GS 550 M tire question

[Guest]

Hi all!

I didn't find answer to my question using the search function, so I have to ask a question now.

1982 GS 550 MZ I like to change the tires, but I am not sure about the sizes.

Front rim is 19x1,85
Rear rim is 18x2,15

My old tires are:

Front 90/90-19
Rear 130/80-18


I did a little dig in the object, and find this:

front tire original size: 3,25-19
rear tire original size: 4,00-18


If I am right my old tires are under sized front, and over sized rear.

I found this info on a site:

3,25-19 is interchangable with 100/90-19
4,00-18 is interchangable with 120/90-18

Front I want to use the 100/90 because there are more tires in the shops in this size. Rear I want to stay with 130/90.

It is OK? Or I should buy inch sized tires 3,25 and 4,00???

Please help me!

[Nessism]

A 130 is too wide for a 2.15" wheel. A 120 is pushing the size limit too but doable. The 100 front is fine.

There are a bazallion tire fitment threads in the archives here, including a bunch for the 550, so you might want to consider digging a little using the search feature.

[gabos666]

Thank you!

Than I do a wrong search... sorry guys,I didn't want to.

So 130 is too wide... ahhh that is a bad news. From behind, the GS looks very funky whit these small tires. The rear tire could be bigger. Than 120/90 will be the one, until I have enough money to do a conversion to bigger rear rim.

Thank you once again! You was very helpfull, and fast!

[Steve]

So 130 is too wide... ahhh that is a bad news. From behind, the GS looks very funky whit these small tires. The rear tire could be bigger. !

If you are going for a "look", go ahead and stuff anything you want in there, but don't expect it to work well.

The width of the wheel will determine the maximum tire size that it can support. In the case of your rear wheel, the best size will be a 110, but you can probably get away with a 120.

As you go to wider tires and squeeze them onto a narrow rim, the tread gets pulled into a tighter radius, actually giving you a smaller contact patch than a narrower tire would.

Don't worry about how your bike looks from the rear, it's the other guys that are going to be seeing that view.

Let them be amazed that something that skinny can work so well.

.

[gabos666]

You are right, I dont bother with 130/90. I tracked down 5 minutes ago a Metzeler ME77 4.00-18 for 1/3 price, and it is new, still got the factory signs!!! Haha, what a luck!!! It was easyer when I know what I have to search!! Thank you guys! Still I need front tire, I think I will buy Metzeler for the front too. I found a shop, and they got 3,25-19 from Metzeler ME11. Safety first, I dont want to hassle with no name tires.

[tkent02]

Safety first, I dont want to hassle with no name tires.

Those are stone age tire designs, probably ancient tires too, check the date code before you buy. Also the two are of very different designs, it's not likely they will work well together.
No way I would put any of that crap on anything I would be riding.

There are plenty of modern tires with MUCH better performance available for these tire sizes.

Avon, Pirelli, Shinko(Yokohama) and many others all make very good tires with modern rubber technology in the correct sizes.

[7981GS]

4.00-18 ???
Who was the President when those were still available? Ford? Clinton? Nixon?

Eric

[tkent02]

They are still available.

[7981GS]

REALLY???
How many manufacturers? One?
Just for the collectors, perhaps?

Eric

[tkent02]

Looking around for dual sport tires I have seen a few still made with the old sizes, I think the Avon RoadRider still has one?

[gabos666]

Vee Rubber
Mitas
Continental
Pirelli
Metzeler
Bridgestone
Heidenau
Michelin

I prefer the Metzeler Lasertec for the rear, and yes, they are available in 4.00 - 18!

[Big T]

REALLY???
How many manufacturers? One?
Just for the collectors, perhaps?

Eric

I just bought Avons in 4.00-18