koehlerrk wrote on 08/17/15 at 07:40:01:...Anyways, the new rubber rides nice, grip is good, and definitely more clearance than before. Bike seems to handle a little quicker, rolls into and out of leans better. Oh, and the speedo is now close enough to call it accurate.
Bought my bike with a 140/90 rear tire, the speedo is the most accurate of any motorcycle I've had to date, only out by 1-2mph at 60, but it does squirm a little around corners.
The theory, according to some books, is that the more similar front and rear tire, the more similar the front and rear roll into and out of a corner leading to faster and easier handling. Plus since the stock 140 tire is already a little oversized for the rim, a 130 tire won't roll over the rim as much as stock, and would feel more planted.
So it might not be complete placebo effect that the bike feels a little faster.