I found a new 140/70-17 Metzeler Lasertec  66S rear tire for sale on a local forum. It is on a bargain-price. My only problem is I do not know if it fits on the stock rim? Unfortunately I did not find any specification about it on Metz's site.

Did anybody use this size of Lasertec? Does it fit on the stock rim? I hope yes

It will fit OK, I ran a 150/70 Lasertec on the stock 3.5" rim and a 140/70 Roadrider which I just replaced with a 150/70 Roadrider.  Need to bend brake rod a bit for some of the 150/70 tires but not necessary for a 140/70 which has plenty of clearance.

Just be sure it's not an old outdated tire.  Last four digits on the DOT number are the week and year of manufacture.  Example, 4808 would be 48th week of 2008.

Metzeler fitment info is in the Full Line Tire Guide linked on site:

http://www.us.metzelermoto.com/en_US/browser/attachments/pdf/2008_METZELER_FULL_LINE.pdf

Just thought a minute, Metz doesn't make a 140/70-17 Lasertec.  They make a 140/80-17 but the 66S spec is wrong.  Lasertecs come in S or V speed rating not the lower S speed rating.

Hello gsJack,
Thank you for your comment. I will check the DOT number before I buy it. 

As I see Metz makes 140/70-17 Lasertec. You can check it on the official site: http://www.metzelermoto.com/web/catalog/moto/moto_catalogo_schedaDescription.page?categoria=/catalog/moto/sport_touring/none&vehicleType=MOTO&product_id=101886&uri=/metzeler/en_IT/browser/xml/catalog/moto/SportTouring_Lasertec.xml&menu_item=/products/catalog/sport_touring

On the other hand I can order it from the local dealers as well.

One more question to the tire guru Will it be OK If I use this rear Lasertec with BT45 front?

OK Aron, I should have said they don't sell that size here in US, forgot you're from Hungary.     That's the Worldwide site you linked to.  We get a much more limited choice of sizes as shown here on North America site:

http://www.us.metzelermoto.com/web/catalog/moto/moto_catalogo_schedaDescription.page?categoria=/catalog/moto/sport_touring/none&vehicleType=MOTO&product_id=230424&uri=/metzeler/en_US/browser/xml/catalog/moto/SportTouring_Lasertec.xml&menu_item=/products/catalog/sport_touring

I see they have 2 versions of the 140/70-17 Lasertec on the Worldwide site, a S (112 mph) speed rated and a H (130 mph) speed rated. That S rated tire is probably for supermoto use and would be a bit stickier and shorter lived than the H rated tire but should work for a GS500.  Shouldn't be a problem with the BT45 front.

Except the shorter life time is there any other disadvantage to use this stickier (softer) rear tire? If it is a stickier tire I guess the performance of it would be better at the twisty roads as well.   Am I right?

I've heard mixed reviews on the 140's and 150's on the 3.5 rim, most say it pinches the tire in and alters the profile of the tire, making it impossible to reach the edge of the tire, some have said they used a wider tire on the 3.5 and had no problems, all have had comments on the fitment, need clearence to clear chain and brake bar, look over the katana wheel swap for details on solving the clearence issue.

No prob with mine (140/70 bt090)

I've run 110/70, 110/80 front and 130/70, 130/80, 130/90, 140/70, 140/80, 150/70 rear tires on my GSs on the stock 3.0 and 3.5" wheels.  All of the tires I've run have been fitments approved by the tires maker.  The difference in handling due to tire size is hardly noticeable compared to the difference due to type of tire, stickier is fun and longer lasting is more economical.  I've run bias, bias belted, and radial tires.  No alterations are required to the bike for any of these sizes on stock wheels except the 150/70 which comes close to or touches the brake rod and may require bending the rod a bit.

Putting tires on a wider wheel like a Bandit 4.0" or a Kat 4.5" rear makes the tires wider increasing the clearance problems.  Anything wider than a 150 rear should be on a wider wheel if it's a low 60 or 70 profile.  Members on the ex-500.com forum are posting their tires on a spreadsheet for reference.  A 150/70 won't fit the EX500 without modifications due to the shape of the front of the swingarm so that accounts for the large number wanting radials running the 150/60 supersport type tires which are not approved for fitment on 3.5" wide wheels by any of the tire makers in this country.

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=p9OvigvZMFSbc6PJadCGCNQ

The 94 and later Ninja 500 and the 08 and later Ninja 250 have the same size oem tires and wheels as the GS500.

I read a lot of pros and contras about using of a wider tire on GS500 stock rim. I think the best way to decide whether the wider tire disturbs somebody or not if he/she tries out it. I am going to buy a wider tire

I examined my front BT45 more deeply and I noticed inside pattern it is cracked. The patter is 3mm deep.



What do you think? Should I change it asap or it is not a big problem and I can use it for a while? 10k miles are in it.

I recently ordered some Avon Roadriders, with the rear being a 150/70... got the front Roadrider in today but the rear that arrived was a Bridestone Dual Sport tire


I ordered 'em from the same place in the same order... but the person who put the tires in the order didn't think that they should look EXACTLY THE SAME


My BT45 rear only lasted 7500 miles.  Decent tread on the edges though so I think it'll be ok for a few more days...

Anyways, I think that the 140 in your case will be a good tire.