wider tire up front???

[monzanick]

I have an 80 850l pretty much stock. When I ride it over road seams and cracks my steering goes with them. I rode my buddies harley last week and it doesn't. My buddy says its 'cause of the fatter front tire up front. are there any suggestions how I could upgrade to a wider front tire setup???

current mods:
5 gallon tank off 1000
seat mods for tank
pod filters
honda regulator
new stator
led voltmeter

My whole thing with this bike is function over form. I ride the wheels off it as much as I can.

[tkent02]

Just buy decent modern tires.
Your buddy's tires are fat because the bike is a grotesquely overweight pig, designed to go as slowly as possible and only in a straight line.
They are however, excellent platforms for the parade, as stable as any other parade float, and nearly as colorful.
The John Deere tractors pulling the floats have much better engines, however, they can idle and everything.

[DanTheMan]

I put a Pirelli Scorpion MT/90 on the front and a matching tire on the rear. No squirm, gravel/dirt doesn't bother it either. I get about 15-19k mi out of the front, and 10-12k mi out of the rear before replacement.

[bwringer]

The proper front tire size for your GS is 100/90-19 or MM90-19.

Take your pick from oodles of choices in modern tires.

Avon RoadRiders are excellent, as are Dunlop Elite 3, Pirelli Sport Demon, Bridgestone BT45 and many others. Search the forum for enough tire opinions to make your eyes fall out.

And oh yeah -- replace that crusty back tire while you're at it.

You might also take a peek at your steering stem bearings.

[Nessism]

Here in So Calif most of the freeways are grooved and I noticed an increase in wondering in the steering after installing RR’s compared to some Kenda’s that were installed before. I like the RR’s regardless but thought this bears mentioning if the rider is sensitive.

[76FJ55]

Definately check the conditon of the steering head bearings. These if not in good condition and adjusted properly can cause the bike to wander or track along grooves.

[twr1776]

#4 Today, 12:35 PM bwringer The proper front tire size for your GS is 100/90-19 or MM90-19. Take your pick from oodles of choices in modern tires.
Avon RoadRiders are excellent, as are Dunlop Elite 3, Pirelli Sport Demon, Bridgestone BT45 and many others. Search the forum for enough tire opinions to make your eyes fall out.

And oh yeah -- replace that crusty back tire while you're at it.

You might also take a peek at your steering stem bearings.

+ 1 on modern tires and checking the front end to be sure. If you intend on keeping the bike to get the full mileage from them I would suggest the Elite 3's, they seem less affected by rain grooves than the Roadriders and wear like iron. Do your current tires have a groove in the center? Most of the old designs did and it seems to make the tire "wander" more when on rain grooves.

[Steve]

It's not so much the width of the tire, it's the tread pattern.

Most of the original-style tires have grooves that go all the way around the circumference of the tire. Those are what follow the grooves in the road. If you get any of the newer-style tires mentioned above, most of that wandering feeling will disappear because the grooves in the tread either go across the tire or at an angle. The only time I even get any hint of wandering is when I am on a metal-grate bridge, and even then, I can very comfortably take both hands off the bars without fear of the bike doing strange things.

Here are some examples:
Dunlop E3:


Pirelli Sport Demon:


Avon Road Rider:


Bridgestone BT-45:


On those that do have a central groove, it's wavy and sometimes not continuous, which breaks up the tendency to track irregularities in the pavement.

Replace BOTH tires, but be careful, you will think you just got a new bike.


.

[jimfj]

I've ridden several GS models that had 110-90-19 on the front instead of the 100-90s and they wouldn't corner worth a turd. Starting into a turn you really had to muscle the front end to get into a corner. I am not the level of rider that some are here, but that was very noticable.

I have also expirienced the groove following you speak of and adjusted my tire pressure and it seemed to stop the wandering. I have a Chen Sheng Barracuda on the front of my 1100g and it has the groove everyones talking about. With the pressure elevated a little over the reccomended rates, it rides great and has a pretty good bite while cornering. It is not to the level of an Avon RR but its a good V (like I need it) rated tire. Feels better than the Dunlop that was on there before.

Good luck with your choice

[monzanick]

really?

"just buy decent modern tires.
Your buddy's tires are fat because the bike is a grotesquely overweight pig."

Thanks EVERYBODY ELSE. this guy- get a life.
I just started riding motorcycles last year. I have noted ALL makes and kinds seem to be able to wave- talk, enjoy the ride together. RESPECT seems key. My buddy has owned numerous kinds of bikes harleys and others including several suzukis. He was kind enough to let me ride his bike for a week while I was waiting for my stator to come in. I asked about tire size cause thats the answer he gave me on road groove-following. In his opinion a fatter tire doesn't "catch" the grooves as much as a skinny one. I will check on getting a new set of tires next season. limited riding time now.

Again- thanks!

[Grandpa]

Don't overlook Shinko, particularly the Shinko Tourmaster 230. I had one, front, on my GS1100GK when I sold it a year ago. Best tire for the money I've ever bought.

My Yamaha Venture has a Shinko Tourmaster 230 up front, for the last 3,000 miles. I guarantee you that your 850 will not track those grooves with that tire on the front. It's also quiet and does an excellent job in the rain.

Check out the price of a Shinko at http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...res-Tires.aspx . $51.99 plus $6.99 shipping.

Nick Diaz
Middletown, MD

[Steve]

Check out the price of a Shinko at http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...res-Tires.aspx . $51.99 plus $6.99 shipping.

Nick Diaz
Middletown, MD

Just for comparison:
same tire at Tires Unlimited: $60.83 plus $16.74 shipping.

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