i recently found a set of magnisium rims on for 50% off but they are SIZES: front: 3.50? x 16.5?rear: 6.00? x 16.5? and i want to put them on my 06 zx6r which it states in the add they are for but i am pretty sure my bikes OEM wheels are bigger can someone tell me the advantages/disadvantages to having the 16.5 rims as opposed to OEM size on my racebike for next year? i know that tthere is huge weight savings but wondering what else the 16.5 would be good or bad for.....
The AMA stopped allowing 16.5 rims, so there are very few tire choices for those rims anymore, hence why they are so cheap now. 16.5's did give much better side grip, but now that most pro teams can't use them anymore, tire makers don't make em anymore too.
Yes, improved sidegrip and quicker turn-in on the front with the more triangular tire profile are the main advantages. As far as tires not being available anymore, that is not true. 16.5" is the tire size for World SBK, Pirelli makes 4 different compound Slicks for both front and rear as well as Inters and Rains. No DOT's though. You do lose some of the weight advantage from the smaller wheels with these tires though. I run 16.5"s myself , and weighed those tires and a set of 17" ones. The rear 16.5" alone was over 1 lb heavier than the 17". The overall diameter of the two types of tires was quite close( ~3mm or so), just the side profile is much taller on the 16.5"-120/75 compared to the standard 120/70 on a 17" tire on the front and 190/65 compared to 190/55 or 190/60 now in the rear- and that's where the extra weight comes from.