largest tire on a gs?

[hansimusmaximus]

Hello, I have a 1980 GS850GL that REALLY needs new tires. I really like the look of bigger/thicker tires and was wondering what size i could go up to front and rear. Thanks!

[tkent02]

It depend on how badly you want it to handle. Fat tires suck on skinny wheels. If you want to look at it and not ride it, the sky's the limit.

[hansimusmaximus]

That's what i was afraid of (i'm new to motorcycles!). So stick to stock sizes then?

[Nessism]

130 rear and 100 front. You might be able to go 140 on the rear since you have an L model, but I'm not positive.

[tkent02]

That's what i was afraid of (i'm new to motorcycles!). So stick to stock sizes then?

Look at the tire manufacturer's website, it will tell you their max tire width for each rim size.

If you go wider the tire gets pinched together at the rim, it actually has less rubber area on the road and gets a funny shape too, it's all bad.
I think max is about 100 on the front, and 120 - 130 on the rear but I don't have an 850L, you may have wider wheels. The width in inches is stamped or cast on the rim, something like
1.85 X 19, or 2.15 X 17.

[tas850g]

i know the 81 GS650GL can go 130 on the rear.

[SqDancerLynn1]

You can go a 110 on the front, I would stick with a 130 on the rear or you may have clearance issues

[hikermikem]

I run 100/90-19 on the front, 130/90-16 on the rear on my '82 850GL. No issues & it looks good.

[82gs1100]

stock gk is 130/90-16 same rear end as the gl

[Peter]

I ran a 110/90/19 on the front of my '81 750L and it left very little clearance between it & the fender. Just ordered a new set of Shinko 712s and went back to 100/90/19.

130/90/16 for the rear is probably about as big as you'd want to go. I'm not sure about clearance differences between shaft & chain drive models, but it's a very snug fit on mine.

[kdo58]

i bought a gs850 and it came with a 140 on the rear.