Tire sizes (sorry)

[ddaniels]

Well, I guess I'll go ahead and show how stupid I am. I'm confused as to what size tires I need for my 1981 GS1000G. I don't understand the markings on my tires. Can somebody please tell me what I need, or at least where to look to find out? Thanks.

 

[Mike]

They should be marked on the sidewall. They'll look something like 100/90 19 (not those exact numbers, but in that format)

 

[Mike]

Quick google search shows 110/90 19 in the front and 130/90 16 in the back

 

[waterman]

BassCliff website says 3.50 x 19 front and 4.50 x 17 rear. This is pretty close to 90mm width for front and 120mm for rear. Most go slightly wider with a 100/90 x 19 and 130/90 x 17 since more tires are available in these sizes. Speed ratings are by letters, H is usually high enough, a lot of tires are rated higher at Z.

 

[mike_of_bbg]

BassCliff has a chart on his site here:

http://members.dslextreme.com/users/storagecliff1/images/General_Suzuki_Specs.html

But of course you'll have to convert to modern sizes. Shows a -17 rear, not a -16. The 1000GL would be a -16. Naturally one should confirm with the installed tires as the wheels could have been changed.

 

[ddaniels]

Yes, I saw the 3.50x19 on the front and 4.50x17 on the rear, but I had not seen that type of marking before. I was use to seeing the metric markings. Thanks

 

[ddaniels]

Just want to make sure those extra widths (110/90 front and 130/90 rear) will fit. Can anybody confirm? Thanks again.

 

[7981GS]

Yes and Yes.

Daniel

 

[DanTheMan]

Yes, I saw the 3.50x19 on the front and 4.50x17 on the rear, but I had not seen that type of marking before. I was use to seeing the metric markings. Thanks

You mean your bike still has the original tires on it??? Or close to it?

 

[ddaniels]

You mean your bike still has the original tires on it??? Or close to it?

Apprantly so. I bought it a year ago and rode last year with them as I only tooled around town. Not this year though. Daddy needs some new shoes!

 

[7981GS]

Apprantly so. I bought it a year ago and rode last year with them as I only tooled around town. Not this year though. Daddy needs some new shoes!

Still hold air after all of these years!

Daniel

 

[ddaniels]

Still hold air after all of these years!

Daniel

Must have tubes.

 

[ddaniels]

Must have tubes.

Indeed, they did.

 

[ddaniels]

Went ahead and ordered Shinko 230 Tourmasters, both front and back. Estimated delivery in 2 days. Cool.

 

[Guest]

Suzuki was selling NOS tires for early 80s GSes at least as late as 1997. So the tire you removed might not have been the original one on the bike.

Can you check the date/factory code on the sidewall?

 

[Nessism]

Went ahead and ordered Shinko 230 Tourmasters, both front and back. Estimated delivery in 2 days. Cool.

Good tires. What sizes did you get. Standard GSR wisdom is 100 front and 130 rear for the GS850.

 

[ddaniels]

Good tires. What sizes did you get. Standard GSR wisdom is 100 front and 130 rear for the GS850.

That's what I got. I got them from Motorcycle Superstore online. Totalled out at just over $120 for the pair. Not bad me thinks.

 

[ddaniels]

Suzuki was selling NOS tires for early 80s GSes at least as late as 1997. So the tire you removed might not have been the original one on the bike.

Can you check the date/factory code on the sidewall?

Can't remember off the top of my head the first two numbers, but the last of the three was a zero, so they were probably 1990. I wouldn't think they would have put 1980's on a 1981 bike. But, they were at least 21 years old there abouts.