Radial Tires

[82_GL1100]

I'm in the process of getting my 82 GL1100 Standard back on the road. I have a bit of work left to do first, but it will need new tires at some point in the not too distant future.

I have 83 rims on the bike - 2.50" in the front & 3.00" in the rear. I'd like to put radials on the bike, and the choices seem relatively limited. I'm currently leaning towards a Shinko Verge150/80ZR-16 out back, and a Shinko 005 Advance 130/70R-18 up front.

From what I can find online, the 150/80 should be okay on the 3.00" rim, but the recommended rim width for the 130/70 is also 3.00". On a different bike, I'm running a 110/70R-17 on a 2.50" rim, and it is working fine. It was a tight fit getting it on, but I've had no issues since installation.

It looks like I have sufficient clearance for the 130/70 in the front, and the 150/80 in the rear, but I suspect that both will be a close fit. The front tire will be 37mm shorter than the current 120/90-18, and the rear will be 12mm shorter than the current 140/90-16.

As I see it so far the pro's and con's are as follows:

Pro:
Stickier tires.
Better handling, braking, grip.
Quicker steering.

Con:
Possible tight clearances.
Reduced ground clearance.
Possible reduced stability due to reduced trail.
Pinched front tire / too wide for rim?
Increased speedometer error.

My questions:
Have any of you tried this combination?
Clearance issues?
Handling issues?
Comments?

[robin1731]

150 is bigger than most tire manufacturers recommend for a 3" wheel. Stay with the stock sizes or as close as you can. Putting a wider tire on a rim that it was designed for puts less rubber in contact with the road. It sucks the beads in closer and rounds the tire more. Grab any tire and squeeze the beads together. You'll see what I mean. You already said, "I'm running a 110/70R-17 on a 2.50" rim, and it is working fine. It was a tight fit getting it on". So you know it will be tough to put an even bigger tire on.

.

[Sagebrush]

The biggest tire you can get between the swing arm on an '82-83 is a 140 and even then depending on the tire you may have to do some grinding. On an 80-81 a 140 won't fit at all.