I just recently bought a 2008 Suzuki gs500e, and i want to slap a fat tire. No bigger than 200. Anybody know if i can do this, i realize the stock swingarm can only carry a 150, any suggestions?
swap your swingarm
but why do you need that big a tire on a GS?
well i kinda figured that. What i meant was any suggestions on what kind of swingarm. ive never really done any mods to my old bike, so this is all new to me. can i just pick up any gsxr swingarm that will fit a 180 tire and my stock brakes?
Search for Jim Knopfs bike... not sure I spelled his last name right :cheers:
wow, thats one helluva gs! too much custom for me. For my gs, im just thinking slipon yoshi, 180 rear, digi speedo/tach, and clip-ons.
Im only 19, and this is my first brand new bike. Its cheap on insurance, and i love the ride it gives me. But in a couple of years, i would love ot get either a gsxr750, or the triumph street triple.
Thanks for your suggestions
just slap a 180 in there
do a search somebody did it about 2 yrs ago
about the easiest is fitting a RG-V250 swing arm
SV 4.5 rear wheel or bandit 600/RF600/89-90 GSXR750 rear
and a 160 tar
or buy a bike that can handle a 200 tar....(6 inch rear rim)
or just slap a 98+ kat 600/750 rear wheel into the GS and run a 160 with som slight mods
Get a new bike, the amount you'll spend modifying it will more than make up for the cost. The chain and sprockets will have to be moved since it won't be centered if you just put in a swingarm and spacers to fit a wide wheel.
Just do a Kat or bandit wheel and a 160. It will look better than stock and wont cost an arm and a leg.
Quote from: psyber_0ptix on May 25, 2009, 07:35:06 AM
swap your swingarm
but why do you need that big a tire on a GS?
because fat tires are sick. it changes the whole view from behind. id like to make my gs my own, and eventually have it become a fully custom job. sssa, 200tire, gsxr front end, and more smaller mods.
fat tires might be sick but you will only be going in a straight line.. forget corners and your GS will run even slower.
so again may i ask why?
if you are going to poseur.. why start with a GS500
actually, i cant forget corners, 180 tires are just as good cornering as 150's. and yes, my gs might run abit slower, but not much. i live in ottawa, and i mostly ride city, so who cares if i can only 150 instead of 180. i dont. and just because i want to customize a bike, does not make me a "poseur".
Quote from: bikeboy08 on May 25, 2009, 12:41:32 PM
actually, i cant forget corners, 180 tires are just as good cornering as 150's. and yes, my gs might run abit slower, but not much. i live in ottawa, and i mostly ride city, so who cares if i can only 150 instead of 180. i dont. and just because i want to customize a bike, does not make me a "poseur".
i'm just as guilty about modifying my bike so i don't think you are a poser. However, there is a fine line between function and aesthetics. you do what you want. i'm going to be running a 160 rear with a 120 front; of course with a gsxr USD front end and kat rear wheel and i think that's plenty enough for ~my~ GS
..i have still a lot to learn
Im runnin the 120/160 on my gs and thats enough tire for me i think the sizes look good on the big and i wouldnt go any bigger then that on a gs. but if you just got the gs and your already planning on an upgrade to a 750 i wouldnt spend any money on mods that you can be used as down payment money on the upgrade bike. you wont get anything extra for an mods you do to your bike so would just be money down the drain if it is going to get traded in. just my .02
I'd say sticking big wings and ridiculously wide fenders and fat drag racing slicks on a honda civic is posing. They do nothing to enhance performance and in fact will slow the car down since stock honda civics don't really have traction problems to begin with and a rear wing on a front drive car is pointless, but it looks cool, and that is the absolute epitome of posing.
(http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/6886/poseri.jpg)
A 200 mm rear tire doesn't even come on 600cc supersports, and they have the suspension, frame and power to utilize it. A GS500 just will never be a supersport which is the look I think you're after. If you want the GS500's slightly dated but still good looks and real performance get a used SRAD GSXR. Then a 200 mm rear tire is more doable and realistic.
Quote from: TheGoodGuy on May 25, 2009, 12:20:44 PM
fat tires might be sick but you will only be going in a straight line.. forget corners and your GS will run even slower.
so again may i ask why?
if you are going to poseur.. why start with a GS500
oh, and mr goodguy? did you call Jim knopf a poser when he customized his gs500? fatter tire, custom plastics, paint and chrome coming out of his ying yang. so tell me, is he a poser too?
