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Tire size

  • Thread starter Thread starter officerbill
  • Start date Start date
O

officerbill

Guest
It is time to replace the rear tire, it is looking a bit bald. I'm thinking I'd like more tread on the road and would like to increase the width off the rear tire. Suzuki recomends a 130/90H 17 tire for the '79 850G. The 130 number is the width of the tire. Can I increase this size to 150 or 160 without damage to the bike or altering the handling characteristics too much?
Thanks,
Bill
 
Hi,

No. A 130 is the best width for your 850. A wider tire would cause more pinching on the rim and actually put less rubber on the road.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
 
Please don't muck up one of the best-handling GS models by applying low-tech car-based thinking to the tire sizes.

130/90-17 is the correct tire size for your bike.
 
+1, stick with the correct size.
Just buy better quality stickier tires.
 
best tire?

best tire?

what is the stock tire size or the best tire for my 1980 gs550e i need a new one b4 rideing season and not sure what toget thankss
 
stanford129 said:
what is the stock tire size or the best tire for my 1980 gs550e i need a new one b4 rideing season and not sure what toget thankss
Click to expand...

According to the manual specs the original sizes were:

FRONT
3.25H19-4PR which equates to 100/90H19

REAR
3.75H18-4PR which equates to 110/90H18

Terminology may be incorrect, but these are the sizes.

I know they appear skinny compared to the 850, but THAT's LIFE.
 
Suzuki_Don said:
According to the manual specs the original sizes were:

FRONT
3.25H19-4PR which equates to 100/90H19

REAR
3.75H18-4PR which equates to 110/90H18

Terminology may be incorrect, but these are the sizes.

I know they appear skinny compared to the 850, but THAT's LIFE.
Click to expand...

3.25 equates to 82.55 mm - so a 90/90-19 is the closest equal
3.75 equates to 95.25 mm - so a 100/90-18 is the closest equal

I suggest using a 100 front and 120 rear. The rear bulges a little but no worry, you won't have any handling issues.
 
hey thats for the quick respons on my question..will a 110/80 18 work for the rear?
 
stanford129 said:
hey thats for the quick respons on my question..will a 110/80 18 work for the rear?
Click to expand...

No -- the 80 series tire requires a wider rim.

You could stuff it on there, but it wouldn't handle right.
 
alright... im in dire need of a 110/90-18 tire if someone has one with half way good tread give me a price thank you
 
Check out IRC Duotour 310 tires. They have them in every size for 17 inch wheels and are a decent tire. Midpriced too. I've been riding them for years and found them to be a decent all around tire that is good in the rain.
 
I put 120/90-18's on my 550E and 1000S, and a 120/90-17 on my 550T, all with 2.15" rear wheels. The stock tire sizes ranged from 3.75" to 4.25" so I find it odd that everyone says "stay with the stock size" - which stock would that be? It's true that a 120 is a tight squeeze on a 2.15" wheel, but it's allowable, for a rear anyway. Avon even recommends that size for the 1979 and 1980 GS1000S (model with the 18" wheel). http://www.avon-tyres.co.uk/motorbike/gs-1000-hc-s-seca-ii
 
Last edited:
hey guy thanks for all the help i bit the bullet and bought a set of maxxis thanks again
 
officerbill, you should charge stanford129 with threadjacking. I had to reread the thread before I realized what had happened.
 
Me too

Me too

duaneage said:
Check out IRC Duotour 310 tires. They have them in every size for 17 inch wheels and are a decent tire. Midpriced too. I've been riding them for years and found them to be a decent all around tire that is good in the rain.
Click to expand...

DITTO! That's what I'm running on the 1100 and I really like them. They seem every bit as good as the GT501's to me.
 
Ok, I get it Bigger isn't better. :(
Next question, I have in the past used price as my guideline. What should I look for in a nice 130/90H 17? :confused:
Tom said get one that is stickier, who makes a nice stickie tire? I'll grant you I am normally the one with my tounge in my cheek, however this time I am being real. Who has had good luck with finding a cheap tire, that gave good preformace, what brand and where did you get it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by duaneage
Check out IRC Duotour 310 tires. They have them in every size for 17 inch wheels and are a decent tire. Midpriced too. I've been riding them for years and found them to be a decent all around tire that is good in the rain.

DITTO! That's what I'm running on the 1100 and I really like them. They seem every bit as good as the GT501's to me.

That's two endorsments for the IRC, Avon got a solid B+ what other tire would get a good rating from this forum?
Thanks,
Bill
 
Last edited:
That's two indorments for the IRC, Avon got a solid B+ what other tire would get a good rating from this forum?
Click to expand...

I would also look at the Shinko 712 and the Shinko 230 Tourmaster. The Pirelli RT66 are a decent tire also.
 
Hi,

A couple other perennial favs are the Pirelli Sport Demons, the Avon AM26 Roadriders, and Bridgestone Spitfire S-11. Use the search feature and you'll find lots of recommendations.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
 
shaft drives and tires

shaft drives and tires

No one has mentioned the obvious regarding shaft drive bikes and tires.

If it is over sized it will foul the shaft. Game over!
 
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