'81 GS 450 tires

[TheSilencer]

Hi all!

Just bought a 1981 Suzuki GS450 (I think E). Want to know if one can fit a wider tire than the standard size? Does one need to replace the rims as well?

Thanks!

[doctorgonzo]

Lots of well... maybe... hmmm.... if you do this... to this topic, but it boils down to only a tiny bit wider unless you plan on a major conversion.

[TheSilencer]

Great

So it is possible to fit a wider tire!

Let me be more specific. The current tire is 110/90 - 18 could I fit a tire perhaps an inch wider onto the original GS450E rim?

[wolfie]

Not without some fabrication.

My buddy has a 450T, with very slightly larger than stock tires. (Read 120's instead of 110's) and was running into clearance issues with that.

One inch is rather a lot when considering clearances.

[Nessism]

So it is possible to fit a wider tire!

Let me be more specific. The current tire is 110/90 - 18 could I fit a tire perhaps an inch wider onto the original GS450E rim?

The standard tire for your bike was measured in inches; 3.50-18 I think. A 110 is wider than stock. You can only go so wide on the tires for any given wheel width; using a tire that is too wide for the wheel will result in an overly rounded profile since the sidewalls will be pulled inward.

Look on the side of the rim and take note of the width, it should say 1.85, 2.15, or 2.5 - this is the wheel width in inches. For a 1.85, 110 is about as wide as you should go, 120 for a 2.15, and 130 for 2.5.

Note that even though the wheel will handle tires this width, that doesn't mean that the tire will fit between the swingarm and various components.

On my old 450 I used a 110. I wouldn't go any wider than 120 max - not sure if the clearance is there anyway. Wide tires on narrow rims can result in poor handling due to the sidewall issue noted above. Not smart.

Hope this helps.

[TheSilencer]

Thanks for all the help!