Tyres for a 91 GSX600F?

Discussion in 'UK Motorcycles' started by C4nt, Nov 26, 2008.

  1. C4nt

    C4nt Guest

    Hi everyone, I have just brought a GSX600F 1991 model, Both tyres have had
    it so I need to buy some new ones. According to the manual my tyres are
    110/80/17 front, 140/80/17 rear. (which is the same as it has on it)

    Could I put on different sizes as these are hard to get hold off and really
    exspensive? I know there is probably a limit to the width of the tyre to
    clear everything but does the height of the tyre matter that much?

    If I put a 110/70/17 front & 140/70/17 rear what difference would it make
    to the handling?

    I can't find much on the net as it seems this bike changed its wheel sizes
    around 1995. Does anyone have a list of what would fit on my bike?

    Thanks

    Ant
     
    C4nt, Nov 26, 2008
    #1
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  2. C4nt

    zymurgy Guest

    Paging Eddie ..

    P.
     
    zymurgy, Nov 26, 2008
    #2
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  3. C4nt

    antonye Guest

    The change from 80 to 70 would have the effect of making the tyre
    profile
    lower (as you've gone from 80% to 70% nominal aspect ratio - the
    height
    of the tyre compared the it's width) which will make the steering
    slower
    and therefore more difficult to turn into the corners.

    Would you notice it though? Not if the tyres are already crap and
    squared,
    as you probably feel them dropping into the corner suddenly (and/or
    harder
    to get onto the edge due to the sharp profile change) and therefore
    the
    smoother profile of the new tyre may actually feel better.

    It might have an effect of the speedo of your bike if the drive is
    taken
    from the front or rear wheel, as you've changed the overall rolling
    radius
    of that wheel, so this is something worth bearing in mind.

    If it was me, I'd go to some of the well known tyre supplier's
    websites
    and see what offers they are doing. You might also want to have a look
    at the manufacturer websites as the supplier might not hold a full
    range
    of stock or unusual sizes, but can/may order them in. It's also worth
    speaking to your local fitter as they may be able to do you a deal.

    Google is probably your best bet for more info!
     
    antonye, Nov 26, 2008
    #3
  4. C4nt

    antonye Guest

    Out of interest, I checked Black Circles [0] who seem to stock
    quite a range in that size. I'd go for some Bridgestone BT45
    for that; 110/80/17 = 68.97, 140/80/17 = 83.87

    [0] http://www.blackcircles.com/bikes
     
    antonye, Nov 26, 2008
    #4
  5. C4nt

    wessie Guest

    also check http://www.tyre-shopper.co.uk/ - they can supply & fit a pair of
    Continental tyres for about £120
     
    wessie, Nov 26, 2008
    #5
  6. C4nt

    Eddie Guest

    Our old ones have gone. We always just fitted the recommended size, and
    they were never particularly expensive.
     
    Eddie, Nov 26, 2008
    #6
  7. C4nt

    C4nt Guest

    antonye wrote in:
    Thanks for the reply, I have only ridden the bike up and down the street
    a couple of times but it did feel like it was dropping really suddenly,
    the tyres are totally square! Anyway as I've never ridden it properly
    its not going to feel any different to me.

    The recommended tyre sizes are possible to get hold off but no one round
    here seems to stock both a front and back of the same type, if I order
    online and then pay someone the £40 to fit them locally, its gonna cost
    me near on £200! And I don't even know if I'll keep the bike or not yet
    as I haven't ridden it and might not like it. (which i wont get back if
    I re-sell it)

    Good point about the speedo, I would have never thought of that! I wont
    let that stop me but its def worth bearing in mind.

    So if I do go down from a 80 to a 70 do you think it is best to do it on
    both the front and back?

    So have i got this right, the 80 isn't the height of the top of the tyre
    from the rim, but the height of the treaded part of the tyre?

    And does the rim size come into play when adjusting the heights? or are
    they the same if the widths stay the same?

    Thanks again for your advice.

    Ant
     
    C4nt, Nov 26, 2008
    #7
  8. C4nt

    antonye Guest

    I think you'd get a pair for around £140 from the prices I've seen,
    maybe £150 inc postage. You shouldn't be paying more than £10 per
    tyre to have them fitted at a friendly bike/tyre place. If you let
    us know where you are someone may be able to recommend somewhere
    local(ish) to you.

