Rear Tire UPGRADE 85 GS550ESF

[Colorado85gs550]

it has a 110/90-18 on it now......how wide can I go to barely fit in the control arm? 120.....130.....140? I'm sure someone out there has tried this!


HELP!!!!!

[Colorado85gs550]

and I know that I'm a "new guy" but I don't want to hear, "stay with the stock size" and "the tire will pinch because of the width of the rear rim".......I just want to know what is the widest tire that will fit in the rear swingarm.....forums are for questions/answers....please answer my question and don't throw your "expertise" around to try and make me look bad! If I have to I will just measure the width of my swingarm.....simply trying to get a good answer.

[Nessism]

and I know that I'm a "new guy" but I don't want to hear, "stay with the stock size" and "the tire will pinch because of the width of the rear rim".......I just want to know what is the widest tire that will fit in the rear swingarm.....forums are for questions/answers....please answer my question and don't throw your "expertise" around to try and make me look bad! If I have to I will just measure the width of my swingarm.....simply trying to get a good answer.

The rear wheel on your bike is 2.15" wide. For a wheel that width, a 120 is the max width tire that will fit without seriously compromising the tread curvature. Installing a tire wider than this is not recommended. Sorry if this is not the answer you want to hear, but it is the "good answer", regardless of whether or not you want to listen.

[Billy Ricks]

and I know that I'm a "new guy" but I don't want to hear, "stay with the stock size" and "the tire will pinch because of the width of the rear rim".......I just want to know what is the widest tire that will fit in the rear swingarm.....forums are for questions/answers....please answer my question and don't throw your "expertise" around to try and make me look bad! If I have to I will just measure the width of my swingarm.....simply trying to get a good answer.

Unless you go with the right size wheel for the tire you're going to hear it. You could probably get a 140 in it but you'll need at least at least a 3" wheel but 3.5" would be better. If your stock size is a 110 the most you should put on the stock wheel is a 120.

BTW, forums should offer good advice whether it's what you want to hear or not.

[Billy Ricks]

Good advice Ed, you beat me to it.

[reddirtrider]

All good answers. Years ago (so many that my 1100 was a baby) I installed oversize tires because I wanted a fatter look. It was a failed experiment. The bike felt like it wanted to fall into corners and was not confidence inspiring at all. Unfortunately for me there wasn't any money to get new, stock sizes to replace them, and I had to ride an entire summer that way.

Moral of the story - if you're not going to ride it put any size tire on your want.

[Big T]

and I know that I'm a "new guy" but I don't want to hear, "stay with the stock size" and "the tire will pinch because of the width of the rear rim".......I just want to know what is the widest tire that will fit in the rear swingarm.....forums are for questions/answers....please answer my question and don't throw your "expertise" around to try and make me look bad! If I have to I will just measure the width of my swingarm.....simply trying to get a good answer.

We may not be all knowing, but we are wise enough to tell you not to try and kill yourself

If you want wide tires, you need wide wheels.

[Colorado85gs550]

I didn't mean to come across so brash.....I have the opportunity to get wider wheels for my bike from a custom shop that is doing a good deal for me. I just need to know how wide I could go to still fit this swingarm. If I keep the OEM rear wheel I will definately stay with 120/90-18.

I need to know what is the maximum wheel/tire width to fit this bike. I should have been more precise in my question. I hope I didn't strike a "bad" nerve with any of you.....thanks for your help thus far.

Paul

[reddirtrider]

I didn't mean to come across so brash.....I have the opportunity to get wider wheels for my bike from a custom shop that is doing a good deal for me. I just need to know how wide I could go to still fit this swingarm. If I keep the OEM rear wheel I will definately stay with 120/90-18.

I need to know what is the maximum wheel/tire width to fit this bike. I should have been more precise in my question. I hope I didn't strike a "bad" nerve with any of you.....thanks for your help thus far.

Paul

No worries, you didn't offend anyone.

The width depends on what the rim size is and tire profile. Take a tape measure and give it a go. You should then be able to calculate the width 160/180/etc. from the profle you select and the rim size.

[Billy Ricks]

On my 700 a 160 is within about 1/4" of the swingarm. On a 550 I don't think I would be looking to get more than a 140 in the stock swingarm. There is nice rubber out there in that size.

[LeeGS550E]

I had a katana rim with a 140 in a 550 swingarm. Fits fine within the swinger, but you will need to bend the brake arm.

[Colorado85gs550]

I had a katana rim with a 140 in a 550 swingarm. Fits fine within the swinger, but you will need to bend the brake arm.

what year Katana rim was it? I have a bunch of those that I've been looking at.......

[Colorado85gs550]

I went ahead and mounted up a 120/90-18 Avon Venom today to get me by until we figure out which rims to use............I'll keep you guys updated. Thanks for all the replies so far!

Paul

[LeeGS550E]

what year Katana rim was it? I have a bunch of those that I've been looking at.......

They were all the same from about '88 up to '97 or so. May even be the same up into the '90's. Others would know better than I. The larger katanas had a larger rim. Get one from a 600 or 750 and you'll be good to go. Takes a bit of fuddling with the spacers to get it right, but its nearly a bolt-on. You should get a katana front end while you're at it!

[Colorado85gs550]

I'm going to start a new thread about which year Katana Wheels/Front End to put on my bike now........thanks Lee