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tire size

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TheCafeKid said:
I currently have a set of 81 850 wheels on it ... and its sitting on 110/80-19 and 130/80-17s.
Click to expand...

hm, i'd double check that those are the correct sizes for an 81
the profile should be 90 not 80 for a good fit on the rim, iirc
 
psyguy said:
hm, i'd double check that those are the correct sizes for an 81
the profile should be 90 not 80 for a good fit on the rim, iirc
Click to expand...

Im not a tire expert, but I was assuming that the profile wasnt as important as the width, seeing as the profile seems more to do with the hight of the tire itself more than anything. For instance, if you were to change from an 18 inch rear to a 17, the hight loss in the rim could be made up, mostly, in the profile. Personally, *I* notice the difference in ride hight from 80 to 90, and its only a half inch all the way around. Most concern in tire size seems to come from the width, that you dont go too wide that you pinch, thereby eliminating the larger contact patch you were trying to achieve with a wider tire anyway. Am I wrong? Can you shed more light on this for me?
 
excuse me if i'm not clear in my explanation...

excuse me if i'm not clear in my explanation...

TheCafeKid said:
Can you shed more light on this for me?
Click to expand...

a lower profile tyre will be more "squeezed" to fit the rim (relatively to a higher profile tyre of the same width)
as 130 tyre is already at the top end of what you can fit in terms of width for that rim width (tyre/frame clearance issues aside), changing to the lower profile is going to:
1. make the tyre thread portion flex more than what it's designed for - thus negatively influencing the rideability,
2. put more pressure on the tyre sidewalls - thus negatively influencing the rideability

btw, 130/90 vs 130/80 = 13mm sidewall size difference and no width difference BUT when put next to each other on the same rim 130/90 apears noticeably wider than 130/80
 
psyguy said:
a lower profile tyre will be more "squeezed" to fit the rim (relatively to a higher profile tyre of the same width)
as 130 tyre is already at the top end of what you can fit in terms of width for that rim width (tyre/frame clearance issues aside), changing to the lower profile is going to:
1. make the tyre thread portion flex more than what it's designed for - thus negatively influencing the rideability,
2. put more pressure on the tyre sidewalls - thus negatively influencing the rideability

btw, 130/90 vs 130/80 = 13mm sidewall size difference and no width difference BUT when put next to each other on the same rim 130/90 apears noticeably wider than 130/80
Click to expand...
Right ok i see what you are saying now. Basicly the same width tire, but one with a lower profile will not have the advantage of the hight of the other, therefore its a greater angle from the bead to the edge of the tread, increasing the amount of stress on the sidewall. The 90 would be a bit more vertical, allowing more linear displacement of the stress. Gotcha. So is it possible to run a 140 on one of the 82 and up rims without serious interference or pinch? Anyone done this?
 
BTW psy, what pipe is that on Bruno? Its pretty slick, id like to find one like that for the cafe.
 
GS1000E 130/90/17 pirelli sports demon.

GS(X)1100E 130/90/17 Battlax BT45.

No problems.

Suzuki mad
 
tck, yes, you got what i meant... and explained it in more technical terms, too :-)

the pipe was made locally, it's for sale actually, but the shipping would be a killer
 
TheCafeKid said:
So is it possible to run a 140 on one of the 82 and up rims without serious interference or pinch? Anyone done this?
Click to expand...

I ran a 140/90-16 on the rear of my (your) GK once, with no adverse effect. It was a HiMax C.S.

When you get it, it will have a 130/90-16 on the rear, on the stock rim. I'll give you the 17-inch old-style rim with it.
 
psyguy said:
120/90 and 130/90 differ exactly 11mm in side profile
this is under half inch, not 3/4
however, different brands have different threads so that may add to (or take from) the difference

130mm is just over 5"
the exact metric size for the 4.50" tyre would be 114mm (not that they come in this size though)
Click to expand...

Tape measures don't lie. I measured both and came away with 3/4 of an inch.
 
typo

typo

duaneage said:
Tape measures don't lie. I measured both and came away with 3/4 of an inch.
Click to expand...
i was refering to the theoretical measurement - with the tyres OFF the rim and the tyres being of the same make/model
this is also a reference to a sidewall height, not overall height
btw, 2x11mm = 22mm wich is very close to 3/4"

however, in reality measurements may be slightly off
 
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Confused

Confused

OK,
Now I am confused, this thread and a few others has stated that the 1980 GS850GLT comes with the 16 Inch rear tire 130-90-16 to be exact, although currently on my bike there is a dunlop Elite II MT90B17 76H and the service manual says it is a 17 inch, can anyone verify is it 16 or 17, I did just learn I have the rear rim stamped tubeless, and the front not, so I have to figure all that out, learn something new all the time. Thanks, Jay
 
I'm confused too

I'm confused too

EJMAMMO said:
OK,
Now I am confused, this thread and a few others has stated that the 1980 GS850GLT comes with the 16 Inch rear tire 130-90-16 to be exact, although currently on my bike there is a dunlop Elite II MT90B17 76H and the service manual says it is a 17 inch, can anyone verify is it 16 or 17, I did just learn I have the rear rim stamped tubeless, and the front not, so I have to figure all that out, learn something new all the time. Thanks, Jay
Click to expand...


