Tires

[Mikey]

I'm new to this forum and new to riding. My bike is 22yrs old, 86' GS450L, and I have no idea 'bout bikes, cars yes. My front rim says tubeless tire apllicable, my back rim says nothing.
1. Can I use tubeless tires on the fornt and back or just the front?
2. My front tire size is 100/90-19. I like it fine. My back tire is the one I'd like to change size on. The rear tire size is 120/90-16, will I get a better ride if I take it to 120/90-18 or 120/90-17, or will it just make the rear a little taller. I have plenty of clearance in the back for a bigger/taller tire. I'm not into speed but comfort mostly. It runs smooth now, no vibs at all so far. Will I get more benefit from a taller tire or the 90-16 that is on it now. It's kinda hard to xplain but the back tire being so small feels like, I dont know how to say it, kinda like it has a roughness to the ride or I feel the road more, especially when I lean into a turn.

 

[tkent02]

I'm new to this forum and new to riding. My bike is 22yrs old and I have no idea 'bout bikes, cars yes. My front rim says tubeless tire apllicable, my back rim says nothing.
1. Can I use tubeless tires on the fornt and back or just the front?
2. My front tire size is 100/90-19. I like it fine. My back tire is the one I'd like to change size on. The rear tire size is 120/90-16, will I get a better ride if I take it to 120/90-18 or 120/90-17, or will it just make the rear a little taller. I have plenty of clearance in the back for a bigger/taller tire. I'm not into speed but comfort mostly. It runs smooth now, no vibs at all so far. Will I get more benefit from a taller tire or the 90-16 that is on it now. It's kinda hard to xplain but the back tire being so small feels like, I dont know how to say it, kinda like it has a roughness to the ride or I feel the road more, especially when I lean into a turn.

Buy some modern tires, in the correct size.
Tubeless is fine.

 

[Calvin Blackmore]

Year and and model please?
The short answer is no to the different tire diameters
yes to the ratios bt ill advised unlees its close and you cant get the oem spec tire.

if the rim does not say tubeless applicable well gosh I would not rick it.
oe of the guys metnioned last week about some models having a mix of wheels with tubeless on one end but tebed tires ont he other OEM form the factory.

 

[Zook]

You can't go to a 18 or 17 inch tire without changing the wheel...whare ya gonna get one that fits?
get the correct tire and be done with it.

 

[doctorgonzo]

On a tangent....
What were the handling characteristics they were looking for when they made this bikes with a much larger front than rear?

 

[Calvin Blackmore]

On a tangent....
What were the handling characteristics they were looking for when they made this bikes with a much larger front than rear?

One assumes the big wheels were to allow all the kids who drove big wheels to move drom plastic to metal conveyances?

mk thats untrue

the biger the wheel diameter the slowere the steering I believe
imagine a 21 inch wheel thats like a flywheel.

the smalleer diameter wheels allow for quicker steering at the cost of stability and um of course with their smaller circumference a shorter life span

 

[catbed]

for future reference, cast=tubeless, spoked=tubed (except on some hardleys)

 

[tkent02]

for future reference, cast=tubeless, spoked=tubed (except on some hardleys)

New BMWs too, the spokes enter through an unpressurized area.

 

[Nessism]

for future reference, cast=tubeless, spoked=tubed (except on some hardleys)

Many/most of the early Suzuki cast wheels were designed for use with tubes. The ones that are designed for tubeless say as much on the wheel. That said, some people convert their tube type cast wheels to tubeless by drilling out the valve stem hole and installing a tubeless valve stem. Many people report good results with this but some people have experienced leaks.