'83 GS1100E Tires

[Anonymous]

I realize this is a well worn topic here, but I have done a lot of searches and reading and am still looking for some advice before buying tires for a recently purchased GS1100.

The tire specifications for the rear wheel are 4.50V17 (120/90) and the front wheel is 3.50V19 (100/90).

The bike came with an MM90 (100/90) in the front and a 130/90 (one size over spec) on the rear. So the previous owner went a size larger on the rear tire, but didn't go a size larger on the front tire.

Would this affect the handling characteristics in an undersirable way? I would think that if you went with a larger tire on the rear, then you would want to go with a larger tire on the front.

I would like to hear opinions from those who have driven with a 120/90 and a 130/90 on a 17-inch rear wheel. What did you run on the front? How did the bike handle with the 120/90 versus the 130/90? Has anyone tried a 130/80?

I am inclined to go with the specified 120/90 and 100/90, but am willing to listen to the experiences of others before making a decision.

Thanks,
Jeff

[Anonymous]

you don't specify whether this 1100 is a "g" shaft model or a chained "e" model.

wait a second -- i just saw the title of the thread, and it's a chained model, oh well...

i can only comment about the shaft model, since i own, obviously, an 1100gk.

a 130/90-17 is the rear tire you should have on the rear if you have a gs1100g.

a 130/90-16 if the bike has a 16-in rear wheel, as the gl and gk bikes do.

on the front i use a 110/90-19.

those are the size tires i've used regularly for years.

the alphabet sizes found on some dunlop tires should be mm90-19 and mt90-16 or 17.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your input. So you also ran a size bigger on the front, which makes sense to me (assuming you have the 1.85 rim on the front).

I would like to get a V-rated tire, but it looks like the choices are pretty limited. The Avon Supervenoms are suppose to be good, but they're a little pricy. Will look at the Pirelli's.

Jeff

you don't specify whether this 1100 is a "g" shaft model or a chained "e" model.

wait a second -- i just saw the title of the thread, and it's a chained model, oh well...

i can only comment about the shaft model, since i own, obviously, an 1100gk.

a 130/90-17 is the rear tire you should have on the rear if you have a gs1100g.

a 130/90-16 if the bike has a 16-in rear wheel, as the gl and gk bikes do.

on the front i use a 110/90-19.

those are the size tires i've used regularly for years.

the alphabet sizes found on some dunlop tires should be mm90-19 and mt90-16 or 17.

[Anonymous]

unless you go very fast very often, a v rated tire is not needed, in my opinion.

yes, i have a 110/90-19 up front, due to the heavier weight of the 1100gk up front, with the big fairing.

as i said before, never a problem with this size front tire after many years of riding big shaft gs bikes with touring gear on.

[Bolder Biker]

Hi Jeff.

I have had my 1983 GS750ES up the road from you in Boulder for 22 years (i.e. since the bike was new). The OE tire sizes for this bike are 100/90-16 front and 120/90-17 rear.........i.e. the same profiles as yours but the front wheel diameter is smaller.

I have run "one-oversize" (110/90-16 front and 130/90-17 rear) for years with a couple of different tire brands. This has been a good combination for the bike but it has been so long since I ran the OE size I can no longer give a good comparison. Moreover, much depends on the tire brand, and even the tire model within a brand's range. For example, the Metzeler ME55A, which I used for years, barely cleared the rear brake caliper brace in the 130/90 size due to the large width of the tire. However, the replacement Metzeler model ME550 is a lot narrower tire (about 6mm, I think), even though nominally of the same 130/90 size. There is therefore no clearance problem.

Besides clearance, tire profile or cross-secton is a potential issue. Basically, when you run an oversize tire, if the wheel is a little narrow for the tire size it can tend to pull in the sidewalls at the bead, thus steepening the profile of the tire towards the edge of the tread. For the Metzeler ME55A this was not much of an issue since the tire has a fairly broad (large radius) profile. The replacement model ME550, however, has quite a sharply rounded profile to begin with: installing this tire on a somewhat narrow rim tends to make the profile at the tread's edge so steep that you will likely never use it even at good lean angles.......so what advantage are you getting from this wider tire?

One issue that you haven't mentioned , Jeff, is inflation pressure. My Owner's Manual specifes these pressures (solo/passenger):

Front: 28 / 32 psi
Rear: 36 / 40 psi

I have followed these recommended pressures for years. However, when I looked up Metzeler's recommended pressure for my GS750ES using a ME330 front tire, the recommended pressure was 34 psi.....i.e. much higher. I suspect that this issue of proper inflation pressure for modern bias ply tires will affect handling more than the "one-oversize" decision.

