GS1200ss Tyre Size...cos it doe's matter!

[kiwisfly]

Hi team
Looking to replace a tyre on the bike & was wondering if a 180 would fit?
I don't have a manual for it & there's a Perilli 170 currently on it but was wondering if it'll fit, if it's wise to even consider?
Anyone know for sure?

[Smokin]

I dont think i would be keen to go wider than standard due to the rim not being able to support the sidewall properly.

[beyond]

I ran a 200 section on the 1400 and standard is 190. No ill effects at all, but do remember that handling is supposed to be the best with the standard tyres recommended. A 170 is going to turn in slightly quicker than a 180.

Without a manual, I would have thought the 1200 would be running at least a 180 rear anyway?

[orangeback]

Hi team
Looking to replace a tyre on the bike & was wondering if a 180 would fit?
I don't have a manual for it & there's a Perilli 170 currently on it but was wondering if it'll fit, if it's wise to even consider?
Anyone know for sure?
stick with the 170 , as youll be using all the tyre to the edges, and if your using more,? you must have your peg raised as i had ago on a mates one on a track day and was getting the pegs down all the time ,(runing a dunlop 207)with a 170 your tyre will wear more evenly than what it would with a 180 as the bike wont get to the outer edge of tyre cos it pulled in more on the rim as it a wider tyre on a narrower rim , loads of people over tyre there bikes and fuck up there handling just for looks :tugger: , dont be one ove these people , and 170 are cheaper :ride:

[Jantar]

Definitely stick with the 170. A larger tyre will adversely the affect the handling.

[kiwisfly]

Thanks guys. Nothing to do with looks it was more about a tyre was available in the bike shop that size however now he'll have to get one in. I just wanted to make sure that there would be no adverse effect. I'm used to the old days when a rear tyre on GSX1100 was about the same width as a standard front tyre today.

[craigs288]

Pretty sure mine has a 180 on it. Will have a look when I get home and post tonight.

[MSTRS]

Your rim or one of the 'spokes' may have a marking on, to the effect of 5 or 5.5?? That is the inch equivalent of 170 or 180. The others are correct about using the right size tyre for the rim. The bike is less important than the rim that is fitted IMO

[roogazza]

I thought the 1200SS had the same wheels as Bandits and GSX1200's ?
If thats the case, it should be wearing 180's G.

[kiwisfly]

Pretty sure mine has a 180 on it. Will have a look when I get home and post tonight.
Thanks for that, appreciate it.

[kiwisfly]

I thought the 1200SS had the same wheels as Bandits and GSX1200's ?
If thats the case, it should be wearing 180's G.
And thats the confusing bit. Everything I can find points to 170 but the bandits run a 180. Gut feel is to stick with the 170...still a whole lot more tyre than I need!!
Was thinking of writing to the tyre makers & ask for a discount of the strips on the edges that arn't worn!!!

[Jantar]

The data from the GS1200SS specification sheet;

Tyres
Front 120/70ZR17
Rear 170/60ZR17


A wider rear tyre will mean less stability while cornering and a greater tendancy to square off the center of the tyre. Also with tubeles tyres it is best to carefully match the tyre size to the rim. I am on my fifth rear tyre on the GS1200SS, and I certainly wouldn't want a wider tyre.

[MSTRS]

There would seem to be doubt & argument over the correct tyre width. CHECK YOUR RIM. Gixxer4Eva has a 190 on his '96 750 - "wrong" said everyone, so he had a look at his rim & it was a 190 rim. All others seem to have 180 rims.

[kiwisfly]

There would seem to be doubt & argument over the correct tyre width. CHECK YOUR RIM. Gixxer4Eva has a 190 on his '96 750 - "wrong" said everyone, so he had a look at his rim & it was a 190 rim. All others seem to have 180 rims.
I've had this cunning idea, so cunning...! I'll check the rim tonight eh!
Thanks Jantar for your comments. As has been indicated I'll stick with the tried & true unless the rim says otherwise. Cheers all.

[craigs288]

Checked the rim and tyre.

The rim has got 17XNT 5.50 DOT on it, and the tyre is a 170/60ZR17 Dunlop Sportmax D207. Can anyone give their opinion of the quality of these tyres.

Good to see there is 10mm on either edge where I haven't gone, yet. Mind you, I haven't scraped anything either.

[MSTRS]

Checked the rim and tyre.

The rim has got 17XNT 5.50 DOT on it, and the tyre is a 170/60ZR17 Dunlop Sportmax D207. Can anyone give their opinion of the quality of these tyres.

Good to see there is 10mm on either edge where I haven't gone, yet. Mind you, I haven't scraped anything either.
Suggests to me that tyre should be a 180. Confirm with a bike shop. The width of a tyre coupled to any given rim affects the profile of the tread, which in turn affects the bike's handling and turn-in rate

[Lou Girardin]

According to Metzeler the ideal rim width for a 170/60-17 is 4.5",
for a 180/55-17 is 5.5".
Suzuki probably fitted 170's for cost reasons, and possibly to speed up the steering.