Hi Mr. EJMAMMO,

There could be several explanations for our confusion. 1) You don't have an "L" model. 2) You do have an "L" model that a PO installed a 17" rear wheel, and/or 3) you have the wrong manual for your bike.

Most Clymer manuals cover several years and models, and Suzuki Shop Manuals can have supplements that contain information for several models ("L" and "non-L", etc.) and several years of a bike. I think Owner's Manuals are usually model-specific.

The stock wheels for the "L" model had a 16" rear wheel. And like Mr. psyguy, my 850GT came with a tubeless rear wheel and "tubed" front wheel.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
 
Grandpa said:
I ran a 140/90-16 on the rear of my (your) GK once, with no adverse effect. It was a HiMax C.S.

When you get it, it will have a 130/90-16 on the rear, on the stock rim. I'll give you the 17-inch old-style rim with it.
Click to expand...

Awesome! Thanks Grandpa, Im excited as can be about the GK. I have never been a full fairing kinda guy, but after the beating on the superslab i took today, and on the trip to WV, I may change my tune on that for long distance travel. I have a feeling the trouble i have found to my dislike with the fairings i have tried is that they were all bar mounted rather than frame mounted types.
 
Need more info

Need more info

Basscliff,
Thanks for the info, my bike is definetly a L model, and I downloaded and printed the manual from your site, and in the model specific section, it has it listed as 17 inch, 850GLT. I guess a PO could have changed it, but the bike was so bone stock when I found it overseas, I just dont know. Is there a place to look on the rim that says 16 or 17, and is it possible to get a 17 inch tire on a 16 inch rim? And finally, if I order tires through Americantires, or others on line, can you get tubes from them, or do they come with tubes? Thanks again.....Jay
 
Measure the rim and see what it is, easiest way. I had tubes in wheels on a bike I bought, pure evil getting the tires off. I would not use a tube if possible. The 17 is easier to change, the rims are not compatible with different tire sizes.
 
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BassCliff said:
Hi Mr. EJMAMMO,
The stock wheels for the "L" model had a 16" rear wheel.
BassCliff
Click to expand...

My dear friend BassCliff, you are incorrect. The GS850GL models came out with stock 16-inch rear wheels in the following years: 1981 (X), 1982 (Z), and 1983 (D). The 1980 GS850GLT model came out with 17-inch real wheels, stock.

The 16-inch wheels and 17-wheels on the large GS shafties (850, 1000, and 1100), are interchangeable. My GK came out with 16-inch rear wheel, yet I have a 17-incher off an old 850 installed on the rear of my GS1100GK as I write this.
 
TheCafeKid said:
I have never been a full fairing kinda guy, but after the beating on the superslab i took today, and on the trip to WV, I may change my tune on that for long distance travel. I have a feeling the trouble i have found to my dislike with the fairings i have tried is that they were all bar mounted rather than frame mounted types.
Click to expand...

It's called common sense, CafeKid. The unfaired look is for the young and/or stupid, which I was once, back in the early 70's. :-) I know some diehards will disagree with that -- so be it. So I'm a wimp; welcome to wimphood...

I just rode back from Maine, where I picked up my "new" Yamaha Venture. The 700-mile trip in two days (on two-lane roads mostly, some interstate, and 100 miles of "invisible roads" close to home), would have been unthinkable without the Venture's large fairing. Lots of rain in Vermont and New York State, giving me a chance again to appreciate the protection of a large full-boat fairing.

You'll like the Windjammer on the GK. The lowers are good protection on your legs also, from cold and rain. It also has lots of room in the RH lockable compartment and in the LH compartment too. The frame-mounted Jammer, on a big bike like the GK, does not hinder the GK's good manners and excellent handling, in any way.

You may also transfer the Windjammer to your 1100G if you wish.

You'll find yourself heading out to places you never thought of going on a motorcycle. Your motorcycling experiences will grow by leaps and bounds.
 
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