BB

P. S. To confuse the issue further, I just found out that Metzeler is replacing all the well-regarded ME33/330 and ME55/550 tires with a single "Lasertec" model line. It looks like I will have to reconsider sizes and pressures again if I wish to continue to use Metzeler tires.

[pano]

I just bought a set of the Lasertek series for my 82 1100e, have put about 1200 miles on them and like them so far. It seemed to be one of the few matching higher quality tires I could find that fit my bike. They are also V rated. I got them through the local shop so I paid a little extra i am sure.

Here is a link to the Lasertek.

http://www.metzelermoto.com/en_86/tires/template_categorie.jhtml?selected=desc&catid=86SPTOU&productid=16773&nome=LASERTEC

[mark m]

I would like to get a V-rated tire, but it looks like the choices are pretty limited.

I have Bridgestone BT-45's on my 1100E, 100/90 front and 140/80 rear. They are both V rated tires. I am very pleased with them so far (~2000km on them at the moment), they stick really well cold, have nice neutral steering and are showing no signs of wear at all yet. I have only ridden in the rain once so far with them and they seemed fine there as well, in the limited bit I got.

The only drawback seems to be that the GS rims are a bit narrow for the sizes and the pinched profile leaves a bit of chicken strip no matter how hard I am cornering... I have been at the edge of dragging pegs (with +1" shocks, too) and still have a bit of unused rubber on both ends.

[chrissinc]

I use the exact same tires and sizes on my GS750EF as Mark and I can attest to their quality. At first I thought the tires maybe a little weird as they are dual compound but they are great, nice and sticky. Also the ride has smoothed out considerably. They are a hell of alot better in the rain than the Ho CHi Mihn brand tires I had on there before. It was like riding a dirt bike!!! :-)

[Anonymous]

Thanks

Thanks for all the great input..I think the 130/90-17 and 100/90-19 combo will work for me. I wish the 17-inch rear wasn't such an oddball size.

Mark, I see you're running a low profile tire..interesting. Sounds like it is working for you.

One of the previous owners of this bike apparently removed the '83 rims and replaced them with the '81-'82 style rims. I don't think this matters since the rim sizes were the same between years..the '83 rim appears to just have an updated look.

BB, maybe we can get together sometime for a ride this month..we had a nice ride in late May with Kabonkie (Roger), Debby and cdnoel (Chris).

Jeff

[rphillips]

If yor are interested in an original size rear, punch in Parelli motorcycle tires, on e-bay. There is a, new old stock, Parelli Phantom 450 / V / 17 . They were really popular back in the days of our old bikes. They aren't high milage tires, but they grip really well. Buy it now price is $30. I've really been thinking seriously about it myself.

[morthrane]

I would like to get a V-rated tire, but it looks like the choices are pretty limited.

I have Bridgestone BT-45's on my 1100E, 100/90 front and 140/80 rear. They are both V rated tires. I am very pleased with them so far (~2000km on them at the moment), they stick really well cold, have nice neutral steering and are showing no signs of wear at all yet. I have only ridden in the rain once so far with them and they seemed fine there as well, in the limited bit I got.

For what its worth, I found the BT-45 to be an awesome tire, even in the rain, on my '86 srx that likes to corner. Dunlop GT501's are also an excellent tire for more sporting inclination.

[KGB]

On the E model, I run IRC durotour in 110/90 front and 130/17 rear.
So far good results.

On the S i run Dunlop GT501's. Different style of riding and different tires.
The Dunlops stick and wear pretty well.

The IRC, not as sticky and seem to be wearing well.
Same suspension........well almost on both bikes.
Progressives and both, front and rear.
The S has heavier springs in the rear.
Both run 20 weight fork oil and no air.

[mlaalm]

:? My 84 1150ES came with a 150/70 on the rear (3.5 inch). Tho the low profile looked good I did not like the way the bike stood almost stright up at times and would drag the pegs & center stand way too often. I went back to the 130/90 original profile and will stay there. The prior owner also went down one size on the front profile which I will keep, I believe it steers a little quicker like this.

8) Good Luck with your choice - Mike

[Jethro]

Hey, I have an 83 1100E...

I usually run a 130 rear tire, but while I was down in Ashville for the rally, had to mount a tire I already had, a Dunlop K505 in a 140. It makes a difference, let me tell you. I didn't like how it handled, not good for my first run through Deals Gap! Anyway, the 130 is awesome. I'm gonna get a set of Dunlop 501's next- they come in a 130/90/17- right?

[mark m]

If yor are interested in an original size rear, punch in Parelli motorcycle tires, on e-bay.

Bridgestone make a BT-45 in the 130/90 size as well, if you want an original size tire.

http://www.motorcycle-karttires.com/product/Product.asp?group=2&nameID=3&typeID=5&size=

is the fitment chart with rim sizes, etc.


Mark