• Required reading for all forum users!!!

    Welcome!
    Register to access the full functionality of the GSResources forum. Until you register and activate your account you will not have full forum access, nor will you be able to post or reply to messages.

    A note to new registrants...
    All new forum registrations must be activated via email before you have full access to the forum.

    A Special Note about Email accounts!
    DO NOT SIGN UP USING hotmail, outlook, gmx, sbcglobal, att, bellsouth or email.com. They delete our forum signup emails.

    A note to old forum members...
    I receive numerous requests from people who can no longer log in because their accounts were deleted. As mentioned in the forum FAQ, user accounts are deleted if you haven't logged in for the past 6 months. If you can't log in, then create a new forum account. If you don't get an error message, then check your email account for an activation message. If you get a message stating that the email address is already in use, then your account still exists so follow the instructions in the forum FAQ for resetting your password.

    Have you forgotten your password or have a new email address? Then read the forum FAQ for details on how to reset it.

    Any email requests for "can't log in anymore" problems or "lost my password" problems will be deleted. Read the forum FAQ and follow the instructions there - that's what we have one for...

  • Returning Visitors

    If you are a returning visitor who never received your confirmation email, then odds are your email provider is blockinig emails from our server. The only thing that can be done to get around this is you will have to try creating another forum account using an email address from another domain.

    If you are a returning visitor to the forum and can't log in using your old forum name and password but used to be able to then chances are your account is deleted. Purges of the databases are done regularly. You will have to create a new forum account and you should be all set.

Tire recommendation for 450L

  • Thread starter Thread starter Tamara
  • Start date Start date
T

Tamara

Guest
It's time to replace the rear tire on '85 450L. The sidewall on the tire says it's a 120/90-16 which seems to be an odd ball size. What brand and what size would you guys recommend for my little 450?

Thanks!
 
You want long mileage? Great traction? Low price?
Wet roads? Dry roads? Do you ride aggresively or just putt around?
 
I just put Pirelli Sport Demons on mine not so long back. They're supposed to be good small to mid capacity commuting tyres but also grip well for the twisties and in the wet.

So far, I have to agree and am loving them!

Rear supposedly comes in 120/90-18 as well so you should be able to get them to suit yours.
 
tkent02 said:
You want long mileage? Great traction? Low price?
Wet roads? Dry roads? Do you ride aggresively or just putt around?
Click to expand...

I guess it would help if I added that :). I like good traction, reasonable price, try to avoid wet when possible but in Florida that can be nearly impossible. My style is fairly laid back. I outgrew aggressive a long time ago.
 
pete said:
I just put Pirelli Sport Demons on mine not so long back. They're supposed to be good small to mid capacity commuting tyres but also grip well for the twisties and in the wet.

So far, I have to agree and am loving them!

Rear supposedly comes in 120/90-18 as well so you should be able to get them to suit yours.
Click to expand...

My stock rim is a 16". I'll have to contact retailers to see if they can fit them to my bike.
 
When I get home, I'll see what I have on mine. Not sure if the 82 has the same rear size, but its probably pretty close.
 
Don't bother with the Kenda tires. They are so slippery in the wet you are better off riding on the rims.

I cannot speak to the IRC from personal experience

Bridgestone makes the Exedra as a custom style tire in a 120/90R16, but it isn't so easy to get, and usually has to special ordered. They also make a 100/90R19 Exedra front tire to match

I hate to admit it, but there isn't a lot going around in a 120/90R16, other than Kenda, and IRC.
I can tell you that folks have fitted 120/80 tires and 130/90 and 130/80 tires to 400L and 450L models. Personally, tire trouble was part of the reasons I got ride of my 81 400L.
 
The IRC is a good tire -- definitely a lot better than the Kendas. I'd order up a set of those, along with new tubes and rim strips, of course (or valve stems if it's tubeless).
 
I got some of the people at my house to look at my tires.

Rear is an Avon Road raider, but its a 120/80/16. Not sure if it can be used on your rims.

They have treated me well since i got them, but I haven't put many miles on them. Not too shabby in the rain, they did a lot better job than my boot soles did.
 
Last edited:
You have a 16" rim? How wide?

If it's a 2.15, you will want to stick with a 120 width.

If it's a 2.50, you can go to a 130.

.
 
Steve said:
You have a 16" rim? How wide?

If it's a 2.15, you will want to stick with a 120 width.

If it's a 2.50, you can go to a 130.

.
Click to expand...

How can I figure out what the width is? I know it's the stock rim that came from the factory. According to the fiche, it's 2.15.
 
Last edited:
Would a 130/90 16 fit in place of the 120/90 16. My rim is 2.15"
 
Tamara said:
My stock rim is a 16". I'll have to contact retailers to see if they can fit them to my bike.
Click to expand...

Sorry, brain fart... I completely missed that your rim is a 16" :o

Tamara said:
Would a 130/90 16 fit in place of the 120/90 16. My rim is 2.15"
Click to expand...

It will probably go on but may be a little distorted... but I'm pretty sure I've seen someone on here try a 130 only to find it was too wide and rubbed on the chain...

Looking at this link:

http://www.cb450stuff.com/tires/

You could substitute 4.00-16, 4.60-16, 120/80-16, and 110/90-16... but be careful as different profiles may make things feel a little odd if the front isn't a suitable match.
 
Tamara said:
Would a 130/90 16 fit in place of the 120/90 16. My rim is 2.15"
Click to expand...

My wife had a Honda 400 with the same width rear wheel. It came to us with a 130/90-16, and the tire profile was pretty distorted. The tire was also very close to the chain, and I think this is a problem on smaller GS models as well.

The old tire had very little wear, but when we replaced it with the correct 120/90-16, the bike's handling improved immensely.
 
pete said:
Sorry, brain fart... I completely missed that your rim is a 16" :o



It will probably go on but may be a little distorted... but I'm pretty sure I've seen someone on here try a 130 only to find it was too wide and rubbed on the chain...

Looking at this link:

http://www.cb450stuff.com/tires/

You could substitute 4.00-16, 4.60-16, 120/80-16, and 110/90-16... but be careful as different profiles may make things feel a little odd if the front isn't a suitable match.
Click to expand...

I may do both at once even though I don't really need a new front tire right now.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top