1980 GS100E 140/80/17 or 130/90/17 Rear Tire

[Kaiser Sosei]

I currently have a 140/80/17 Metzler Messatronic(?) on my 1980 GS1100E and am in need of a new one. My swing arm bearings where shot and I was getting some rubbing on the rear brake support. I have since fixed the swing arm, but I am wondering if the larger tire will still rub? I would be getting another Metzler as I really like them, albeit the newer Lasertec. I looked in the archives and I didn't get a clear concensus, some have problems with the larger tire, some don't.

Any advice?

I have a 110/90/19 Front tire. I am pretty sure that is the size.

 

[Nessism]

Stock tire was a 4.50 which is closer to 120 than either 130 or 140. I'd say go with 130 instead of 140 for that reason.

 

[KGB]

Stock tire was a 4.50 which is closer to 120 than either 130 or 140. I'd say go with 130 instead of 140 for that reason.

Agreed.
When you put a bigger tire on the smaller rim it pinches it onto the rim,causing the contact part of the tire to distort.
Wider does not mean more rubber on the road.
And it can adversly effect handling by using a too wide tire.

 

[Kaiser Sosei]

Metzler has the 130/90/17 as the recommended tire. Maybe I will try that and see if I like it better. I never get more than 1-1.5 seasons out of them so it's not like it would be a long term commitment. :-D I was just trying to see what others have used.

 

[KGB]

I run a 130 width Dunlop GT501 on my GS1000.
No fitment issues and the handling is great.
I run the GT both front and rear.

 

[Joe Nardy]

I've had 120, 130 and 140 width rears on my '83 1100E. I'd recommend the 130. The 120 seems too narrow and looks funny. The 140 looks cool but definitely slows the steering down. The 130 looks good and is a good compromise between looks and handling. The Metzeler is a great tire but I (and a lot of other GSR members) like the Pirelli Sport Demon.

Joe

 

[Guy]

I've been using the metzeller laser techs on both the GS850 and the GL1100 for 2 years now.

110/90/19 front and 130/90/17 rear on both bikes. They look good and handle well, though I seem to go through rear tyres at an alarming rate.
I'm happy enough to stick with them.

 

[denydog]

I have to agree with most here. I switched back from a Metzler 140 80 ME99, to a closer to stock 130 90 pirelli. The 140 looked good, but was just pushing things too much on the skinny rim.

 

[Kaiser Sosei]

Thanks all,


I think I will try the 130.