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OEM Tire Sizes

  • Thread starter Thread starter B Evil
  • Start date Start date
B

B Evil

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OK, I searched and searched but it seems like all the threads I found are all about going with the biggest tire possible. Since I'm at a stand still with the bike right now waiting on shims for the valves I figured I should start addressing other problems as well. One of which is what is believed to be the original tires. Seeing as how the bike only has 12000 on the clock and you should be able to get 15000 out of good set of tires I can defintely see these being the originals especially considering the condition they are in. Since these are so worn out I can't read the sizes on them.

So . . . I'm hoping you guys can be as helpful with this as everything else so far.

The bike is a 1981 GS 550 L

Thanks,
-Bradley
 
100/90/19 for the front.

I'm sure a "L" owner will be along soon the help you with the rear. :-D
(I'm betting it's a 130/90/16)
 
Actually the 1981 GS550L used a 90/90-19 front and 130/90-16 rear. I recommend going to 100 front but staying 130 rear. The larger front tire will correct for much of the speedo error present in the stock set up.

Good luck.
 
original sizes would be in inches, i believe:
eg for my 850
3.50x19 front
4.50x17 rear
 
chef1366 said:
Actually it's a 130/90-17
Click to expand...
(Quoting Maxwell Smart) Missed it by that much. :shock:


If I was to put money on it, I would say they are NOT original tires.
Give us a couple of clues, like what brand and model of tire, and the last 3 digits of the DOT number on the sidewall.

You are right, though, good tires might last 15,000 miles. Now, do you really think the factory would put on tires that were that good? And then there is your definition of "good". Bwringer and others love their Pirelli Sport Demons and think it's great when they last 8,000 miles. My wife's bike needs new tires after 14,000 miles on Cheng Shin Hi-Max tires. So, which tire is better?
 
Steve said:
(Quoting Maxwell Smart) Bwringer and others love their Pirelli Sport Demons and think it's great when they last 8,000 miles. My wife's bike needs new tires after 14,000 miles on Cheng Shin Hi-Max tires. So, which tire is better?
Click to expand...

tried heavy braking and knee-down cornering in the rain? 8-[
 
psyguy said:
original sizes would be in inches, i believe:
eg for my 850
3.50x19 front
4.50x17 rear
Click to expand...

Suzuki quotes metric tires sizes in the manual for the 1981 GS550L. 1981 GS550T was different; 3.25H-19 front and 4.25H-17 rear.
 
Ok sounds like I opened a can of worms on the forum. So I need a 100/90-19 and 130/90-16 right?

How hard is it changing the tires yourself? It's mainly getting them lined up that I'm worried about. Not that I can't afford the extra cash the dealership or other shops charge, but I prefer to do as much as I can by myself . . . it's a learning expierence. But I don't exactly want to learn any lessons the hard way with a wobble or wheel falling off.

Where's the best place to look online? And what would you guys recommend?

Here's what I've been looking at on bikebandit

Conti Blitz
http://www.bikebandit.com/product/3440

IRC WF-920 Wild Flare
http://www.bikebandit.com/product/3617

Pirelli MT66 - Route Cruiser Tires
http://www.bikebandit.com/product/3786

Cheng Shin Hi-Max C906
http://www.bikebandit.com/product/3422
 
Nessism said:
Suzuki quotes metric tires sizes in the manual for the 1981 GS550L. 1981 GS550T was different; 3.25H-19 front and 4.25H-17 rear.
Click to expand...
thanks nessim
interesting... is that genuine suzuki manual? and what are the metric sizes if you don't mind? (i suspect they didn't use the low profile tyres as stock back then, did they)? thanks
 
No, I was wrong. The rear is 16". :oops:
Sorry Jeff. 8-[

I went to a few sites that claimed the rear was a 17". I know Nessism is a 550 guy. Well maybe a 850 guy now.
 
Ok, well it looks like I'll have a 130/90-17 for sale in a couple days . . . anyone interested? Brand new??? j/k

Thanks for the help guys
 
I've used this site alot and it says 17 inch rear but when I went to Oldbikebarn it stated 16 inch.
 
psyguy said:
tried heavy braking and knee-down cornering in the rain? 8-[
Click to expand...
We have had to do some heavy braking and some all-day rain riding, but when it's raining, I have the sense to slow down. :shock:

Knee-down cornering isn't our style, even in the dry. Not much testosterone flowing though her veins, so she hasn't even scraped pegs, let alone in the rain. 8-[

And the whole purpose of my other post is that what is better for one person won't necessarily be better for anyone else.
Thank goodness we have several tires from which to choose. \\:D/


.
 
psyguy said:
thanks nessim
interesting... is that genuine suzuki manual? and what are the metric sizes if you don't mind? (i suspect they didn't use the low profile tyres as stock back then, did they)? thanks
Click to expand...

Factory manual information states 90/90-19 front and 130/90-16 rear for the 1981 GS550L. The other GS550 variants have their sizes listed in inch sizes. Not sure why.

In looking through the manual it seems that Suzuki used various sized rear wheels in different markets in the world. Early L models used an 18" rear, same as the regular model and E model. They later moved to 16, but there is also mention of 17" as well so I'm not clear on the history.

Regarding what tires to get, the CS Hi-max is the value leader in this regard based on what people around here say.:)
 
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