Honda CBR900RR Tyre Size
The Honda CBR900RR runs the controversial 16-inch front wheel. The size is 130/70/16 front tyre and a 180/55/17 rear tyre. You can click those links to see all the different tyre options for this bike.
If you’re looking for a front tyre, there aren’t that many options for the early Blades but we have listed below everything that’s currently available and the good news is that even though the choice is limited, the tyres available are first class.
As motorcycle tyre specialists, accredited by the major manufacturers, we can supply any tyre to you by mail order or you can have them fitted in our London motorcycle workshop.
The 16-inch front means that this is not a common motorcycle tyre size combination, so choice is limited. Fortunately there are still some very good tyres being produced in sizes for the original FireBlades. Whether you want a tyre for Touring, Trackdays, Fast Road Riding or Commuting.
Honda CBR900RR History
The FireBlade was introduced in 1992. The 893cc superbike was a masterpiece, with everything thrown at it, typical of Honda at the time. You don’t need to be reminded of how the Blade was a ground breaker and how it developed a cult following that still shifts bikes today. Honda claims the 16-inch wheel was introduced to save weight but I’m sure most owners would agree that they’d rather carry a little bit of extra weight in exchange for a 17″ front wheel. At the time, the 16-incher wasn’t that strange an option – remember GP bikes ran a 16″ front – so this size made the Blade feel more sporty.
However as time moved on, the 16″ wheel became a questionable choice, causing the ‘Blade to lose points in the handling stakes. As the Millenium loomed, the 16-incher was seriously limiting for those who wanted to be on the best tyres of the time. In a way the 16″ front wheel was the final nail in the coffin for pure sportsbike lovers and probably what caused many owners to ditch the Blade in favour of the new Yamaha R1. The arrival of the 17″ front in the new 929 model (CBR900RRY) was too little too late for some.
Many converted the bike to run a 17″ front, which opened up a whole world of tyre options at the time. However, two decades on, many are retro-fitting the original Fireblade with the OEM front wheel. Partly due to owners wanting the authentic experience but also partly because – ironically – the 16″ tyres available for the Blade are the best that have ever been available, so the 16 is not the issue it was once perceived to be. The old 16-incher has not been abandoned by the tyre manufacturers, who clearly have a soft spot for Honda’s iconic superbike.
Alright, so the modern Fireblade is a thousand miles away from the early versions but there’s still something so appealing about these early bikes.
Honda pulled out all the stops for this bike, in the way that only Honda really does and indeed can. The fact that so many are still around today, is a testament to the 900’s build quality.
1992: The original 893cc SC28 FireBlade was launched. 1992/1993 model (N/P)
1994: The revised FireBlade was introduced. Compression adjustment for the front forks and twin round headlights replaced with the famous Foxeye lights. Urban Tiger paint scheme introduced. (R/S)
1996: Capacity hike to 918cc, the Blade was also made a touch roomier. Some felt the Blade was aesthetically speaking putting on the pounds. (SC33 T/V)
1998: The Blade gets a serious revision, with Honda claiming 80% of parts revised. Geometry was further relaxed, sounding the death knell for many, who thought the Blade had got fat. (W/X)
2000: All new 929 model introduced, fuel injection, USD forks and that famed switch to a 17″ front wheel. (SC44 Y/1) However the R1 was well established and the GSX-R1000 was about to pick a fight with both of them.
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Honda CBR900RR Stock Tyres
The original FireBlade came on Bridgestone BT50 tyres. Later models also came on the Michelin TX15/TX25 tyres also known as Hi-Sports (or Michelin Hi-Sides!).
Some of the popular tyres over the years include the Bridgestone BT-56SS, Dunlop D207RR, Metzeler ME-Z1 and Sportec M1, Michelin Macadam 90X and Pilot Sport and the popular Pirelli Diablo and MTR01 Corsa.
Honda CBR900RR Best Tyres
Honda’s classic superbike is mainly used in two different ways: fast road riding and commuting. I’ve also known a few couriers in London who bungied on a top box and dispatched it. There aren’t many being used in anger at trackdays any more.
Below are our suggestions on tyres that really suit this bike. All are available in the original 16-inch front fitment (only seen on the FireBlade and early Hornet 600) and 17″ rear (which is still a common size today). If you have an early Blade with a 17″ front wheel conversion, the world’s your lobster. You can run pretty much any tyre on the market, meaning if you are into trackdays, you can get some seriously sticky tyres.
Sports
Touring
Honda CBR900RR Tyre Pressures
You can find your motorcycle manufacturer’s recommended tyre pressures in your owner’s handbook. You’ll also find a tyre pressure chart sticker on the swingarm.
If you have no idea what pressures to run, this is our general rule:
Scooter: F 30psi, R 30psi
Normal Motorcycle: F 36psi, R 42psi
Big Tourer: F 42psi, R 42psi
125cc Bike: F 33psi, R 36psi
You should always check your tyre pressures when the tyres are cold. Check out our range of motorcycle tyre pressure gauges here.
About Two Tyres
Our mission is to ensure we listen to every customer’s needs and ensure they’re riding on the right tyre. Out of the showroom, your motorbike is a compromise, designed to suit a huge range of riders and riding conditions. To get the best out of your bike in terms of handling, performance and safety, tyres make all the difference. In fact we think it’s the most cost-effective performance enhancement you can make!
We are based in London where we supply and fit motorcycle tyres and consumables in our workshop. We also mail order motorcycle tyres around the UK, across Europe and even to places as far-flung as the USA, Canada and Japan.
Need help choosing the best tyres?
Choosing tyres can be tricky. We’re here to help. We hold direct accounts with every motorcycle tyre manufacturer, so we’re well placed to give comprehensive and honest advice to help you choose the best tyres. If you can’t quite make your mind up, give us a call on 0207 205 2205 and we’ll help you narrow down your choices.
We are motorcycle and scooter tyre specialists, with over 25 years in the trade. Between us we fit 10 pairs of tyres a day in our workshop, so we have good real-world experience of what works and what doesn’t.
We ride to work, we ride for fun, we race and ride off-road. If it’s got two wheels, we’re into it.
Give us a call or drop into our London motorcycle workshop and we’ll do our best to help you.
Are your tyre pressures letting you down?
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We’re confident this is the best motorcycle pressure gauge out there. That’s why it comes with a 3-year, no-nonsense, money back guarantee.
Whether you want a digital tyre pressure gauge or a good old-fashioned analogue pressure gauge, we’ve got a gauge for you. Now you can quickly and easily check your pressures, to keep your bike handling well and to ensure you stay safe.
Here at Two Tyres, we stock more than just tyres. Take a look at some of our essentials for any biker.
Motorcycle puncture repair kit – Our top-rated kit includes everything you need to carry out a roadside repair and get back up and running.
Motorcycle tyre pressure gauge – Our tyre pressure gauge has been rated in RiDE magazine and features a clever design to make it easy to get accurate readings.
Motorcycle first aid kit – a DIN-rated first aid kit that’s compact and also includes extras that are handy for any biker. A must-carry in some EU countries.
HyperCharge battery charger – The HyperCharge is a smart charger that can charge lead-acid and lithium batteries and it’ll charge bike and car batteries too.
Cordless tyre pump – Small enough to fit in your luggage, this tyre pump doubles as a powerbank, so you’ll never have a flat tyre or phone battery again!
All of these products have been well tested and are top-rated by our customers.
