Newer tires on older rims? Poll

[GSXfs600]

On your pre 98's how many of you are running a 120/70/17 instead of the stock 110/80/17?

I went to a shop to buy the later tire and they said, no way! to dangerous!

Is this really the case? or did they have a bunch of 110/80/17's thay needed to dump?

[loudnlow7484]

I think you'll likely find that almost everyone runs 120's on the pre98 wheels.

[Psycho1]

8 years so far with a 120/70/17 on my '90 600 with no problems. Just ordered a new front 120/70/17 Road Attack on Monday to match the new 150/70/17 rear I put on last month.

[VifferJim]

Three years on 120's - no problems.

[steves]

On the front? I see no reason not to.

[s14kouki]

I just replaced my 95 front with a 120. No issues yet.

[izzy]

120 with no problems as of yet. Bike handles great.

[GSXfs600]

Thank you All! Just what I needed.

[Phoenix]

I just replaced my front & rear tires along with swaping in some 92 Kat tri-stars. My stockers were fugly. Which reminds me I need to post up some pics...

[whitecl0ver]

looks unanimous from the results of the poll
lol

[tone]

It may be common but it depends on the rim sizes as to wether its a good idea or even legal

[StevieB]

I went to a shop to buy the later tire and they said, no way! to dangerous!

You will find LOTS of this amoung retailers.

Those guys know how to sell, mount and balance tires. Really, that is the sum total of what they know about the things. To be fair, they are not engineers, do not have access to test equipment or procedures, and are instructed what to say about ANYTHING out of the ordinary by their suppliers. What they are instructed to say amounts to this: DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, TELL A CONSUMER TO MOUNT ANY TIRE OTHER THAN THE ONE THE BOOK SAYS TO. IF YOU DO SO, YOU ARE TOTALLY ON YOUR OWN. AND DON'T SAY WE DIDN'T WARN YOU.

So, you get the party line- the book says size X, so you get size X. Or brand Y. Or type Z (radial or bias.)

I believe it goes back to the FEAR (but not necessarily the reality) of ligitation. Chances are, no one is going to be sued, but, like everything else, preception is now much more important than reality.

[GSXfs600]

I know what your saying! But these are gear head racer friends that have no motive to lie. They just flat out say, 120/70/17 are not made for a 3" rim!

Puts me in a tuff spot because I trust the guys but I can help but think, How can so many Kat riders be wrong?

You will find LOTS of this amoung retailers.

Those guys know how to sell, mount and balance tires. Really, that is the sum total of what they know about the things. To be fair, they are not engineers, do not have access to test equipment or procedures, and are instructed what to say about ANYTHING out of the ordinary by their suppliers. What they are instructed to say amounts to this: DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, TELL A CONSUMER TO MOUNT ANY TIRE OTHER THAN THE ONE THE BOOK SAYS TO. IF YOU DO SO, YOU ARE TOTALLY ON YOUR OWN. AND DON'T SAY WE DIDN'T WARN YOU.

So, you get the party line- the book says size X, so you get size X. Or brand Y. Or type Z (radial or bias.)

I believe it goes back to the FEAR (but not necessarily the reality) of ligitation. Chances are, no one is going to be sued, but, like everything else, preception is now much more important than reality.

[mather_builders]

Just recently got my 1990 gsx750f and it's got a 120/70/17 on the front with a 160/60/17 on the rear stock rims..Seems fine to me..But I am a kr noob.

[GSXfs600]

Well I fixed my problem with later rims. Thanks all.