82 GS400T rear tire

[Epic_username]

Hello all,

Bit of background, I bought a new front tire for my 82 GS400T. Its a metzeler lasertec in 100/90-19 that the local bike shop had on clearance, brand new for $40 out the door. Looking for the rear, It doesnt seem like metzeler makes anything in the stock size of 110/90-17, or even in a 120/80-17.

Roughly how wide can I go with the tire before I run into trouble? And opinions welcome, if I cant find a lasertec in my size, whats a good rear tire to go with the front?

Thanks, David

[LAB3]

I'm using 120/90-17 on my bike without clearance problems, that's the max size for the rim width.

So far I've gotten 8k miles out of the Kenda K761 ($55) which is pretty good but note that it's a terrible tire in the wet.

The one I just took off was a Shinko 777 ($65) front tire turned around to run on the rear which gave me 7k miles, it rubbed the chain guard just a tad the first 1,000 miles.

The Shinko 705 ($60) gave me 9k miles and did quite well traction wise,

Last week I put on a fresh Continental Trail Wing 2 which I got a smokin' deal on and it fits quite well, needless to say it'll be a few months before I can report on the wear.

[Gorminrider]

120 is about max with a "90" profile. I have 120/90 17 on my 81 GS400 rear (really, a GSX400 to differentiate it from earlier 400s) The Americans got 450s different engine but all else pretty much identical) The 120 is pretty close to the swingarm but this depends somewhat on the manufacturer and type of tire too. I'd go back to 90 front 110 rear next time if I can find them...fat tires are a little heavier to maneuver than the narrower ones...

You want a "street tire" to match your lasertec front so look at the pattern on the rear lasertec and pick something to match. If you have the "modern" alloy rims you can get tubeless but the older rims ask for tubed tires. The rim will say on it.(82 onward)

Duro,Bridgestone,and Shinko are reasonably priced tires that have a wide selection....Fortnine and Revco are some places to look, in Canada

[Epic_username]

Thanks, Ill check the options in a 120/90-17. If i could have found a 90/90-19 locally, I would have. The 100/90-19 just happened to pop up. I will keep looking for a 110/90-17, but it doesnt seem like there are many options for a rear in that size.

Fortnine doesnt list any in that size, Ill check revco. The bridgestone battlax looks close to the lasertec, and they have a 120/90-17

[LAB3]

Thanks, Ill check the options in a 120/90-17. If i could have found a 90/90-19 locally, I would have. The 100/90-19 just happened to pop up. I will keep looking for a 110/90-17, but it doesnt seem like there are many options for a rear in that size.

Fortnine doesnt list any in that size, Ill check revco. The bridgestone battlax looks close to the lasertec, and they have a 120/90-17

100/90-19 works just fine on front. There are a few 90/90-19 tires out there but they tend to be pretty expensive. I'm pretty sure there's only ONE 110/90-17 available anywhere which is made by IRC. Since I tend to ride on dirt roads and forest trails quite a bit I run dual sport tires so my road tire experience is limited to the Shinko 777. There's also the Shinko 230 in that size, again a front tire which would could be turned around for use on the rear.

[Gorminrider]

Yes, the Bridgestone would be probably a good match-their front also has a "different" tread pattern similar to the lasertecs I'm familiar with (old ones!) The Bridgestones I have (BT45) seem pretty good.

yes, IRC is another one to look at...forgot them as I haven't any of their tires on presently.
Fortnine ...can be a pain in that the tire you want is not in stock, but they are excellent as to price and shipping.

[Epic_username]

Thanks, I didnt know about the IRC.

I work at a tire shop, and while we dont directly deal with motorcycle tires, we can get them. Im gonna call about the BT45 and the IRC and see what I can come up with, thanks!

[Gorminrider]

and typically, i forgot Avons..They have a wide selection in 'vintage' sizes but I'm still unhappy with their fit on my 82 tubeless rimmed 650..bead came loose and leaked, my particular run of manufacture had cracking problems and worst, they didn't recall that date code, but just a few of us had these problems ...

[LAB3]

and typically, i forgot Avons..They have a wide selection in 'vintage' sizes but I'm still unhappy with their fit on my 82 tubeless rimmed 650..bead came loose and leaked, my particular run of manufacture had cracking problems and worst, they didn't recall that date code, but just a few of us had these problems ...

I've heard that Avon and another brand which I can't recall have problems in dealing with very cold weather. Was considering ordering them but chose not to after reading that. Even during storage such as in your garage in winter, cracking can occur. I've never had Avon's but you may want to check that story out just in case.

[Gorminrider]

yes,Lab, I read some posts here. I just choked on the cost and put Bridgestones on... I'm no pro but I've put at least 12 tires on bikes myself and no issues with any of them.

Looking at the old tires on the bikes when I got them- IRC,Duro,Shinko Bridgestone,Metzler-some were tires from the 90's but many still rideable on a warm day... Apart from a Truly Ancient Metzler, maybe 30 years old! the only tire that has come to me cracked is, again, an Avon on the rear of a Ninja and not terribly old compared to some of the others, so, I'm done with Avons.

[LAB3]

Old tires! Got a Continental Trail Wing 2 rear over the winter brand new for $60, at least $50 cheaper than the lowest priced seller. The date code is 4115 which I knew when I bought it. Given how many people are fixed on the "five year rule" I can expect my bike to explode, suffer hair loss and erectile dysfunction this September.

[Grimly]

Old tires! Got a Continental Trail Wing 2 rear over the winter brand new for $60, at least $50 cheaper than the lowest priced seller. The date code is 4115 which I knew when I bought it. Given how many people are fixed on the "five year rule" I can expect my bike to explode, suffer hair loss and erectile dysfunction this September.

I bought a spare rear wheel a couple of years ago. I knew it was shipping with a used tyre on it, so was prepared to scrap that. To my surprise the tyre was almost unworn, but it was quite old. Otoh, it had absolutely no sign of age-related deterioration on it, so decided to see how it fared on the road.
It lasted for around 7 or 8K miles, about normal for me. It turned evil as it got to the last mm of useable tread, though. I don't mean I wore it right down, I didn't quite get to the wear bars. From what I found, others had discovered the same of the tyre - a Conti Blitz. Great for general purposes and fine in the wet, too.
Also, when I put the GS back on the road, the tyres on it had sat for a decade. I just used them up.

[Gorminrider]

there's a guy here you'll both like. Coker tires for Vintage vehicles...comes down to storage, darkness and keeping the tires spinning

https://www.hagerty.com/articles-videos/Articles/2010/02/16/Tread-carefully-with-older-tires

He's not sticking his neck out too far but his key points are plain enough.

[LAB3]

The Conti I bought was OEM for the BMW R1200GS and riders where reporting getting 10k miles out of them, my thinking was that with a smaller bike I might be able to go all year without having to replace them. Covered 17k last year and my thinking was I'd probably wear it out this season anyway. The matching front is three yrs old, that was $75 shipped so I saved about $40 on that one. Looks like I won't be putting in that kind of milage this year

[steve murdoch]

Thanks, I didnt know about the IRC.

I work at a tire shop, and while we dont directly deal with motorcycle tires, we can get them. Im gonna call about the BT45 and the IRC and see what I can come up with, thanks!

As you mentioned Fortnine has an excellent reputation in Canada.
Another place to check for pricing in Canada is Petes Superbike out of Montreal.

https://www.petes-superbike.com/index.php

I have bought 3? sets over the years with excellent results.
Fort