Tire: 110/90 and 130/90

[cole]

Any concerns with using such a tall tire? I am specifically looking at the Shinko 712 and it's effect on lowering RPMs further than 17/38. I currently have a 17T and will need to replace my chain soon and am considering a 38T as well. Additionally my rear will need to replaced before long and I'm leaning toward a taller tire and I am just looking for some advice. Reason: At 80MPH indicated I am about 6k and would like to bring it down to about 5.5K. Ideally, I would like to cruise at 70MPH actual, which is about 80MPH(?) indicated. If there are any qualms about this setup, would a 130/80 be preferred(Shinko 741)? Note, I will not be replacing a the 110/70(Shinko 740); how would that effect handling?

OT: I currently have the Shinko 740/741 tires at stock sizes and they compliment my riding(commuting, some spirited). My only other experience were Pirelli MT75's on EX250 and these are comparable, albeit slippery when pushed hard when hot. Despite the short life, I have no concerns - even in wet.

[Twisted]

Wait for the tyre guru - GSJack to get on. He will let you know. 

[gsJack]

You can fit 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 GS500/E/F bikes on the oem 3.0" front and 3.5" rear rims.  I've run all those sizes on my 97 and 02 GSs.  The 110/80 and 120/70 fronts come close to the fender and I doubt you could get anything larger on without fender mods or removal.  All those rears have ample clearance all around except the 150/70 will touch or almost touch the brake torque brace requiring a bit of a bend in the brace, a quick and easy mod with a BFH.

I ran a couple 130/90 size ME88 and K491 rear touring tires on my 97 GS over 10 years ago because I wanted to try high milage touring tires like the ones I used on my previous 400-750cc Hondas.  The 130/90 will raise your rear end about 1" decreasing the rake about 1 degree from it's already quick 25 degrees when run with a 110/70 front.  I liked the quicker steering myself, you may or may not, but after a while when I picked up the pace a bit more my GS didn't like the traction of the K491 rear.  It wanted to go around corners faster than the touring tire did and I found it breaking loose frequently in fast corners.  I tried some radials after that.  Tires I've run:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/GS500tirelogs.jpg

[Bluesmudge]

I have a 140/80 that is almost as tall as a 130/90. I don't really like the extra height. Next time I'm going back to stock size.

[cole]

Thank you for the responses. I'll most likely settle on a 130/80 and when it comes in I'll update my impressions.

 

[lin]

hello GSJack hello Cole

many many tanks for the thread.

btw: what were your experience about mileage ?

love to hear

greetings lin