for bt-45s
which looks the best?
and which handles the best?

what other size will both look and perform good???

Check out Bridgestone's motorcycle tire site to check out recommended rim widths, and the size of the fitted tire.  There really isn't a lot of difference among the sizes you listed, but you'll have to wait for actual performance comparisons to another poster. I'd be perfectly happy with the stockers.

I have a 130/70 on my rear with the 110/70 on the front.  Nothing but praise from me.  Even with the plug I put in the rear 3000 miles ago, things are good and holding pressure well.  Stupid nail got stuck in my tire before I even had a 1000 miles on it arg.  I've never had a problem with traction but I have kicked out the rear hitting the gas hard in a first gear corner.  I was pissed at a jay walker going against the red and taking their sweet old time so I nailed it.  Didn't expect the rear to spin up like it did but I kept on the gas until it was straight again.  I'm used to driving rear wheel drive cars so a little fishtailing doesn't really surprise me like it does some people

I wish I can say that I've tried a bike with the 140 rear but I haven't.  The 140 looks a little (not significantly IMO) wider but I'm not sure to what extent it affects the handling  :dunno:

I can say that my tires performed great in the rain.  Only got a little wishy washy going over the light rail tracks down town  

Kerry and I have used 130/70 and 130/80 bt-45 tires between the two of us, and the main thing we have found is that the 130/80 seems to wear out faster in the middle, leaving the outside still with plenty of tread.

I have no experience with 140/anything, so can't say there. =]

thanks guys...

what is the difference between a 130/80 and a 140/70

Width and Profile. 130mm wide (approx.)/80% profile (80% of 130mm = 104mm heigth)

140/70 (98mm height)

But, rim width also affects profile (and width a little). So, a skinnier rim will make a 140/70 bow more by pinching the beads closer together, making for a more peaked tire profile. Which might make it feel like it wants to fall into turns more.

Not that you're putting on a skinnier rim, it just helps to think of it that way.

Hi Richard,

You wrote:

>Kerry and I have used 130/70 and 130/80 bt-45 tires between the two of us

I have just bought a GS with BT-45s. The tires say "max load at 41psi". But I don't think that's a good working pressure. What pressure do you run yours at?

Jonathan

32front, 36 rear.

the 140/80 is a tall tire and looks odd compared with the front. BUT choose tires based on performance not looks. The 140/80 turned in nicely. No real discernible difference between the 130 and 140 from a performance standpoint that I ever noticed.

I continue to run replacement tires at the pressures recommended for the stock tires.  I believe those are

33 / 36 for solo riding and
33 / 41 for two-up[/list:u]On my '99 this info is on a sticker on the left swingarm.  On Richard's '96 I think the sticker is under the seat, near the seat latch.