Tires

[jabberjoe87]

Its time for a new rear tire for the 77 gs 750, could i fit a 120 or maybe a 130 on my rim? I heard that a 130 might pinch the bead and not be of any benefit, but before i buy it i want to make sure i dont get anything i will regret. Thanks.

[earlfor]

Its time for a new rear tire for the 77 gs 750, could i fit a 120 or maybe a 130 on my rim? I heard that a 130 might pinch the bead and not be of any benefit, but before i buy it i want to make sure i dont get anything i will regret. Thanks.

A 130 rear will fit just fine on the 77 750.

Earl

[rudy]

Go for a 120. That's what I have coming for my 1k. A little bit wider than stock IIRC. My buddy has a 130 for his 77 750. Yes, it fits, but I wouldn't do it. He's of the "wide as possible" mentality. I talked him down to a 130.

My 1k had 130's all it's life with the PO before I got it, and a 140 on it at some point. Seems he changed the wheels out every time he needed new tires. I got quite a collection with the bike. Anyway, just because it'll fit, doesn't mean it's good.

I had a good look at the 130's and the 140 that the PO ran on my bike, so I'm not just making stuff up here. They don't wear right. Middle wore a lot faster and farther than it should have. 130's were Bridgestone Spitfires. Don't remember what the 140 was, but it was scary looking. SERIOUS pinching.

[jabberjoe87]

yea the pinching is what somebody told me on gsr. Thanks for the input

[Nessism]

A 130 section tire is OK for a 2.5" rear wheel, but it's too wide for a 2.15" wheel which is what the spoke wheels are. A 120 is a better choice.

[nisom512]

A 130 section tire is OK for a 2.5" rear wheel, but it's too wide for a 2.15" wheel which is what the spoke wheels are. A 120 is a better choice.

I've got a 130 on my 81 550T

[Nessism]

I've got a 130 on my 81 550T

You shouldn't run a tire that wide on a 550T (2.15 wheel) because the wheel is too narrow which causes excessive curvature of the tread. That said, it's not going to kill you...hopefully, so just be aware for next time.

[jabberjoe87]

Yep i've got the spoke wheels, i was going to swap out wheels this winter in order for a dual disc on the front, but my spoke wheels are in too good of condition for me to change them. I'm not trying to change the world in knee dragging technologies either, although i can still get pretty low

[nisom512]

You shouldn't run a tire that wide on a 550T (2.15 wheel) because the wheel is too narrow which causes excessive curvature of the tread. That said, it's not going to kill you...hopefully, so just be aware for next time.

I bought it this way. so that must be the same wheel on the 850 then cause they look the same.......uh oh I have the same tire on my 850.......poo.

[Nessism]

I bought it this way. so that must be the same wheel on the 850 then cause they look the same.......uh oh I have the same tire on my 850.......poo.

The 850 rear wheel is wider than the 550 wheel - 2.50 vs. 2.15. Spoke pattern is the same but width, and drive type, is different.

[82Shafty]

Don't fall into the bigger is better trap.


I ran some real pizza cutters on my 77 750 SS and man did that bike love to carve up the corners. I don't even remember what the stock size was, but it certainly looked almost too skinny once it was installed.


I think we have become accustomed to rediculously sized rear tires on the OCC wanna-be's. Bigger is not always better.

[bwringer]

I think we have become accustomed to rediculously sized rear tires on the OCC wanna-be's. Bigger is not always better.

Agreed, although I think it's low-tech car-based thinking as well. Many cars do handle better with somewhat wider tires installed, so some people make the mistake of thinking wider tires will also make a motorcycle handle better.

For one, cars lean the wrong way in corners...

[jabberjoe87]

yea i agree that you don't need wide tires to handle better. There isn't necessarily more square inch-age of rubber on the pavement at one given time, and the wider the tire the more likely your going to high side. But doesn't a wider rear to an extent keep it going straight when you want to go straight. Kind of how 10.5 outlaw drag cars never take off straight because they have so much hp on 10.5 tires hahaha, same with drag bikes. So my slightly sooped up 750 could possibly use a slightly sooped up rear tire. This is making no sense anyway whatever, 'im puttin a 120 on it.