Hey all,

   I dont know if im just used to the honda nighthawks smooth steering, or the tire combo isnt working (120/70 distanzia + 140/80 distanzia).. but the steering on my bike is too sensitive/quick/sportbike-ish. I would like to try and slow it down by putting a bigger (18 or 19") rim on the front.

   I realize i would have to get spacers machined for the front brake and bearings. My question is- is there a particular wheel that would be a good match to start with? where bearings would fit/etc.

Thanks

Maybe you're not used to the lightness of this Lil 500...I find it to be a good thing to be a bit more nimble. To each his own I suppose. I haven't seen anyone do this rim swap, it seems costly however.   

Not sure about just swapping a rim but you can always swap the entire front end (wheels, forks brakes, triple...) from another bike.

-Jessie

Mmmmmm, sensitive/quick/sportbike-ish?  I like quick and nimble in a bike but not overly sensitive.  I've probably used as many different kinds of tires on a GS as anyone has and I'm thinking your problem is more about tire choice than rim size.  I had one supersport type front tire (BT010 radial) on a GS500 with a 140/80 AV36 radial rear and thought it was the only front tire I've used that felt twitchy or sensitive on my 2 GSs in over 150k GS miles.

The only 120/70 Distanzia tire I see listed is the SM radial tire that would have supersport type compounds, very responsive.  I have never used SM tires on my GSs but just changed to 120/70 Roadrider front from a 110/80 Roadrider and noticed how much quicker the rounder profile 120/70 was on my oem 3" rim.  I have a 150/70 Roadrider rear which has an oversize diameter equal to a normal 140/80 size.  The larger 140/80 rear tire also quickens the steering a bit.

I traded a used up 85 CB650SC Nighthawk in on my first GS500 and rode the GS home on a mid 30's F day and was very dissapointed in it's cold bloodedness until I got it warm and hit the twisties and then knew I had a winner in handling over the old Nighthawk, even with the oem Excedra tires on the GS.

options...
1  get the correct sized tire for the front (110/70-17)  it will make a difference when ya pinch a front tire onto a rim
     the bike will feel twitchy and fall into corners because the tire profile is sqooshed to fit the 3 inch rim
     (120/70 should be recommended for a 3.5 inch wide rim)
2  get a different front end say a kat 750 that is longer and will rake the bike out a bit
3  lower the stock forks 1/2-3/4 inch in the tripples to raise the rake
4  get a 110/80-17 front tire to increase the rake(very little)
5  this ain't a nighthawk and will never be a nighthawk, not saying that is a bad thing

bigger wheel also will remove the front fender....kewl if you like " that look "

those tires are for a ....bmw or KTM bike with more rake and wheel travel
yeah i bet they suck on a GS

as Jack said..... get some tires that are better suited to a GS then decide

if you want rake.....I have a Kat 750 complete front end $200+shp(in several boxes) still on the kat 750
it is about 2 in longer than the GS and will make your GS less GSish

If you want to decrease the rake to slow the steering until you use up the Distanzia SM tires get some 1 1/2" lowering links for the rear suspension for an inexpensive solution.  Only $18.50 plus shipping from Burkhart:

http://burkhartcycle.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=8_18&products_id=87

Should work OK with a standard sidestand, I've got some approx 1 1/4" lowering links on mine with the front lowered 1/2" with an oem sidestand.

The 120/70 Distanzia radial front and 120/70 Roadrider bias front tires are approved by Avon for fitment on 3.0" rims although a 3.5" rim is the preferred rim for a 120/70.  Offhand I can't think of any supersport radials that are currently approved for fitment on anything less than a 3.5" rim by their makers.

As has been mentioned... try Stock sizes.

Just double checked my tires... stock as they came on the bike from the dealer...

Front: 110/70-17
Rear: 130/70-17

Michael

Hmm, on my 89 that I race, I run a 140 on the rear.  I have run 150's before, and there is a big difference on how the bike flicks over with the bigger tire.  It does not go over as fast with the 150, and obviously I can't get the bike leaned all the way over to the edge of the tire.  Also, I had to run a 120 on the front instead of a 110 during my last race as my tire vendor at the track doesn't normally carry the 110's and my front tire was shot and not safe to race on.  Putting the 120 on really slowed the front end down as far as flicking it over into a turn.  I liked the feeling so  much that I will run the 120's next year since they are way easier to get at the track.  I have the stock rims on the bike.   I run bridgestones on the track, so I do not have any street tire info.  The 003's can be run on the street or track, but I am sure that you will not get good mileage out of these tires.