Tire question

[jakeolsen]

My '86 550es currently has 130/80-18 on the back, and 100/90-16 on the front. I have a brand new 130/90-18 from my other 550. Would it work with the new 100/90-16 that i have in the front? The stock rear tire is supposed to be 110/90-18.

 

[SqDancerLynn1]

The 130/90 is a different profile, slightly taller. IT will make the bike steer quicker.

 

[tkent02]

It would handle better with the sizes designed for you rim width, 110 or whatever it is for your bike. I would have thought the 100 on the front is too wide too. I don't know on that model.
Too wide and the tire is pinched together to fit the narrower rims, you end up with a smaller contact patch, which causes less traction and poor handling in general.

 

[jakeolsen]

Stock sizes are 100/90-16 and 110/90-18. I think i can find a stock size that would fit, and then I could just sell the other.

 

[jakeolsen]

(Update!)

(Update!)

I ended up ordering the stock sizes and, after a couple problems, they came in last week. They are now on, and everything looks good. I took it for a spin today, and now I am feeling every bump a little stronger than normal. This shouldn't be happening! Is there something that I could have messed up or nudged when changing the tires? I only had to remove one caliper, the front-left side. I bled all of the brakes when all was finished.

 

[Nessism]

The smaller tire has less sidewall which makes the bike ride rougher. A 130 is way too big for the rear rim (2.15" wide) but you could have gotten away with a 120.

 

[sschering]

I stuffed a 120-90-18 on the 2.15" rim on my little Yamaha.. It rides like crap compared to the old stock size wheels.. Lesson learned.. Won't do that again..