Rear tire sizing question - 120/90 16

[Guest]

I am looking for some advice on tire sizing: specifically, I have an 81 GS550L, stock rear is a 130/90 16, anyone know if the stock rim will accept a 120/90 tire? I am eyeballing a set of mild dual sport tires, bridgestone trail wings, and just don't know how much room Ill have to work with.

Thanks,

[limeex2]

120/90 x 16 is smaller than 130/90 x 16

[backwoodsbobber]

120/90 x 16 is smaller than 130/90 x 16

I am aware a 120 is smaller. Sorry, I should have been more specific; will this tire be too narrow vs the stock 130? has anyone tried a 120?

[Steve T]

Funny you should mention it. I'm running exactly those tires on my 1983 GR650 Tempter. I don't have many miles on them yet but they seem to be satisfactory. It's harder to get the bike on the center stand because the rear end is sitting lower and the gearing is just a bit lower with the smaller diameter.

[limeex2]

It is 10mm narrower.Not enough difference to cause harm,but why change?Going from a 130 to a 120 should not change your gearing.

[bwringer]

Eh, it'll be fine.

It's intended for a wee turd of a 250cc dual-sport bike, so you're sort of approaching the limits of its load and speed ratings (P63, 93mph/600 pounds).

You won't die or anything -- it'll probably just wear sort of quickly.

[backwoodsbobber]

Eh, it'll be fine.

It's intended for a wee turd of a 250cc dual-sport bike, so you're sort of approaching the limits of its load and speed ratings (P63, 93mph/600 pounds).

You won't die or anything -- it'll probably just wear sort of quickly.

haha, I'm gonna go for it, the price is right... and I am going for a dirt road ripper.

[bwringer]

One thing that's not immediately obvious: that tire is a tube-type, so you MUST use an inner tube.

No idea what sort of wheel is on your bike or whether it came tubeless, but make sure you use a tube with that tire -- the beads on tube-type tires are a bit looser than on tubeless tires.

Go nuts, get it dirty, take lots of pictures...

[backwoodsbobber]

Awesome, thanks for the advice. I was trying to figure out if I would need a tube! Its slowly coming together. Mostly the tedious, regular maintenance that i'm certain was not performed by the previous owner. IMG_2866.jpg