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 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.   

cause the gs rear wheel is a 17" wheel, lol

servus,

200 in  gs500, no problem!

use a gsxr rim 6x17 with special sprocket for 520er chain, one 8mm offsetsprocket in the front, a bandit 1200 swingarm and god!

looks like this:

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!

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!