1981 GS850G Optimal Tire Size

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  • MattGJ
    • Feb 2026

    #1

    1981 GS850G Optimal Tire Size

    I was fortunate when I got my new 81 GS850 with only 5000 miles on it. The gentleman I got it from had just put on new rubber. The current sizes are:

    Front - Bridgestone 100/90 - 19 M/C 57V

    Rear - Bridgestone 120/80 - 17 M/C 61H

    I know the rear tire is undersized, what do you experienced GS operators suggest?
  • Nessism
    Forum LongTimer
    GSResource Superstar
    Past Site Supporter
    Super Site Supporter
    • Mar 2006
    • 35792
    • Torrance, CA

    #2
    I suggest you ride it. You can bump the rear to 130, but a 120 is fine. Especially since it's already paid for.
    Ed

    To measure is to know.

    Mikuni O-ring Kits For Sale...https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...ts#post1703182

    Top Newbie Mistakes thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=171846

    Carb rebuild tutorial...https://gsarchive.bwringer.com/mtsac...d_Tutorial.pdf

    KZ750E Rebuild Thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...0-Resurrection

    Comment

    • Steve
      GS Whisperer
      • Jun 2005
      • 35925
      • southwest oHIo

      #3
      Agreed.

      When you replace the tires, keep the same size on the front, bump the rear to a 130.

      .
      sigpic
      mine: 2000 Honda GoldWing GL1500SE and 1980 GS850G'K' "Junior"
      hers: 1982 GS850GL - "Angel" and 1969 Suzuki T250 Scrambler
      #1 son: 1986 Yamaha Venture Royale 1300 and 1982 GS650GL "Rat Bagger"
      #2 son: 1980 GS1000G
      Family Portrait
      Siblings and Spouses
      Mom's first ride
      Want a copy of my valve adjust spreadsheet for your 2-valve per cylinder engine? Send me an e-mail request (not a PM)
      (Click on my username in the upper-left corner for e-mail info.)

      Comment

      • bwringer
        Forum LongTimer
        Bard Award Winner
        GSResource Superstar
        Past Site Supporter
        Super Site Supporter
        • Oct 2003
        • 17066
        • Indianapolis

        #4
        Rear should be a 90 series tire, actually.

        100/90-19 up front and 130/90-17 out back is correct.


        You probably won't die or anything, but save up some pennies and spoon on new shoes pronto. The bike will handle a bit better.
        1983 GS850G, Cosmos Blue.
        2005 KLR685, Aztec Pink - Turd II.3, the ReReReTurdening
        2015 Yamaha FJ-09, Magma Red Power Corrupts...
        Eat more venison.

        Please provide details. The GSR Hive Mind is nearly omniscient, but not yet clairvoyant.

        Celeriter equita, converteque saepe.

        SUPPORT THIS SITE! DONATE TODAY!

        Co-host of "The Riding Obsession" sport-touring motorcycling podcast at tro.bike!

        Comment

        • Steve
          GS Whisperer
          • Jun 2005
          • 35925
          • southwest oHIo

          #5
          Originally posted by bwringer
          Rear should be a 90 series tire, actually.
          I missed that one little detail.

          .
          sigpic
          mine: 2000 Honda GoldWing GL1500SE and 1980 GS850G'K' "Junior"
          hers: 1982 GS850GL - "Angel" and 1969 Suzuki T250 Scrambler
          #1 son: 1986 Yamaha Venture Royale 1300 and 1982 GS650GL "Rat Bagger"
          #2 son: 1980 GS1000G
          Family Portrait
          Siblings and Spouses
          Mom's first ride
          Want a copy of my valve adjust spreadsheet for your 2-valve per cylinder engine? Send me an e-mail request (not a PM)
          (Click on my username in the upper-left corner for e-mail info.)

          Comment

          • BassCliff

            #6
            Hi,

            Originally posted by bwringer
            Rear should be a 90 series tire, actually.

            100/90-19 up front and 130/90-17 out back is correct.
            I concur with Mr. bwringer.

            Yes, these are the sizes I have been using for years.


            Thank you for your indulgence,

            BassCliff

            Comment

            • Nessism
              Forum LongTimer
              GSResource Superstar
              Past Site Supporter
              Super Site Supporter
              • Mar 2006
              • 35792
              • Torrance, CA

              #7
              80 series is fine. Won't hurt anything unless you ride on the edge all the time. Ride the bike and wear it out.
              Ed

              To measure is to know.

              Mikuni O-ring Kits For Sale...https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...ts#post1703182

              Top Newbie Mistakes thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=171846

              Carb rebuild tutorial...https://gsarchive.bwringer.com/mtsac...d_Tutorial.pdf

              KZ750E Rebuild Thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...0-Resurrection

              Comment

              • BassCliff

                #8
                Hi,

                Originally posted by Nessism
                80 series is fine. Won't hurt anything unless you ride on the edge all the time. Ride the bike and wear it out.
                Sure, no use tossing away good rubber. But next time get the 130/90.


                Thank you for your indulgence,

                BassCliff

                Comment

                • Guest

                  #9
                  Originally posted by BassCliff
                  Hi,



                  Sure, no use tossing away good rubber. But next time get the 130/90.


                  Thank you for your indulgence,

                  BassCliff
                  Eric Bang agrees.

                  Comment

                  • Steve
                    GS Whisperer
                    • Jun 2005
                    • 35925
                    • southwest oHIo

                    #10
                    Originally posted by sedelen
                    Eric Bang agrees.
                    So???

                    He was booted from here for a reason, you guys that keep relaying stuff from him are just enabling him.

                    I am sure he feels his own little sense of triumph that he is "still here".

                    .
                    sigpic
                    mine: 2000 Honda GoldWing GL1500SE and 1980 GS850G'K' "Junior"
                    hers: 1982 GS850GL - "Angel" and 1969 Suzuki T250 Scrambler
                    #1 son: 1986 Yamaha Venture Royale 1300 and 1982 GS650GL "Rat Bagger"
                    #2 son: 1980 GS1000G
                    Family Portrait
                    Siblings and Spouses
                    Mom's first ride
                    Want a copy of my valve adjust spreadsheet for your 2-valve per cylinder engine? Send me an e-mail request (not a PM)
                    (Click on my username in the upper-left corner for e-mail info.)

                    Comment

                    • Guest

                      #11
                      Originally posted by Steve
                      So???

                      He was booted from here for a reason, you guys that keep relaying stuff from him are just enabling him.

                      I am sure he feels his own little sense of triumph that he is "still here".

                      .
                      Said he doesn't feel any sense of triumph or enabled, just want's to be helpful.

                      Comment

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