Tire size

[jusjus51586]

I have an '06 GS500F and want to put a bigger tire on it. The one from the factory looks puny. Can a 150/60zr17 fit without any modification? I'm pretty sure this tire is the standard size for a bandit?

[black and silver twin]

A 150 will fit on the rim barely, But the arc of the tire will be distorted (thus looking thinner than a 150 on the correct rim) because the rim is too narrow. also the brake torque rod will have to be bent out of the way.

Also welcome to the forum! 

[jusjus51586]

Thanks a lot! I was also wondering if this is going to affect any handling or stick with the tires. 

[gsJack]

I've used 110/70, 110/80, and 120/70 fronts and 130/70, 130/80, 130/90, 140/70, 140/80, and 150/70 rears on the stock 3.0 and 3.5" rims on my GS500s for various reasons. The 150/70 comes close to or touches the brake rod depending on the tire brand, they vary a bit in actual measured width.  Bending the brake rod is quick and easy with a BFH.

A 150/70 radial or bias is a better fit on the GS500 3.5" wide wheel than a 150/60 supersport tire is.  Some tire makers approve the 150/70 radials on the 3.5 rim and some don't, most all approve the 150/70 bias on the 3.5 rim, but none of the tire makers approve the 150/60 supersport radials on a 3.5 rim in this country although many are running them on the GS500 and Ninja 500 bikes.

I've always felt that the type of tire, ie bias, radial, supersport, sport touring, touring, etc has more effect on handling than the size does within the relatively narrow range of sizes I've used.  A different tire compound means more than a small difference in width.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/GS500tirelog.jpg

[the mole]

If you just want to change the tyre for the look then all I can say is  . A GS is less than 50 hp, it doesn't need wider rubber. It will increase your unsprung weight and slightly reduce performance. Suzuki have already given it a bigger tyre than it needs.
A change in tyre size will likely affect the handling, most probably for the worse. One of the best handling bikes I've owned was a 900cc Ducati with 70 hp and a 110 back tyre.
Rant over!

[burning1]

110/70/17 front, 140/70/17 rear (smallest race worthy tire I could find.) Stop worrying about how your bike looks, and ride it.

[burning1]

As a side note: I wouldn't install anything wider than a 140 on the stock rim.