Rear Tire size question

[Cruzen]

Has anyone ever tried the Avon Cobra 200/60VR-16 on the back of their Valk?  I have been running the Avon Venom and now Avon Cobra 180/70R-16 on the rear but ever since I had problems with a tire delaminating last year at speed and stranding me I am apprehensive and am thinking of going to a larger width for my next rear tire.  And no, I am not interested in going over to the dark side.

Using this calculator I found the differences between the two tires dia. etc. are not that much different.
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/tirecalc.php

Anyone have any experience with this size.  I've got a 99 IS.

[Tundra]

Good tire, no complaints.
 I also have run the Bridgestone in the same size for significantly less $. It will only last for about 10k though.http://www.directlineparts.com/byBrand.asp?brd=Bridgestone&str=2

The Avons are on Sale, still expensive. http://www.directlineparts.com/byBrand.asp?brd=Avon&str=2

Either tire, you will be happy. Pay more for Avon, although you'll get many more miles. It all works out in the wash.

[Ricky-D]

Using a generic calculation tool will positively get you in the ball park but recognize that all tire manufacturers are not totally and absolutely compliant with the dimensional standards promulgated within the industry.

For instance: Metzler front tires run smaller than Dunlop front tires of the same size. The Metzlers are smaller in cross section and overall diameter.  You will find these disparities pretty common among all tire manufacturers.

Most all tire manufacturers publish their own tire specifications so comparison is easy but can be very perplexing trying to gather the information.

I have found a better way to compare tires, for me at least.

What I do is look at the weight of the tire that I am interested in, and compare that weight to the weight of other tires of the same size.  I like the heavier tires and that is what I choose to buy.

My feeling is that a heavier tire is (definitely) heavier because there is more rubber in the tire. Whether or not it is in the tread or the sidewall doesn't matter to me since in "tire speak" I feel "more is better" and a lower weight tire doesn't afford me any benefits whatsoever.

My riding style has no bearing on what I buy and I cannot feel any difference between brands. The only thing I feel is how badly the bike handles with a worn out tire, especially a worn out front tire.

I want the most miles I can get from my tires and that is my aim.

***

[Brian]

Good point. Never looked at the weight of a tire.

[marbleusmike]

Yes I run the Avon cobra 200/60 hr16s and I love them!  I've gone through a couple already and they last good  Got 22k on one of them.. lots of highway riding.  They look great too!  Speedometer might be slightly off... but I already know that I'm speeding!

[old2soon]

Speedometer reads off of the front wheel. RIDE SAFE.