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Old 06-30-2019, 06:46 PM   #84
churchx
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Hmm. I find few reasons to justify a bit bigger sized wheels even for daily driving. - Steering feel (better performance tire choice & brake clearance probably matters less for DD).
On smaller wheels higher sidewall profile with a bit more slop will still provide good grip, one can still go fast on smaller tires and tires will be cheaper and ride a bit more comfortable/compliant.. but feel, that sharpness of turn-in will be a bit compromised. I love handling and feel of it in twins, thus among my wishes/preferences is to keep a bit more "feel"/enjoyment. This is driver car, for driver enjoyment. I want to retain that enjoyment.
Yes, 18" might be even more in "feel" direction, but imho 17" is good all-rounder compromise, good enough clearance for multiple BBKs, better performance tire selection, while more expensive and less compliant then 16", cheaper & more compliant then 18".
With one exception (and again with that "feel" involved) - winter tires/use. Winter tires will be sloppy no matter what due softer rubber compound, winter tires on 17" on 18" still won't net better handling feel, so this lacking "feel" won't justify some cons of bigger wheels as result pros of smaller wheels & tires going ahead, eg. on worse roads in winter extra compliance & rim protection of higher profile may matter more, cheaper tire cost always is good, and on bigger wheels -winter-tire- selection is worse, with harder to find narrower tires for wheel size, for optimum grip on ice & snow.
So as result i use light 17" set for summer, and have 16" set for winter use.
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