Back Tire question

[Gcook57]

My 2007 GS500F just turn 4000 MI I noticed the rear tire had some what I would call dry rot crack along the side wall not really nothing major could this be a catastrophic thing waiting to happen sometimes I ride on the freeway and do 80. What is kind of strange is the front tire is the original too and it's in perfect condition also what is the biggest tire you can put on the back of a 2007 GS500f, I noticed there's not much side clearance for a wider Tire but I would like something bigger does anybody know the biggest one you can put on and in your opinion is it worth doing it

[ShowBizWolf]

I have a 140/80 Michelin Pilot Activ on my GS. AFAIK this is the biggest rear tire you can install without any modifications.

[Gcook57]

Thanks for the info on how big a tire I can get. Does anybody know if those cracks on the side of the sidewall are a disaster waiting to happen I'm just real tight on money right now and can't afford rear tire the moment but if it's a matter of life and death that's what I'm going to have to do

[sledge]

My answer, and bare in mind I haven't seen the tyre.........No it doesn't need replacing but yes it does 

You have obviously got doubts, and are aware of the implications. Its your wellbeing at risk here. Do you really need others make this call for you.....change it ASAP.

[gsJack]

Both ShowBizWolf and sledge replies are good advice but I think you want to put on the widest rear tire you can for appearance and we all do things to make our bikes look better.  Widest of the rear tires I used were the 150/70 ones and they have adequate clearance all around except they touch or almost touch the brake brace bar, first one I used cleared the bar and second one just touched and after about 1k miles I took the bar off and laid it across a 2x4 and gave it a few wacks with a BFH on the spot that rubbed the tire and had good clearance for a 150 after that.  150/70 on my 02 GS with stock wheel:



Tires I used on my 97 and 02 GSs:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/GS500tirelogs_zpsoxtnjzsi.jpg   

Note on the 02 I used a 140/70 followed by a 150/70 both Roadriders and the 140 went 14,900 and the 150 went 18,000 miles, you get extra mileage for the extra bucks you spend on larger tires.

[ajensen]

10-year-old tires? I'd replace both.