Quote from: qwertydude on May 25, 2009, 01:38:21 PM
I
A 200 mm rear tire doesn't even come on 600cc supersports,
It doesn't even come on hayabusas.
Quote from: qwertydude on May 25, 2009, 01:38:21 PM
I'd say sticking big wings and ridiculously wide fenders and fat drag racing slicks on a honda civic is posing. They do nothing to enhance performance and in fact will slow the car down since stock honda civics don't really have traction problems to begin with and a rear wing on a front drive car is pointless, but it looks cool, and that is the absolute epitome of posing.
first of all, we arent talking about cars. its one freaking mod. its not a huge deal. and anyone could totally overexagerate on modifications...like ridiculously wide fenders, racing slicks, and huge wings on a civic. but im not. its a flipping tire guys. 180-200mm is not overthe top. a 300, yes thats huge, but 180 is a good size for what i want it for. ive seen many gixxxers and busas with 180tires. obvs they dont come stock, because suzuki has to make their bikes pass stock tests. but people still put them on, and why? theyre own style. somepeople might think getting a custom paintjob is posing, others might think popping a wheelie is posing. w/e. i think putting engine colored lights on a bike is ghey, but its everyones own style.
Quote from: bikeboy08 on May 25, 2009, 02:01:06 PM
ive seen many gixxxers and busas with 180tires. obvs they dont come stock, because suzuki has to make their bikes pass stock tests. but people still put them on, and why? theyre own style.
Actually...for the past several years gsxrs have come with either a 180 or a 190 from the factory depending on displacement. All years of busa have a 190 from the factory as well.
Just do it. Who cares what other people think.
if you want a 180 rear tire good luck with the modand i hope yoou have alot on money. :thumb:
for what you describe as your riding style....just slap the 180 on the 3.5 inch rim
have fun
ignore the GS elitist snobs
the last guy who did the tire swap did just so
well thanks to those who have given me positive feedback and ideas. and :flipoff: for those were dicks.
Metzeler promotes a tire "upgrade" program to put larger rear tires on big cruisers. They have Stage 1, Stage 2, and Stage 3 fitments that vary from no mods required for Stage 1 to extensive mods required for Stage 3.
Honda's 1100cc Shadows came with 170/80-15 rear tires on a 3.5" wide wheel which is a standard approved fitment for that size ME880 tire. Their approved no alteration Stage 1 upgrade is a ME880 200/70-15 tire on the stock 3.5" rim but in their tire charts the permitted rim widths are 5.50-6.50" for this tire.
Guess that's good enough for a cruiser. So why not put a 200/70 tire on your GS500 rear rim and go cruising. :icon_lol:
cause the gs rear wheel is a 17" wheel, lol
servus,
200 in gs500, no problem! :icon_mrgreen:
use a gsxr rim 6x17 with special sprocket for 520er chain, one 8mm offsetsprocket in the front, a bandit 1200 swingarm and god! :cheers:
looks like this:
(http://gstwins.com/photogallery/albums/oldgallerybikes/aqm.jpg)
(http://gstwins.com/photogallery/albums/oldgallerybikes/aqn.jpg)
Quote from: jeremy_nash on May 25, 2009, 05:59:21 PM
cause the gs rear wheel is a 17" wheel, lol
Thanks Jeremy, I copied that from a previous post of mine and forgot to change that part. In the meantime Jim Knopf has provided a serious answer to bikeboy08's question. Looks like a 200mm wide tire needs a longer sidestand too.
Quote from: gsJack on May 26, 2009, 03:43:29 AM
Looks like a 200mm wide tire needs a longer sidestand too.
servus,
you don´t need a longer sidestand by a 200 tyre.
i need one, because i have used a rear a longer shock from a gsxr1100! :icon_razz:
As previously stated. If you are already planning your next bike purchase, just ride the GS as it is and really learn how to ride. It takes a while to be truly proficient on the road. I just started riding about a year and a half ago and so far have logged just over 10k miles. I've definitely gotten better but I learn every time I ride. I moved on to a 750 but I am very glad that I had my start on the GS. It was a great bike to learn how to ride and also to learn how to work on a bike. I'm sure some day I will get another GS500(currently have a gs1100).
That said, I understand the need to customize, I did a decent amount to my GS when I had it(exhaust, filter, handlebars, jets). However, I think you should go with a proven mod like the Kat rear wheel, something you can do easily and get back on the bike quickly. Either way, good luck and ride safe!
Thank you Mr. Jim Knopf! you were a real help!