My handling has improved with wider tyres

Just changed from 265 40 18 Pirelli PZero at the rear to 285 35 18 Goodyear GSD3 and the handling feels sooooo much better. Could just be the dry, warm tyres and tarmac of course. Diving into, around and out of roundabouts seems a lot more stable with the wider rears.

Just thought I'd share that wiv ya'll

It could also be because of the change of tyre make you are using. I remember when I was running P-Zeros and switched to the GSD3's the grip certainly improved in the wet and dry.

Also I think because you went from a 40 section to a 35 you will get less sidewall flexing.

265/40/18 is way to high an aspect ratio. The stock size is 255/40 on a 17" rim, going for an even higher sidewall on a larger rim is a strange choice.

Also worth mentioning that changing near bald tyres for new ones usually improves things anyway, regardless of size differences.

I keep thinking about going for some of these semi slick profiles you see about the shop. What's the general opinion on these?

I keep thinking about going for some of these semi slick profiles you see about the shop.

I have some home made ones if your interested

Yeah i'm thinking about these but may just go whole hog and get full slicks.

Wider tyres will increase mechanical grip...taller ones will increase it futher as your footprint will increase in size...

However, rolling resistance goes up, so economy goes down, and because there is less weight per sq inch of tyre you're more likely to aquaplane in the wet.

Like Gamer, I too found that the Goodyear's gave much better grip than the Pirelli's.