    Don't look at is as lost money though. A bike with fucked tyres is
    going to need new tyres whether you keep it or sell it. If you
    keep it them you get plenty of mileage out of a new set of tyres.
    If you sell it, it saves the new owner the hassle and is a good
    selling point - most people are lazy and would want to knock the
    price down for new tyres. Having a new set already on there could
    clinch the deal on a sale. Same goes for tax/mot, etc. If you do
    decide to sell it, just adjust the price accordingly.
    The 80 is the Nominal Aspect Ration - how high the tyre is (80%)
    compared to it's width. The bike will have been designed to have
    certain tyres fitted and changing those tyres will have an effect
    on the way the bike handles (and maybe affect the speedo); whether
    you notice or not is a different thing! Usually people go UP in
    aspect ration to sharpen the steering and make it turn quicker
    or smoother rather than going DOWN in aspect ratio.

    This diagram may help you get your head round it:
    http://automotivemileposts.com/files/tires101n5.gif
     
    antonye, Nov 26, 2008
    #8
  9. C4nt

    zymurgy Guest

    Yebbut, you're never normally reticent about trying to unload the rest
    of your spares ;)

    P.
     
    zymurgy, Nov 26, 2008
    #9
  10. C4nt

    C4nt Guest

    antonye wrote :


    I live in Ipswich, so yeah if you know of anywhere cheap let me know, or
    even someone whos got a tyre changer in their shed ;)

    Well I under estimated the price of tyres so probably over paid for the
    bike in the first place, so I doubt I'll get it back if I sold it.

    Think I've got the just of it now, so dropping from a 80 to a 70 will
    make the tyre about 30mm's lower. (this might be a good thing for me as
    a bike that drops quite quick scares me, although I don't know how quick
    or slow the orignal size dropped as I never rid it on decent ones of
    them)

    Still can't decide what to do though, i can get some 70's for £100 or
    80's for £140 both without fitting added on!
    Just wish the bike had enough tread to do a hundred miles or so before I
    had to buy new ones!


    Thanks for your help

    Ant
     
    C4nt, Nov 27, 2008
    #10
  11. C4nt

    wessie Guest

    Have you discounted the Contis in the correct size for £120 including
    fitting? There's a fitting centre in Ipswich too
    http://www.tyre-shopper.co.uk/ts/mapping/ShowCentre.aspx?centre=165
     
    wessie, Nov 27, 2008
    #11
  12. C4nt

    antonye Guest

    See Wessie's reply below, as he has linked to a good deal.

    My pit bitch (spanner wanker and pit board holder - waves to Mark)
    has tyre changing gear so may be able to do it for you for the price
    of a couple of pints. We're only down the A12 at Chelmsford, so not
    far away.
     
    antonye, Nov 27, 2008
    #12
  13. C4nt

    Eddie Guest

    Ah, good point! But there's not really much left.

    From memory: engine, frame, oil cooler hoses, back mudguard/undertray,
    side stand, right-hand clip-on (slightly bent), front indicators
    (aftermarket), starter relay, rear brake disc, chain and sprockets
    (probably not worth selling, really), and a pile of random bits and pieces.

    Ant: in the unlikely event that you want anything from that list, drop
    me an email.
     
    Eddie, Nov 27, 2008
    #13
  14. C4nt

    C4nt Guest

    wessie wrote in :
    The only ones you can get on that site for £120 are off road tyres. The
    cheapest ones which I can use on the road at a correct speed rating are
    Continental Conti-Go! which comes to £142.

    The fitting centre in Ipswich on that site doesn't do motorbikes! So I
    would have to travel to colchester for the nearest one, which I'm unsure I
    want to do on my current tyres. You still have to take the wheels off
    yourself though, thats crazy, the amount of money they make why do all
    these shop refuse to take a wheel of a bike?!

    Anyway Thanks for your advice, I'll prob end up doing it as I have no
    alternatives yet.

    Ant
     
    C4nt, Nov 27, 2008
    #14
  15. C4nt

    C4nt Guest

    antonye wrote :
    Would be a nice offer, but probably too far on these tyres in this weather.

    Just got a quote from my local motorcycle shop, if you thought my rough
    quess of £20 per wheel was bad, look at this:

    One tyre fitted to bike: £37.35

    Thats just crazy! They charge £22 if the wheel is loose!
    Its a bike shop, they can have the wheel of in a couple of mins, change the
    tyre in about 10mins max, why do they charge so much!

    Crazy stuff!

    Anyway thank you very much for your offer.

    Ant
     
    C4nt, Nov 27, 2008
    #15
  16. C4nt

    C4nt Guest

    Thanks, I don't need any yet, but I'll bear you in mind if I ever do.


    Ant
     
    C4nt, Nov 27, 2008
    #16
  17. C4nt

    antonye Guest

    It's no more than 30 miles on straight roads, and pick a weekend
    when the sun is shining! Take it easy and you'll be fine.
    Mind you, getting the tyres with you as well is a different story!
     
    antonye, Nov 27, 2008
    #17
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