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    Tire size

    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

    #2
    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

    Comment


      #3
      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.
      1983 GS850G, Cosmos Blue.
      2005 KLR685, Aztec Pink - Turd II.3, the ReReReTurdening
      2015 Yamaha FJ-09, Magma Red Power Corrupts...
      Eat more venison.

      Please provide details. The GSR Hive Mind is nearly omniscient, but not yet clairvoyant.

      Celeriter equita, converteque saepe.

      SUPPORT THIS SITE! DONATE TODAY!

      Co-host of "The Riding Obsession" sport-touring motorcycling podcast at tro.bike!

      Comment


        #4
        +1, stick with the correct size.
        Just buy better quality stickier tires.
        http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...tatesMap-1.jpg

        Life is too short to ride an L.

        Comment


          #5
          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

          Comment


            #6
            Originally posted by stanford129 View Post
            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
            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.

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by Suzuki_Don View Post
              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.
              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.
              Ed

              To measure is to know.

              Mikuni O-ring Kits For Sale...https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...ts#post1703182

              Top Newbie Mistakes thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=171846

              Carb rebuild tutorial...https://gsarchive.bwringer.com/mtsac...d_Tutorial.pdf

              KZ750E Rebuild Thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...0-Resurrection

              Comment


                #8
                hey thats for the quick respons on my question..will a 110/80 18 work for the rear?

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by stanford129 View Post
                  hey thats for the quick respons on my question..will a 110/80 18 work for the rear?
                  No -- the 80 series tire requires a wider rim.

                  You could stuff it on there, but it wouldn't handle right.
                  1983 GS850G, Cosmos Blue.
                  2005 KLR685, Aztec Pink - Turd II.3, the ReReReTurdening
                  2015 Yamaha FJ-09, Magma Red Power Corrupts...
                  Eat more venison.

                  Please provide details. The GSR Hive Mind is nearly omniscient, but not yet clairvoyant.

                  Celeriter equita, converteque saepe.

                  SUPPORT THIS SITE! DONATE TODAY!

                  Co-host of "The Riding Obsession" sport-touring motorcycling podcast at tro.bike!

                  Comment


                    #10
                    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

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Originally posted by tkent02 View Post
                      +1, stick with the correct size.
                      Just buy better quality stickier tires.
                      +1 ....................
                      GS850GT

                      Comment


                        #12
                        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.
                        1981 GS650G , all the bike you need
                        1980 GS1000G Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely

                        Comment


                          #13
                          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/motorbik...0-hc-s-seca-ii
                          Last edited by Nessism; 03-08-2010, 10:54 PM.
                          Ed

                          To measure is to know.

                          Mikuni O-ring Kits For Sale...https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...ts#post1703182

                          Top Newbie Mistakes thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=171846

                          Carb rebuild tutorial...https://gsarchive.bwringer.com/mtsac...d_Tutorial.pdf

                          KZ750E Rebuild Thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...0-Resurrection

                          Comment


                            #14
                            hey guy thanks for all the help i bit the bullet and bought a set of maxxis thanks again

                            Comment


                              #15
                              officerbill, you should charge stanford129 with threadjacking. I had to reread the thread before I realized what had happened.

                              Comment

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