Rear Tires - Who's running 140/80's ??

[GS4me]

 

Hey everyone,  I've been going through tons of posts - (some many years old and some more recent)-

From what I see, it looks like a 140/80 fits good on the rear without grinding the brake rod and, looking at the recommended rims sizes by a few manufacturers, seems to be about the largest for our rim size?  Is that pretty much correct?

I see some people running the 150's but I'd rather not grind the brake rod and I think they look a little "odd" on our thinner rim size.  (If I wanted a "huge looking 200/55" sport bike tire, I could always pick up another project CBR to play with).  I just want something a bit wider looking for the GS.

I'm mainly looking for opinions on brands with decent wear based on what others have / are currently using.  I've seen a few posts (can't remember the name off hand) with a few "cheaper brands" that seem to wear very quickly so I'd like to stay away from those and stick with a decent tire / decent price point. No sense saving 50% and then find out they last about 3,000 miles

I'm currently running a stock size Bridgestone Battax now.

I'm an extremely "grandma-like" driver and mainly just cruise our country roads out here - along with some highway driving.  At 46 years old, I'm not looking to take corners dragging my knees - those days are pretty much gone for me - and I don't ride my GS like that anyway, 

Just looking for some recent opinions.  I've got quite a bit of time left on my rear tire, and just doing some homework.  Thanks.

[gsJack]

The 140/70 size is used by many on GSs, 140/80 will also fit without mods.  I've run 130/70, 130/80, 130/90, 140/70, 140/80, 150/60, and 150/70 rear tires on my 97 and 02 GSs.  All fit w/o mods except 150s might require bending the brake brace bar a bit for clearance.  And all were approved by the tires maker for fitment on our stock 3.5" rear rims except the 150/60.

Hard to beat the Roadriders for long life with good handling, I've got 15-18k miles from oversize rear Roadriders.   Tires I've used on my GSs:

http://www.gs500.net/gallery/data/500/GS500tirelogs.jpg

[GS4me]

Hey gsJack,  I saw a post or 2 from you back from 2004 I think.  That's a great chart to keep track of things.  I'm going over it right now, thanks.  I was leaning toward the roadriders myself.

[gsJack]

I have three chart's I call logs like that I made mainly for my own reference and memory aide that I share with others whether they want to see them or not.     Other 2:

http://www.gs500.net/gallery/data/500/GSvalvelogs.jpg

http://www.gs500.net/gallery/data/500/GSbrakechainlog.jpg

[GS4me]

Great info.  Great Idea. 

Recently I picked up a few SD cards (1 for each car / truck / bike) and now I do a quick Video Log in the process of each repair / maintenance .  Struts, timing belts, Brakes, wheel bearings and major things like transmission replacement / clutch replacement, steering racks - basically everything.

It keeps a nice record of, time / date anc current mileage and then I'll back them up on the PC and burn them to DVD.  Real nice when selling the vehicle / gives a nice through picture of maintenance .