I posted a similar question a couple of years back in relation to my Kawasaki ZR-7S, which is also a street bike with 17 inch wheels. I was looking for suggestions to improve handling on gravel and dirt roads.
Someone pointed me to Avon Distanzas which were available (then at least) in the correct sizes for my bike. Have you checked Avons out?
As to using a narrower than spec rear tire, I don't know how, in particular, that would affect your bike's handling or its safety (something you obviously need to be absolutely sure about) but as I understand it, as a general proposition, narrower tires do better on unstable surfaces than wider ones. Dirt bikes exemplify this.
My personal experience on the ZR-7S is that street bikes with equal sized, small diameter wheels and fat tires do not mix well at all with gravel and dirt roads. Handling and safety are compromised. And I've learned from others on this forum that the smooth, relatively continuous power delivery of a four cylinder engine is a negative on dirt or gravel, especially when compared to a thumper.
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