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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: william.betts on May 26, 2006, 05:18:27 PM

Title: tire size
Post by: william.betts on May 26, 2006, 05:18:27 PM
i have a question for you guys i have a 130/90/17 on the back of my bike what kind of problems can that cause
Title: Re: tire size
Post by: scratch on May 26, 2006, 06:18:49 PM
No known problems exist.  GSJack used to have one in his search for a long-lasting tire, but dropped it in favor of a radial.  Search, using that tire size with username GSJack to find what he said about it.
Title: Re: tire size
Post by: Kerry on May 26, 2006, 11:33:13 PM
My second rear tire was a Cheng Shin Hi-Max 130/90-17.

In a given gear, the Hi-Max altered the ratio of engine RPMs to ground speed as compared to the stock Exedra, such that 1st gear now acted like the original 2nd gear, 2nd acted like 3rd, etc.  That worked out OK, because I used up half of the life of the tire on my first (and longest, to date) LONG road trip (3,800 miles).  In town, the effectively higher gearing meant that I had to rev the engine a little higher to get started from a stop.

I noticed a slight forward tilt to the bike, compared with the original tire.  But no big deal.

My Hi-Max came this close to a bolt on the bike that protrudes somewhere near the front of the tire.  But it didn't touch it.  It did rub slightly on the "arm" that supports the rear brake caliper, but that was probably an alignment problem that I could have fixed.

I haven't tried radials yet, but out of about 5 rear tires so far, the Hi-Max went the most miles -- over 9,000.  Granted, there was NO tread on about 1/4 of the circumference when I had it replaced....  :icon_rolleyes:
Title: Re: tire size
Post by: runsilent on May 27, 2006, 07:55:03 AM
The 130/90 tire will raise the rear of the bike about 1" and make the steering a bit quicker.  I've had 3 different 130/90 tires on GS500s and they fit OK.  Only good reason I can see for this choice is to get the high milage of touring type tires that come only in this size for 17" wheels and some of the bargain tires that also don't come in GS500 OE sizes.
Title: Re: tire size
Post by: william.betts on May 27, 2006, 08:07:34 AM
the tire that is on there seems like its rubbing the flap under the bike and the right swing arm
Title: Re: tire size
Post by: runsilent on May 27, 2006, 08:15:18 AM
Quote from: william.betts on May 27, 2006, 08:07:34 AM
the tire that is on there seems like its rubbing the flap under the bike and the right swing arm

I had Metzeler ME88, Dunlop K491, and Kenda 657 in the 130/90 size and they didn't rub anything.  The 130/90 is a nominal size and the actual measured dimensions vary from tire model to tire model.  Even different for different model tires from the same tire mfg.

You must be rubbing the brake torque rod, the 130/90 won't come even close to the swingarm itself.

Title: Re: tire size
Post by: ets_gs500f2004 on June 01, 2006, 06:16:36 AM
the only problem that i could find would be that you physically go faster then what your speedometer tells you
Title: Re: tire size
Post by: runsilent on June 01, 2006, 06:32:21 AM
Quote from: ets_gs500f2004 on June 01, 2006, 06:16:36 AM
the only problem that i could find would be that you physically go faster then what your speedometer tells you


Rear tire size has no affect on the speedo reading, the speedo is driven off the front wheel.  Actually, a 110/80 front tire makes the speedo reading more accurate than the OE 110/70 does.   :thumb:
Title: Re: tire size
Post by: ets_gs500f2004 on June 01, 2006, 07:20:34 AM
ok so the sensor is actually in the front i thought it was in the back never really checked but thanks for saying