Anyone running 140/80 rear tire?

I'm curious if anyone is using or has used a 140/80 rear tire. I realize the obvious--it will be taller than the OEM 140/70, but am looking for input as to how if changes the feel of the bike for cornering, etc.

Here's the context: the WRX I just picked up is wearing a 160/60 rear from the PO. The tire looks ridiculous on the 4" rim, and there is also evidence where the edge of the tread has rubbed on the chain. The bike was obviously ridden on straight roads, as both tires look new on the edges, but the rear has a nice flat spot in the middle and will need to be replaced soon (maybe should be replaced now), while the front has plenty of life left.

The tires are both Pirelli MT60RS, and problem is that to match the front, I can only pick up a new 160/60, but I have also found a lightly used 140/80. So the decision is whether to go for the 140/80 so I can use up the front, or look for a new set entirely. I'm not a huge fan of mismatched tires on the street in general, but would consider that an option given a similar tire. I haven't found another tire that fits that description yet, though.

Thanks in advance for the input.

I would go with either a new stock sized set of street tires or at max a 120/70/17 & 150/60/17 set of Distanzia's if you want a more offroadable tire.

If you're only looking for street tires, I'd really stick to the stock size as this bike will feel much more nimble with the stock 110/70/17 & 140/70/17 sized set.

That said, the 140/80/17 should fit, so if you like the current tire feel, you could try it and see. In theory it should make the bike feel more nimble as well.

Agreed. Don't go larger than the stock tires. You'll have to ride pretty darn aggressively to exceed what they're capable of. The bike is already lacking power. Don't compound that by putting a heavier tire back there. Keep the rotational mass down.

When I installed my Distanzia's, I noticed the difference right away. Not only are they heavier, but larger as well. At first I didn't like them but I got used to the feel and now they grip like crazy, especially on gravel and dusty trails. 

Even with the heavier Distanzia's, my WRX feels much more nimble compared to my 690 SMC.


FYI: My Distanzia's are the grippy supermoto compound.

Thanks for the input so far. Maybe it wasn't clear in the first post, but the bike already has a 160/60/17 rear tire on it now, not the OEM size. The matching type front tire is 120/70/17 and looks almost new--lots of life left. If they were both worn, I would not hesitate to swap them out for Distanzias in 120/70 and 150/60, but as it stands now, the option I'm considering is to replace just the rear with a 140/80/17.

The reason for the 140/80 size is that at one time Pirelli made the MT60RS in that size and I can get a lightly used one affordably. Now, it seems only 160/60 is available and I don't want to force another one of those on. In addition to the observed chain rub issues (not sure when that happened but it seems to OK now), the sides are so steep they are usable. In another world with some different technology, perhaps I could take the current rear and just snip out the middle flat spot and sew the (practically) unused sides together to make a 140...

I've looked through the tire sticky and have seen that 140/80 will fit and folks have used them, but what were the impressions of how they performed? Looks like if I use 13/44 gearing I'll counteract the difference in height and achieve the stock ratio without needing a new chain.

I'd say go for it (the 140/80/17) 

No problem mixing diffeent brands, just change the rear.