigated by lesser wear time..

[amcloud]

yeah, sorry guys...the center is harder than the rest is what I meant to type...the center of the tire which sees the most wear is a harder compound than the rest of the tire.

[Bizzarrini]

Yeah, I assumed you meant the center, but I was wondering if you would compare a 2CT tire to a normal tire, would the center of the 2CT be harder, or would the sides be softer? Or maybe even both 

[amcloud]

Yeah, I assumed you meant the center, but I was wondering if you would compare a 2CT tire to a normal tire, would the center of the 2CT be harder, or would the sides be softer? Or maybe even both 

http://www.motorcycle.com/products/michelin-pilot-power-2ct-12882.html
http://www.motorcycle-karttires.com/bt-016.pdf

Both of the above websites I have listed show the tire construction.  The Michelin tires are 3 Layers, front and rear.  The center of the tire is a harder rubber compound than the shoulders of the tires.  The Bridgestone BT016s are 3 layers front and 5 layers rear...the rubber gets progressively softer as you move outward towards the shoulder of the tire.  I have been extremely pleased with the BT016s...but the Michelins are great tires as well.  I have run Pirelli Diablo Rosso tires in the past, but I have been most pleased with the BT016s.  Just my opinion though.  Do a little research, but either the BT016s or the Pilot Power 2CTs are my recommendation for aggressive street riding.  ride safe.

[Ducnial]

For the rear keep the clearance between chain/tire and tire/swingarm in mind.  E.g. if you jumping 10mm you need at least 5mm plus a safety factor extra, especially the swing arm.

[That Nice Guy Beck!]